The Substitute Groom and His Reborn Bride

My name is Samuel George, and my daily life is spent picking up cow dung on a ranch in the northwest.
The wind here always carries the smell of dry grass and dirt; I've long since gotten used to it.
That afternoon, the sun was still hanging in the western sky, stretching my shadow out long.
I was bent over, loading a pile of cow dung into a bamboo basket when I suddenly heard a car behind me.
Strangers hardly ever come around here, so I straightened up, curious, and looked back.
Three black sedans stopped not far away, and several well-dressed people got out.
Leading them was a middle-aged man, dressed in a suit, completely out of place in this ranch setting.
They walked straight toward me, and I felt a little puzzled, not knowing what they wanted from me.
The middle-aged man came up to me and sized me up from head to toe, his eyes full of complicated emotions.
"Are you Samuel George?" He asked in a hoarse voice.
I nodded, gripping the pitchfork tightly in my hand, watching them warily.
"We're from the George Family." Another woman in a dress said, her tone carrying a barely noticeable hint of urgency.
"You're our only son who's been lost all these years."
I froze, nearly dropping the pitchfork I was holding.
Only son? I grew up on the ranch, raised by my foster father. How could I suddenly be the George Family's only son?
"You must be mistaken," I shook my head. "I only have one foster father, no other family."
"No mistake." The middle-aged man pulled an old photo from his pocket and handed it to me.
"Look, this is a picture of you as a baby, and you look exactly the same now."
I took the photo. It showed a baby, and the background looked like a hospital.
I started to waver because my foster father did say he brought me home from the hospital doorway.
"So what if I'm your son?" I handed the photo back to the middle-aged man. "I'm doing well now and don't want to leave here."
"You have to come back with us," the woman in the skirt said, her expression darkening. "Your foster father is in the hospital now, and the medical bills are enormous."
My heart tightened. My foster father had been hospitalized recently, and I was worried about the medical expenses.
"What do you want?" I gritted my teeth and asked, knowing they must have conditions.
"Come back with us to the George Family," the middle-aged man said, "Henry George at home refuses to marry Fiona Lawrence, the heiress of the Lawrence Family in City A."
"Fiona has a leg disability, and Henry has been spoiled since he was little. He flat-out refuses to marry her."
I finally understood—they're bringing me back because they want me to marry in place of that fake young master, Henry George.
"Are you threatening me?" I glared at them in anger.
"We have no other choice." The woman in the skirt sighed.
"As long as you marry Fiona Lawrence for Henry, we'll cover all your foster father's medical expenses, and you'll live a good life from then on."
On one hand, there were my foster father's medical bills; on the other, something I was unwilling to do—I was stuck in a dilemma.
In the end, for my foster father's sake, I nodded and agreed to go back to the George Family with them.
Sitting in the car, watching the familiar ranch slowly disappear outside the window, my heart was filled with mixed emotions.
I didn't know what kind of life awaited me.
After more than ten hours on the road, we finally arrived at the George Family estate.
The George Family's villa is huge, decorated in an incredibly luxurious way—totally different from my little wooden cabin on the ranch.
As I stepped into the living room, a stylish young man walked over.
He must be that fake young master, Henry George.
Henry George sized me up from head to toe, his eyes full of disdain.
"Dad, Mom, is this the illegitimate child you found?" Henry George spoke very rudely.
"Henry, don't talk like that," the middle-aged man frowned. "He's your older brother."
"I don't have an older brother like that," Henry George sneered, then turned and sat on the sofa, grabbing an apple and taking a bite.
Watching Henry George's expression, I felt even more uneasy.

The next day, the Lawrence family brought Fiona Lawrence over to the George family, saying they wanted us to meet her first.
When Fiona Lawrence stepped into the living room, I saw Henry's eyes light up immediately.
Even though Fiona has a leg disability and needs a cane, she's very beautiful and carries herself with grace.
Henry put down the apple in his hand and hurried over to Fiona, his face breaking into a big smile.
"Fiona, you're really beautiful," Henry said sincerely, "It was my fault before. I'm willing to marry you."
Everyone in the George family was stunned; no one expected Henry to suddenly change his mind.
Fiona just glanced coldly at Henry and didn't say a word.
Seeing Fiona ignore him, Henry turned to Mr. George and his wife, crying and causing a scene.
"Dad, Mom, I want to marry Fiona. I can't let anyone else marry her instead of me." Henry grabbed Mr. George's arm.
