Substitute Bride to the Crippled Billionaire
Chapter 129: The Comer Means No Good

Chapter 129: Chapter 129: The Comer Means No Good

Su Qingnuan smiled gently, "Miss Jiang, what brings you here?"

"I saw you chatting here, so I came over to take a look."

"Ah..." Su Qingnuan pointed awkwardly at the elevator, "The old master wanted to have a word with Yihan, so they went to the study."

"Alright." Jiang Keli smiled and gestured toward the sofa, "Would Madam mind sitting down for a chat?"

"Of course."

The two sat facing each other, and Su Qingnuan observed the person across from her.

Her lips curled into a confident smile, and her graceful and commanding manner was indeed befitting of someone in a high position.

"Madam, have some tea," Jiang Keli said with a soft smile.

"Ah... alright."

Su Qingnuan accepted the tea, momentarily dazed.

She was clearly the hostess, yet why did she feel so uneasy?

Taking a deep breath, Su Qingnuan straightened herself and looked at Jiang Keli.

"I heard Madam has quite the talent for music. At a young age, you’ve already won many awards."

"Not really," Su Qingnuan replied modestly with a smile, "I just know a little bit, nothing impressive."

Jiang Keli smiled slightly, her contemplative gaze falling on Su Qingnuan.

"I also heard that during a concert at the music hall, Madam performed a guzheng piece that captivated everyone present. I have some understanding of music. Perhaps someday I might have the privilege of hearing it myself?"

Su Qingnuan’s pupils contracted slightly, forcing her to focus on the person in front of her.

Was it intentional, or merely casual?

"Miss Jiang, you’re exaggerating. It was just some inconsequential performance; compared to proper musicians, it doesn’t amount to much," Su Qingnuan said humbly.

Jiang Keli chuckled lightly, "Madam is being modest. Few people perform at someone else’s concert and win the audience’s praise. It’s clear your skills are exceptional."

"...You’re too kind."

Faced with Jiang Keli’s praise, Su Qingnuan felt no delight—instead, she grew increasingly tense.

She stood up and smiled lightly, "Miss Jiang, would you like some fruit?"

"There’s no need to trouble Madam," Jiang Keli also stood, her smile unchanged. "Tea is fine. Sitting and chatting is pleasant enough."

"..."

She’s really locked onto me, isn’t she? Not letting me escape?

Su Qingnuan frowned slightly before sitting back down.

"I heard Madam once lived in H City before?"

"Mm, our family’s hometown is H City."

During the New Year, they would return, so H City was like a second home to them.

"Well, isn’t that a coincidence? My family’s hometown is also H City. We might have even met before."

Su Qingnuan glanced up and gave a wry smile, "H City is so large; meeting by chance isn’t easy."

"True. About Madam..."

"One moment." Su Qingnuan suddenly got up, pulled out her phone, and said, "Sorry, I need to take this call."

With that, she walked toward the floor-to-ceiling window with her phone.

"Hello?" Su Qingnuan said softly, "Xiaoxiao, what’s the matter?"

"Qingnuan, you haven’t forgotten the assignment due tomorrow, right?"

Though both were interning at a company, their school assignments still needed to be submitted.

Su Qingnuan chuckled, "How could I forget? I finished it long ago."

"Whew, that’s wonderful! Send it to me later so I can use it as a reference!"

"...Still haven’t done it?" Su Qingnuan said helplessly, "I reminded you about this two days ago, didn’t I?"

"My bad... next time for sure."

"...I’ll send it over later."

After ending the call, Su Qingnuan sighed.

Gu Xiaoxiao’s habit—she had certainly spoiled her.

Turning around, Su Qingnuan froze in place, surprised to find someone standing less than a meter away.

"Miss Jiang?" Su Qingnuan frowned, "What are you doing here?"

"Finished your call?" Jiang Keli calmly walked back to her seat with a smile, "I ran out of tea and wanted to ask where the hot water was."

"...Oh." Su Qingnuan walked over, picked up the teapot, and headed to the kitchen.

For some reason, she found Jiang Keli a little odd.

After brewing a fresh pot of tea leaves, Su Qingnuan walked out of the kitchen.

She had only taken two steps when she retreated back inside.

In the living room, Jiang Keli was seated, looking down at her phone.

Should she just seize the chance to go out during Xiaoxiao’s call?

Thinking of this, Su Qingnuan took out her phone and sent a message.

Not long after, Gu Xiaoxiao replied.

Feeling relieved, Su Qingnuan came out with her phone.

"Miss Jiang, I’m sorry. My friend needs me for something, so I’ll have to step out for a while."

Jiang Keli looked up, smiling gently. "No problem. If Madam is busy, please go ahead. I’ll be staying here for a few months, and there’ll be plenty of time for chatting."

"...Alright."

Grabbing her bag without bothering to take anything else, Su Qingnuan left the house.

At the university, Su Qingnuan lounged lazily on Gu Xiaoxiao’s bed.

"Look at you, what’s the matter? Did your mother-in-law trouble you?" Gu Xiaoxiao teased.

Su Qingnuan shook her head and sighed, "Not my mother-in-law. We have a guest at home, and I just don’t seem to vibe well with her, so I left."

"Oh?" Gu Xiaoxiao exclaimed, sitting upright. "A rare occurrence—to hear you say such a thing!"

"What thing?" Su Qingnuan looked at her in confusion, "Did I say something wrong?"

"Not at all! You said nothing wrong." Gu Xiaoxiao pulled a chair over, sitting facing her. "Tell me about this lady—what does she do, and why do you feel uncomfortable?"

"...It’s not really discomfort," Su Qingnuan said helplessly. "It’s just whenever I talk with her, I get this strange feeling."

"Strange? How so?"

Su Qingnuan pondered her feelings before speaking, then asked, "Do you think it’s just my imagination?"

"..." Gu Xiaoxiao propped her head on her hand, furrowing her brows. "Listening to you, I don’t sense anything particularly odd. Maybe you’re overthinking it?"

"...Perhaps." Su Qingnuan sighed helplessly and stretched out again, "Idle thoughts keep creeping in when I’m not working. I should probably get back to work."

"Oh, stop it." Gu Xiaoxiao chuckled, "If you don’t take a break, how am I supposed to relax? Get up and get ready—we’re going out for food."

"...I don’t want to eat." Su Qingnuan buried her face in the bedding, her voice muffled, "Right now, I just want to be a salted fish."

"That’s not like you at all. Honestly—"

"Ring-ring ding-dong-dong"

The sudden ringtone interrupted their conversation.

Su Qingnuan pulled out her phone, checked the caller ID, and quickly sat up straight.

"Hello." Her proper tone made Gu Xiaoxiao glance sideways repeatedly.

"Where are you?" Fu Yihan’s deep voice came through.

Su Qingnuan looked guiltily at the ceiling, "At school."

"..." There was a brief silence, "...Take Gu Xiaoxiao and head to Fenghua Restaurant on Guest Avenue."

"Huh?" Su Qingnuan glanced at Gu Xiaoxiao in confusion, "Bring Xiaoxiao along?"

"Mm."

And then the call ended.

Hearing her name mentioned, Gu Xiaoxiao looked at her quizzically, "What’s going on? Where are we headed?"

"Fenghua Restaurant."

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