Substitute Bride to the Crippled Billionaire
Chapter 78 Deep Love, Shallow Fate

Chapter 78: Chapter 78 Deep Love, Shallow Fate

The next morning at breakfast, Fu Yihan and Yun Meifeng were still nowhere to be seen, and the old man’s face didn’t look too good.

"Yurou, come back earlier after school today."

Su Qingnuan paused, looking at the old man. "Grandpa, is there an event today?"

"Hmm, a family meeting."

"...Alright."

After finishing breakfast, Su Qingnuan cautiously approached Fu Yihan.

"Um..."

Fu Yihan turned around, his cold gaze falling on her.

Su Qingnuan wiped the sweat from her forehead, resignedly saying, "Did you hand that video over to the old man?"

"Hmm."

Retracting his indifferent gaze, Fu Yihan frowned. "Go and do whatever you’re supposed to be doing."

"...Alright."

When she left the Fu family estate, Su Qingnuan got into the car, her mind in turmoil.

"Young Madam, we’ve arrived."

Ah Qi’s voice came from the front. Su Qingnuan snapped back to her senses—outside the window was the familiar school gate.

"Ah, ah!" Su Qingnuan quickly nodded and got out of the car.

She walked toward the classroom with her head down. Along the way, many people stared at her, making her feel as if she’d returned to the day she first started school.

Su Qingnuan frowned slightly and quickened her pace.

"Did you hear? Our school belle apparently has her feet in two boats—heard she’s been..."

"Isn’t this the school belle?"

"Hey, hey, look! That cheating girl!"

More and more people were watching her, and some were even pointing at her.

What rumors were circulating in the school this time?

Su Qingnuan frowned deeply and entered the classroom.

Gu Xiaoxiao was hunched over her desk, doing something unknown.

"Gu Xiaoxiao." Su Qingnuan tapped her shoulder, frowning. "What are you doing?"

Gu Xiaoxiao suddenly looked up. The moment she saw Su Qingnuan, her hand darted toward her desk.

"..." Su Qingnuan frowned, her gaze falling on her hand. "What are you hiding?"

"Nothing..." Gu Xiaoxiao forced a smile. "I’m not hiding anything."

"Let me see." Su Qingnuan extended her hand.

"Really, it’s nothing." Gu Xiaoxiao pressed down on Su Qingnuan’s hand, smiling. "Sit down—class is about to start."

Su Qingnuan raised an eyebrow but remained standing.

"...Seriously." Gu Xiaoxiao reluctantly stood up, stiff-necked. "Don’t tell me I don’t even have the freedom to look at my phone?"

"No."

Su Qingnuan answered without hesitation, steadfastly gazing at her.

The two stared at each other, and seeing Su Qingnuan’s unwavering determination, Gu Xiaoxiao finally sighed in defeat.

"Are you sure you want it?" Gu Xiaoxiao asked carefully.

Su Qingnuan nodded with certainty. "Give it to me."

Only then did Gu Xiaoxiao hand over the phone to Su Qingnuan.

When she unlocked it, the screen displayed something very odd, making Su Qingnuan’s brows furrow.

"Qingnuan, don’t get angry! These people are just like this—talking without knowing anything!" Gu Xiaoxiao said indignantly.

Su Qingnuan smiled faintly and returned the phone to Gu Xiaoxiao.

"It’s fine," Su Qingnuan said softly. "I don’t care about this."

She remained calm and collected, sitting down to open her book.

Gu Xiaoxiao froze for a moment, doubtfully looking at her. "You truly don’t mind anymore?"

"What’s there to mind?" Su Qingnuan smiled lightly. "It’s not true anyway. Besides, would caring help? Would it stop them from talking?"

"...No."

"Then that’s it." Su Qingnuan continued smiling. "Instead of worrying about such things, it’s better to think about your own matters."

If nothing unexpected happened, today’s competition results would be announced—it would all be decided today whether she could advance to the finals.

Seeing Su Qingnuan’s calm demeanor, Gu Xiaoxiao finally believed her words.

"That’s the right mindset." Gu Xiaoxiao smiled, patting her shoulder. "They’re just jealous of you—that’s why they gossip. Ignore them."

Su Qingnuan nodded.

After class, as the two walked out of the classroom, the school broadcast system suddenly came on.

"Doesn’t the broadcast usually play during lunchtime?" Su Qingnuan whispered.

Gu Xiaoxiao shook her head.

"Will student Su Qingnuan from the Computer Science Department please come to the Dean’s office."

Both of them halted their steps. Gu Xiaoxiao looked at Su Qingnuan in confusion.

Su Qingnuan was equally puzzled.

"What did you do?" Gu Xiaoxiao asked in a low voice.

Su Qingnuan shook her head slightly, sighing helplessly. "What could I have done? Are you stupid?"

Indeed, what could Su Qingnuan have done?

She attended school regularly, went home on time, and otherwise stayed in the Fu household. She hardly ever went out—what trouble could she have gotten into?

Frowning slightly, Su Qingnuan turned toward the elevator.

"I’ll go up and see. You wait here."

"No!" Gu Xiaoxiao grabbed onto Su Qingnuan. "I’ll go with you—I have a bad feeling about this."

"...Fine."

The two took the elevator directly to the Dean’s office.

Many people loitered near the office, waiting to witness the drama.

When Su Qingnuan appeared, their smiles deepened.

"Look, the main character’s here."

"You can’t deny it—she really is beautiful, a proper school belle."

"Hey! Hurry up, make way!"

One comment followed another, making Su Qingnuan feel like a panda in a zoo, with everyone gawking at her.

"Don’t mind what they say. Go in quickly," Gu Xiaoxiao patting Su Qingnuan’s shoulder and said in a low voice. "I’ll wait out here for you."

"Okay."

Su Qingnuan knocked on the Dean’s office door.

"Come in."

She pushed the door open and locked eyes with a pair of warm, gentle eyes.

Su Qingnuan paused, standing at the doorway without stepping further inside.

"Why are you standing there?" The Dean smiled, beckoning her. "Come in, come in."

Seeing his cheerful demeanor, it didn’t align with her expectations—wasn’t she called here for questioning?

"Come on, Mr. Shen, take a seat. Qingnuan, you sit as well."

Shen Lin’an pulled out a chair in front of the desk and smiled. "Qingnuan, come and sit."

"Hmm."

Responding softly, Su Qingnuan walked over and sat down.

Shen Lin’an followed suit and took a seat.

The Dean sat across from them, holding some photos, and said sincerely: "I initially thought, Qingnuan, you’re here to study, and things like this shouldn’t happen. That’s why I previously talked to you. But who would’ve thought, such absurd rumors would emerge afterward."

Su Qingnuan lowered her head and said guiltily, "I’m sorry, Dean, but I haven’t done any of those things."

"You say you haven’t done them, but how can I believe that?" The Dean questioned her.

Su Qingnuan fell silent.

In this world, evidence is everything—words alone mean nothing.

The Dean glanced at her, then turned toward Shen Lin’an, his brows lifting as he smiled. "Fortunately, Mr. Shen stepped forward in time to explain everything to me."

Shen Lin’an?

Su Qingnuan looked at Shen Lin’an in surprise, her eyes filled with curiosity.

Meeting her gaze, Shen Lin’an smiled faintly. "I’ve known Qingnuan since childhood. I’ve always treated her like my own little sister. Naturally, I can’t tolerate people tarnishing her reputation with baseless accusations."

"Exactly!" The Dean sighed helplessly. "These students nowadays—getting more and more out of hand. Instead of studying, all they do is focus on this nonsense."