"You all better make him leave and send him back to that ranch."
The George Family parents exchanged glances, clearly not expecting this turn of events.
They originally thought Henry George definitely wouldn't want to marry Fiona Lawrence, so they brought me back as a substitute groom.
But now Henry has fallen for Fiona at first sight, and they're beginning to waver.
I stood aside, watching it all with a cold gaze.
I knew they'd find other ways to deal with me again.
Henry George was crying and demanding to marry Fiona Lawrence, and sure enough, the George Family parents started to waver.
Early the next morning, Mr. George called me into the study.
"Samuel, look, the situation has changed now." Mr. George sat in his chair, his fingers tapping nonstop on the table.
"Henry is willing to marry Fiona, so you just..."
"I'm not giving up the marriage." I cut him off.
"You threatened me with my foster father's medical bills to force me back for this marriage. Now you want me to leave? It's not that simple."
"Don't be ungrateful," Mr. George's face darkened. "This is the George Family, not your ranch. You can't just act recklessly."
"I don't care where this place is." I stared straight into his eyes.
"Either you keep covering my foster father's medical bills and let me marry Henry George, or send me back to the ranch—I'll find my own way to pay the bills."
Just then, Henry George suddenly rushed in, holding a glass of water.
"How dare you defy my parents," Henry George said angrily, glaring at me. "This marriage was supposed to be mine. Who do you think you are, trying to take it from me?"
"Because you were the ones who begged me to come back in the first place." I glared back at him without backing down.
Henry George's face flushed with anger as he grabbed his cup and splashed the water at me.
Cold water streamed through my hair, the icy chill making me shiver.
"Henry, what are you doing?" Mr. George snapped harshly.
But Henry George shrugged it off, saying, "Dad, I'm just giving him a lesson—letting him know who's in charge here."
I wiped the water from my face, anger burning hotter inside me.
But I knew I couldn't trade blows with them now; if I did, I'd be the one who'd lose.
I turned and walked out of the study, heading back to my room.
Though the room was luxuriously decorated, I felt unbearably suffocated.
That afternoon, the woman in the dress—Henry George's mother—came to my room.
"Samuel," she sat on the edge of the bed, wearing a fake smile, "I know you're upset."
"But Henry is the one we've spoiled since he was a child; you should cut him some slack."
"Cut him some slack?" I sneered coldly, "When you used my foster father's medical bills to threaten me back then, did you ever think about cutting me some slack?"
"Now that Henry George likes Fiona Lawrence, he wants me to give up the marriage. Where in the world does something that good just happen?"
"You can't put it like that," Mrs. George sighed, "we really have no other choice."
"If Henry doesn't marry Fiona, the partnership between the George Family and the Lawrence Family will fall apart. When that happens, the George Family will be in serious trouble."
"That's your problem, not mine," I stood up. "All I know is I won't let you use me like this for nothing."
Seeing she couldn't persuade me, Mrs. George left in a huff.

A few days later, Henry George suddenly showed up in my room holding a bag.
"These are some of my old clothes," Henry George tossed the bag onto the floor. "Seeing how shabby you're dressed, I'm giving these to you."
"If you know what's good for you, you'd leave the George Family and give me the marriage."
I glanced at the bag on the floor. Though the clothes were all brand names, they were old, and some even had stains.
"Henry George, do you really think you can get rid of me with these old clothes?" I crouched down, picked up a piece of clothing, and tossed it back into the bag.
"These clothes? Even beggars wouldn't want them."
Henry George's face instantly flushed red. He pointed at me angrily, "Don't be shameless. Giving you clothes is already the biggest favor I've done for you."
"Favor?" I stood up and got close to him. "I don't need your favor. You better keep them for yourself."
Henry was left speechless by my words. He shot me a fierce glare and walked away.
I knew Henry George wouldn't let this go easily, and the George Family would keep trying to force me to give up the marriage.
Sure enough, that night, I overheard Mr. George and Mrs. George discussing something in the living room.
I quietly walked to the door and listened closely.
"Samuel George is way too stubborn. No matter what you say, he just won't listen," Mrs. George's voice held a trace of anxiety. "What if he keeps refusing to give up on the marriage? What should we do then?"
"If it really comes to that, we'll find a way to make sure he can't attend the wedding." Mr. George's voice was low and steady.
"When the time comes, even if he doesn't want to, Henry will marry Fiona."
"But won't this be too risky?" Mrs. George looked a little worried.
