Substitute Bride to the Crippled Billionaire
Chapter 135: The Show Begins

Chapter 135: Chapter 135: The Show Begins

"Miss Qin, why are you waiting here?" Su Qingnuan exclaimed in surprise, "I thought you had left first."

She had purposely glanced at Qin Man’s seat earlier, saw that no one was there, and only then went to settle the bill.

Qin Man smiled apologetically and stood up. "You were dining. I couldn’t interrupt over personal matters, so I decided to wait here."

It must be said, Miss Qin’s politeness was truly commendable.

Su Qingnuan hurriedly beckoned Gu Xiaoxiao over with a gentle smile, "Let’s go."

"Alright."

As they exited the building, they received a call from Ah Qi.

"Young Madam, I’m in the garage waiting for you all."

"Got it."

After hanging up the phone, Su Qingnuan led the two down to the garage.

Ah Qi’s car was parked directly in front of the elevator, easily visible.

Su Qingnuan jogged over, her eyes instinctively drifting to the back seat.

Noticing her gaze, Ah Qi chuckled. "The Eldest Young Master went back ahead to wait for you."

"Oh...." Disappointment evident, Su Qingnuan withdrew her gaze, opened the car door, and called out to those behind her, "Xiaoxiao, Miss Qin, come on!"

The three got into the car, and Ah Qi first dropped Xiaoxiao off at her school.

On the way home, Su Qingnuan’s phone vibrated incessantly with loud alerts.

Feeling embarrassed, Su Qingnuan chuckled awkwardly and pulled out her phone.

Gu Xiaoxiao: Livestream for me!

Gu Xiaoxiao: Qingnuan, I want a livestream!

Gu Xiaoxiao: Qingnuan! Qingnuan! Qingnuan! Hurry and reply to me.

"..."

Frowning, Su Qingnuan swiftly tapped at the screen.

Su Qingnuan: I haven’t reached home yet. Do you realize how awkward it is to have a phone ringing constantly in a silent car?

The reply came back almost instantly.

Gu Xiaoxiao: Got it! Then message me once you’re home.

Su Qingnuan: Okay.

After putting away the now-silent phone, Su Qingnuan looked up.

"Young Madam, you and your friend seem to have such a great relationship."

Su Qingnuan paused briefly and turned to look.

Qin Man was gazing at her with envy. Feeling a bit awkward, Su Qingnuan smiled helplessly and replied, "Xiaoxiao—it’s just her way of being chaotic, but she’s genuinely good to me."

"Miss Gu’s personality is quite amusing as well." Qin Man smiled gently and added in a low voice, "The people around me all speak differently depending on who they’re conversing with. It’s rare to meet someone as straightforward as Miss Gu."

This observation wasn’t inaccurate.

Even in families like Su’s, most of the companions were opportunistic, let alone those in Qin Man’s circle.

Choosing Xiaoxiao as a friend—it was partly for this reason.

Su Qingnuan nodded and chuckled lightly. "Xiaoxiao’s character is straightforward, but because of it, she’s offended quite a few people."

"That’s a good thing," Qin Man said with a deeper smile in her eyes. "I heard from the Second Young Master that Young Madam is still studying, right?"

"Ah... Yes," Su Qingnuan nodded. "I’ll be graduating soon."

"That’s wonderful... still a student."

She dropped her gaze and stared at her phone, looking desolate.

Compared to the last time she met Qin Man, today’s Qin Man, though still as gentle, carried a sense of melancholy.

Was it because of Fu Yihan?

Su Qingnuan suddenly found herself annoyed—Fu Yihan truly was quite the philanderer, causing harm wherever he went.

As the car came to a stop at the Fu family’s residence, Qin Man’s expression visibly brightened with excitement.

Su Qingnuan got off the vehicle and led Qin Man into the house.

"Yihan," Su Qingnuan saw Fu Yihan sitting in the living room and walked over. "Miss Qin is here."

Fu Yihan turned his head, glanced at Qin Man, and slightly nodded. "Miss Qin."

