The Substitute Bride: Indulged by the Obsessive CEO

Chapter 457= Hugging Me Is Your Prerogative!

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio | Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Jiang Jingchen spoke very slowly as he whispered in the woman’s ear, “I’m not your parents, but I want to give you the best in the world.”Nᴇw chapters are publɪshed on N(o)vᴇl(F)ire.nᴇt

“Obedient Beibei, life is nothing without regrets but certain regrets are not caused by you, so don’t be sad.”

“Okay.”

She wasn’t sad, just a little melancholic.

Thinking about her parents, who were nowhere to be found, was like having a dark cloud shroud the deepest part of her heart. The sense of oppression made it difficult for her to breathe.

If she was alone, she would have been able to get over this sadness. But with him by her side, she couldn’t help but act a little spoiled. She wanted to snuggle and ask for comfort.

“Hubby, I’m not sad.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes!”

Jiang Jingchen chuckled and rubbed the back of her head. “In any case, hugging me is your prerogative!”

Downstairs, Ruan Quan looked at Ruan Qi’s belly with a tiny life inside. He was so excited that his eyes turned red, and his dark skin appeared more wrinkled.

He was very tanned from being exposed to the sun in the countryside. When he smiled, his teeth appeared especially white.

“Is it a boy or a girl?”

“I don’t know. Dad, you don’t favor boys over girls, do you?”

Tears welled up in Ruan Quan’s eyes. “Silly girl, have I ever not favored you? It’s all good whether it’s a son or a daughter.”

Ruan Qi smiled as she held his arm. Ruan Quan did not want to spoil his daughter’s mood, so he rambled on about some light topics.

The atmosphere was warm. After chatting for more than an hour, Ruan Quan got up to leave.

Ruan Qi wanted him to stay with them for a day or two but Ruan Quan refused.

This was Song Zhou’s workplace, not their home. It wasn’t very nice for an outsider like him to stay over.

Song Zhou rubbed his nose guiltily.

He could afford his own villa, but Ruan Qi would be too lonely at home when he went to work. He deferred his decision to move out until their baby was born.

Ruan Quan looked at Song Zhou and asked him to see him off. Song Zhou quickly got up and followed him out of the villa.

Song Zhou decided to drive him to the bus station. Because he was driving his father-in-law, Song Zhou chose a more luxurious car.

Ruan Quan did not get into the car. Instead, he asked, “Is this your car?”

“Yes, Father. Please get in.” Song Zhou opened the car door for him.

Ruan Quan was surprised but lectured him with a stern face, “This car is quite expensive. You should be more practical and save some money to support your family in the future.”

Song Zhou nodded. “I’ve saved up some money. Not a lot, about a million yuan now.”

Song Zhou wanted to say a higher number, but he was afraid that if it would scare Ruan Quan.

Ruan Quan got into the car and asked him, “Are you a rich second-generation heir?”

-No, my parents passed away when I was very young. I’m an orphan. After I

was adopted, I worked for Young Master before I reached adulthood. I saved this money bit by bit over time.”

Ruan Quan was stunned when he heard that Song Zhou was an orphan and his tone softened.

He was also a pitiful child.

“Did you marry Qiqi because you really love her, or because of the baby?

“Father, I love Ruan Qi and want to spend the rest of my life with her.

Only then did Ruan Quan nod in satisfaction. It was good that he loved his daughter.

“How old are you this year?”

Song Zhou’s scalp went numb. He was about to enter the typical father-in-law interrogation session.

“Twen-twenty nine.”

Song Zhou felt guilty. He was nine years older than Ruan Qi.

Ruan Quan glanced at him, surprised by his age.

“You don’t look 29. You look at most 25. It’s good to be young at heart so you’ll have something to talk about with Qiqi. Otherwise, or there’ll be a generation gap-”

Song Zhou wanted to tell him that there was a generation gap, but it could be overcome.

“Have you had a girlfriend before?”

Song Zhou looked at him with a troubled expression. He was hesitating if he should tell his father-in-law the truth when he saw his serious expression.

