Substitute Bride to the Crippled Billionaire
Chapter 71 Child, Father Apologizes to You

Chapter 71: Chapter 71 Child, Father Apologizes to You

After class, Su Qingnuan received a message from Shen Lin’an.

Shen Lin’an: I’m waiting for you at the school gate.

Quickly packing up her things, Su Qingnuan glanced at Gu Xiaoxiao. "I didn’t bring Lianyi today; no one will play with you. I’m heading out first."

"Hey!" Gu Xiaoxiao grabbed Su Qingnuan’s arm and softly said, "If anything happens, make sure to call me, okay?"

Su Qingnuan looked at her, touched. "Got it, thank you."

"Why are you being so polite with me? Hurry up and go!"

Su Qingnuan walked out of the classroom quickly, her heart pounding heavily, the sound echoing loudly.

She knew it was excitement.

The doctor had warned Su Qingnuan to minimize feelings of excitement and anger, but at the thought of seeing that person, she couldn’t help herself.

Pressing down on her violently beating heart, Su Qingnuan saw Shen Lin’an and the car behind him at the school gate.

"Where’s everyone?" Su Qingnuan peered into the car—it was empty.

"They’re waiting for us at the hotel," Shen Lin’an opened the car door with a smile. "Let’s go."

Su Qingnuan didn’t immediately get into the car but instead sent a message to the other side.

Su’s father responded quickly—almost instantly.

Su Father: I’m waiting for you at the hotel. Come quickly.

After receiving the message, Su Qingnuan no longer hesitated and got into the car.

The car ride was quiet. From school to the hotel, Su Qingnuan didn’t say a word to Shen Lin’an.

At the hotel entrance, the doorman escorted them to the second floor.

As she pushed open the private room door and looked inside, she saw one person immediately.

Su’s father stood up—his body, after days of not meeting, had thinned significantly.

"Dad!" Su Qingnuan rushed over and hugged Su’s father tightly.

Su’s father looked at the daughter in his arms with pity, letting out a deep sigh. "Child, you’ve suffered."

Su Qingnuan shook her head, wiped her tears, and smiled. "I’m doing well now."

Su’s father looked her over and chuckled lightly. "You seem to have gained some weight."

During this time, being fed by the Fu family’s kitchen truly had fattened her up a bit.

But her health had always been poor. No matter how much she ate, she couldn’t absorb much nutrition. Perhaps in the days ahead, eating a lot still wouldn’t help her gain weight.

"Sit down." Su’s father pressed Su Qingnuan into a seat, holding her hand and poking it helplessly a couple of times. "Why is it still so cold?"

Su Qingnuan smiled wryly. "I didn’t bring a hand warmer today—it’s too cold."

"So excited?" Su’s father chuckled lightly. "Dad brought you a gift this time on his business trip."

"A gift?" Su Qingnuan’s eyes lit up even more brightly, looking at her father with delight.

"Yes, a gift." Su’s father took a small box out of the bag behind him and placed it in Su Qingnuan’s hand.

Su’s father gently patted her hand, smiling. "It’ll be your birthday in a few days. Dad likely won’t be able to celebrate it with you; this is an early birthday gift."

Her smile faltered for a moment. Su Qingnuan lowered her head, fiddling with the box in her hands repeatedly.

"You can’t celebrate my birthday with me?" Su Qingnuan asked softly.

"That’s right." Su’s father sighed helplessly. "You’re with your husband’s family now; they’ll celebrate with you. Besides, you know your mother’s temper... If..."

Su Qingnuan stopped listening to the rest of the sentence.

She should’ve known better than to cling to hope by now.

Su Qingnuan smiled faintly and put the gift away.

"Thank you, Dad. Let’s eat first; the dishes will get cold."

"Alright, alright! Come, let’s eat!"

Beside them, Shen Lin’an enthusiastically poured drinks for the pair and kept interjecting into their conversation.

Though Su Qingnuan was unhappy inside, she didn’t say anything.

After the meal, Su Qingnuan intended to ask her father to walk with her for a bit, but his phone rang.

"Hello?" Su’s father discreetly walked to the balcony.

Separated by the glass, Su Qingnuan watched him patiently exchange words with someone on the other end of the line.

After a long while, Su’s father finally hung up and walked back inside.

He picked up his bag, looking at Su Qingnuan helplessly.

"Qingnuan, your mother is urging me to return."

Su Qingnuan pulled a smile at the corners of her lips, forcing herself to look composed. "You should go."

Su’s father looked at her worriedly. "Should I call Fu Yihan to come pick you up?"

"No!"

"No."

Both voices spoke simultaneously. Su Qingnuan turned her head to look at Shen Lin’an.

Shen Lin’an smiled. "Uncle, don’t you trust me? I’ll make sure to bring Qingnuan back safely."

Su’s father didn’t say anything; his gaze shifted to Su Qingnuan, as if seeking her confirmation.

Su Qingnuan smiled faintly and nodded. "It’s alright. Brother Lin’an will take me back."

"Alright then. Qingnuan, Dad is leaving first."

"Okay."

"Bang—"

The private room door closed, and the smile on Su Qingnuan’s lips faded along with it.

"Qingnuan, don’t be sad." Shen Lin’an handed her a tissue.

Su Qingnuan used her hand to wipe the dampness at the corner of her eye, then stood up and walked toward the exit.

"Hey, hey! Qingnuan!" Shen Lin’an hurriedly stopped her, helplessly saying, "I promised your father to take you home."

Su Qingnuan glanced at him coldly and said, "Then let’s go. I want to go home."

Shen Lin’an’s expression shifted slightly, but he said nothing in the end. He grabbed his coat and bag, following behind Su Qingnuan as she walked out.

Once in the car, Su Qingnuan closed her eyes.

She was reminiscing.

Soothing music flowed through the car, like water gently brushing against Su Qingnuan’s heart.

"Qingnuan," Shen Lin’an suddenly spoke.

Su Qingnuan kept her eyes closed, saying nothing.

"Are you asleep?"

She still didn’t respond.

Not receiving any response, Shen Lin’an said no more.

But when the car stopped, just as Su Qingnuan thought he was about to do something, she felt a faint weight settle on her shoulders.

It was light but carried warmth.

"You know your health isn’t good, yet you still insist on being willful." Shen Lin’an sighed softly. "You never give others peace of mind."

His words felt oddly familiar, bringing back memories from many years ago.

Back then, Su Qingnuan was only as tall as a table. She fell off a chair trying to get a piece of cake.

Shen Lin’an had stared at her with the same helpless yet indulgent smile, picking her up and treating her wounds.

At that time, Shen Lin’an was the only source of comfort in Su Qingnuan’s heart.

But now, Shen Lin’an...

The car moved again, advancing at a steady pace.

When it stopped again, Su Qingnuan had already opened her eyes.

"We’ve arrived," Shen Lin’an said.

Su Qingnuan gave a soft "Mm" and opened the car door.

"Qingnuan." Shen Lin’an grabbed her hand and hesitantly asked, "Is there really no way for us to return to the way things were?"

Su Qingnuan turned back to look at his hand and suddenly smiled.

"Shen Lin’an, can you truly accept a woman who’s been married before? Can your family accept her?"

Shen Lin’an froze, his grip on her hand loosening.

Without any affection, she brushed his hand aside and stepped out of the car.

Standing outside the vehicle, Su Qingnuan quietly watched Shen Lin’an, observing his despondence, confusion, and panic.

"Shen Lin’an," Su Qingnuan smiled softly, "through all these years, aside from my father, you’ve been the only one who’s been kind to me. I’ll always remember your kindness. But please, don’t let me down again."

"..."