The Substitute Bride and the Cripple

Chapter 49: Not Part of the Plan

“Do we have a guest?” Tang Qiu asked.

Before Jiang Shaocheng could introduce her, the woman approached them and said, “My name is Ke Liuyi. I’m Shaocheng’s personal doctor. How should I address you?”

“My name is Tang Qiu. I’m his wife. Nice to meet you, Doctor Ke.” Tang Qiu remained reserved. She could sense the woman’s hostility; subtle, but undeniable. She might not be the most aware when it came to matters of the heart, but she had grown accustomed–and therefore attuned to people’s disdain for her.

“Nice to meet you too, Ms Tang.” Liu Keyi brushed her off and pushed Jiang Shaocheng inside without waiting for a reply. She didn’t call me Mrs Jiang, Tang Qiu noted.

“You’re still frail,” she heard the woman say. “How can you place so many groceries on your legs? Plus, supermarkets are crawling with bacteria, and of all the times to go out, you chose the hottest time of the day. Why can’t you pay a little more attention to your health?”

Jiang Shaocheng didn’t respond. When they reached the living room, he realized Tang Qiu hadn’t followed them in. “Qiu?” he called. Only then did she walk briskly up to him.

“Yes, dear?”

Sweat glistened on her temples. Jiang Shaocheng used his handkerchief to wipe it away. “Are you feeling warm?”

“No, I’m fine. I just sweat easily. What about you? Should I get you some water?” She didn’t wait for him to reply–with his health, it was almost a given that he would be more physically delicate than her.

Jiang Shaocheng took a sip of water and offered the cup to her. “It’s okay,” she said, slightly taken aback. But her husband insisted, so she had no choice but to empty the cup of water. Satisfied, Jiang Shaocheng took out his handkerchief and dried her mouth for her.

Ke Liuyi observed the exchange wordlessly–them sharing the same cup, him helping her wipe her mouth. Something flashed across her eyes, there and then gone.

“You must be thirsty too, Dr Ke.” Tang Qiu extended a cup of water to her.

Ke Liuyi thanked her politely without accepting the drink. “When do we start your treatment?” she asked Jiang Shaocheng.

“Now.” He had something to discuss with her. “Let’s go to my study.”

Tang Qiu wanted to protest that she should be by his side, but they were already gone, leaving her somewhat crestfallen. I’m the mistress of this house, she reminded herself. It’s my responsibility to entertain guests properly.

***

“Have me undergo rehabilitation treatment as soon as possible. No one can know about it. And someone will definitely keep an eye on the medicine you prescribe for me, so be careful, too.”

Ke Liuyi knew, just as well as he did, that he had already recovered from his illness. “Of course.” She smiled and nodded. “I just didn’t think you’d get married and settle down, Shaocheng.” She had been helping him hide the truth all these years; it was no surprise that they had evolved into friends, even as doctor and patient. Naturally, their relationship was a unique one.

“Qiu is my lawfully wedded wife.” His lips twitched at the mention of her. “Where else would she be, if not by my side?”

She had only been teasing him; she wasn’t prepared for that response. “I have three kinds of treatment that might work for your legs,” she suggested, plastering her smile to her face.

“The faster the better,” he replied dismissively.

“Why the urgency? Has your plan been set in stone yet?”

Jiang Shaocheng had only returned to uncover the identity of whoever it was that had framed him for the car accident, then retrieve his belongings and announce his recovery. Only–he hadn’t anticipated meeting Tang Qiu.

“Don’t forget: your responsibility, first and foremost, is to treat my illness.”

“I know that,” she chuckled. “Just don’t forget what you promised me, either.”

“I wouldn’t ask you to come back if I thought I couldn’t help you.” He pushed his wheelchair downstairs. When she saw he was headed towards the kitchen, she hurried up to him.

“The kitchen is full of grease and smoke. Best not go there.”

Brushing her off, he said, “I’ve been preparing meals alongside my wife all this while.”

Ke Liuyi couldn’t hide her surprise. This man–who was nothing short of an aristocratic prince in her eyes–was helping that woman wash vegetables for their meals, like a common servant. That Tang Qiu is a resourceful one, she thought.

With a smile, she entered the kitchen. “Let me help too, Ms Tang.”