His Sunday Substitute - Chapter 45

“Sister-in-law is so sweet.”

When Su Yinuo woke up early in the morning, Qin Cangye was still curled up in her embrace.

His arm was wrapped around her waist, his head resting against her soft, warm chest, his brows relaxed, he seemed to be enjoying a pleasant dream.

After last night’s episode, he had become as docile as an obedient child, no longer erratic or furious, just clinging to her incessantly. By the time they went to bed, he had nestled himself into Su Yinuo’s arms.

Su Yinuo was delighted, feeling that her approach had worked. No matter what, she had successfully soothed Qin Cangye’s emotions.

And throughout it all, he hadn’t harmed her once.

At this thought, Su Yinuo grew even happier. She ruffled Qin Cangye’s hair, suddenly brimming with confidence, as if the future was bright and clear. No matter how out of control Qin Cangye became in the future, she could handle it!

“Nuonuo,” the man in her arms murmured drowsily before flipping over and pinning her beneath him. His eyes were still closed, but his lips had already found their way to her neck.

“Let’s do it once in the morning…” he mumbled, as if sleep-talking.

“We’ll be late for work!” Su Yinuo pushed at him anxiously.

“Don’t worry, we won’t be,” he lifted her leg.

…

As they were leaving, Qin Cangye stopped the flustered Su Yinuo, cupping her slender neck and tracing the faint marks left by his kisses. “Wait a moment, Nuonuo. It wouldn’t be good for others to see so many marks.”

He took a gray-and-white silk scarf from the wardrobe and tied it around Su Yinuo’s neck.

Her cheeks flushed as she adjusted the scarf. “Hurry up! We’re going to be late.”

At nine o’clock, Su Yinuo arrived at her workstation just in time. As she sat down, she felt a pang of embarrassment, but when she glanced around, no one seemed to mind. Even the occasional exchanged glances were met with nothing but warmth.

She was utterly perplexed, completely unaware that she had already been the subject of countless group chats discussing her all night.

After all, there were very few people in the entire company who could warrant a personal visit from the old chairman.

She tucked the gray gift box Qin Weishu had delivered the day before into her desk drawer and began her work. After a busy stretch, her phone vibrated with a message from Qin Wangxuan: Sister-in-law, my brother’s in a meeting right now. Come out for a bit, let’s have a sneaky little meetup?

Su Yinuo frowned, about to decline, when another message popped up: I’ve got the info you asked about yesterday. How’s that for efficiency?

Her fingers paused. She deleted the rejection and replied: Where?

Qin Wangxuan responded quickly: The café on the 11th floor.

Su Yinuo picked up her phone and left the office.

By the time she arrived at the café, Qin Wangxuan was already waiting. The café was nearly empty, and Qin Wangxuan sat by the window in the far corner, wearing a roguish grin as he waved at her.

Su Yinuo had long since noticed that Qin Wangxuan had multiple personas: obedient in front of Qin Weishu, cautious around Qin Cangye, disingenuous with other subordinates, and flirtatious when facing her.

Su Yinuo couldn’t figure out what kind of person Qin Wangxuan was. She always felt he was full of contradictions, and she also thought he looked nothing like his brother Qin Cangye.

There was no denying that Qin Wangxuan was also very handsome. But unlike Qin Cangye’s sharp, exquisitely chiselled beauty, bold and aggressive, Qin Wangxuan’s features were soft, almost devoid of any edges. Only occasionally would a chilling glint flash through those seemingly frivolous eyes.

Su Yinuo walked over and sat down across from him, keeping her distance. “Go on, say what you have to say. I still have to go back to work soon.”

“Sister-in-law, why so cold?” Qin Wangxuan propped his chin on his hand and tilted his head, smiling. “You don’t give my brother that same look, do you? He wouldn’t like that type. Otherwise, his beautiful assistant would’ve already taken your place.”

Su Yinuo was speechless.

“Here, have something sweet to cheer up,” Qin Wangxuan pushed a delicate tiramisu cake toward her.

Not in the mood for his antics, Su Yinuo forced a sweet smile and asked, “Can you get to the point now, Young Master Qin Wangxuan?”

“Wow, sister-in-law, you’re so sweet!” Qin Wangxuan’s eyes lit up as he exclaimed dramatically, scooping up a spoonful of cake and holding it to her lips.

Su Yinuo frowned. “I don’t want it. Just get to the point.”

Qin Wangxuan didn’t move. His smile slowly faded, his eyes darkening as he uttered a single word: “Eat.”

A chill ran down Su Yinuo’s spine, and before she knew it, she had opened her mouth.

Instantly, Qin Wangxuan’s smile returned as he slid the spoon into her mouth, deliberately brushing it slowly against her lips before pulling it back, only to then put the same spoon into his own mouth.

Su Yinuo swallowed the cake in shock, a wave of disgust washing over her. “If you don’t start talking, I’m leaving!”

“Sister-in-law, you really are sweet.”

