His Sunday Substitute - Chapter 18

“Please, go see Qin Cangye one more time.”

Li Jinmiao’s legs were weak as she ran out of the hospital. She never expected to run into Qin Weishu, but upon reflection, it made sense, with the Qin family’s sole heir in trouble, Qin Weishu would inevitably show up.

“Go home and stay put. If anything happens to Cangye, your Li family won’t have many peaceful days left!”

The memory of Qin Weishu’s icy, ruthless glare and that warning sent tremors through Li Jinmiao’s hands as she clutched her phone.

“Thank goodness, thank goodness Nuonuo isn’t here,” she murmured, sinking to her knees and wrapping her arms around them.

Inside the hospital room, Qin Weishu’s expression was as cold as a frozen lake, his gaze like a winter gale sweeping over Qin Cangye lying on the bed.

After a long silence, he finally spoke. “Has the young master been involved with any other women these past few days?”

Old Yan bowed slightly, answering respectfully, “No, sir. The young master has been focused solely on work, attending only business meetings with clients. He hasn’t participated in any private gatherings and has been staying overnight at the headquarters’ penthouse. The only exception was one visit to Miss Li’s company. He hasn’t had contact with any other women.”

“If not women, then could it be men?” Qin Weishu turned his head sharply, eyeing Old Yan with surprise.

Old Yan froze momentarily before replying, “I’ll look into it further.”

Qin Weishu shook his head and was about to say more when the door opened, and Wu Heng walked in.

Wu Heng paused briefly before greeting respectfully, “Chairman Qin, good evening.”

Qin Weishu nodded in acknowledgment, his tone stern. “What exactly happened tonight? Cangye was just having dinner with Li Jinmiao, how did things escalate to this?”

Without hesitation, Wu Heng replied smoothly, “Vice Chairman Qin and Miss Li have always had a strained relationship. Their dinners usually end in deadlock. This time, they might have exchanged heated words, leading to an argument. Vice Chairman Qin lost control, flipped the table, then rushed to the greenhouse and shattered the glass. As for the specifics of their quarrel, I wasn’t present, so I’m afraid I don’t know.”

Wu Heng made no mention of Su Yinuo, knowing full well her significance in Qin Cangye’s heart.

It was Su Yinuo’s appearance that allowed Wu Heng, after five years by Qin Cangye’s side, to witness his gentleness for the first time, to see the unrestrained smiles that lit up his face.

The first time that girl stepped into Qin Cangye’s car, Wu Heng’s mind had reeled with shock. Qin Cangye was notoriously distant, women were out of the question, and even male clients were rarely invited into his car. As he drove silently, Wu Heng quickly realized this wasn’t Li Jinmiao. Eavesdropping on every word exchanged between them, he was stunned.

Stunned by Qin Cangye’s uncharacteristic gentleness.
Stunned by how the usually taciturn Qin Cangye poured out his thoughts unreservedly to Su Yinuo.
Stunned by the push-and-pull between them, Qin Cangye’s relentless pursuit and unexpected concessions.
Stunned by the intoxicated smile he caught in the rearview mirror, Qin Cangye’s face alight with joy.

He knew then that Qin Cangye had fallen, fallen completely, irrevocably.

Wu Heng wasn’t from a prestigious university. With only a high school diploma, he had enlisted in the military after graduation. After his discharge, he attended a veterans’ job fair and submitted his resume to Ronghua Capital. He had originally hoped to land a position as a security team leader but was instead handpicked by Qin Cangye himself to become his personal driver and assistant.

Qin Cangye had been a benefactor to Wu Heng, who came from a poor family. He had funded the education of Wu Heng’s three younger siblings and helped resolve numerous family troubles over five years. As a result, Wu Heng was wholeheartedly loyal to Qin Cangye and would never reveal any of his secrets.

Qin Weishu gave Wu Heng a cold glance, knowing full well that this guy was nothing but Qin Cangye’s dog, there was no way to get anything out of him. With a disdainful snort, he left the hospital room with Lao Yan, tossing back only one sentence: “Tell him to come back to Chaoyang Mountain once he’s discharged!”

