Substitute Bride to the Crippled Billionaire
Chapter 93 Not to be Trampled Upon

Chapter 93: Chapter 93 Not to be Trampled Upon

"Drip—drip—"

The sound of water dripping echoed persistently near her ears.

Su Qingnuan tried to lift her hand to cover her ears.

But the moment she raised her hand, something blocked her.

"Don’t move!"

A cold voice rang out, carrying an inexplicable sense of familiarity.

Who is it?

Su Qingnuan slowly opened her eyes, greeted by a sea of white, which left her momentarily dazed.

Snapping back to reality, Su Qingnuan realized she wasn’t in the cramped space she had been in. The dripping sound beside her ear was nothing but the sound of an IV.

"You’re awake?"

Su Qingnuan turned her head to meet a pair of bewildered eyes.

"Mr. Fu?" Su Qingnuan tried to sit up, only to realize her hands were pinned down by someone.

Looking down at her hands, she asked in confusion, "Why am I here?"

"Shouldn’t you be asking yourself that question?" Fu Yihan sneered coldly. "To be bullied so badly at school—what’s the use of you?"

"...I... what happened to me?"

Fu Yihan let out a cold laugh and said nothing.

"Qingnuan! You’re awake!"

A lively figure darted into the room and threw herself onto Su Qingnuan.

Su Qingnuan let out a muffled grunt and pushed Gu Xiaoxiao away helplessly. "You’re pressing on my hand."

"...I’m sorry!" Gu Xiaoxiao quickly stood up, her face full of apology as she looked at Su Qingnuan. "I didn’t mean to—I was just... I was just too excited! You don’t know how weak you were when we found you. I almost thought..."

As she spoke, Gu Xiaoxiao’s eyes turned red.

Su Qingnuan rubbed her forehead and said softly, "What exactly happened? I don’t really remember... I only recall being locked in a small, dark place."

Seeing Su Qingnuan’s brows gradually furrow, Gu Xiaoxiao quickly said, "Oh my, if you can’t remember, then don’t think about it. Let’s not dwell on unhappy things!"

"..."

Su Qingnuan nodded, her brows still slightly knitted.

"I made some porridge—want to have some?" Gu Xiaoxiao asked with a smile.

Su Qingnuan shook her head, then turned to Fu Yihan.

"Mr. Fu, thank you for everything."

Fu Yihan said nothing and turned toward the doorway. "Where’s Ah Qi?"

"Ah Qi is downstairs, handling the admission process," Gu Xiaoxiao answered softly.

Su Qingnuan frowned slightly. "Do I really have to stay in the hospital?"

"For observation," Gu Xiaoxiao said sternly, pressing her hand. "To avoid any lingering psychological trauma."

"Psychological trauma?" Su Qingnuan chuckled lightly. "It’s not as severe as that. Actually, I..."

"Bang—"

Su Qingnuan suddenly turned her head and saw Fu Yihan wheeling himself out of the room.

"What’s that about?" Gu Xiaoxiao whispered.

Su Qingnuan shook her head. "No idea."

"...Is that Fu Yihan? Why do you call him Mr. Fu?" Su Qingnuan asked softly.

"..." Su Qingnuan lowered her head and murmured, "Just... felt like calling him Mr. Fu."

"...Why do you sound so aggrieved?" Gu Xiaoxiao said with an amused laugh. "But I must say, this Fu Yihan is really handsome. Though, why... why is he in a wheelchair?"

"Shh!" Su Qingnuan quickly covered Gu Xiaoxiao’s mouth, her voice low. "Don’t say that in front of him."

"...I know!"

Gu Xiaoxiao swatted Su Qingnuan’s hand away and chuckled. "Do you think I’m the kind of person who can’t keep my mouth shut?"

"I know you’re not—I was just reminding you," Su Qingnuan replied in a still-soft voice. "Seriously, remember—don’t ever bring it up in front of him."

"Got it."

Su Qingnuan withdrew her hand and fell silent.

Glancing at the doorway, she didn’t see Fu Yihan and added, "Can you go check on him for me?"

"Check what?" Gu Xiaoxiao asked in confusion. "He’s a grown man—do you really need me to oversee him?"

"...No, it’s just that he..."

After thinking for a while, Su Qingnuan realized she couldn’t articulate her concern. She turned her gaze back inward.

Later that day, Fu Yihan returned.

This time, he was accompanied by Ah Qi, who held some documents and placed them beside the bed.

"Young Madam, I’ve arranged for your hospital stay. You’ll stay here tonight, and I’ll come to pick you up tomorrow."

"...Alright."

Ah Qi and Fu Yihan left the room.

As they departed, Fu Yihan said nothing, but his gaze carried a chill.

From the icy look in his eyes, Su Qingnuan knew this matter would not be so simple.

"I’ll keep you company tonight," Gu Xiaoxiao said, patting Su Qingnuan’s shoulder warmly. "Don’t be scared."

Su Qingnuan paused, then replied with a laugh, "Scared of what? I’m not scared."

Despite her words, by nightfall, while lying alone in bed, Su Qingnuan found herself unable to sleep.

From across the room came the steady, sweet sound of Gu Xiaoxiao’s breathing.

She had promised to keep her company, but she fell asleep herself first.

Shaking her head helplessly, Su Qingnuan turned to gaze out the window.

The pitch-black sky revealed no scenery—not even the usually visible full moon.

If she weren’t in the hospital, what would she be doing right now?

After racking her brain, Su Qingnuan realized there was nothing she particularly wanted to do.

If there were competitions ongoing, she would definitely be preparing. But now that the contests were over, and she hadn’t even made it to the final round, those thoughts were useless.

At this recollection, Su Qingnuan furrowed her brows.

Why would Kong Rong treat her this way?

Was it because of what happened before, or...

Did someone uncover the issue she reported, leading to this outcome?

That reasoning seemed the only plausible explanation.

This realization kept her awake even longer.

Why is it that someone like her could deceive everyone and take possession of things that aren’t hers?

The more she thought about it, the more furious she became, until she sat up in bed outright.

The whole night passed in sleepless contemplation, Su Qingnuan repeatedly pondering how to confront that person and demand justice.

But early the next morning, someone came to her room.

Seeing Kong Rong, Gu Xiaoxiao immediately moved to block the door.

"Hey, hey, hey?" Kong Rong pushed against the door with a wicked smile. "What’s this? We’re just here to visit our school beauty—why aren’t you letting us in?"

"Not letting you in?" Gu Xiaoxiao scoffed. "If I’m not shooing you out with a broom, I’m already being merciful. Get lost—don’t loiter here."

"Get lost?" Sun Rong sneered, exerting force and pushing the door wide open. "Talk like that isn’t your place."

"Xiaoxiao!" Su Qingnuan quickly called out. "Come here—don’t stand over there."

Glancing back at her, Gu Xiaoxiao walked over.

With her arms crossed, Kong Rong gazed at the pale-faced Su Qingnuan sitting on the bed, her complexion clearly unwell.

"Our school beauty, what’s wrong with you?" Kong Rong said with a sly smile. "You don’t look too good."

Su Qingnuan frowned slightly. "Why are you here? To gloat? Or mock me?"

Raising an eyebrow, Kong Rong said, "Neither—I came to discuss something with you."

She gestured, and someone immediately entered to bring over a chair. Kong Rong took a seat directly across from Su Qingnuan’s bed.

"Do you know why things turned out this way?" Kong Rong asked.