His Sunday Substitute - Chapter 33

She wanted to leave Qin Cangye, to break away completely…

Why had Kong Wenxin suddenly met with an accident? Su Yinuo didn’t dare to guess the possible reason.

Although Qin Cangye had told her not to worry and to stay home, she stubbornly changed her clothes and followed him out the door.

By the time they arrived at the hospital, Kong Wenxin was still in the emergency room. Outside the doors, Kong Wenxin’s son and daughter-in-law were weeping uncontrollably.

Su Yinuo’s face was pale as she silently trailed behind Qin Cangye, accompanying him to gather information from Kong Wenxin’s family and later to speak with the traffic police handling the accident. She completely forgot about her own physical discomfort, but the prolonged tension and standing left her on the verge of collapse. As she turned to leave after learning the full details, she nearly fainted.

Qin Cangye caught her in time and tried to carry her, but she pushed him away. Leaning against the hospital wall, she slowly crouched down, her head bowed as tears streamed down her face.

Kong Wenxin had been hosting guests at a restaurant when she received a phone call that made her leave in a hurry. She had driven alone to a remote, undeveloped area deep in the ecological park, a place with no surveillance. There, a wild boar suddenly charged at her car, startling her into swerving and losing control. The vehicle overturned, tumbling down a valley over ten meters deep.

At this point, the incident seemed like nothing more than a tragic accident.

But the person who had called the police was Qin Weishu.

When reporting the incident, Qin Weishu claimed he had arranged to meet Kong Wenxin for an important discussion but grew worried when she didn’t show up. He then called her via video, only to see her bloodied and barely conscious on the other end. After she weakly gave an address, she passed out, prompting him to immediately alert the authorities.

The police believed Qin Weishu’s account, but Su Yinuo knew the truth, Kong Wenxin’s accident was entirely his trap! His so-called “report” was nothing but a blatant provocation and threat. He wanted to provoke Qin Cangye and intimidate her, Su Yinuo!

Aunt Kong had lived peacefully for so many years, how could she have suddenly become a target of Qin Weishu’s malice? There was only one explanation: at yesterday’s memorial event, she had brought along someone who could influence Qin Cangye, her!

It was my fault. I dragged Aunt Kong into this… I’m the one who got her hurt…

Covering her face, Su Yinuo was overwhelmed with guilt. In her mind, she could see Qin Weishu’s sinister, wrinkled face twisting into a cold smirk, his raspy voice hissing, “Those who stay with Qin Cangye never come to a good end, neither you nor your family will escape unscathed!”

Tears streaming down her face, she suddenly thought of her mother. A tsunami of terror crashed over her. Ignoring Qin Cangye’s concerned calls, she collapsed to the floor, hands trembling as she pulled out her phone and dialed Zhang Lihua’s number.

When she heard her mother’s safe and unharmed voice on the other end, she broke down again, sobbing uncontrollably.

“It’s nothing, Mom. Just stay home, don’t go anywhere,” she forced herself to speak calmly before hanging up.

“Nuonuo, Nuonuo, don’t be afraid. Trust me, I’ll handle this,” Qin Cangye said, his heart sinking as Su Yinuo continued to ignore him. But at the moment, he had something important to do, mobilize all his connections to uncover the mastermind behind Kong Wenxin’s accident. He refused to believe Qin Weishu was so powerful that he could leave no trace behind. Even if Qin Weishu wasn’t directly involved, Qin Cangye wouldn’t let his subordinates off the hook!

He lifted Su Yinuo from the ground, feeling her resistance in his arms, his mind in turmoil. He knew what she was afraid of, knew she might be planning to leave him. The thought terrified him, so he had to prove to her that he could resolve everything.

“Don’t worry, Nuonuo. I have contacts in the city police department, even in the provincial bureau. I’ll pressure them to find out who’s behind the attack on Aunt Kong! You’ll be safe, and so will your mother!”

