Mr. Gu, Your Replacement Bride Is A Big Shot! Chapter 4

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

What's more, she planned to turn his pet into ingredients for Chinese medicine!

Gu Zhou could hardly accept that a woman who appeared so mild and innocent turned out to possess such impressive abilities.

Gu Zhou noticed the little snake's reluctance to yield, still eager for battle. He furrowed his brows and ordered in a deep tone, “Lan!”

The blue-green python nuzzled its head against Gu Zhou’s chin affectionately, trying to curry favor with its owner. It acted utterly compliant. Outsiders might mistake it for a mere puppet!

Gu Zhou extended his hand to stroke the snake’s head. Quickly, the snake coiled around his wrist like a bracelet. He approached the sofa and glanced at Qiao Nian’s wedding dress, his face expressionless. “The Qiao family sure has guts. They actually sent a substitute bride over.”

Even though it was a offhand remark, Qiao Nian sensed intense pressure emanating from Gu Zhou. A chilling vibe constantly surrounded him.

If she wasn't mistaken, Gu Zhou had commanded the snake to assault her earlier. With this in mind, Qiao Nian smiled faintly.

“Snake soup is highly nourishing. Mr. Gu, care for some?” Qiao Nian met Gu Zhou’s gaze without fear. His icy stare revealed his dissatisfaction with her.

Qiao Nian observed Gu Zhou approaching and fixing her with a glare. Suddenly, for no clear reason, she remembered that night from five years back. The mysterious man bore a resemblance to the one before her.

As Qiao Nian remained lost in thought, Gu Zhou seized her chin with one hand, compelling her to face him. In a low, captivating voice, he taunted, “Did the Qiao family push their own daughter into becoming a living widow just for that measly betrothal gift?”

“Sorry, I won’t be a widow.” Despite the chaos in her mind, Qiao Nian maintained a composed exterior. Boldly locking eyes with Gu Zhou’s inscrutable gaze, she declared, “Mr. Gu, no need to jinx yourself. You won’t die, and I won’t end up widowed!”

You won’t die!

These words momentarily stunned Gu Zhou. As far back as he could recall, everyone around him insisted he wouldn't survive past twenty. Though he'd clung to life for five extra years using rare herbs, he felt his vitality ebbing away relentlessly. His time was nearly up.

This girl actually dared claim he wouldn't die!

She truly was a fearless and innocent young lady.

Gu Zhou’s lips hooked up faintly, his eyes gleaming. He softly brushed Qiao Nian’s hair behind her ear and inquired curiously, “What makes you think you can cure me?”

The Gu family enjoyed global fame. Every member had sought top physicians, yet none could heal him. All experts agreed he wouldn't last beyond twenty.

Qiao Nian sensed the man no longer harbored animosity toward her. With a grave look, she stated, “Your facial features have revealed your medical state to me.”

Inspection, auscultation, inquiry, and pulse-taking formed the core diagnostic techniques in traditional Chinese medicine.

Gu Zhou’s gaze grew shadowy. The snake on his wrist slithered to encircle Qiao Nian’s neck. He pulled back his hand, eyeing her as if she were already dead.

Qiao Nian once more seized the snake at its vital spot, rendering it limp in her hold. She turned to face Lan, lifting it to her eye level, and murmured gently, “Lan, isn’t living a wonderful thing? Do you truly wish to push me into using you for medicine? Alive, you could fetch five or six million yuan. Dead, your value drops sharply. Are you set on dying?”

With those words, Qiao Nian tossed Lan casually onto the nearby sofa. She leaned in closer to Gu Zhou, flashing a smile. “I can assist you!”

“You’ll help me?” Gu Zhou regarded Qiao Nian with a cryptic smile. Staring into her bright eyes, he felt an inexplicable stir. If living were possible, he'd seize it gladly. Yet this girl was far too optimistic.

Physicians weren't deities. They couldn't rescue every soul.

Besides, the world brimmed with untreatable rare diseases. Gu Zhou’s affliction had persisted for years, and deep down, he knew recovery was impossible. “Are you aiding me to benefit the Qiao family?”

“No.” Qiao Nian shook her head and clasped Gu Zhou’s hand. His skin felt remarkably cold. As he tried to draw away, she gripped tighter and explained, “If I can’t remain here, my family will drag me back to the hospital for confinement.”

Her palms radiated comforting heat, like sunlight on a winter day. It was a mesmerizing warmth.

This soothing sensation flowed from his hand throughout his body. Gu Zhou craved more of it. Keeping his face impassive, he glanced up at Qiao Nian and jested, “This mental hospital escapee is proving surprisingly entertaining!”

Qiao Nian froze briefly—she hadn’t anticipated this man knowing her background. She raised her eyes to Gu Zhou, but he had turned away with a frosty demeanor.

She dropped her gaze and smiled inwardly. The infamous ruthless Second Young Master Gu turned out to be rather compassionate.

Still, his vitality appeared utterly depleted…