Chapter 38 - Visiting the Jiang Family (2/2)

After they were done with breakfast, Jiang Shaocheng was quiet for a while before speaking up. “Qiu, it’s the weekend tomorrow, so we have to make a trip to the family home.”

“The family home?” Tang Qiu repeated slowly. “You mean your parents’ home?”

“Are you afraid?”

“No. A little nervous, that’s all.” The panic was evident on her face.

Jiang Shaocheng took her hand. “You married me. They don’t matter.”

“But they’re your family.”

He scoffed. “Do you think Jiang Ming deserves to be called my family?”

Tang Qiu thought of her husband’s brother and felt her anxiety settle. Jiang Shaocheng’s family had despised him ever since he had gotten into a car accident; it was why Jiang Ming had grown bold enough to push around his older brother like that. But she was his wife now, and she would protect him. She

wouldn’t let anyone mistreat him, including his own family!

“Do I have to do anything to prepare?”

“No. Just accompany me on the day itself.” The visit was only perfunctory anyway, and he wouldn’t allow them to intimidate her or put her in a spot of any sort.

The days flew by and the weekend arrived. Jiang Shaocheng watched as Tang Qiu helped him don an indigo suit and a pair of glasses, choosing their outfits with a critical eye, muttering all the while that she wanted his family to see just how fortunate, how blessed they were together.

Jiang Shaocheng was left somewhat speechless, but he didn’t argue. He, too, wanted those people to see for themselves what a wonderful little wife they had bestowed upon him.

She was still engrossed in her tasks. Without warning, he reached out and grabbed her. “You’ve been so busy helping me prepare for the visit for the past few days, Qiu.” His gaze was intent and earnest. “You must be worried that my family will mistreat me somehow. Does this mean you have feelings for

me?”

Tang Qiu froze, floundering as she realized his meaning.

“We’re husband and wife, Qiu.” Jiang Shaocheng’s voice turned gentle, coaxing. “It would be completely normal. I’m grateful that you don’t despise me for being a cripple. And I like you too… very much…”

Tang Qiu was at a loss. She managed a nod and ran off to find a change of clothes for herself, eager to avoid his question.

We got married as strangers. How can there possibly be feelings between us? The question replayed in her head. She hadn’t been able to bring herself to refute him, not when confronted with the warm intensity in his gaze.. But her answer wasn’t something she could take lightly either… especially since

she didn’t want to lie to him.