“I had a fiancee before, but we never got married. I fell out with her. Ruan Qi is my first woman, and she’s also the only woman I want to treat well in this life.

She is my family and I want to protect her for the rest of my life.”

Ruan Quan looked at him in surprise, as if he could see his old self in Song Zhou.

He sighed. “Being older has its benefits too. You know how to dote on others. This villa isn’t yours. It’s best if you have your own house in the future. It’s not nice to intrude on your young master when Qiqi and you have a child.

“It’s very expensive to raise a child now. Also, Ruan Qi is still young and is at the age when she likes to look pretty. She’s compelled to buy a few pieces of new clothing every month.”

“Yes, you’re right.”

Song Zhou thought that his father-in-law was such a devoted man, that he still thought about the new pieces of clothing his daughter was compelled to buy every month.

“If you don’t earn enough now, you have to put in more effort. I can contribute a little. I’ve saved up some money over the years to help Qiqi with her down payment for a property when she graduates from university.

Ruan Quan sounded a little down when he said, “I only have one child and never expected Ruan Xue to treat Qiqi well. I wanted Qiqi to be able to take care of herself when she’s grown up.”

“When the baby is here, I can come here and help you out. Ruan Qi still has to continue with her studies.”

“Will you mind if Ruan Qi finishes school and goes out to work after she graduates?”

“No, I will encourage and support her.”

Ruan Quan looked at the young man driving. Overall, he was quite satisfied with his son-in-law.

“Don’t become like those male chauvinists who brownnose other men outside but treat their wife like a servant at home just because they have a little money.”

“Ruan Qi has entrusted the rest of her life to you. You will share joy and suffering together. She didn’t marry you to be your servant or follow your every order.”

As a father, Ruan Quan did not have many requests for his daughter. Instead, he had a simple expectation that his daughter would find a man who understood her and treated her with respect.

Song Zhou was happy that Ruan Qi had such a loving, sincere and pragmatic father.

It was Ruan Xue’s loss to lose such a husband!

“Father, I’m married to Ruan Qi, so I’m also a member of the Ruan family. You don’t have to be polite with me. Please treat me as your son.

Song Zhou returned to the villa and saw Ruan Qi sleeping on the sofa. He walked over and covered her with a thin blanket.

Tang Beibei said that pregnant women should avoid using air-conditioning, so the air conditioner in the living room of the villa was rarely turned on.

Although the temperature had risen, it was still cold at night.

He moved very quietly but Ruan Qi still woke up. Her eyes suddenly flew up as she grabbed his hand.

“Has my dad got onto the bus?”

Ruan Family Village was quite a distance away from capital city. Ruan Quan had to take a bus home.

“I waited for him to board before I came back.

Ruan Qi sat up and asked nervously, “Did my father nag you? He’s a worrier who’ll keep reminding people of every little thing.”

Song Zhou chuckled. “Your father nags because he worries about you. I think many of the things he said are right.”

“What things?”

“For example, the wedding. I do owe you that. Your mother is unreasonable, but I should have at least met your father before we got married.” Ruan Qi waved her hand nonchalantly. A wedding ceremony was just that, a ceremony.

“We can always have the ceremony after the baby is born. But I’m more curious about how you felt when you met my father for the first time, Mr. Song.” Song Zhou was, honestly, quite nervous.

“Are you making fun of me?”

Ruan Qi said with a smile, “I wanted to laugh when I saw you sitting upright and looking so obedient. My father looks nothing like a discipline master, but you looked so scared.”

“He is your father, Miss Ruan.”

Ruan Qi smiled and raised her eyebrows. “That’s true. He’s my ex-lover.” Song Zhou chuckled. A daughter and her father were lovers in their previous lives.

He poked her belly. “Then hurry up and give birth to my little lover. I’ll dote on you and our daughter.”

Ruan Qi caressed her belly. “I hope it’s a boy. A big brother will always protect his younger sister.”

Song Zhou was stunned that Ruan Qi implied that she would have more children with him. He hugged her excitedly.

“Miss Ruan, as long as they are your children, I will protect them whether they are boys or girls!”