Hurrying to the operating room door, he placed Su Yinuo on the bench, draped his coat over her, and crouched before her, speaking as gently as he could. “Nuonuo, wait here for me. I’ll go make some calls. Wu Heng will stay with you. Don’t be afraid, I’ll be back soon.”

“Wu Heng, take good care of Nuonuo!” Qin Cangye instructed sternly.

“Yes, boss!” Wu Heng stood guard beside Su Yinuo.

Su Yinuo clutched the coat tightly, unable to face the grief-stricken expressions of Kong Wenxin’s family, too afraid to think about what would happen if Kong Wenxin didn’t make it. She wiped her tears and sat curled up on the bench, trembling from time to time.

Over half an hour later, Kong Wenxin was wheeled out by the medical staff. Her family rushed forward, crowding around the gurney. Su Yinuo only dared to stand at a distance, listening as the doctor announced that the patient was out of danger.

Covering her mouth, she burst into tears again, then turned and ran out of the hospital.

Wu Heng followed closely behind. “Miss Nuonuo, where are you going? It’s raining outside.”

“I need to buy something,” Su Yinuo choked out, stepping into the drizzling rain.

Unable to stop her, Wu Heng sent a message to Qin Cangye, updating him on Su Yinuo’s whereabouts.

The sky was overcast, the air cold, and Su Yinuo felt miserable both emotionally and physically. She walked to a pharmacy near the hospital and bought a box of emergency contraceptive pills.

The shopkeeper, an older woman, took one look at Su Yinuo’s red, swollen eyes and shot a disdainful glare at Wu Heng. As she rang up the purchase, she whispered to Su Yinuo, “Sweetheart, any man who doesn’t use protection is trash. Stay away from men like that!”

Su Yinuo’s nose stung, and fresh tears fell.

The shopkeeper grew impatient and barked at Wu Heng, “What are you standing there for? Aren’t you going to comfort your girlfriend?”

Mortified, Wu Heng borrowed an umbrella from the shop and chased after Su Yinuo, who had already fled the pharmacy.

“Miss Nuonuo, please don’t wander off. Why don’t you wait in the car for the boss? It’s parked nearby.”

Su Yinuo gripped the box of pills tightly, stumbling aimlessly through the wind and rain. The fine droplets soaked her bangs, forming tiny beads that rolled down her forehead.

She wanted to leave Qin Cangye, to disappear completely from his life. She couldn’t bear to risk innocent lives anymore, especially not her mother’s.

But the person following behind her simply couldn’t be shaken off, and her heart and mind were plunged into immense agony.

She stopped in her tracks and looked up at the overcast sky.

Wu Heng’s umbrella moved over her. Su Yinuo stared at the black canopy as she heard him speaking to Qin Cangye on the phone: “On the road west of the emergency exit… I’m holding an umbrella, it’s fine…”

Su Yinuo knew she loved Qin Cangye, loved him deeply. It wasn’t just love; her heart ached for him. Ached for the suffering he had endured since childhood, ached for his helplessness as he watched his mother suffer, ached that he had a grandfather who was utterly heartless, ached that he often fell into the torment of losing control of his emotions.

At the memorial, the moment she rushed toward Qin Cangye, Su Yinuo had already decided to stay by his side. She thought that as long as she hid her identity well, once Qin Cangye took down Qin Weishu in six months, they could be together properly. Even if her identity was accidentally exposed, as long as she didn’t marry into the Qin family, the worst she might face would be Qin Weishu’s insults and mockery.

What she never expected was that Qin Weishu could be so depraved as to want Kong Wenxin’s life!

What should I do? How could someone as insignificant as me possibly contend with this dark, oppressive sky? Other than leaving him, what other choice do I have?

Su Yinuo could find no other way out, no alternative to leaving Qin Cangye.

Tears rolled down her cheeks again. She didn’t know how many times she had cried today. She was heartbroken, desperately wanting to confess to Qin Cangye: It’s my fault. I don’t have the courage to stay by your side. It’s all because I’m useless, I can’t do anything. It’s all my fault.

