The Substitute Bride and the Cripple

Chapter 82: You Want Me To Get Lost?

At her husband’s shout, Tang Qiu stared at him in blank shock. He had called her by her full name–and with such hatred. Was he angry because she had suddenly come to him without his permission? “I’m sorry. I… I just…”

“Shut up. Get out!” The last thing Jiang Shaocheng wanted right now was an apology. What he wanted was sincerity and honesty. What he wanted was her love… but now everything just seemed like a cruel joke. And what had he been thinking? Why would a cripple be blessed with a marriage that had seemingly fallen into his lap–with a woman who was true to him?

“You want me to get lost?” All of Tang Qiu’s words–whether of frustration or affection–evaporated. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She had come here because she had sincerely missed him, and now he was throwing her efforts back in her face. It was laughable. She gritted her teeth, stood, and left. The moment the door closed behind her, her tears began to flow.

She’d come to this strange place, all alone, because her heart had yearned and worried for him. Her purse had been stolen, her arm had been slashed, and she’d spent the night in fear. And when she finally found him, he’d told her to get lost? Did that mean he didn’t want her anymore? Or that he wanted to divorce her once they returned?

A laugh nearly broke past her lips. What did you expect? a voice in her head taunted. She had been fighting for scraps of survival in the Feng family. She was a bastard child, a disgrace in the eyes of the Jiang family. And she had been foolish enough to believe that Jiang Shaocheng was different–foolish enough to fantasize about a future with him. She tasted the bitter salt of her tears, and wiped them away with her sleeve. It aggravated the wound on her arm. She rolled up her sleeve. Her bandages were stained red from how tightly the bodyguard had been gripping her. The pain had faded into numbness–but nothing could compare to the stab of grief in her heart.

She had no money or identification on her now. Tang Qiu was suddenly at a loss. Where could she go?

“Why did you come out, Young Mistress? How did the conversation with the young master go?”

Tang Qiu tried to calm herself down. “He Lei, can you do me a favor?”

“What is it?” He Lei’s manner was cold.

“Can you help me book a flight back? I’ll pay you back when I return,” Tang Qiu said, treading cautiously.

“Okay…” He Lei frowned. He didn’t understand what Tang Qiu was thinking. The young master was going crazy from anger, and she wanted to go back now? What good would it do to pay him back? Did this woman even have a heart? The plane tickets were easy to book, and He Lei was quick to complete the task.

Tang Qiu lowered her head. “Thank you. Can… Can you lend me some more money?”

He Lei took out his wallet and shoved a wad of money at her, frustrated. What was he, a charity? “Did you tell the young master that you’re flying back?”

Tang Qiu held back her tears as she took the money from him. “He asked me to leave.” She walked away before He Lei could ask any further questions.

He Lei thought for a moment, then turned to knock on the door. The smell of smoke hit him once he entered the room. It was dim, and a lone figure held a lit cigarette in his hand. His face was heavy with loneliness and sorrow.

He Lei sighed inwardly. It was rare for the young master to let any woman into his life. But Tang Qiu hadn’t cherished him, and had actually eloped with another man. His young master must be furious. “Perhaps it’s because you’re wearing a human skin mask and pretending to be crippled, Young Master. Maybe the young mistress couldn’t stand it and chose a better-looking man…”

“So she’s been putting on an act in front of me all this time?” A woman who chose to betray him because of his ugly appearance wasn’t worth his time. The most unfair part, though, was how long she had sustained performance. He wouldn’t let her off. “Send a message to Old Master Ning and ask him if he wants his grandson, or Lu Ning.”

“Yes, Young Master.” He Lei knew that Ning Mufan had no way of escaping his young master’s wrath, but he could tell that the young master still couldn’t bear to relinquish Tang Qiu. It was obvious that she had genuinely captured his heart.

At this moment, He Lei’s phone suddenly rang. Seeing that it was Xie Qingqing, He Lei quickly went out and closed the door before answering.

“Mr He, have you found Qiu yet? Was your young master surprised to see her? Is he still unwell? He went overseas for treatment in the middle of the night. Qiu was worried all day and couldn’t focus in class.” Xie Qingqing hadn’t wanted to call him, but He Lei had hung up on her so abruptly the last time, and she was anxious after being unable to contact Tang Qiu.

He Lei’s eyes widened in surprise. “You’re saying Tang Qiu came to N Country to look for my young master?”

“What else? She’s so thrifty, would she have gone there for a holiday? Don’t tell me you didn’t see her?”

He Lei swallowed, feeling a tinge of fear. Had they misunderstood Tang Qiu?