“Yes, Chairman Qin.” Wu Heng bowed slightly, politely seeing them off.

Qin Cangye woke up the next day and was discharged on the third day.

On the day of his discharge, Wu Heng relayed Qin Weishu’s message. Qin Cangye didn’t respond at all, his face expressionless and pale as he returned to Pearl Sea Garden Restaurant.

Like a walking corpse, he ignored the fearful, curious, or evasive gazes around him, disregarded Kong Wenxin’s concern and worry, and strode straight to the glass greenhouse that had yet to be repaired. Amid the shattered glass, he dug out the coaster Su Yinuo had given him, wiped off the dust with his sleeve, and pressed it tightly against his chest.

After a long silence, he finally spoke: “Did she come?”

It was the first time he had spoken in two days.

“I remember her coming, but it feels like a dream.” His voice was hoarse.

Wu Heng’s heart ached as he crouched beside him, offering comfort: “She did. Miss Nuo rushed in through the main entrance and hugged you the moment she saw you. She was heartbroken for you, I could tell. You even kissed her, and she didn’t resist at all. She held onto you until you fainted in her arms.”

Wu Heng felt a little embarrassed saying these things, but to reassure Qin Cangye, he recounted everything in detail.

Qin Cangye hung his head, his long bangs covering half his face, making it impossible for Wu Heng to see his expression. But seconds later, glistening teardrops fell one by one onto the glass shards reflecting the sunlight.

These days, Su Yinuo had been in terrible shape. She tossed and turned at night, waking up dizzy every morning. Before setting up her stall each day, she had to gulp down a mix of instant coffee and strong tea just to stay somewhat alert.

Though she tried to hide it to avoid worrying her mother, Zhang Lihua noticed anyway.

“Nuo, tell me what’s on your mind,” Zhang Lihua urged, deeply concerned.

Exhausted, Su Yinuo collapsed into her mother’s arms and whispered miserably, “Mom, I’ve fallen for someone I shouldn’t have. What do I do?”

Zhang Lihua relaxed slightly, offering a bitter smile.

To her, as long as her daughter was willing to confide in her, things couldn’t be too dire.

“Does he like you back?” Zhang Lihua had many things she wanted to say, but this was the first question she asked.

Su Yinuo sat up, her eyes red, and nodded.

Zhang Lihua smiled wryly again. “Are you two together?”

Su Yinuo shook her head vigorously.

Zhang Lihua held Su Yinuo’s hand, thought for a long time, and then spoke with deep emotion, “Nuonuo, you must like him because he has many good qualities, right? The reason you feel you shouldn’t like him must be because of other external factors, isn’t it? If you two are together, you’ll definitely face many difficulties. So, Nuonuo, you need to think carefully, can your feelings for him carry you through the obstacles you face now and the ones yet to come in the future?”

Su Yinuo looked at Zhang Lihua and nodded earnestly.

“Back then, marrying your father wasn’t easy for me either,” Zhang Lihua’s tone suddenly grew heavy. She lowered her eyes, as if digging up a painful memory. Her eyes gradually reddened, and she wiped away a tear from the corner of her eye before continuing, “Your father was truly a wonderful man, hardworking, honest, devoted, and incredibly considerate toward me. Even now, when I think of him, I can only recall his virtues. But in the second year of our marriage, he was diagnosed with cancer. Although it was in the early stages, the doctors said he had at most ten years to live.”

“I made the resolute decision to stay with him, disregarding your grandparents’ objections, and married him right away. But afterward, my life was truly exhausting. Your father wanted a child, so he delayed treatment and passed away when you were just over three years old. For a long time, I had to care for both a cancer patient and an infant. I never dared to say it, but I truly, truly regretted it countless times…”

Tears streamed down Zhang Lihua’s face as she spoke. “I regretted it so much that I once thought of jumping off a building with you in my arms. That time, your bedridden father suddenly seemed to rally, he rushed out of bed and held us both. He cried and said he was sorry, that he was the one who should die, that in the next life he’d serve us like an ox or a horse, begging me to hold on. The next day, he fell gravely ill and passed away a month later. Nuonuo, even now, your mother still regrets it. If I could go back, I would never choose to live that kind of life again. So, Nuonuo,” Zhang Lihua cupped Su Yinuo’s tear-streaked face, “Nuonuo, you must think carefully. Don’t spend the rest of your life drowning in regret.”