Qin Wangxuan stared at her, eyes narrowing. Seeing that she was genuinely about to lose her temper, he quickly got to the point, relaying the information he had gathered from the servants in detail.

As Su Yinuo listened, her frown deepened, her face etched with worry.

“But something feels off,” Qin Wangxuan said, his expression turning serious. “Sister-in-law, don’t get involved. This is all ancient history. If my grandfather is bringing it up now, he definitely has ulterior motives. Just stay out of it.”

He didn’t mention the conversation between Qin Weishu and Old Yan, because he hadn’t fully grasped Qin Weishu’s meaning and didn’t want to make Su Yinuo overthink things.

Su Yinuo fell silent for a moment before nodding anxiously. “Thank you for telling me this. And please, don’t tell anyone, including Qin Cangye, that I asked you about these things.”

“Deal. Now we share a secret, sister-in-law,” Qin Wangxuan grinned.

Too preoccupied to humor his teasing, Su Yinuo stood up to leave.

“Wait, sister-in-law,” Qin Wangxuan immediately rose and blocked her path. His hand rested on the back of her chair, almost as if he were caging her in.

Su Yinuo took a step back, tense. “What do you want?”

“Nothing much. Just a little reward. I gave you such important information, it’s not too much to ask for a gift, is it?”

Qin Wangxuan smiled, his gaze settling on the square scarf around Su Yinuo’s neck. He imagined it must still be warm, undoubtedly carrying traces of her scent. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he reached out, effortlessly tugging the scarf loose and clutching it in his hand.

Then, his pupils constricted sharply as he stared at the mottled love bites on Su Yinuo’s neck. A thrill of excitement surged through him, and he couldn’t help but exclaim, “Wow… how fascinating!”

Su Yinuo’s expression darkened as she shoved him away and bolted out of the room, one hand pressed to her neck. She dashed into the elevator, yanked out her hair tie, and let her long hair cascade down to cover the marks.

Back in her office, she sat at her desk in a daze for a long time, her mind replaying everything Qin Wangxuan had told her.

If he wasn’t lying, then Li Ruyin really had been pushed by Qin Cangye.

But no matter how she turned it over in her mind, Su Yinuo couldn’t bring herself to believe it.

She had always thought Qin Cangye adored his mother. From every conversation they’d had, she could sense his deep affection and longing for her.

She also knew how much Li Ruyin had loved Qin Cangye. A woman who endured so much abuse yet refused to leave her prison could only have one reason, she couldn’t bear to part with her child.

So how could Qin Cangye have shouted at Li Ruyin? How could he have lost control and pushed her down the stairs?

There had to be more to what happened back then.

The only way to uncover the truth was to reopen Qin Cangye’s old wounds. She would have to wear that crimson plaid skirt to test his reaction, to stand by him as they faced the past together.

Absentmindedly twisting a lock of her hair, Su Yinuo decided to wait for the right moment, when Qin Cangye was more emotionally stable, before addressing this. She had no intention of ignoring it as Qin Wangxuan had suggested. This was a festering wound in Qin Cangye’s heart, a ticking time bomb that could detonate at any moment. She had to help him break free from the psychological shadow that had haunted him for over a decade.

…

At noon, someone stopped by Su Yinuo’s desk with a cheerful invitation. “Nuonuo, want to grab lunch together?”

“Sorry, you go ahead,” Su Yinuo flipped her phone face down and declined awkwardly. “I still have a proposal to finish, and I need to check on Vice Chairman Qin’s hamster later.”

“Alright.”

Only after the person left did Su Yinuo turn her phone back over, looking at the message and photos Qin Cangye had just sent: Nuonuo, what would you like to eat today? How about these options?

Unconsciously, she smiled and replied: Anything’s fine, they all look delicious. I’ll be up soon, just wrapping up some work.

Wang Yiliu had assigned Su Yinuo the task of organizing yesterday’s meeting minutes and drafting an action plan based on them. Su Yinuo had no idea how to write one, and the sample Wang Yiliu provided only made her head spin.

She knew Wang Yiliu wouldn’t actually submit a newbie’s draft to higher-ups, it was just a learning exercise. Still, she didn’t want to half-heart it. She wanted to study it properly, at least enough to outline a framework.

So, she threw herself into the task, losing track of time until Qin Cangye’s call came through.

“Nuonuo, why aren’t you here yet? The hamster’s practically starving,” Qin Cangye’s voice was full of exaggerated despair.

“Sorry, sorry, I’m coming right away,” Su Yinuo said, both amused and exasperated, as she grabbed her phone and dashed out of the office.

The moment she opened the suite door, a tall figure pulled her into a tight embrace. Before she could utter a word, she was lifted off her feet, spun around, and pressed against the closed door.

