The Substitute Bride and the Cripple

Xie Qingqing looked at the old lady in shock. She had spoken to Tang Qiu as if the latter were nothing, and the Feng family were nobility. She finally understood why Tang Qiu rarely brought up her grandmother.

Tang Qiu stared at her grandmother, long accustomed to the verbal abuse. The only thing she could do was to provide her grandmother with a comfortable life. “I won’t get a divorce,” she repeated. “If you don’t want to hear my explanation, then go back to the nursing home!”

“I raised you better than this…” Tang Qiu’s grandmother was so angry that her complexion changed color and her fingers trembled.

“Raised me to what? Be bullied? To not retaliate in the face of beatings and scoldings? I’ve had enough!” Tang Qiu took a deep breath. “I dreamt of leaving the Feng family, and Jiang Shaocheng gave me a home. I married him for stability. Grandma, hurry back to the nursing home, before you embarrass yourself–I’m begging you!”

Only then did Madam Tang realize that students were staring at her strangely. Her face turned red; she had made a spectacle of herself in her rage.

Feng Yao watched in pleasure behind the gate as Tang Qiu got beaten up. Madam Tang was extremely image-conscious, and had always felt humiliated by her daughter’s status as a mistress, not to mention indebted to the Feng family. She had always been very strict with Tang Qiu; if she knew her granddaughter had stolen and married another woman’s fiance, the old lady would view it as her imperative to teach her a lesson. Even if Tang Qiu explained the circumstances behind her marriage, her grandmother would definitely demand that she get a divorce once she found out that she had married a cripple. Moreover, Madam Tang was Tang Qiu’s family–and her weakness. Feng Yao didn’t believe that Tang Qiu would dare to defy her grandmother’s wishes!

***

In the mansion, He Lei entered the study to report that someone had hit the young mistress. She hadn’t fought back–only cried. free𝚠𝚎𝚋𝒏𝚘ѵ𝐞l.𝑐oｍ

Jiang Shaocheng was so furious that he slammed the document he was holding on the table. His face darkened. “Who is it?”

He Lei immediately showed him the recorded video. He had paid a student to act as Tang Qiu’s shadow in school, so they would know once anything happened to her.

In the video, Jiang Shaocheng saw an old lady raise her arm and slap his wife. His expression changed. If he had been present, he would have had that hand removed!

“I think it’s the young mistress’ grandmother,” He Lei said, head lowered.

Jiang Shaocheng frowned. Tang Qiu had mentioned that she had a grandmother, but had never looked happy when raising the subject. There must be something wrong with their relationship. His work matters could wait. He got up and left for Tang Qiu’s school.

He Lei hurriedly followed behind him and drove him there.

***

When they arrived, Jiang Shaocheng rolled down the window and saw Tang Qiu sitting in a cafe.

The old lady opposite her was agitated. She raised her hand and slapped Tang Qiu again. However, Tang Qiu seemed to be numb and didn’t dodge.

“He Lei, stop her!”

When they arrived at the cafe, Jiang Shaocheng caught sight of Tang Qiu–as well as Feng Yao hiding nearby.

When He Lei saw how suspiciously she was acting, he said, “That woman must be up to no good!”

Jiang Shaocheng retracted his gaze; he couldn’t care less about unimportant people like her.

Quickly, he pushed his wheelchair to Tang Qiu’s side and grabbed the old lady’s wrist. “You’ll hurt your hand if you slap her like that.”

“Who are you?” Madam Tang turned around and was shocked to see the man’s scarred face.

“I’m Tang Qiu’s husband, Jiang Shaocheng.” Jiang Shaocheng let go of her hand and glanced at Tang Qiu’s red face. His entire demeanor turned cold.

Tang Qiu’s eyes widened in surprise at his sudden appearance. “Dear, why are you here?”

Jiang Shaocheng caressed her cheek. “Does it hurt?” He instructed He Lei to get two hot eggs from the kitchen. He Lei nodded respectfully and turned to leave. ｆ𝘳e𝒆w𝗲𝐛𝘯𝐨νe𝚕.cｏ𝓶

“I have thick skin. It doesn’t hurt.” Tang Qiu didn’t want him to worry; there were some things that were better kept to herself. She tried to muster a smile through the humiliation. She thought she succeeded, but only ended up looking like a fool, making Jiang Shaocheng’s heart ache.

He remembered how she had liked Yin Shulai’s art. Not because his work was just that good, but because she had many grievances and sorrows in her heart which she had never expressed. The painting had merely triggered those deeply-buried emotions.

He looked at the old lady again, and ice crept into his tone. “I don’t care who you are. Tang Qiu married me. She’s mine. You’re not allowed to touch her without my consent!”

Madam Tang frowned at his warning. “You’re the man Qiu married?”

“Yes.” Jiang Shaocheng’s eyes were cold.

“Get a divorce. Qiu isn’t right for you!” Madam Tang ordered.

Jiang Shaocheng stared at her coldly and said in a dangerous voice, “I think she is. And no one should presume to order me around.”

“You… Have you looked into the mirror? You’re a cripple in a wheelchair. Even if you have some money, Qiu will have to look after you for the rest of your life. You’ll only drag her down!” In Tang Qiu’s grandmother’s mind, she was doing this for her granddaughter’s own good.