Substitute Bride to the Crippled Billionaire

Chapter 136: Chapter 136: Humble Woman

"I’m so busy every day! How do I have time to reply to your messages? Can’t you stay put by yourself?" Fu Yihan looked visibly annoyed and exasperated.

Qin Man lowered her head, nervously clutching the bag in her hand.

"I... I know..." Qin Man bit her lip and reached out to tug at the hem of Fu Yihan’s clothes. "Yihan, let’s talk outside, alright? There are people watching here..."

Her face flushed crimson, as she awkwardly glanced toward Su Yangnuan and the others.

"What’s wrong? You’re here now! Are you still scared of being seen by others?" He mercilessly pushed Qin Man’s hand away. "If so, you should’ve thought of this sooner."

"Yihan!"

Tears welled up in Qin Man’s eyes as she looked at him in disbelief. "Why... Why have you become like this?"

"Like this?" Fu Yihan sneered coldly. "Miss Qin, could you clarify—how exactly have I changed? Didn’t you once say you’d love me no matter what? So that doesn’t count anymore?"

"No... that’s not it..." Tears streamed down Qin Man’s cheeks as she shook her head slightly. "That wasn’t you—where did the understanding, thoughtful Fu Yihan go?"

"Understanding and thoughtful?!" Fu Yihan bent over abruptly and swept everything off the table with his hands.

The sound of crashing and clattering filled the room, leaving the place in disarray.

"There’s never been anything ’understanding and thoughtful.’ It was all an act!" Fu Yihan’s bloodshot eyes glared at her furiously. "Don’t blame me, Miss Qin—I was serious about marrying you, but my family wouldn’t allow it."

He raised his hand and pointed toward the door, his expression icy. "I had planned to tell you later, or perhaps let you find out on your own. But since you insist on making a fuss, let’s lay it all out now."

"...You." Qin Man’s voice trembled as she stared at him in disbelief. "Is this all you wanted to say?"

"Yes." His face was cold, devoid of the slightest trace of tenderness.

"Ha!" Qin Man tilted her head back, trying to hold back her tears. "I see now—it’s been me all along foolishly chasing after something that never existed, hasn’t it?"

Fu Yihan said nothing, turning his face away and refusing to look at her.

"Fu Yihan!" Qin Man gritted her teeth, her tears falling uncontrollably. "Is your heart really so cold and unfeeling?"

"Yes, I’m exactly that cold and unfeeling." Fu Yihan shrugged, his tone casual. "At least you’ve realized it now—it’s not too late."

"Not too late...?" Qin Man covered her face, retreating a few steps. "So that long stretch of effort I put in over the past few months... what was that supposed to be?"

"You put in effort; I put in effort. We’ve both done our part. Let’s part ways cleanly and stop dwelling on it."

"...Fu Yihan, are you truly this ruthless?" The last glimmer of hope flickered in Qin Man’s eyes as she stared unblinkingly at him.

Fu Yihan remained unmoved, his expression as cold as ever.

As time passed, the hope in Qin Man’s eyes gradually faded.

"I understand now." She wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes and turned away, smiling as she looked toward Su Yangnuan and Fu Yihan.

"Eldest Young Master, Eldest Young Madam, thank you for your trouble today."

Su Yangnuan opened her mouth, hesitating as she glanced at Fu Yihan.

Fu Yihan nodded slightly, casting a glance toward the person beside him. "Yue Rou, please escort Miss Qin out."

"Alright."

Su Yangnuan stepped in front of Qin Man, noticing her reddened eyes. She spoke gently, "Miss Qin, let’s go."

Qin Man nodded, following behind Su Yangnuan as they headed toward the door.

Once outside, the sound of subdued sobbing came from behind. noveldrama

Su Yangnuan sighed softly but didn’t know what to say.

"Here." Su Yangnuan handed over a tissue. "Stop crying."

Qin Man took the tissue in silence, her head bowed low as she followed along.

Hearing her sobs quiet down, Su Yangnuan exhaled in relief and continued walking forward.

Watching Qin Man get into the car and drive away, Su Yangnuan finally turned back and entered the house.

"Sis-in-law."

The same man who had just hurt another stood lazily leaning against the doorframe, blocking her way into the house.

Su Yangnuan cast him a cold glance and said nothing.

"Sis-in-law, what’s with that expression?" Fu Yihan smirked as he looked at her. "Not satisfied with what I did?"

"I wouldn’t dare." Su Yangnuan smiled indifferently. "This is entirely Second Young Master’s affair—it’s not my place to comment."

"Not bad, seems you’re quite self-aware." Fu Yihan nodded with satisfaction.

Su Yangnuan chuckled lightly. "Second Young Master, rest assured—I may lack other qualities, but self-awareness is something I definitely possess."

With that, she bypassed Fu Yihan and headed inside.

"Wait!" Fu Yihan raised his hand to block her path, a sly smile in his eyes. "Sis-in-law, are you hiding something from us?"

Calling her ’Sis-in-law’ at every turn—usually, it was the other person who said it like this. Something about Fu Yihan seemed off.

Su Yangnuan turned back and gave him an odd look. "What could I possibly hide from you? If anything, you seem suspicious—did you do something you’re afraid to let Grandpa find out?"

"I, Fu Yihan, act with a clear conscience!" Fu Yihan replied indignantly. "What are you even suggesting—what do you mean by ’something shady’?"

"I never said that." Su Yangnuan shifted her gaze and replied half-jokingly, "But if Second Young Master insists on admitting it, I wouldn’t have much to say."

"You!" Fu Yihan pointed a finger at her. "Sharp-tongued! Don’t forget your own status!"

Su Yangnuan smirked. "Rest assured, Second Young Master—I’m very aware of my status. I wouldn’t dare overstep."

After speaking, she ignored any reaction he might have and continued walking inside.

Fu Yihan still sat by the sofa and lifted his head upon hearing footsteps.

His eyes were calm and indifferent, as if looking at a stranger.

"Ran into Fu Yihan?" he asked.

"Mm." Su Yangnuan naturally walked behind him and began pushing the wheelchair.

"What did he say?"

"Nothing much; my guess is he couldn’t stand me and wanted to belittle me a little."

"Heh!" Fu Yihan withdrew his gaze and said coldly, "Don’t bother with him."

Feeling slightly warm inside, Su Yangnuan nodded. "Alright."

"How’s work at the company?" Fu Yihan asked abruptly.

Su Yangnuan paused for a moment, then quickly nodded. "Mr. Fu, don’t worry! I’ll make sure to work hard!"

The man sitting before her lifted his head, his cool gaze fixed on her intently.

Did she say something wrong?

Su Yangnuan blinked, puzzled, and stared at Fu Yihan.

"Mr. Fu?" she asked cautiously. "Did I say something wrong?"

"No." He withdrew his chilly gaze, his tone void of emotion. He pushed Su Yangnuan’s hand away. "I’m heading back to my room—you relax for a while before coming upstairs."

"...."

He’s angry.

Clearly, he’s angry.

Though she didn’t know why, based on her observations over the past few days, it was likely her fault.

Su Yangnuan stood obediently in place, not daring to move recklessly.

Only when Fu Yihan’s figure was no longer visible did she pull her gaze back and sit down helplessly.

Talking to Fu Yihan is truly an art—just a slight misstep, and he’s upset.

Not only that, he’s exceptionally skilled at showing her his displeasure.

This arrogant personality—it has no trace of his cold and ruthless reputation.