The Substitute Bride and the Cripple

Chapter 19: In the Arms of a Man

Jiang Shaocheng mused to himself that there were far more straightforward ways for him, a cripple, to get some exercise in the bedroom. He could think of countless ways to make her break a sweat, all without ever taking a step out of the house.

“I know all you want is to look after me. We could set an alarm, and I’ll be able to wake up naturally after getting used to it.”

Tang Qiu’s shyness dissolved at his upbeat response, and her mind drifted to what kind of treatment would be suitable in helping him recover effectively.

After breakfast, Jiang Shaocheng pushed his wheelchair over to her. “Qiu, can you help me choose an outfit that matches yours today?”

Tang Qiu agreed, her heart giving a tiny flutter at the mental image of them in their couple outfits. “Let me help you change your clothes, dear.” She was his wife, and she wanted to take a go at helping him with these little tasks. Plus, she wanted to take a good look at his injured legs; otherwise, how would she know how to heal him?

“You really want to help me?” Jiang Shaocheng’s brows lifted in surprise. She had practically shied away from him earlier. Was she no longer afraid?

“Of course. I’m your wife, such simple tasks are no problem at all!”

She must be trying to reassure herself. He had no reason to refuse her, not with how adorable she was.

Tang Qiu took in a breath and helped him take off his pants, but only managed it halfway before he reached out and took her hand. “Let He Lei do it. You need to go to class.” Her cool hands had been tracing the bare skin of his legs; like any normal man, it was impossible to stifle his body’s natural response.

“I can do it,” she insisted, only for him to purse his lips and lower his head.

His wounded legs meant that he couldn’t even have sex with her; his pride must be rather fragile. If she persisted in having her way, it might hurt his feelings.

“I’ll get He Lei,” she acquiesced.

When she left, Jiang Shaocheng allowed himself to exhale and relax. The self-control which he had always prided himself on had failed him entirely in front of her; instead, he had nearly given in to every primal instinct inside him. He had been the one toying with her at first, teasing those little reactions out of her like ripples across a lake in spring, except he had fallen prey to his own trap. He couldn’t help giving a wry smile.

When He Lei pushed Jiang Shaocheng’s wheelchair downstairs, Tang Qiu studied their matching-colored outfits. A smile broke out across her face as she ran up to him and smoothed his shirt. “You look especially lively and handsome dressed like this, dear,” she remarked in admiration.

Jiang Shaocheng raised a brow, gratified by her compliments. “You look particularly beautiful too, Qiu.”

She turned bashful at his words. Her heart had been racing an awful lot lately…

When they reached A University, Jiang Shaocheng rolled down the car window and watched Tang Qiu prepare to hurry off. Without thinking, he said aloud, “Do I get a goodbye kiss, Qiu, since I won’t get to see you for the whole day?”

Tang Qiu pursed her lips and turned her back on him without replying.

“You don’t want to kiss me? I understand… I’m crippled and disfigured. If any of your classmates saw us, you would hear no end to it…”

She couldn’t stand the self-reproach in that pitiful tone of his, so she turned back, taking his face in her hands and giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. “I’ve never been put off by you, and I could care less what others think.” She was just shy…

Jiang Shaocheng was satisfied, but he pretended not to be. “Qiu, a kiss shared between husband and wife is on the lips, not the cheek.”

In the driver’s seat, He Lei’s mouth twitched uncontrollably. Where was his young master’s resistance to feminine wiles? He had lost all sense of shame trying to coax a kiss from her. But the pretty, naive girl didn’t realize she was being toyed with by a man whose kind demeanor only concealed the darkness lurking beneath, so, like a fool, she lowered her head and planted a kiss on his lips–one He Lei pretended not to see.

When they broke the kiss, Jiang Shaocheng cupped her cheeks and pressed his lips to hers again. “A return gift,” he remarked without a hint of shyness. Only then did he allow Tang Qiu to leave.

He breathed in her lingering scent and adjusted his tie. “How do I look, He Lei?” he asked. He Lei responded with a stream of gushing praise, making his mouth curve in gratification. “Don’t get too envious. My wife picked this specially for me.”

He Lei didn’t respond, only thought that his young master was no different from a regular person after all, with various emotions and desires.

“Oh, and don’t arrange any meetings for me after my wife has ended class,” Jiang Shaocheng ordered. “I want to be by her side.”

“Of course… Young Master.” He Lei hid his surprise that a 30 year old man would put his work on hold and choose to spend his valuable time with a young girl like her. Just to what lengths would he go for the young mistress? What if she doesn’t return his feelings? The longer He Lei dwelled on the question, the more it sent fear welling up in him, and he pushed it aside.

That evening, Jiang Shaocheng came to pick Tang Qiu up. He was in high spirits… until he saw her in the arms of another man.