His Sunday Substitute - Chapter 26

Under the shade of the large tree, the cool breeze seeped into her collar, yet Su Yinuo felt her ears burning. She quickly pushed Qin Cangye away, flustered as she wiped the tears from her face, muttering in a hushed, urgent tone, “What are you doing? My mom’s still here!”

“Auntie isn’t looking now,” Qin Cangye said with a slight bend at the waist, smiling as he gazed at Su Yinuo’s adorably disheveled face.

Su Yinuo turned her head and indeed saw Zhang Lihua nervously looking elsewhere, while Qin Cangye’s lawyer and assistant had already approached her and were speaking to her.

“You still shouldn’t have done that, it’s just…” Su Yinuo huffed in a low voice, “It’s just so shameless!”

Qin Cangye chuckled, reaching out to ruffle her hair. “Alright, I won’t tease you anymore. You’ve cried yourself into a messy little hamster. Come home with me, get some rest, and forget about what happened today.”

With that, he took her hand and led her toward the group by the flower bed.

“Stop holding hands!” Su Yinuo couldn’t break free, so she asked again, “Whose home? Why go to yours?”

“Your place is wrecked, you can’t stay there tonight, right? I’ll arrange for repairs tomorrow. For now, come to my place,” Qin Cangye said, tucking her hand into his coat pocket.

“No, I can’t. Won’t your grandfather find out?”

“Don’t worry, I have plenty of properties. He won’t track us down. Besides, these days, he probably has his hands full with other things.” His expression darkened slightly as he spoke, and Su Yinuo didn’t press further.

When Qin Cangye approached Zhang Lihua, his demeanor turned exceedingly polite. “Auntie, it’s already late, and both you and Nuonuo must be exhausted. Why not come to my place to rest for a while?”

Zhang Lihua awkwardly rose with the help of her cane, glancing at her daughter’s hand tucked into Qin Cangye’s pocket, then at his strikingly handsome face, still flawless despite the earlier scuffle, before shifting her gaze to Su Yinhuo’s flushed cheeks. Embarrassed, she averted her eyes and said, “That’s really too much trouble. What if we disturb your family…”

“Don’t worry, Auntie. There’s no one at home,” Qin Cangye reassured with a smile.

Seeing that Zhang Lihua didn’t outright refuse, Qin Cangye turned to Wu Heng and lawyer Liu Hong. “Liu, lend me your car. Wu Heng, escort Liu home. Tomorrow, contact a renovation company to fix up Nuonuo’s place. Oh, and don’t forget to arrange for someone to retrieve Nuonuo’s food cart from the software park.”

“Understood, boss,” Wu Heng replied. Liu Hong promptly handed over his keys.

Only when they got into the car did Qin Cangye finally release Su Yinhuo’s hand, considerately opening the door for Zhang Lihua and stowing her cane in the trunk.

Liu Hong’s car was a modest Audi. Qin Cangye had switched vehicles out of caution toward Qin Weishu. Though his father had returned to the country the day before, and though Qin Weishu’s attention was now entirely consumed by the sudden appearance of his illegitimate son, Qin Wangxuan, Qin Cangye still took care to avoid leaving traces that could lead his grandfather to track which of his properties he was using.

In the car, Zhang Lihua clung to Su Yinuo’s arm and whispered, “Nuonuo, he’s the one, the cactus guy!”

“I know…” Su Yinuo nodded softly.

“When did you get such a wealthy boyfriend and not tell me?” Zhang Lihua complained.

“He’s not my boyfriend!” Su Yinuo quickly replied.

“You hugged and held hands, and you’re still saying he’s not your boyfriend?”

“It’s complicated, Mom!” Su Yinuo was utterly exasperated.

“Oh, I get it now!” Zhang Lihua suddenly raised her voice. “It’s that person you like, the one you shouldn’t!”

The Audi jerked slightly, and Qin Cangye, who was driving, chuckled awkwardly. “Sorry, it’s been a while since I last drove. A bit rusty.”