But when Qin Cangye appeared before her in a panic and pulled her tightly into his arms, she couldn’t bring herself to say a word.

“Nuonuo, it’s cold here. Let’s get back to the car,” Qin Cangye lifted Su Yinuo into his arms and carried her toward the Phantom parked not far away.

“Nuonuo, I just spoke to the doctor. Aunt Kong’s surgery was successful, she’ll wake up soon. Don’t worry,” Even after getting into the car, Qin Cangye continued comforting the silent Su Yinuo. He dried the rain from her hair and face, holding her tightly against him. “Are you cold, Nuonuo? Are you still feeling unwell? If you’re tired, sleep for a while. When you wake up, everything will be better. Everything will be alright.”

He lowered his head and kissed her icy forehead, only to see her gripping the medicine box in her hands with almost violent intensity, as if venting her emotions.

“Let me help,” Qin Cangye reached out, but Su Yinuo pulled away. He froze for a moment, his heart tightening with unease.

Su Yinuo tore open the paper box, took out the pills inside, broke one off, and swallowed it directly.

The bitter taste flooded her mouth. She reached for another.

“Nuonuo! One is enough, just one!” Qin Cangye grabbed her hand tightly. A white pill slipped from her fingers and fell onto the black carpet. She lowered her head, scalding tears dripping one by one onto the back of Qin Cangye’s hand.

“Nuonuo, don’t do this…” Qin Cangye held her, his heart aching.

The car started moving slowly. Only after a long silence did Su Yinuo finally speak: “Take me back to Rongjinhua Garden.”

Her voice was faint, as if all strength had left her.

After that, she didn’t speak a single word until they returned to Rongjin Huayuan.

Zhang Lihua glanced worriedly at her pale face and swollen eyes, then at Qin Cangye, whose expression was equally grim. She quickly asked Su Yinuo what had happened and why she hadn’t come home the night before.

Su Yinuo’s lips trembled with grievance as she walked over and hugged Zhang Lihua. She didn’t say anything, only sobbing, “Mom, Mom…”

That night, Su Yinuo didn’t sleep in her own bedroom but stayed with Zhang Lihua instead. Clinging to her mother’s arm, she recounted everything that had happened over the past two days, though, of course, she omitted the night of madness with Qin Cangye.

“Mom, Qin Cangye’s grandfather is a madman. I can’t be with Qin Cangye, it’s too dangerous. Tomorrow, I’ll go home with you to check on the renovations and ask the workers to speed up. We’ll find a short-term rental first. We can’t stay here anymore…” Su Yinuo had calmed down by now, discussing their next steps with Zhang Lihua.

Zhang Lihua listened carefully, her heart growing heavier with each word. She turned to stroke Su Yinuo’s head and said tenderly, “Nuonuo, don’t blame yourself too much. What happened to Kong Wenxin isn’t your fault. Who could’ve known there were still such wicked people in this world? I’ll listen to you, tomorrow, we’ll look for a short-term rental. Honestly, I’ve never been comfortable in this big house anyway. But… but none of this has anything to do with Qin Cangye, that poor boy.”

“I know, but there’s no other way,” Su Yinuo said, her nose stinging again.

“When I saw how you two looked when you came back, I thought he’d done something to hurt you.”

“No, he didn’t…”

“You should talk to him properly. He’s helped us so much these past few days. Just tell him it wasn’t meant to be, and thank him properly.”

“Mm…”

Late at night, Qin Cangye entered Su Yinuo’s bedroom. His jaw was clenched, his face hidden in the darkness, twisted with pain. There was no moonlight outside, leaving the room pitch-black and deathly silent. His eyes, long accustomed to the dark, fell upon the empty bed. He walked over slowly, murmuring to himself, “Nuonuo, you can’t leave me.”

