Substitute Bride to the Crippled Billionaire

Chapter 177: Chapter 177 Research

"Why so polite?" Gong Qi looked toward Fu Yihan thoughtfully, and with a faint smile, said, "If you’re free later, sister-in-law, you should stay in touch with us more often."

"Huh?" Su Qingnuan froze for a moment, unable to respond before being interrupted by the clink of a wine glass.

"Why would she stay in touch with you?" Fu Yihan retorted irritably. "To give you more chances to bully her?"

Upon hearing this, Su Qingnuan lowered her head in embarrassment. noveldrama

Though her personality was relatively mild-mannered, it didn’t mean she would let just anyone push her around. At least, once her bottom line was crossed, she refused to endure it anymore.

Just like those people from the Su family.

"Actually, I’m not really..."

"How could it be bullying?" Gong Qi quickly clarified. "When we talk with sister-in-law, it’s all pleasant and friendly conversation. Yihan, your comment just now is really uncalled for."

"Hmph!" Fu Yihan raised an eyebrow indifferently, his gaze landing on Gong Qi. "Don’t think I’m unaware of your sneaky little plans."

Gong Qi coughed awkwardly and muttered, "At least give me some face."

"No," came the cold and merciless reply, still very much the Fu Yihan everyone knew.

Gong Qi shook his head helplessly, deciding not to bring up the matter again.

The three of them strolled leisurely along a shaded path, soon arriving at a glass-constructed hotel.

Standing at the entrance of the hotel were many people, neat and orderly in two rows.

As they approached, both rows bowed and loudly exclaimed, "Welcome!"

The grandeur of this setup... was slightly over the top.

Su Qingnuan couldn’t help but quicken her pace as she pushed Fu Yihan’s wheelchair.

Once inside the lobby, someone promptly approached them.

"Mr. Fu, Mr. Gong, Mr. Qin Chuan has been waiting for you inside."

Fu Yihan responded with a soft "Hmm" and glanced at Gong Qi.

Gong Qi nodded and took the lead, while Su Qingnuan hurried to keep up.

They entered the elevator and pressed for the top floor.

The atmosphere felt somewhat tense. Su Qingnuan glanced at one person and then at the other, eventually lowering her head in silence.

"Ding—"

The elevator stopped.

Su Qingnuan pushed Fu Yihan out of the elevator.

It was yet another grand lobby, with two attendants stationed by the elevator doors.

The moment they stepped out, the attendants approached and led the way.

Even before dining, Su Qingnuan already sensed that this meal was going to be remarkably expensive.

After navigating past a ring-shaped lobby, the attendant opened a door and smiled, "Here we are, please come in."

Gong Qi entered first, followed by Su Qingnuan, who was pushing Fu Yihan.

"What took you so long?"

As soon as they stepped inside, Qin Chuan’s impatient voice rang out. He was seated in a chair, idly fiddling with his phone.

Gong Qi chuckled lightly. "Have you ordered yet? We made sure to leave you the opportunity to shine."

Rolling his eyes in exasperation, Qin Chuan replied coldly, "Oh, cut it out. You just want me to foot the bill."

Gong Qi blinked a few times, smiling faintly. "Isn’t that your job today?"

"..."

Rendered speechless, Qin Chuan turned to look at Fu Yihan.

Meanwhile, Su Qingnuan was busy maneuvering the wheelchair forward, positioning Fu Yihan by the dining table.

Noticing her efforts, Qin Chuan frowned slightly.

"That wheelchair is too low—why not just sit in a regular chair instead."

With that, Qin Chuan stood up, and he and Gong Qi worked together to transfer Fu Yihan onto a standard chair. Su Qingnuan finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Seeing beads of sweat on her forehead, Fu Yihan handed her a tissue.

Su Qingnuan accepted it with a cheerful smile.

The harmonious atmosphere between the two was drastically different from their initial meeting.

The gentleness in Fu Yihan’s eyes and his considerate, albeit subtle actions revealed his current state of mind.

Gong Qi propped his chin on his hand, leisurely observing the two with amusement.

On the other hand, Qin Chuan glared at Su Qingnuan with what seemed like hostility.

While wiping her sweat, Su Qingnuan could feel a heated gaze fixated on her. She glanced over instinctively.

Meeting Qin Chuan’s eyes, she froze for a moment.

Why did she see jealousy?

"Hmph!" Qin Chuan scoffed coldly and withdrew his gaze, visibly displeased.

Su Qingnuan: "..."

"Qin Chuan." Fu Yihan spoke with a slightly sharper tone.

Qin Chuan said nothing, picking up the menu instead. "I’ve already ordered a few dishes; take a look yourselves to see if there’s anything else to add."

"Okay, okay! Let me have a look."

Gong Qi took the menu and started humorously commenting on the dish names, breaking the tension from earlier.

During dinner, Su Qingnuan didn’t say much, focusing mainly on her meal.

It wasn’t until she heard her own name that she looked up in mild confusion at the others.

"Sister-in-law, you must’ve been starving," Gong Qi teased, half-smirking as he looked at her.

Feeling slightly embarrassed, Su Qingnuan put her chopsticks down and grinned awkwardly.

Before she could think of how to respond, a piece of meat suddenly landed in her bowl.

"If you’re hungry, eat more." Fu Yihan’s serious tone and expression made the simple sentence unexpectedly endearing.

Su Qingnuan glanced at Fu Yihan, then at Gong Qi seated nearby, and ultimately decided to continue eating quietly with her chopsticks.

Completely unaware that she was being watched by two others.

Gong Qi smiled meaningfully, his gaze shifting back and forth between Fu Yihan and Su Qingnuan.

"Yihan, still so protective?" Gong Qi asked with a playful smile.

Fu Yihan didn’t respond, calmly chewing his food.

The two weren’t ones to rush a conversation, often speaking indirectly, leaving their intentions implied and unspoken.

However, the third person at the table had a much more direct temperament.

Qin Chuan set his chopsticks down and looked at Fu Yihan seriously.

"So, what’s your plan now?"

Fu Yihan glanced at him nonchalantly. "Plan for what?"

"Your legs! Since there’s hope, we should fully cooperate with the treatment."

At these words, the private room fell into an awkward silence.

Gong Qi gave Qin Chuan a helpless look, frustrated by his bluntness. "This isn’t something that can be resolved in a day or two; why are you in such a hurry?"

"After waiting for so long, isn’t progress worth being anxious about?" Qin Chuan asked incredulously.

Gong Qi didn’t respond, his gaze instead falling thoughtfully on Su Qingnuan.

Having heard mention of leg progress, Su Qingnuan had already stopped eating.

Noticing the attention on her, Su Qingnuan looked up.

Beside her, Fu Yihan continued eating at his usual, deliberate pace, as though the conversation didn’t concern him.

Meanwhile, Qin Chuan’s intense stare was fixed directly on her.

Su Qingnuan gave an uneasy laugh. "Uh, pardon me, but can I confirm—are you talking about Yihan’s legs?"

"Yes." Gong Qi nodded with a faint smile. "Yihan went for a follow-up exam today and found signs of bone healing."

"Really?" Su Qingnuan turned to Fu Yihan with surprise and joy. "Mr. Fu, does this mean your legs have hope?"

Only then did Fu Yihan set his chopsticks down, responding calmly. "They still need further observation."

It was unclear whether the result was due to the medicine Su Qingnuan had provided or some natural variation after such a long time.