Qin Man bent forward respectfully and said, "Thank you, Eldest Young Master."

"No need for formalities." Fu Yihan’s expression remained calm and composed. "I heard from your father that you wish to intern at our company?"

"Yes." Qin Man nodded solemnly, a gentle ripple appearing at the corners of her lips, "My father told me that your company is the leading enterprise in this city now. If I were able to learn something here, it would be a stroke of luck for me."

Fu Yihan’s lips curled slightly, his gaze hovering between genuine humor and subtle scrutiny.

Under Fu Yihan’s gaze, Qin Man stood upright, dignified but not servile.

"Are you aware that Fu Yixing is currently managing the company?" Fu Yihan asked again.

Blushing faintly, Qin Man gave an almost imperceptible nod. "Yes, I am."

"So, is Miss Qin’s interest in the company not purely professional?" Fu Yihan countered.

"..... No!" Qin Man hurriedly clarified, "This was decided by my father. Before this, I hadn’t started a relationship with Yixing yet."

Fu Yihan nodded knowingly. "Alright, since Miss Qin insists and as a courtesy to your father, I’ll have Ah Qi take you to the company tomorrow."

"Thank you, Mr. Fu."

"You’re welcome." Fu Yihan withdrew his gaze and turned to the television. "The kitchen is preparing dinner. Miss Qin, why don’t you stay and eat before leaving?"

Feeling immensely grateful, Qin Man respectfully nodded once more, "Thank you, Mr. Fu."

Fu Yihan didn’t pay her further attention. His gaze shifted to Su Qingnuan.

Noticing this, Su Qingnuan promptly stepped over, leaning slightly closer.

"Mr. Fu."

Fu Yihan glanced sideways at her. "What did you have for dinner earlier?"

Su Qingnuan froze for a moment before answering earnestly, "Steak."

"...Was the steak tastier than what’s made at home?"

"..... The food at home is better."

His brows relaxed slightly, and Fu Yihan returned to his usual composed demeanor, turning his head away. "Avoid eating outside too much in the future—it’s not clean."

Su Qingnuan understood; he was expressing concern for her health.

Feeling grateful, Su Qingnuan smiled and said, "Alright."

Though Fu Yihan kept his eyes on the television, he would occasionally ask Su Qingnuan a question.

He spoke in a relatively calm tone, though the television volume was high, forcing Su Qingnuan to inch closer to him—and by the end, her arm was nearly touching his.

She didn’t notice this, but Fu Yihan’s contemplative expression occasionally landed on their touching shoulders.

"Yihan?" Su Qingnuan noticed him looking down and asked curiously, "What’s wrong?"

Pulling back his gaze, Fu Yihan looked composed as he focused on the television. "The remote control, I don’t want to watch this anymore."

"Alright."

Su Qingnuan got up and reached out for the remote control on the coffee table.

Just as her hand touched the remote, a loud crash suddenly echoed from behind.

The three turned to look.

They saw Fu Yixing, reeking of alcohol, leaning against the wall as he stumbled toward the living room.

The sound came from the shattered fragments strewn around his feet.

A vase from the shoe cabinet was gone.

"Yixing!" Qin Man immediately stood up, rushing over to support him.

Fu Yixing squinted at her, confused. "Qin Man?"

"It’s me." Qin Man looked at him anxiously. "Are you hurt? Why’re you drinking so much?"

"....."

Pushing Qin Man away impatiently, Fu Yixing frowned. "Didn’t I tell you not to come to the Fu family looking for me?"

".... No." Qin Man helplessly stared at him, hands awkwardly fumbling about. "I’m here for the Eldest Young Master. The Eldest Young Master invited me to stay for dinner...."

"Why are you looking for him?" Fu Yixing’s expression darkened further. "What’s wrong with looking for me? Why must it be him?"

Qin Man’s face grew pale, and with trembling hands, she took out her phone. "I called you countless times, but you didn’t answer."

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