The Substitute Groom Chases His Wife

 Qi Zheng finally heaved a sigh once he was done treating the injury on Lin Xiao Feng's back. He studied the bandage and recalled the injury he had seen earlier. Fortunately, the wound was not deep. At least they won't leave a gruesome scar on Lin Xiao Feng's body.

"Your grandfather is too harsh," Qi Zheng commented. "Look. Even my paternal grandfather is not as strict as yours. Whipping with a belt… isn't this too much."

Qi Zheng's paternal grandfather was a soldier with a high rank. His elder son and his elder grandson were also in the army. Growing up, his paternal grandfather was quite strict. 

However, Qi Zheng felt that his grandfather was not as strict as Lin Xiao Feng's. At least, he would not be whipped with a belt whenever he did something against his grandfather's wishes. 

His grandfather was someone who would listen to reason.

When Qi Zheng decided to study medicine and became a surgeon, his grandfather was among the people who supported him. 

In the past, Lin Xiao Feng would tell them that his grandfather wanted to discipline him. But then, Lin Xiao Feng was already an adult. Does he need to be disciplined to such an extent?

Lin Xiao Feng was not a soldier. Why did he have to apply corporal punishment?

Qi Zheng could not understand Lin Chuan's way of thinking. He felt that Old Lin was an unreasonable old man.

Of course, there were words that he could not say in front of Lin Xiao Feng.

"I'm already used to it," Lin Xiao Feng answered. 

His grandfather was strict. Lin Xiao Feng had always known this. Trying to reason with his grandfather was never easy. This time, his grandfather was angry when he made the decision to marry An Nuan on an impulse.

Lin Xiao Feng understood what his grandfather was worried about.

In the future, people would still talk about how he had chosen to be a substitute groom to marry his wife.

However, Lin Xiao Feng did not care about people's talk.

All he knew was that the moment he heard that An Nuan was looking for a substitute, he had to take his chance. 

Lin Xiao Feng tried to move. He turned to look at Qi Zheng and smiled. "Thank you."

Qi Zheng clicked his tongue. He was not that happy after seeing the injury on Lin Xiao Feng's body. "Remember to be careful. Don't let the injury touch water for a few days. Lin Xiao Feng, this time, you cannot be stubborn. Listen to me. Take a rest and get well soon. Otherwise, when An Nuan returns, she will know what happened."

Lin Xiao Feng pursed his lips into a thin line.

He knew that he would have to hide this incident from An Nuan.

She would only worry and would start blaming herself if she knew that he had received ten lashes on his back for his decision to marry An Nuan without consulting his grandfather. 

"I know." Lin Xiao Feng nodded. "Don't tell An Nuan what happened."

Qi Zheng rolled his eyes. "You don't have to worry about this. I won't say a word. Lest An Nuan would be scared of your grandfather."

Lin Xiao Feng smiled.

The pain in his back gradually subsided as he recalled that his grandfather had agreed to meet with the An family to discuss his future with An Nuan. The elders are going to meet to make everything official. 

"But, what are you going to do next?" Qi Zheng asked. "This marriage happened so suddenly. Are you sure that once An Nuan returned from her vacation and cleared her mind, she would choose to stay with you? An Nuan… she could be using you."

Qi Zheng tried to use a gentler word. He did not want to upset Lin Xiao Feng while he was injured.

"This wedding is something that she decides when she is angry," Qi Zheng pointed out. "There is a possibility that she might be regretting her action."

"We have signed our certificate. Can she still get away?" Lin Xiao Feng raised a brow. "Even if she wanted to change her mind, it would not be easy for us to separate. An Nuan will think about our elders first."

Their family has been neighbors for years. An Nuan's relationship with his parents was quite good. Lin Xiao Feng knew that An Nuan would not do anything that would make them worry about her.

Qi Zheng chuckled. "You are too cunning."

He had almost forgotten that Lin Xiao Feng was in politics. Scheming was what he did best. But then, as friends, they never had to be careful around Lin Xiao Feng. They believed that Lin Xiao Feng would not do anything to harm them.

"But Xiao Feng, you have to know that forcing someone to stay is not going to work," Qi Zheng reminded him. "I'm just worried that the two of you would grow to resent each other."

Qi Zheng did not know what was going through An Nuan's mind when she decided to find a substitute groom. 

What worried him the most was that An Nuan was planning to make Pei Zhi Yi unhappy before she tried to get back with him. Then, what would happen to his friend?

Perhaps, Lin Xiao Feng was ready to face the future. But as his friend, Qi Zheng did not want to see Lin Xiao Feng getting hurt.

Lin Xiao Feng pondered over his friend's words. "I know. Now that An Nuan is married to me, I will do my best to win her. But if she still cannot accept me, then, I will have to let her go."

Qi Zheng heaved a long sigh.

He was worried that Lin Xiao Feng would be bullied in the future.

All Lin Xiao Feng thinks about is An Nuan's happiness. But what about his own?

"You are going back to Capital City soon while An Nuan might be planning to stay in Y City," Qi Zheng said. "A long-distance relationship is not going to be easy even if you two are married."

It might help if the couple have feelings for each other. However, An Nuan only considered Lin Xiao Feng as a friend.

"I have my own arrangement." Lin Xiao Feng flashed an assuring smile. "You don't have to worry about this."