Chapter 37 - Boost Your Spirits (2/2)

“Get some of the food.”

Tang Qiu hurried to serve him the dishes on the table. Jiang Shaocheng shook his head. “I meant for yourself, Qiu. What’s wrong? Is something bothering you?”

“I’s nothing.” Tang Qiu breathed a sigh. “Just thinking about all the stuff I need to translate.” It mustn’t be easy for her husband, coping with and trying to recover from his illness; she wasn’t about to add her troubles to his burden.

Jiang Shaocheng stared at her intently, and her gaze flickered away. She was lying, “Qiu…” he began tentatively, “I may be ill, but I’m older than you and have seen more of the world and its people. Tell me what’s on your mind. I may be able to lessen some of your troubles.”

Tang Qiu set down her chopsticks and lowered her head in contemplation. “I don’t understand,” she admitted dejectedly. “Why do they all keep bullying me? What did I do wrong?” It had been like that ever since she was a child. Whenever the Feng sisters were ina bad mood, they would take it out on her,

and even the servants in the Feng household had been allowed to mistreat her as they pleased. Unable to repress her emotions any longer, her eyes stung with tears.

She hadn’t even known who Niu Caijie was. All that, just because she had a meal with Ning Mufan? He was her senior. Was even that small act considered a crime now?

Jiang Shaocheng’s brow furrowed, putting down his chopsticks and pulling her to him. He reached out to wipe her tears away. “Because they were born with only half a brain. They’re just jealous of someone like you, with a perfectly functional mind. You have both brains and beauty. How can those

imbeciles compare to you?”

Tang Qiu had been downcast, but his words made her snort in laughter. She quickly dried her eyes with a piece of tissue. Still, the tears kept flowing.

Jiang Shaocheng cupped her face, forcing her to meet his gaze. “My beautiful wife. Don’t waste your time and energy on halfwits like them.”

Tang Qiu stared at him in a daze. His voice was so soft… and sweet… Jiang Shaocheng brushed her lips, his voice turning hypnotic. “If you’re still upset, try kissing me. Let me lift your spirits. Don’t believe me? Just try it. I promise it works.”

Tang Qiu laughed under her breath. He was just seizing the opportunity to steal a kiss. “I’m fine. You don’t have to

Her words fell away with a murmur of surprise as he took hold of her chin without waiting for a response. His lips found hers. “Why so shy, Qiu?” he whispered. “Looks like I have no choice but to boost your spirits whether you like it or not.”