“Mom, keep it down!” Su Yinuo covered her burning face.

“He’s a fine young man, polite, thoughtful, responsible, and he doesn’t seem to mind our family situation at all. Our Nuonuo has good taste,” Zhang Lihua couldn’t help but continue, lowering her voice to ask, “Nuonuo, what does his family do?”

“Mom…” Su Yinuo cupped her cheeks and glanced at the rearview mirror, catching the faint smile on Qin Cangye’s lips. She sighed helplessly, “The car isn’t that big. No matter how quietly you whisper, he can still hear. Let’s not gossip about others behind their backs, okay?”

Zhang Lihua pressed her lips together and nodded. But after a moment, she whispered again, “At least tell me his name?”

“Qin Cangye,” Su Yinuo murmured.

Half an hour later, the car pulled into the upscale residential complex, Rongjin Huayuan, in the city’s southern district. Qin Cangye led the two of them up the elevator to a lavishly decorated luxury apartment. The room was warm but stuffy, clearly uninhabited for some time. Qin Cangye immediately turned on the air purification system and guided them to the bedrooms.

“Auntie, you can rest here. Nuonuo, your room is across from your mom’s. There are pajamas in the closet, all brand new. The bathroom is next to the bedroom. You can freshen up first. I’ll order some food, and by the time you’re done, dinner will be ready.”

“Wonderful, wonderful. Ah, Xiao Qin, don’t trouble yourself. We can manage.”

Zhang Lihua had wanted to pull Su Yinuo aside for more answers, but after bathing and dinner, drowsiness overtook her. As she lay in bed, drifting off with a faint smile, her last thought was: Xiao Qin really is a good young man. Our Nuonuo won’t have to struggle so much anymore.

In her bedroom, Su Yinuo stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, wrapped in a long, plush robe tied at the waist, gazing absently at the view outside. Though the twentieth floor didn’t offer the same sweeping panorama as the restaurant Qin Cangye had taken her to the second time, it was still enough to make her feel at ease.

The panic, fear, and exhaustion of the day gradually faded. She hugged her arms, leaning against the cool glass, the chill sharpening her thoughts.

During dinner, Qin Cangye had been impeccable. Su Yinuo couldn’t help but think that if not for his grandfather’s existence, she might have easily succumbed to his thoughtfulness and gentleness.

Her phone rang, the caller was Ji Wenjun. Just as she answered, a knock sounded at her door.

She hurried over, phone pressed to her ear, and opened the door.

Outside the door stood Qin Cangye, now dressed in a black silk pajama set. Fresh from a shower, his jet-black hair was half-dried, falling loosely and naturally. Compared to his usual stern appearance with his hair slicked back, this version of him looked younger and softer, exuding a vibrant charm that made Su Yinuo’s heart race and her cheeks flush.

In her ear, Ji Wenjun’s anxious voice rang out: “Nuonuo, where did you go? Why did you leave the car behind? Did something happen?”

Su Yinuo snapped back to reality and was about to respond when the man in front of her strode into the room, wrapping an arm tightly around her waist and snatching the phone from her hand. He spoke into the phone: “She’s with me.”

With that, he ended the call and placed the phone on a nearby wall cabinet.

The atmosphere had grown intensely intimate. Qin Cangye slowly closed the door behind him, cupping Su Yinuo’s burning face in his hands. Under the dim glow of the wall lamp, he saw her trembling lashes and the captivating, misty eyes beneath them, eyes now glistening with unshed tears.

Qin Cangye hadn’t originally planned to do anything, but the slightest provocation ignited the jealousy in his heart, and with it came an uncontrollable possessiveness.

He lowered his head, tilting Su Yinuo’s face upward. Their warm breaths mingled at the tips of their noses, and the slight parting of her soft lips exuded a fatal allure. Unable to resist any longer, Qin Cangye pulled her tightly against him, his hand sliding to the back of her head as he captured her lips in a searing kiss.