A fierce kiss descended, warm breath scattering everywhere. Su Yinuo could feel the urgency radiating from the man before her. She never quite understood why Qin Cangye’s desires were so insatiable, why, even after they had already been intimate that morning, by noon he seemed to be suffering unbearably. But she didn’t resist. She parted her lips in response, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Though her mouth was thoroughly claimed, traces of moisture still escaped the corners of her lips. His domineering tongue swept relentlessly through her mouth, tangling with hers in an unyielding dance. Their chests pressed tightly together, his broad palm holding her back firmly while his other hand teased lightly at her sensitive spots, like the base of her ear. Before long, Su Yinuo began trembling uncontrollably, her body melting under the overwhelming tide of desire.

“Ah… Qin Cangye…” She threw her head back in a brief gasp for air, her voice laced with a seductive moan.

Qin Cangye shuddered violently before immediately scooping her up and carrying her into the dimly lit bedroom, the curtains drawn tight.

Even though it was midday, Su Yinuo felt as though she had been plunged into the darkening dusk before a storm, tossed into the turbulent waves of a raging sea…

Much later, she nuzzled against his scorching lips, listening to his ragged breaths, and whispered, “Are you done? Let’s… let’s go eat, okay?”

He licked and nibbled at her earlobe, his voice tinged with sorrow. “Nuonuo, you seem reluctant. Is it that you don’t want to, or… does it feel bad?”

“No,” Su Yinuo hurriedly replied. “I don’t dislike it, and it doesn’t feel bad. It’s just…” She hesitated, embarrassed. “It’s just a bit too frequent, and we don’t have much time at noon. I still have work in the afternoon…”

“Frequent?” Qin Cangye gazed at the beautiful, adorable, and utterly enticing woman in his arms, stroking her flushed, soft cheeks. Even the so-called “frequency” she mentioned couldn’t quench the torrential longing he felt for her. He didn’t dare admit that he truly wanted to meld her into his very being at every moment.

So, he ignored that word and instead asked, “You seem really busy? How is it that a newcomer like you is busier than me?”

Su Yinuo lowered her head sheepishly. “It’s because I’m too slow. There’s so much I don’t know yet.”

A flicker of realization crossed Qin Cangye’s eyes. He had overlooked her struggles, his original intention in assigning Wang Yiliu to mentor her was to ensure she was protected, but he’d forgotten how rigid Wang Yiliu could be. Guiltily, he murmured, “I’m sorry. I neglected that. If you don’t want to do it, you don’t have to. I’ll talk to Wang Yiliu and arrange special privileges for you.”

“No,” Su Yinruo frowned, pouting as she pinched Qin Cangye’s cheeks. “I don’t want special treatment! Since you brought me here, I want to learn properly!”

“Alright then,” Qin Cangye chuckled, picking Su Yinuo up from the bed and carrying him toward the dining table. “I’ll teach you while we eat. So, Assistant Su, what exactly don’t you understand?”

“Vice Chairman Qin, could you at least let me put some clothes on before we talk?” Su Yinuo said helplessly.

“No rush,” Qin Cangye laughed.

“By the way, I’ve been meaning to ask,” Qin Cangye reached out and touched Su Yinuo’s neck. “Where’s the scarf I put on you this morning?”

“The office heating was too strong, so I took it off…” Su Yinuo replied nervously, but fortunately, Qin Cangye didn’t seem to mind.

…

In the afternoon, while reviewing proposals in his office, Qin Cangye clicked on the flashing chat icon on his computer, ignoring the annoying inquiries and requests from his subordinates. He went straight to the adorable little hamster avatar.

Take a look, is the outline written like this okay?

Qin Cangye opened the document sent by the little hamster, an unconscious smile spreading across his face.

Very good! You’ve improved so much!

He didn’t hold back on praise. But to avoid seeming too perfunctory, he quickly followed up:

There are a few parts that aren’t quite right. I’ll add some notes for you. Hold on.

The little hamster sent back a few heart-filled stickers, making Qin Cangye grin even wider.

After annotating Su Yinuo’s project outline and sending it back, Wang Yiliu knocked and entered.

“Vice Chairman Qin, about this project,” she handed him a due diligence report for an investment. “There are major flaws and risks here. You rejected it before, but they went straight to Chairman Qin, and he’s already signed off. What should we do?”

Qin Cangye skimmed the report, his brow furrowing. He stood up. “I’ll talk to him.”

Arriving at Qin Wangxuan’s office, Qin Cangye didn’t even knock, he pushed the door open.

Qin Wangxuan was alone inside, lounging lazily with his legs propped on the desk, reclining in his chair. He held something in his hand, bringing it to his lips and inhaling deeply, his expression one of blissful intoxication.

Qin Cangye’s anger flared, while Qin Wangxuan startled at the sudden intrusion, hurriedly lowering his legs.

Qin Cangye strode in with a stern expression, but his steps froze the moment he saw what Qin Wangxuan was holding.

Confusion and disbelief clouded his mind. Pain seeped from the edges of wild speculation, gnawing at his nerves, making his hands tremble. Panic and fury boiled up inside him.

Because in Qin Wangxuan’s palm was the scarf he had tied around Su Yinuo’s neck.