The Substitute Bride and the Cripple Chapter 65 – Weren’t You Tempted?

Tang Qiu studied the clothing Jiang Shaocheng had picked out for her without even checking the price. Conscious of their budget, she whispered, “Let’s go to a smaller shop. This is a big mall; the clothes here must be expensive.”

A glance from Jiang Shaocheng was all it took for He Lei to understand. “The clothes are all on discount, Young Mistress,” he said.

Tang Qiu wasn’t familiar with luxury goods, so she couldn’t see past their lies. “I didn’t expect you to be so meticulous about clothing, He Lei, being a man and all.”

“Just doing my duty,” he replied pleasantly, leaving to pay for the clothes as she changed.

When Tang Qiu emerged from the dressing room, she said to her husband, “You’re so good at helping me choose clothes, dear. They’re all so nice.”

“Only because you can pull off anything,” he said, taking her hand in his.

Tang Qiu’s cheeks turned pink. She leaned forward and caught him unawares with a shy kiss.

Instantly, desire lapped at Jiang Shaocheng like the tongues of a flame. He wanted more.

Her husband still hadn’t reacted to the kiss, Tang Qiu noted, observing him in secret. And here she’d thought he would enjoy it.

“Squat down, Qiu.”

Puzzled, she obeyed. But she didn’t have the time to think, because in the next second his lips were on hers. Although the sensation was familiar by now, his kisses never failed to make her heart race, leaving her flustered and helpless.

Jiang Shaocheng pulled away and tapped her. “Qiu.”

“Huh? Oh.” She quickly stood and collected herself. When she looked in the mirror to smooth her clothes, her cheeks were flushed with heat.

The other customers watched her kiss Jiang Shaocheng–a scarred, disabled man–with undisguised contempt. He must be very rich, they mused unkindly. Some people really would do anything for money.

Not that Tang Qiu cared what people thought of her.

After changing, she went to collect her old clothes, but He Lei said, “I’ll help you wash this at home, Young Mistress.”

Tang Qiu relented. “By the way, He Lei, do you remember where you got the cup you bought for me last time? Qingqing likes it very much; I was wondering if you could help buy one for her too.”

“I… I don’t remember,” He Lei said awkwardly. “I was with the young master. It could have been a clearance sale for all I know.” The cup she was referring to was custom-made and had her name engraved on it. Jiang Shaocheng was afraid that Tang Qiu would refuse the gift, so he had asked He Lei to claim that it had been cheap.

“That’s a pity.”

His fingers still intertwined with hers, Jiang Shaocheng asked, “Aren’t you the slightest bit tempted by the money Uncle Yuan offered you?”

Tang Qiu sucked in a long breath. “Yes,” she admitted. “Extremely. Twenty million yuan would be more than enough for your treatment. I wanted to lie just so I would get the money… but I didn’t think you would want me to.”

Her response brought a pleased smile to Jiang Shaocheng’s lips. “You’re right. Remember: never betray me for money.”

Tang Qiu raised a brow. “What kind of person do you think I am? Money is important to me, but not more than my principles.”

Jiang Shaocheng cupped her cheek, his heart softening. To him, she was priceless. He decided not to mention anything about him storming down to find her earlier–it must have been Ning Mufan making advances, nothing more.

***

Tang Qiu still had classes, so Jiang Shaocheng went back home with He Lei. As soon as they reached the mansion, he asked He Lei to throw away her coffee-stained jacket.

Naturally, He Lei obeyed. “Show the video to the head of the Ning family,” Jiang Shaocheng ordered. “His grandson dared to lay his hands on my wife. If he won’t do anything about it, I will. I hope he doesn’t regret it then.”

He Lei nodded, sensing his young master’s fury simmering beneath the surface.

“Also, find out who sent you that video. They must be someone close to her, for them to be spying on Qiu and knowing to contact you. Get rid of them, before they cause any trouble.”

“I will.”

“And buy another set of clothes and jewelry. Make sure it costs more than twenty million yuan.”

He Lei agreed. His young master was so unreserved with his spending, unlike his wife, who kept track of every cent. If she knew about this, she would be horrified.

***

After sending off her husband, Tang Qiu bumped into Qian Hongwei again, to her chagrin. “Was that man earlier your husband?” he questioned. “You have strange taste in… whatever he is.”

He had been tailing Tang Qiu; the sight of her kissing Jiang Shaocheng had pierced him with hate.