The Substitute Bride and the Cripple

Jiang Shaocheng sneered. That explained why the old lady kept defending the Feng family and degrading Tang Qiu. “The Fengs have no reason to pay for an outsider to stay in a nursing home.”

He Lei nodded. “Feng Guo’an doesn’t even treat his own daughter kindly. There must be something going on, but I haven’t found anything yet.”

“Then continue investigating. Qiu’s mother is a raw wound for her, and I don’t want her to be hurting forever.”

“I’ll get more people to aid in the search. We’ll be able to uncover something soon,” He Lei said confidently.

***

When Tang Qiu returned to school, Xie Qingqing rushed up to her. “Bad news, Qiu.”

Tang Qiu’s gaze swiveled to her. “Is it my grandmother?”

Xie Qingqing gritted her teeth. “Watch this video.”

Tang Qiu looked at the video and listened to Madam Tang’s words. Her face turned pale.

“This video has already gone viral. Someone must have deliberately plotted against you. Qiu, get your husband to do something, and quickly. Otherwise, your reputation will be ruined!”

In the video, a voice asked Madam Tang, “Who are you to Tang Qiu? Why are you hitting her outside the school gate?”

Madam Tang released a deep breath. “I’m Tang Qiu’s biological grandmother. I hit her because she stole her sister’s fiance–a cripple, too! I wanted her to get a divorce, but she actually threatened to cut ties with me. I’m so angry, I could…”

“Was the man she married really a cripple?” the voice asked again.

“He was in a wheelchair; what do you think? His face is full of scars–he’s so hideous, I was shocked. Her mother has broken up people’s marriages, and now she’s following in her footsteps. That man is even more hateful. He threatened me and tried to silence me with money! I’m just an old lady. What do I need the money for?”

“You said that Tang Qiu’s mother also stole someone else’s husband?”

“It’s humiliating, isn’t it? That daughter of mine… her shame brought her to an early grave. How unlucky for our family!”

Tang Qiu gripped her phone tightly. How could her grandmother have let someone record her saying such things?

Xie Qingqing comforted her, “Qiu, I think this has something to do with the Fengs. They just can’t bear to see you living well! But you should still tell your husband about this. A family like the Jiangs is sure to be complicated–you’re already Jiang Shaocheng’s wife; there’s no reason for them to be so unscrupulous. Jiang Shaocheng might be their target. We can’t let them off.”

It had to be said: Xie Qingqing was very clear-headed sometimes.

Tang Qiu scoffed. “Someone deliberately caused a scene to ruin my reputation. What am I supposed to do? It’s not like I care anyway!”

Xie Qingqing looked at the conviction in her gaze and patted her shoulder, feeling her heart ache with sympathy. They took out their books and prepared for class.

“Hey, don’t sit there. You’re an eyesore. Go to the back.” A female classmate spoke up without warning.

Xie Qingqing had been implicated along with Tang Qiu all this while because of their friendship; she couldn’t suppress her temper anymore. She threw down her book and was about to rise, before Tang Qiu stopped her. She turned to look at the female classmate who spoke.

“Oh, I’m an eyesore? Is that why you want me to sit behind? Well, I think you’re ugly, so why did you leave your house this morning?” She concluded her taunt with laughter.

The female student shot to her feet and pointed at Tang Qiu. “You actually have the cheek to say that I’m ugly?” she yelled. “Capital University’s reputation has been ruined because of you. There’s no one more revolting than you. You’re greedy and vain–that’s why you married a cripple. No wonder you always have the means to wear branded clothes–your disabled husband bought them for you! Must be difficult serving a cripple, right, Tang Qiu?” 𝙛𝘳𝘦e𝓌e𝗯n𝗼ѵ𝙚l.𝒄𝚘𝑚

Tang Qiu laughed. “I didn’t steal anyone’s fiance, so why do you care who I married? You’re all worked up–are you jealous of me? It’s like I stole your lover! I would back off if I were you, since, according to you, I’m bold enough for anything. Hurry up and protect your boyfriend. I heard that he’s from a wealthy family–don’t let him be snatched away!”

“Tang Qiu, have you no shame?” The female student thought of her rich boyfriend whom she had been showing off recently and gritted her teeth in anger. “Your grandmother said that you’re greedy and vain, just like your mother. You seduced Senior Ning Mufan, and now you want to steal my boyfriend. Why are you still in school at all? Just lie down on the ground, spread your legs, and earn a living on your back!”

Tang Qiu clenched her fists at the mention of her mother and stood up. “What’s your name?”

“What are you thinking? Why do you care what my name is?”

Tang Qiu stood up and walked over, sparking fear in the female student. She had looked at Tang Qiu with disdain after that video and wanted to mock her–not get into a fight with her. Even more frightening was the thought that Tang Qiu would make good on her promise and steal her boyfriend.

At this moment, someone laughed and said, “Are you afraid already, Huang Jianwei? If you have the guts to speak, you should also have the courage to stand by those words!”

Huang Jianwei glared at the male student who had spoken. “Li Nanwei, don’t tell me you’re fond of a woman like Tang Qiu. You truly lack standards!”

Li Nanwei laughed. “The mad dog bites back. I told you not to be afraid–does that count as being on Tang Qiu’s side?”