Mr. Gu, Your Replacement Bride Is A Big Shot! Chapter 1

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

“No, stop—”

Amid the pitch-black darkness, a potent masculine aroma drifted toward her. The man shoved Qiao Nian hard onto the bed. Tears streamed from her eyes as she struggled to shove him off, but her limbs held no power.

Fabric ripped audibly. Qiao Nian’s tears flowed without restraint.

“Lass, what’s your name?” His raspy voice bewitched like a devil’s chant. Hot breath heavy with desire brushed her ear.

“It’s fine if you don’t want to tell me. My name is…”

A sharp agony tore through her body. Qiao Nian’s breath caught, eyes snapping wide. She gazed ahead blankly, realizing she sat inside a car.

It had been a dream!

Once more, the nightmare from five years back had returned.

Qiao Nian straightened up, gasping for air, her ashen face marked by distress.

Memories of that fateful night five years prior tormented her endlessly.

Following that evening, pregnancy struck her. Unaware of the father’s identity, she endured ten months before a heartbreaking stillbirth.

Once her mother and sister snatched her Qiao Corporation shares, they banished her to a mental institution.

The Qiao family butler up front noticed motion from the back seat. Spotting Qiao Nian awake, he spoke coolly, “Miss Qiao Nian, we’re almost at the Qiao residence. Prepare yourself!”

Qiao Nian brushed off Butler Qiao’s remark. She leaned sideways, peering through the window at the fading city lights. An City had boomed since her last glimpse—over four years locked in the asylum. Tonight, the Qiao family dispatched someone to fetch her, and she knew their scheme well.

Her sister Qiao Xin was set to wed Gu Zhou, the Gu family’s Second Young Master—rumored grotesquely ugly with a mere twenty years to live. Yet how could her “loving mother” allow Qiao Xin such a fate? Thus, the Qiao clan schemed to swap Qiao Nian in as the bride.

Frost coated Qiao Nian’s gaze, her features devoid of any warmth.

The car halted before the Qiao villa’s gates.

Qiao Nian entered solo, aura dark and ominous. Stepping into the living room, she beheld her mother Su Xue on the sofa, gently brushing Qiao Xin’s locks.

“Good that this useless Qiao Nian can take Xin’er’s place as a Gu family widow. If Xin’er married there, it’d shatter my heart.”

Qiao Xin perched meekly, lashes lowered demurely. With a timid air, she murmured softly, “Mom, don’t speak ill of Sister. Without her, I’d be lost. I just fear Sister might not consent.”

Father Qiao Shan, nearby perusing a contract, scowled deeply. Recalling Qiao Nian, fury boiled as he snapped, “Xin’er, your kindness goes too far. Forgot how Qiao Nian smeared you five years back? Shameless, pregnant out of wedlock, birthing a dead babe. She ought to thank us for the Gu marriage! Who is she to complain?”

“Who says I won’t refuse?” A icy voice cut from the doorway.

The trio on the sofa jolted, eyes darting to the entrance.

Still in her hospital garb and slippers, Qiao Nian loomed in shadowy gloom, a hellish specter.

“Ah!” Qiao Xin shrieked, burrowing into Su Xue’s embrace, trembling violently.

Su Xue soothed Qiao Xin’s back with whispers, then shot a venomous glare at Qiao Nian. “Qiao Nian, who’re you trying to frighten, ghosting about like that!”

Qiao Nian advanced into the room.

Regaining composure, Qiao Xin peeked from Su Xue’s hold, head cocked toward the door. Spotting Qiao Nian, a radiant smile bloomed. “Sister, you’re home!”

Qiao Shan slammed down his contract. Face twisted in wrath, he charged at Qiao Nian. “Refuse, and I’ll beat you senseless!”

“Hand back my shares first!” Qiao Nian met Qiao Shan’s glare steadily, tone frosty. “Return them, and I’ll think about the marriage!”

Qiao Shan swung his hand furiously, but Qiao Nian sidestepped the blow. Enraged beyond measure, he roared, “Dare to evade?”

Qiao Nian sauntered to the sofa, claiming a seat. Amid Su Xue and Qiao Xin’s stunned stares, she lounged back casually. As Qiao Shan yanked off a slipper to strike, she eyed him coldly. “Strike me, and forget the shares. No wedding talks!”

Qiao Shan’s slipper sole hovered an inch from Qiao Nian’s cheek, freezing at her words. Four-plus years apart, this brat had matured, now bold enough to defy him!

Initially, he’d planned wedding Qiao Nian to a peer for a hefty multimillion betrothal. But post her deflowering, the suitor backed out.

Five years prior, Qiao Nian cost him millions in lost gifts, nearly bankrupting his firm.

Now she strutted before him, scheming against Xin’er—unforgivable!

Qiao Shan’s face grew stormier, fingers clenching the slipper tighter.

“Hit away! Lay a hand on me, and I won’t marry!” Qiao Nian tilted her chin defiantly at Qiao Shan.

As Qiao Shan reared back again, Qiao Xin rushed forward, pleading, “Dad, no!”

Locking eyes with Qiao Shan, Qiao Xin shook her head faintly, glancing back at Qiao Nian. Somehow, she sensed Qiao Nian meant it. Fear gripped her— what if Qiao Nian refused the Gu union?

Then she’d face that doomed cripple herself!

The thought made Qiao Xin quiver. As Qiao family’s jewel, she deserved a mighty match, not some dying fool!

Qiao Shan yanked back his arm in fury, hurling the slipper down. Glaring daggers at Qiao Nian, he slipped it back on, stomped to the sofa, and slumped. Grumbling bitterly, “See your sister’s concern for you. What’s wrong with subbing her marriage?!”

“Really?” Qiao Nian’s lips curved in a sly smirk. “Xinxin, you’re so generous—marry him yourself. Why drag me in?”

Panic flickered in Qiao Xin’s eyes. She ducked her head, silent.

Su Xue, sidelined no longer, surged protectively before Qiao Xin. Voice like ice, she declared, “Qiao Nian, we’re fixing your match by swapping for Xin’er. Else, who in An City would wed a wreck like you?”

“Fascinating. Did I plead for a groom?” Qiao Nian flicked hair behind her ear leisurely. Her sharp phoenix eyes gleamed coldly. “By the way, who shoved me into a stranger’s bed five years ago, trashing my name? Who dumped me in the loony bin?”