The Substitute Bride and the Cripple

Jiang Shaocheng was about to explain himself when Tang Qiu said, “You’re really self-reliant, dear. You still force yourself to train even though it’s difficult. You’re amazing.”

He nodded in agreement.

“It must be very challenging when you exercise.” Tang Qiu felt heartache and pride.

Jiang Shaocheng didn’t know what to say, so he kept nodding.

Tang Qiu smiled and patted the muscles on his arm. She couldn’t help but sigh. “So big,” she remarked. “And hard…”

He stared at her silently.

Her words were making his imagination run wild.

Tang Qiu didn’t think too much about it. “The twelve meridians are divided into the yin and yang meridians.” She listed them as she trailed her fingers down his chest, alternating between the two. “The heart. The stomach. The lungs. The large intestine. The pericardium…”

Her gentle, soft fingers sent sparks dancing across his skin, making him itch with heat. Jiang Shaocheng grabbed her hand. “Don’t touch me like that, Qiu,” he said hoarsely. f𝔯𝒆𝚎𝚠𝑒𝚋𝓃૦νℯƖ.co𝘮

“Huh?” Tang Qiu looked confused. She didn’t touch him…

Jiang Shaocheng coughed, afraid that he wouldn’t be able to stifle himself any longer. When he said nothing, Tang Qiu followed his gaze to the sensitive spot between his legs. When had she slid her finger down there? she thought in alarm. “I won’t touch you there anymore. Not that I was touching you to begin with. I’ll just look… wait, no, I shouldn’t be looking there…”

Jiang Shaocheng smiled and said, “Just continue. Don’t hinder your studies.”

Tang Qiu quickly lowered her head to take notes as she read. Jiang Shaocheng couldn’t take his eyes off her. His wife was incredibly attractive when she got all serious like that.

Tang Qiu went to pick up another book. When she was rummaging through her bag, she saw the essential oil that Qian Hongwei had given her. She turned to look at her husband, who was putting on his clothes. “Wait a moment, dear. I have a surprise for you, remember?”

“What surprise?” he asked in anticipation.

“Go lie down on the sofa. I’ll take off your pants.” Tang Qiu looked excited.

Jiang Shaocheng was confused, but he stared at the essential oil in her hand and smiled. He turned his wheelchair and lay down on the sofa, watching as Tang Qiu unbuttoned his pants and dripped the essential oil onto his leg. Her hand inched up his thigh. “This is to help promote circulation in your leg. I’ve checked; this oil will be good for you. Just take note, it might be a little hot later.”

Under her firm grip, sweat broke out on Jiang Shaocheng’s forehead.

“How do you feel? Do you feel anything?” Tang Qiu asked.

“Yes,” he said tensely. A lot of things, actually.

Tang Qiu was elated; that meant the technique was working. “I just learned this treatment today and I’m still testing it out, so I have to be gentle. Wait for me to familiarize myself with it. It’ll definitely be more effective then. Is it comfortable?”

“… Yes.” Fighting the fire stirring in his loins, Jiang Shaocheng threw the comforter over his body to hide its natural response to her.

It was terrifying, how completely he gave himself over to the pain and pleasure. After almost half an hour, Tang Qiu stopped and washed his hands for him. “I’ll keep this up in the future. If you feel uncomfortable, you have to tell me. I’m just a beginner; I’m sure I did something wrong along the way.”

Jiang Shaocheng pulled her into his arms. “I think you’ve had enough practice, Qiu. Now it’s my turn.”

Tang Qiu looked at him in confusion. “What do you want to practice?”

Jiang Shaocheng smiled and lowered his head to kiss her–answering with his actions.

“Oh…” Tang Qiu understood. Her husband wanted to practice kissing! Not that she was complaining.

A few minutes later, Jiang Shaocheng finally let go of her. “Silly Qiu. You have to breathe through your nose.”

Tang Qiu glared at him. “Then don’t kiss me. Every time you kiss me, I can’t breathe…”

Jiang Shaocheng playfully tapped her nose. “That’s why we have to practice.” Without waiting for her answer, he forced his lips on hers.

Tang Qiu was helpless. Her lips were numb when Jiang Shaocheng finally let her go. She retreated to the bedroom, burying her face in her hands. Her chest was rising and falling, trembling with the struggle to contain her pounding heart. When she came out of the shower and saw that her husband was ready for bed, she turned her back to him angrily.

Jiang Shaocheng knew that she was still shy, but he didn’t comment on it. He waited for her to crawl onto the bed before pulling her into his arms. “Are you avoiding me?”

“No,” she said stubbornly.

Jiang Shaocheng could only laugh, making her blush harder. She covered his mouth with her hand. “Stop that.” f𝙧𝒆𝚎𝑤e𝚋𝓷o𝘷𝗲l.c𝐨m

“Why? I’m happy, Qiu.” He took her hand and kissed it.

“What are you happy about?” Tang Qiu tried to pull away but failed, so she let him be.

Jiang Shaocheng leaned in so their foreheads touched. “Because my wife is so cute.”