Substitute Bride to the Crippled Billionaire

After dinner, Su Qingnuan ran upstairs to rest and recover, without thinking about anything, and laid down.

On the first day of the month, when she went to school, there was no breakfast. Su Qingnuan let out a sigh of relief. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Although it felt a little sad saying this, Su Qingnuan really had had enough.

Not only was there no breakfast, but there was also no car to pick her up.

Su Qingnuan hailed a cab and made her way to school.

...

Seeing Su Qingnuan walk into the classroom without carrying a lunch box, Gu Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but clap her hands.

"Oh my God!" Gu Xiaoxiao exclaimed with delight, "I’ve been wondering how you’d treat me to a meal today, and how we’d tackle all the food your aunt brought."

Su Qingnuan smiled helplessly, "Don’t even mention it, those things were so rich and nourishing. Eating too much of it gave me a nosebleed last night."

"A nosebleed?" Gu Xiaoxiao looked at her in shock. "Are you okay?"

"I’m fine, it was just too much heat." Su Qingnuan sat down and sighed softly, "Show me the sign-up form for that competition you mentioned yesterday."

"Huh?" Gu Xiaoxiao chuckled, "I already handed it in. By now, it’s probably been reviewed."

"That fast?"

"There were so many applicants. You wouldn’t believe how competitive it was to snag a spot on that form."

Su Qingnuan was momentarily stunned.

"Such high demand?"

"Of course! For people in our major, who wouldn’t want a chance to intern at that company?"

At the mention of this, Gu Xiaoxiao suddenly looked crestfallen.

"You’re recognized as exceptionally gifted by everyone, but I have no idea what kind of ranking I’ll get."

Su Qingnuan gave a resigned smile. "There’s always someone better out there. The competition hasn’t even started yet—how do you know who will be the best?"

"Among people in our major, is there anyone who doesn’t know you? Campus beauty and top student—you could easily get by on your looks, but no, you insist on relying on your actual talents."

"Alright, alright." Su Qingnuan laughed. "Instead of wasting time bantering with me here, you might as well spend some extra time studying. You could surprise everyone with your results."

"Forget it, I don’t believe in last-minute cramming," Gu Xiaoxiao tilted her head and glanced at the teacher walking into the classroom, tapping on her desk. "Class time is serious business."

After finishing the morning classes, both of them received a text asking them to head up to the computer lab upstairs for emergency training.

"Who do you think the instructor for the training will be?" Gu Xiaoxiao whispered.

"No idea." Glancing toward the front of the classroom, Su Qingnuan chuckled softly, "Whoever it is, we just need to focus on doing our part."

"Your mindset is truly forged from countless trials."

Su Qingnuan gave a bitter smile. "What else could I do?"

"Nothing really," Gu Xiaoxiao smiled lightly. "Maintaining this attitude is definitely a good thing."

Su Qingnuan shot her a sidelong glance, half-smiling, "Are you teasing me or being sincere?"

"I’m being sincere, obviously. Why would I tease you, right?"

Seeing the earnest look in her eyes, Su Qingnuan reluctantly nodded, "I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that."

"Hey! Here they come! I heard it’s the new teacher."

"And he’s pretty handsome!"

"How come we’ve never seen this teacher before?"

Hearing the chatter, Su Qingnuan looked up, and the smile on her lips froze instantly.

How could it be him...

Shen Lin’an stood at the podium, his face carrying a light smile as he scanned the students below. In a gentle tone, he announced, "Hello everyone, starting today, I’ll be your temporary instructor. My name is Shen Lin’an."

"Teacher, you’re so handsome!" A not-so-quiet voice broke out, causing an uproar in the classroom.

"Qingnuan..." Gu Xiaoxiao glanced at her with concern and whispered, "Isn’t that..."

"It’s nothing." Su Qingnuan lowered her head, fiddling with something in her hands, "He’s just our teacher for now."

"Oh, okay..."

Gu Xiaoxiao flitted her gaze between the two of them but ended up saying nothing.

From the moment Shen Lin’an entered the classroom, he hadn’t deliberately looked at Su Qingnuan.

He taught attentively, patiently answering students’ questions.

Overall, the lesson was productive and insightful.

"Alright, classmates, that’s all for today’s session." Shen Lin’an tidied up his teaching materials and smiled at the students below.

As soon as he finished speaking, a student walked up with their textbook.

"Teacher Shen, could you explain this section to me? I didn’t fully understand it earlier."

"Of course." Shen Lin’an kept his polite smile intact.

...

Su Qingnuan grabbed Gu Xiaoxiao’s hand and slipped out through the back door.

"Hey?" Gu Xiaoxiao murmured softly, "Aren’t you going to say hi?"

"What’s there to say?" Su Qingnuan chuckled lightly. "Let’s go. I’m not in the mood to talk to him right now."

"Fair enough. You two were a couple before, but now that you’re married, meeting again must feel awkward."

"..." Su Qingnuan frowned and shot her a stern glare, "If you don’t say anything, nobody will assume you’re mute."

"....."

The two of them hurried down the stairs, leaving through the back door.

Once they reached the ground floor, Su Qingnuan finally let go of Gu Xiaoxiao’s hand and began walking slowly.

Gu Xiaoxiao glanced back and chuckled, "He didn’t follow us."

"He won’t chase after us." Su Qingnuan said serenely, "That’s not the kind of person he is. Coming here to teach is just the first step of his plan. What he’ll do next is his real purpose."

Over the years, Su Qingnuan’s understanding of Shen Lin’an was neither minimal nor extensive.

She could guess his initial motives fairly well.

What she said to him yesterday must have played a part, which was probably why he showed up here today.

So, he knew everything?

"Qingnuan?" Gu Xiaoxiao gently nudged Su Qingnuan’s arm and murmured, "I think your guess was wrong!"

"What?" Su Qingnuan looked at her, confused.

Gu Xiaoxiao pointed behind them with a helpless expression. "Your past debt is coming."

"....."

Su Qingnuan turned around and saw Shen Lin’an walking toward them. He was supposed to be upstairs answering students’ questions, but now he was approaching them.

Carrying teaching materials and wearing glasses, he looked every bit the image of a teacher, yet people kept turning their heads to look at him.

"Qingnuan." Shen Lin’an smiled, "Let’s have lunch together?"

"No thanks." Su Qingnuan declined with a blank expression, "I already have plans."

Hearing this, Shen Lin’an’s gaze shifted to Gu Xiaoxiao, and he smiled faintly, "I don’t mind sharing lunch with another beautiful lady."

"....." Gu Xiaoxiao awkwardly retreated behind Su Qingnuan.

Su Qingnuan glanced at him and replied coolly, "It’s not her—it’s Fu Yihan."

Shen Lin’an’s expression instantly changed. His brows furrowed as he stared at her.

Su Qingnuan adjusted her backpack and turned around, "Mr. Shen, you’re a teacher now, and I’m a student. Please respect our roles."

"Qingnuan!" Shen Lin’an grabbed her wrist, preventing her from leaving, "Listen to me, I’ve already uncovered the truth about everything. I misunderstood you before, and I think..."

"Who’s that? Isn’t she the campus beauty? But who is he? Never seen him before!"

"Could it be the guy with the luxury car?"

"No way. He doesn’t look like it, judging by his clothes..."

"..."