A Substitute Bride With Multiple Identities
Chapter 165: Every Word and Phrase, She’s Protecting Him

Chapter 165: Chapter 165: Every Word and Phrase, She’s Protecting Him

Ji Qian wore a custom-tailored white suit and had his hair meticulously styled, making him look significantly more mature.

Ever since Ji Qian confessed his feelings and was rejected by her, she hadn’t seen him for a while either.

She also hadn’t seen him earlier at the banquet.

However, as the Xia Family was a prestigious household in Haicheng, and the Ji Family’s financial status was nothing to scoff at, it was normal for them to attend the birthday party of Elder Xia.

Shen Yanhe thought for a moment, just a few minutes’ delay, and agreed, "Okay."

Joy filled Ji Qian’s puppy-like eyes, and the anxiety he had lifted off significantly.

He had thought that, after Shen Yanhe rejected his confession, she would refuse to have a private conversation with him to avoid any suspicion.

Shen Yanhe stepped back and sat down on the couch, her soft, tender hands, delicate as spring onions, clutching the suit jacket draped over her: "What do you want to talk about?"

Ji Qian’s gaze fell on the oversized black suit she was wearing, his eyes dimming slightly as he pursed his lips and asked, "Yanhe, are we still friends?"

Shen Yanhe nodded, answering him, "Yes."

She couldn’t just stop being friends with someone because they liked her.

But the relationship between her and Ji Qian was limited to just ordinary friends now.

Ji Qian’s hand, hanging by his side, clenched into a fist, his eyes greedily watching her as he said, "Then, as a good friend, I advise you that Fu Yanhe is not suitable for you."

"Fu Yanhe is domineering, paranoid, and despicable in his character; he won’t think from your perspective, and being with him will be exhausting for you—he simply can’t bring you happiness."

Thinking about how he was forced to go abroad, Ji Qian’s emotions became barely containable, "And his legs will never have the chance to stand up again; he will only become your burden..."

Shen Yanhe’s eyebrows knitted tightly, a hint of displeasure rising in her heart as she raised her hand to interrupt Ji Qian.

A coldness surfaced on her delicate, fair face: "Ji Qian, did you ask to talk to me just to criticize my husband?"

Ji Qian was stunned for a moment, calming down a bit as he clenched his fists in silence for a while before speaking hoarsely, "That’s not what I meant..."

Shen Yanhe stood up, her expression slightly cold, "Whether or not Fu Yanhe is suitable for me, whether he can bring me happiness, I am well aware."

"Moreover, I’m already his wife now. Even if he can never stand up again in his life, I won’t despise him; I’ll take care of him for the rest of our lives."

"The feelings between him and me don’t need outsiders to interfere, Ji Qian, you are overstepping."

Every word she said, she was speaking up for Fu Yanhe.

Protecting him.

A bitter taste filled Ji Qian’s heart as a wry smile appeared on his face: "I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it that way, it’s just that you don’t know him..."

He threatened the Ji Family vilely to keep me away from you, forcing him to go abroad.

But these words, Ji Qian did not say out loud.

He took a deep breath, his face filled with bitterness and apology as he looked at Shen Yanhe and said, "I didn’t mean to say those words, I just want you to be happy."

Shen Yanhe remained silent.

Even if Ji Qian said that, his image in her heart had already been diminished.

Shen Yanhe straightened her clothes, inhaling the sandalwood scent that enveloped her, and asked softly, "Do you have anything else to say? If not, I have things to do and must leave first."

"There’s one more thing." Ji Qian sighed inwardly at her cold demeanor, knowing that his image in her heart probably had dropped.

But he didn’t regret saying those words.

"In a few days, I’ll be going abroad to study."

Ji Qian forced a smile onto his face, his expectant eyes shining as he looked at her: "As a friend, could you have a meal with me? Consider it a farewell meal."

Shen Yanhe fell silent, "I’m sorry."

No matter how forgiving her heart, she couldn’t possibly have a meal with someone who had just schemed against her own husband.

Not even if they were friends.

Ji Qian clenched his fists, a trace of defeat in his heart, and couldn’t help but ask her with a bitter smile, "Do you really like Fu Yanhe that much?"

So much so that just a few bad words from him

would make you want to cut off all ties with him?

Shen Yanhe smiled and countered, "He is my husband, if I don’t like him, who else could I like?"

Ji Qian had no words to reply.

"If there’s nothing else, I should go. I wish you a smooth journey abroad and safe travels," Shen Yanhe said to Ji Qian with a polite nod, her face showing a trace of detachment as she walked past him.

Ji Qian stood in place, fists clenched, his face filled with resentment and defeat, but he had no reason to stop her any longer.

Ji Haosheng, who was hiding not far away, finally scurried over after watching Shen Yanhe leave.

Seeing Ji Haosheng, Ji Qian’s expression fell, and he was on the verge of tears, "Brother... she hates me now."

Ji Haosheng sighed and carelessly patted his shoulder, pulling him close.

"Why worry about one flower when there’s a whole world of them? That one is already taken anyway. Listen to your brother, forget her, and look for someone else."

Ji Qian shook his head with a bitter smile, his eyes full of desolation.

She was the most stunning person he had ever met in his youth.

How could he possibly forget her?

-

Song Shiwei and Qi Yunqian found a relatively secluded corner in a garden.

The two stood face to face, the atmosphere between them very tense.

After a long time,

Qi Yunqian looked at Song Shiwei with a guilty face, his thin lips parted slightly as he spoke, "Shiwei, I’m sorry, I misunderstood you just now."

Song Shiwei crossed her arms and leaned against the trunk of a nearby tree, her expression indifferent, "It doesn’t matter. It’s not the first or second time you’ve wronged me. I’m used to it."

Her calm and indifferent tone was full of intense sarcasm.

It pained Qi Yunqian’s heart. A mix of shame and defeat surged inside him, and a hint of pain crossed his handsome face as he said weakly, "I’m sorry..."

His face turned a bit pale as he looked at Song Shiwei blankly, his heart brimming with bitterness, "I kept you by my side to make amends and to try to repair our relationship."

"But somehow, things just seem to be getting worse."

He no longer knew what to do.

"Shiwei," he looked at her with a face full of bitterness and helplessness, his eyes swirling with emotion, "What should I do with you?"

Song Shiwei looked at him coldly, her beautiful peach blossom eyes void of any emotional ripples, "Have you finished talking?"

"I have finished. Now it’s my turn," she stood up straight, her gaze sharply fixed on Qi Yunqian, her voice trembling slightly as she struggled to ask him, "When the Song family went bankrupt, did my brother come to you for help, asking you to lend a hand?"

"When Fu Yu made my brother kneel and beg her, were you there? Did you approve of it?"

Qi Yunqian’s expression darkened slightly, and he looked at her with a hint of confusion in his eyes, "Where did you hear that from?"

"I never received any plea for help from Brother Song."