The Substitute Bride and the Cripple

Chapter 100: I Trust My Own Judgment

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

“I have a question: that old lady said that she’s Tang Qiu’s grandmother, so that’s it; end of story? In that case, I saw on the school forum that you were toying with four to five men at once… and even had to get an abortion. Does your boyfriend know about this?” Li Nanwei directed the question to the spectators watching. A few male students even wanted to join in the fun and call her boyfriend to ask him.

Huang Jianwei was furious. “That’s slander!”

Li Nanwei held his palms out in mock-surrender. “If what I said hurt you, I apologize. You should apologize to Tang Qiu, too.”

“The old lady in that video said…” Huang Jianwei gritted her teeth.

“Our conversation was recorded and made into a video too…” Li Nanwei eyed her, resting his chin on one hand.

“You–” Huang Jianwei burst out.

“You want me to shut up? Sure–then apologize to Tang Qiu!” Li Nanwei shouted coldly, abandoning all traces of humor.

Tang Qiu was stunned to see Li Nanwei speaking up for her.

Huang Jianwei pointed at Tang Qiu indignantly. “She insulted me too. She should apologize to me as well!”

Tang Qiu’s conscience was clear. She thought about it seriously. “Don’t tell me you’re saying that you’re ugly? I didn’t say you were ugly; just ask Qingqing. If I were to insult someone, I wouldn’t be so unoriginal. But I don’t care for your apology, because I won’t argue with someone who can’t tell right from wrong–it would lower my IQ.”

Huang Jianwei was boiling with anger. “You’re going too far!”

Xie Qingqing crossed her arms and smiled at Huang Jianwei. “Qiu is already being very polite to you. That’s enough. Go back to your seat. Yelling isn’t going to improve your credibility.”

Huang Jianwei’s face turned red with fury as she glared at Tang Qiu–that bitch!

Tang Qiu ignored her and asked Xie Qingqing in a low voice, “Why did Li Nanwei speak up for me?”

Xie Qingqing rubbed her brow helplessly. “My dear, have you lost your memory? He confessed to you when you were a first-year.”

Tang Qiu stared at her in horror. “Don’t tease me. Why didn’t I know?”

Xie Qingqing glanced at Li Nanwei, feeling a little sorry for him. “He said that he liked you and gave you a gift. You didn’t even look up when you thanked him; you were too busy studying.”

Tang Qiu recalled the incident. “That day was my birthday. I didn’t even hear him clearly–I thought I would have to repay him for his gift in the future. I don’t have the money for that. Besides, there’s nothing wrong with studying.”

Xie Qingqing held her forehead. “You’re right!” However, Li Nanwei hadn’t harassed Tang Qiu after being rejected, and had even stood up for her when she was being insulted. He was a truly decent man. Unfortunately, Tang Qiu’s taste was different from ordinary people.

After class, Xie Qingqing raised the issue again. “Are you really not going to ask your husband for help?”

Tang Qiu frowned. “My husband is recovering. I don’t want him to worry about me.”

“Okay, then,” Xie Qingqing said helplessly. “I’ll think of a way to help you investigate the matter.”

Tang Qiu embraced her deeply. As she was leaving school, she bumped into Li Nanwei, who was waiting for her.

“Did something happen, Qiu?” Li Nanwei looked at her worriedly.

Tang Qiu shook her head. “Thank you for believing me.”

Li Nanwei couldn’t hide the lingering affection in his eyes. “It’s not you I trust–it’s my own judgment. I only go for nice girls.”

Tang Qiu was a little embarrassed. “Sorry, but I’m married.”

The light in Li Nanwei’s eyes dimmed. “I know, but you don’t have to apologize for that. My feelings are my own problem–if they become a burden to you, it would undermine the purity of my sentiments.”

“Either way, thank you so much!” Tang Qiu’s phone vibrated; it was Jiang Shaocheng. She picked up the call. “Dear, I’ll be there soon.” She bade a quick farewell to Li Nanwei.

The words Li Nanwei yearned to say to her were locked in his heart. He had felt a pang of jealousy at her smile as she answered her phone, but another part of him hadn’t minded–after all, having feelings for someone didn’t automatically make them yours. It was just a shame that she didn’t feel the same way about him.

Tang Qiu walked for a while and bumped into He Lei. She asked curiously, “Why are you here? Where’s my husband?”

He Lei hadn’t wanted to come either. But when the young master saw her standing with another man, chatting and laughing, his aura had turned cold enough to freeze a man to death. He Lei had had to scramble for an excuse to get out of the car and pick her up.

Tang Qiu didn’t dwell on the matter and said to Jiang Shaocheng over the phone, “Dear, I’ve met up with He Lei. I’ll see you soon.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

He Lei glanced at Tang Qiu’s phone; the call was still ongoing. How could a few boys, still in school, be his young master’s match when it came to scheming? Ning Mufan had been a worthy opponent, but a few words from the young master was ultimately all it took to chase him out of the country. Who would have thought that another boy would come to take his place?

Tang Qiu got into the car before hanging up. He smiled and spoke to Jiang Shaocheng.

Jiang Shaocheng didn’t bother asking who that boy was, because he could find out by himself. However, she didn’t even utter a single complaint about the slander she had faced in school that day. A tinge of sorrow filled his heart. “Did anything make you happy in school today, Qiu?”