Substitute Bride to the Crippled Billionaire
Chapter 113 Rumors

Chapter 113: Chapter 113 Rumors

The two of them hid behind the counter, sipping tea, enjoying a rare moment of leisure.

While they were laughing and chatting, a commotion arose outside.

"Hey, did you guys hear? Those two new interns apparently got in through connections."

"Two? Weren’t there four interns this year?"

"Yes, four. But haven’t two of them just been stuck cleaning all the time..."

The two hiding behind the counter suddenly turned their heads and their gazes met.

Su Qingnuan raised an eyebrow, staring at Gu Xiaoxiao, her look questioning.

Gu Xiaoxiao shook her head, her face the picture of innocence.

"You mean those two? I heard that they pissed off the boss, which is why they were sent to clean."

"What pissed off the boss? Isn’t it just that the boss can’t stand people pulling strings to get in, so he’s intentionally giving them a hard time?"

"...Seriously? When did our company start letting people use connections anyway?"

"Exactly. But I heard that..."

*BANG—*

Gu Xiaoxiao slammed the table and stood up abruptly, shouting angrily, "What do you mean by pulling strings? We got in fair and square through the interviews!"

"..."

The group sitting in the lounge stared at her inexplicably.

"What are you looking at me for?" Gu Xiaoxiao pointed a finger at them and frowned. "Speak! Who said it?"

Su Qingnuan stood up helplessly, pressing down on Gu Xiaoxiao’s shoulder and speaking in a low voice, "Calm down."

"How can I calm down?" Gu Xiaoxiao said anxiously, "We clearly earned this with our skills, yet in their eyes, it’s as if we got in through connections. Does that mean all our hard work these past days count for nothing?"

Su Qingnuan fell silent.

Seeing her quiet, Gu Xiaoxiao continued, "I’m just an intern; if I cause trouble in the company, worst-case scenario, I leave. But you’re full-time employees. If you really go up against me, by your company’s rules, wouldn’t you have to leave too?"

The group of people froze, then cautiously stood up and headed for the door.

"Wait!" Gu Xiaoxiao rushed over and blocked the door. "Spill! Who was the one spreading this?"

"Are you nuts? We’re just repeating rumors. Whoever started them, go bother them!"

"Exactly! Move aside already, we have work to do! If you don’t move, we’re calling security!"

"....."

Su Qingnuan pulled Gu Xiaoxiao’s hand, shielding her behind her.

"You can leave, but first, tell me—who’s your boss?"

The group fell silent.

"Not talking? Fine," Su Qingnuan chuckled softly. "Like you said, we supposedly have connections. If you don’t speak, the ones packing up tomorrow might just be one of you."

"..."

They all exchanged glances, silently looking toward one person.

That person glanced at Su Qingnuan and hesitated before saying, "Our boss is the one who’s mentoring you guys—the one assigned to train new hires."

"Got it."

Su Qingnuan looked at Gu Xiaoxiao.

Gu Xiaoxiao nodded and released her grip.

The group scattered like they were fleeing for their lives.

Watching the now-empty lounge, Gu Xiaoxiao walked over and plopped down on the sofa.

"No wonder we’ve been getting such a hard time—so that’s the reason. But what connections do we have?" Gu Xiaoxiao fumed, pounding the throw pillow. "That supervisor is really too much! And those two classmates yesterday—I finally understand why they treated us so differently in the afternoon. Turns out they’re afraid we’ll drag them down?"

"Enough." Su Qingnuan rubbed her temples, exasperated. "When the supervisor comes tomorrow, we’ll ask her what’s actually going on."

"Fine!"

The two packed up their things, not staying at the company and heading home instead.

It was Su Qingnuan’s first time not notifying Ah Qi, opting to take a cab back by herself.

Back at the Fu family residence, she shut herself in her room and collapsed onto the bed.

Why would there be such bizarre rumors?

Even though the company’s president, Fu Yihan, was someone she knew, knowing his personality, he’d never give her any special treatment.

Considering all the circumstances of how she joined the company, Su Qingnuan felt that the most plausible explanation was related to those forty candidates who made it to the preliminary round.

It really was such a coincidence, starting from her. Even Su Qingnuan herself hadn’t anticipated this.

Could it really be because of that?

But even she didn’t know what had happened—how could it be labeled as cheating?

This is way too complicated!

Massaging her forehead, Su Qingnuan sighed loudly at the ceiling.

As she lay there thinking aimlessly, she suddenly heard a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" She got up and opened the door.

"Young Madam," Ah Qi stood at the door and respectfully greeted her.

"Ah Qi..." Su Qingnuan suddenly remembered she hadn’t notified him, quickly apologizing, "Sorry, I forgot to call you."

Ah Qi smiled. "It’s fine. I came to remind Young Madam about Eldest Young Master’s soup for tonight..."

Soup?

Su Qingnuan tilted her head, trying to recall.

"Ah!" She suddenly laughed. "I know. Auntie’s already prepared the ingredients. I’ll go and make it for Eldest Young Master now."

"Alright, Young Madam."

Su Qingnuan headed downstairs and slipped into the kitchen.

Seeing her, Auntie immediately brought out the prepared ingredients.

"Young Madam, shall I teach you how to make it?"

"Alright." Su Qingnuan smiled. "Thank you, Auntie."

"No need to thank me," Auntie said as she laughed. "Young Master wouldn’t drink the soup we made before. Now that he’s actively asking for it, we couldn’t be happier!"

"Hmm?" Su Qingnuan looked at Auntie quizzically. "He didn’t drink soup before?"

"Nope." Auntie sighed. "He used to love it as a child, but ever since he fell ill, he hardly touches it. Only when forced would he take a sip or two."

"I didn’t expect Yihan to be so fussy about food!"

"He certainly is," Auntie said with a wry smile. "Eldest Young Master is famously picky. Back in the day..."

While the soup simmered, Auntie recounted stories of Fu Yihan’s childhood to Su Qingnuan.

A charming, intelligent, and well-behaved little boy.

Whenever they talked about Fu Yihan as a child, smiles would naturally spread across their faces.

But as soon as they returned to the topic of the current Fu Yihan, a certain bitterness would always cloud their expressions.

"Eldest Young Master has had his share of misfortune in this life. The heavens must have been envious to treat him this way."

Seeing her saddened expression, Su Qingnuan chuckled lightly. "Yihan is truly fortunate to have all of you caring for him."

Unlike her, back at home, aside from her father, everyone treated her as if she were invisible.

"What good is our concern?" Auntie sighed helplessly. "The person he longs for the most isn’t here, and our care is just fleeting—it doesn’t linger in his heart."

"....."

Once the soup was ready, Su Qingnuan carried it upstairs as usual.

On the way, she almost stumbled due to her trembling hands, but Ah Qi quickly caught the bowl in time.

"Young Madam, what’s wrong with your hand..."

Seeing Su Qingnuan’s continuously trembling hand, Ah Qi questioned her suspiciously.

"It’s nothing." Su Qingnuan quickly hid her hand behind her back, smiling. "Just bring it inside first."

"..."