This kiss far surpassed their first fleeting touch and even their second desperate embrace.

Desire had erupted into a raging fire, and reason quickly crumbled in its flames.

His left arm locked around her body, while his right hand tangled in her hair. After savoring the softness of her lips, he boldly ventured deeper, easily breaching her lightly clenched teeth. Her delicate tongue was relentlessly subdued, entwined, and teased. A glistening trail of moisture escaped the corner of her lips as she lost all composure, her body weakening until she swayed backward, only to be pressed firmly against the wall by him.

His right hand, once cradling the back of her head, now slid down to the smooth, slender curve of her neck, caressing and kneading in a rhythm that made her tremble. Between each suffocatingly deep kiss, her chest heaved, and helpless whimpers escaped her lips.

Each sound from her drove him nearly mad. With a rough tug, he pulled down the collar of her robe, the loose fabric slipping open to reveal a glimpse of youthful radiance. The sweet fragrance of her skin overwhelmed him, his blood boiling as he finally released her lips. Hoisting her up by the waist, he supported her back with one hand while his mouth descended onto her slender neck, his broad palm roaming over her quivering…

She gasped for breath, shaking off the dizzying haze, only to jolt awake at the sharp, repeated stings on her neck. Fear took hold, and she began to sob: “Stop… please stop. I’ve never done this before… I’m scared…”

The sound of crying jolted Qin Cangye back to his senses. He immediately lifted his head and released his grip. Seeing Su Yinuo’s frightened and aggrieved face, he guiltily pulled her robe back up, fastened the collar, set her down, and pulled her into his embrace. “I’m sorry, Nuonuo,” he said remorsefully. “It’s my fault. I couldn’t control myself.” He kept apologizing.

Su Yinuo leaned against his chest, sobbing until his shirt was soaked. After a long while, she finally spoke, her voice full of grievance, “What was that supposed to be? A one-night stand?”

“No! Not at all! I like you, Nuonuo!” Qin Cangye hurriedly replied. “I really like you. No! I don’t just like you, I love you.”

He let go of Su Yinuo, took her hands in his, and knelt on one knee before her, gazing at her sincerely. “Nuonuo, I haven’t formally confessed to you or made any promises because opportunities like today, where we can be alone, are so rare.” He lowered his head, his long bangs falling forward, casting his entire face in shadow, allowing him to hide the untimely sorrow in his eyes.

When he looked up again, his handsome features were filled with nothing but deep affection. “I truly love you, and I want to spend my whole life with you. I know your worries and concerns. I won’t let you face any danger with me, and I won’t let your future be filled with fear. I’m working hard now. I’ll clear all obstacles and then marry you. I just hope you can give me some time. Will you wait for me, Nuonuo?”

“How long?” Su Yinuo’s tears had stopped. Looking at the man kneeling before her, under his gentle and loving gaze, her grievances slowly faded, replaced by ripples of anticipation.

“A year, maybe even just six months!” Qin Cangye grew excited at the lack of refusal.

But Su Yinuo laughed and shook her head. “Six months won’t do. A year won’t either.”

“Huh?” Qin Cangye was confused. He thought this was a rejection, yet she was smiling so happily.

“In a year, I still won’t be of legal marriage age.”

Qin Cangye’s eyes widened in shock. He knew Su Yinuo was young, but he hadn’t realized she was this young. She carried herself so capably in her daily tasks that he had assumed she was at least in her twenties.

Remembering his earlier actions, he quickly let go of her hands, a hint of fear creeping in. “Nuonuo, you… you’re not still underage, are you?”

If she really was underage, then what I just did… I’d be worse than an animal!

He cursed himself inwardly.

Su Yinuo covered her mouth with a giggle, then lowered her hand and patted Qin Cangye’s head. “You don’t even know my full name, do you? Let’s start over. I’m Su Yinuo, and I’m not even nineteen yet.”