“Nuonuo, you’re mine…”

“Nuonuo, you can’t leave me for even a moment…”

His voice trembled as he climbed onto the bed, inhaling the lingering scent of Su Yinuo. In agony, he whispered, “Su Yinuo, you mustn’t leave me. Please…”

The next morning, Su Yinuo didn’t act unusually, though she barely spoke to Qin Cangye. When he leaned in for a morning kiss, she coldly refused.

Later, Qin Cangye left for work, uneasy, but instructed Wu Heng to stay by Su Yinuo’s side.

In the afternoon, Su Yinuo had Wu Heng take them back to Lotus Community. Without avoiding him, she urged the workers to hurry with the renovations before searching the neighborhood for short-term rentals.

“The boss has plenty of properties. Why does Nuonuo still need to rent a place?” Wu Heng finally sensed something was off and asked, “Is Rongjin Huayuan not to your liking?”

“I… I can’t stay there anymore,” Su Yinuo said awkwardly. “I plan to find a place first, then say goodbye to Qin Cangye after everything’s settled.”

“This…” Wu Heng felt a deep concern for his boss and took out his phone to send a message to Qin Cangye: “Miss Nuonuo is looking for a place to live on her own. She said she’ll say goodbye to you once she finds one.”

Su Yinuo saw this and quickly stopped him, saying, “Hey! Don’t tell him yet!”

“Uh… it’s already sent…”

“Recall it, recall it!” Su Yinuo snatched Wu Heng’s phone and tapped the recall button.

Wu Heng scratched his head awkwardly, thinking to himself: The boss must have already seen it. Recalling it won’t help.

However, it wasn’t until evening that Wu Heng received a call from Qin Cangye.

That day, a major incident had occurred within Ronghua Capital. Qin Weishu announced at the shareholders’ meeting that he would transfer 10% of the shares to Qin Wangxuan. Qin Cangye, leading the opposing shareholders, immediately voiced objections. The room was filled with arguments that lasted almost the entire day. Finally, Qin Cangye coldly questioned, “Who said Qin Wangxuan is a descendant of our Qin family? What if he’s just some scammer from who knows where?”

Qin Weishu, as if prepared, produced a professional paternity test certificate. Qin Cangye’s expression darkened instantly. He stood up angrily, said nothing, and walked out of the meeting room.

Qin Weishu watched Qin Cangye’s retreating figure with smug satisfaction, fantasizing about the untamed beast bowing before him.

No one noticed the storm hidden in Qin Cangye’s eyes or the faint curve of his lips as he stepped out the door.

Only after walking far away did he take out his phone and call Wu Heng.

Finding a short-term rental in Lotus Community proved extremely difficult. Su Yinuo and Zhang Lihua searched until nightfall without success. Left with no choice, the two decided to follow Wu Heng back to Rongjin Huayuan for the time being.

Wu Heng’s car was parked on the street outside the gates of Lotus Community. Just as they were about to get in, Su Yinuo heard a familiar voice call out, “Nuonuo!”

Looking up, she saw Ji Wenjun standing there.

She asked Zhang Lihua to get in the car first, then walked toward Ji Wenjun, who stood under the dim streetlight, looking somewhat awkward. She smiled faintly and asked, “What brings you here?”

“I haven’t seen you in days, and I was worried. I asked Zhang Yifeng, and he said your home was here,” Ji Wenjun scrutinized Su Yinuo, sensing a forced weariness in her smile. Concerned and a little hurt, he asked, “Where have you been these past few days? That night I called you, why did Qin Cangye answer? Are you two together now?”

Su Yinuo gave a bitter smile and was about to reply when she heard the screech of tires. Turning, she saw Qin Cangye stepping out of a car, his face tense with worry. That tension twisted into deep jealousy and resentment the moment he spotted Ji Wenjun.

Watching Qin Cangye approach her with a dark expression, Su Yinuo suddenly had an idea, a way to break free from him completely. She took a step forward, reached out, and wrapped her arms around a stunned Ji Wenjun.