Chapter 5: It... Just Won't Fit!

The driver was Lin Changchun, a subordinate and brother-in-arms who had once served with Qin Yi. After parking the car, he helped lift the wheelchair out, and Su Chengde and his wife hurried over to greet them.

"Little Qin is here. Come, come inside quickly."

Han Hongmei pulled Su Wan’s hand as they walked toward the courtyard.

"Sister, I’ve missed you so much."

Su Qing skipped up, wanting to take Su Wan’s hand and act spoiled like a young girl. When her eyes landed on Qin Yi in the wheelchair, his firm, handsome features immediately captivated her. She stared at him with a dazed expression. She had seen photos of Qin Yi and knew he was good-looking, but she hadn’t expected him to be even more striking in person. If he weren’t crippled, she would have married him herself.

Realizing she was being improper, she quickly composed herself.

Su Wan stepped aside to avoid her touch, glancing at her with a lukewarm, indifferent expression. Su Qing looked at Su Wan with a resentful gaze, her eyes visibly reddening. Looking at Su Qing like this, Su Wan felt a sudden urge to slap her.

Han Hongmei glanced at Qin Yi ahead of them and patted Su Qing’s hand to comfort her. She felt displeased; Su Wan really lacked tact. Today was the homecoming day, and to give Qingqing the cold shoulder right in front of her son-in-law—couldn’t this older sister show any consideration for her younger sister? Besides, Qingqing was innocent and pure; she was simply happy to see her sister.

Han Hongmei looked at Su Qing’s aggrieved little face, her heart aching with pity. Qingqing was so thoughtful and kind. Just yesterday, knowing that Han Hongmei’s back was hurting, she had taken the initiative to help the housekeeper clean the house until it was spotless.

"Mom, you rest. I’ll do it. From now on, when I’m home, you just take it easy. That’s an order."

She had never done manual labor in her life, yet she had worked all day yesterday and even accidentally grazed her skin. It really wasn’t in vain that she doted on her.

…

Su Wan had no interest in bonding with them. At the dinner table, Su Chengde tried his best to maintain the atmosphere.

"Little Qin, if Wanwan does anything wrong in the future, please be patient with her. She’s been spoiled rotten at home."

Su Shikun even raised his glass to toast Qin Yi. "Brother-in-law, if my sister bullies you, just tell me. I’ll teach her a lesson for you."

Qin Yi glanced at the silent Su Wan and suddenly felt she was a bit pitiful.

"Wanwan is doing just fine. There’s no need for you to trouble yourself, Brother."

He was standing up for her. Su Wan glanced at Qin Yi, surprised that the eternal iceberg had suddenly turned into a nice guy. She wasn’t ungrateful; if he helped her, she would treat him even better.

Qin Yi, whom she had only known for a few days, could see the problem, yet her own parents and family acted as if everything was normal. They didn’t even ask how she was doing at the Qin household. The moment they opened their mouths, it was to lecture her on how she was failing, as if they were desperate for her to live a miserable life.

Hearing Qin Yi’s response, Su Shikun froze, his expression awkward as he diverted the topic.

After the meal, Han Hongmei pulled Su Wan aside, instructing her to take good care of Qin Yi, serve his grandmother, and manage the household affairs well so as not to be looked down upon. As for school, there was no need to go back; she would handle it.

Su Wan didn’t respond. Han Hongmei seemed to realize this was inappropriate, but ultimately said nothing more. The homecoming passed in such an awkward, uneasy manner.

When they got home that night, Su Wan boiled water to wash Qin Yi’s feet. For once, Qin Yi didn’t object, allowing Su Wan to lift his legs and place them into the basin.

As Su Wan gently massaged his feet, she asked, "Can you feel the pressure? Do you want me to use more force?"

Qin Yi had no sensation in his legs, and feeling impatient, he snapped at her, "Do you have no sense of shame? Must you cling to my house so shamelessly…?"

Su Wan looked up at him. Qin Yi froze; he didn’t see anger in her eyes, but rather a look of heartache. Was she feeling sorry for him? Why would she feel sorry for him? They had only known each other for a few days. No, she must be trying to catch him off guard!

Su Wan dried his feet, placed his legs on the bed, and tucked him in.

"I heard you."

"What?"

"You told me to leave. I heard you."

Qin Yi was choked with anger, defeated by her thick skin. He had driven her away time and again, yet she acted like nothing had happened. She was so open and frank that he couldn’t find the words to counter her.

Just when Qin Yi thought Su Wan would get angry, say something back, or storm out, her hand rested on his chest. This woman was truly bold—what was she trying to do when he was in this state? He shuddered in alarm.

"What—what are you doing?"

"Your shirt is dirty. I’ll take it off and wash it for you."

Qin Yi looked down at the oil stains on his clothes, likely splashed on him while at the Su house earlier. Realizing he had misjudged her, he didn't retort. Su Wan helped him take off his outer garment, but when she reached for his undergarments, Qin Yi blushed and gripped her hand.

"I’ll do it myself."

Su Wan looked at him; not only was his face flushed, but even the tips of his ears were red.

Qin Yi changed his top himself, but since he had no feeling in his legs, he couldn’t change his trousers. He wanted to grit his teeth and say he didn’t need help, but Su Wan pulled back the quilt.

Qin Yi’s face grew redder, his ears burning even more.

"Su Wan."

He spoke through gritted teeth. Su Wan knew he was just a paper tiger; he looked fierce, but he was actually very sensitive and not a bad person. She had known since they were at the Su house that Qin Yi was a good man.

She felt a genuine sense of heartache for him. If he hadn’t been paralyzed, a man as dazzling as him would never have ended up marrying someone like her. Even if the marriage had been offered to her, Su Chengde and his wife would have found a way to make her give the spot to Su Qing.

Su Wan’s fingers were cool. When they touched his legs, Qin Yi clenched his fists and remained motionless. His legs had no feeling, but he was still a living man. The moment Su Wan pulled off his trousers, she simply closed her eyes, abandoning all pretense of dignity.

Su Wan was incredibly nervous herself. The first man she had ever had intimate contact with was Qin Yi, and that had only been to help him to the bathroom. She was so nervous while putting his underwear back on that she turned her head away, her hands trembling. The more nervous she became, the harder it was to pull them up.

Her nervousness transferred to Qin Yi, and he gripped his fists even tighter.

After failing to find his feet a few times, Su Wan had to turn her head back. This time she pulled them up, and as she sighed in relief and pulled them up quickly, she touched something she shouldn't have...

Both of them were shocked.

Su Wan grabbed the dirty clothes and fled the room as if escaping.

Qin Yi’s eyes darkened. He reached out and pulled the quilt over himself, feeling a mix of frustration and expectation. This was the second time.

Even after washing the clothes, Su Wan’s face was still burning. This strange experience made her heart beat like a drum, and she felt a wave of shyness. Back at school, she had heard female classmates say that this was exactly how it felt to have a crush on someone. She had once had feelings for Lu Xing, but that sensation was different from what she felt just now. She shook her head, trying to cast these emotions aside.

When she returned to the room, Qin Yi was already lying down. Whether it was her imagination or not, she felt as if he were avoiding her.

"Do you need to use the bathroom?"

Qin Yi didn't speak. Su Wan walked over and turned off the light. As she lay on the bed, a faint, pleasant scent drifted to Qin Yi’s nose. Dammit, Qin Yi’s mind was filled with the moment Su Wan had touched him, and deep down, he felt a faint sense of anticipation.

He closed his eyes, pretending to be asleep. Just as he thought Su Wan had fallen asleep, her voice reached his ears.

"Qin Yi, let me take you to see a doctor about your legs tomorrow."