“Mmm… mmm…” Su Yinuo choked out in response.

Seeing her obedient daughter, Zhang Lihua’s mood lightened. She wiped her tears with her sleeve and took Su Yinuo’s hand, offering guidance, “But our Nuonuo is still young. You have a long, long time to think it over. You don’t need to take your current feelings too seriously, who knows, maybe after some time, you won’t even like that person anymore.”

After confiding in her mother, Su Yinuo felt much better.

Life seemed to return to its usual rhythm. Su Yinuo set up her stall early every day and came home on time. During her free time in the day, she occasionally chatted with Li Jinmiao, but she also had to deal with Ji Wenjun’s relentless advances.

One day, after the morning rush, Ji Wenjun excitedly brought her a new signboard and menu. The cartoon characters on the sign and the illustrations of dishes and meal sets on the menu were all designed and drawn by him personally. Grinning, he ignored Su Yinuo’s surprise and hung them directly on her food cart.

“How… how much does this cost?”

Ji Wenjun’s artwork was truly exceptional, instantly transforming her outdated food cart into something fresh and new. She marveled at it inwardly, utterly delighted, yet unwilling to accept his kindness without reciprocation.

“No charge, how could I possibly take your money? So, do you like it? Just tell me, do you like it?” Ji Wenjun asked excitedly.

“It’s absolutely beautiful! So adorable! It hits all the right notes for me! I love this style!”

Su Yinuo’s enthusiastic praise nearly made Ji Wenjun float with joy, but her next actions poured cold water on his elation. As she spoke, she took down the signboard and shoved it back into his hands, saying, “But if it’s free, I can’t accept it!”

Ji Wenjun’s smile froze, and he pouted pitifully. “Nuonuo, what do I have to do for you to accept my…” He dragged out the word “my” until he noticed Su Yinuo’s expression darkening, then quickly added, “…kindness?”

Su Yinuo also took down the menu and stuffed it back into his arms, deftly changing the subject. “Ji Wenjun, let me tell you a secret! A secret almost no one knows!”

“Okay!” Ji Wenjun nodded eagerly, like an excited puppy.

Su Yinuo leaned closer, tilting her head up with utmost seriousness as she whispered, “I have someone I like. Someone I really, really like, the kind I think about day and night. I’m not lying.”

Ji Wenjun knew full well that the person she was talking about wasn’t him. He stared at her blankly, his eyes burning until he could barely hold back his emotions. Clenching his teeth, he shoved the signboard back into her arms, pulled out his phone, and opened his payment QR code, his tone stiff. “Two hundred, cost price.”

Su Yinuo let out an “Oh,” then immediately scanned the code.

Ji Wenjun pocketed his phone and turned away, trudging toward Building No. 5 in a daze. There, he ran into Li Jinmiao, who looked just as dejected.

“What’s with the long face?” Li Jinmiao snapped irritably. “If you don’t want to work, just take the day off and go home to sleep!”

Ji Wenjun sniffled, two fat tears rolling down his cheeks as he mumbled, “Boss Li, I… I’m taking the day off.”

Li Jinmiao was startled and hastily handed him a tissue. “Hey? What’s a grown man crying for? Fine, fine, go home! No, wait, calm down a bit first before you leave. Drive carefully.”

After Ji Wenjun left, Li Jinmiao sighed deeply and walked over to Su Yinuo.

“What’s wrong, Miaomiao?” Su Yinuo asked quickly, noticing her hesitant expression.

“Nuonuo, I…” Li Jinmiao struggled internally before finally speaking with deep guilt. “I have a favor to ask. Please go see Qin Cangye one more time.”