"We can't worry about that now," Mr. George said. "For the George Family, it has to be done this way."
A chill ran down my spine; it seemed like they were planning to come down hard on me.
I had to stay on guard and couldn't let their scheme succeed.
Since overhearing Mr. and Mrs. George's plot, I've been careful every day, afraid they'd make a move on me.
The wedding was set for a week later; as the day got closer, the George family grew more anxious.
That morning, just after I got up, Mrs. George came into my room carrying a glass of juice.
"Samuel, the weather is dry this morning. Have a glass of juice to soothe your throat," Mrs. George said with a smile, though her eyes looked a bit evasive.
I stared at the glass of juice, instantly on high alert.
I was sure there was something wrong with this juice—they wanted me to drink it and miss the wedding.
"Thanks, Mom," I said, taking the juice and pretending to be genuinely grateful. "You really do care about me."
When Mrs. George saw me take the juice, her smile grew even brighter. "Drink it quickly, it won't taste good once it gets cold."
I grabbed the juice and walked over to the window, pretending to take a sip.
While Mrs. George wasn't looking, I quickly poured the juice into the flower pot outside.
Then, holding the empty cup, I pretended I had finished drinking.
"This juice is really sweet," I smacked my lips. "Thanks, Mom."
Seeing that I finished the juice, Mrs. George nodded with satisfaction. "Good that you like it. I'll be going now."
Watching Mrs. George walk away, I let out a sigh of relief.
Luckily, I didn't fall for it—otherwise, things would've been disastrous.
For the next few days, I kept pretending to feel unwell and stayed in bed.
Mr. George and Mrs. George came to see me several times. Seeing my pale face, they believed I was truly sick and felt quite pleased.
The day before the wedding, according to tradition, the groom should go to the Lawrence family to pick up the bride.
Mr. George and Mrs. George thought I wouldn't be able to get up, so they sent Henry George to pick up the bride instead.
Henry George, dressed in a sharp suit, cheerfully led the convoy to the Lawrence family.
I quietly followed behind, wanting to see how things would play out.
When we arrived at the Lawrence family home, Henry George held a bouquet and walked up to Fiona Lawrence with a smile, saying, "Fiona, I've come to pick you up."
But Fiona didn't look happy as Henry had imagined; she just looked at him coldly.
"You're not my groom," Fiona said. "The one I'm waiting for is Samuel George."

Henry's smile froze instantly. "Fiona, why would you say that? Samuel's sick and can't come. I'm here to pick you up for him—doesn't that count?"
"It's not the same," Fiona Lawrence shook her head. "The one I'm going to marry is Samuel George, not you. If you're here today to pick me up for the wedding, then you can just go back."
Henry George hadn't expected Fiona Lawrence to be so disrespectful; his expression darkened.
"Fiona, don't be ungrateful," Henry George said angrily. "Me coming to pick you up is already giving you face. What more do you want?"
"I don't want anything more," Fiona said coldly. "I just want to marry the person I want to marry."
The Lawrence family was also there, trying to persuade Fiona, but she was firm and refused to go with Henry George.
Henry George was furious and caused a scene at the Lawrence family's place, but in the end, he still couldn't take Fiona away.
I watched from the side, feeling a bit surprised—I didn't expect Fiona to be so determined.
At the same time, I felt a little touched that she was willing to wait for me.
Henry George returned to the George Family feeling dejected and told Mr. and Mrs. George what had happened.
Mr. George and Mrs. George stomped their feet in anger.
"Why is Fiona Lawrence so stubborn?" Mrs. George said. "And Samuel George, why isn't he better yet?"
I knew they would definitely be suspicious.
Sure enough, before long, Mrs. George came to my room.
"Samuel, how are you feeling?" Mrs. George looked at me, her eyes filled with suspicion.
"I still don't feel well," I pretended to cough a few times. "I might need a few more days to rest."
Mrs. George frowned, said nothing, and turned to leave.
I know they definitely won't just let this go; there are more schemes to come.
But I'm already prepared. No matter what tricks they try, I won't let them succeed.
The wedding day was beautiful, bright and sunny.
The George family's villa was decked out with lanterns and decorations, and many guests had arrived.
I wore a suit and stepped out of the room.
Mr. George and Mrs. George were stunned when they saw me.
"You... you're better?" Mrs. George asked in surprise.
"Maybe a few days of rest helped. I'm much better now," I smiled. "It's my wedding day—how could I not be here?"
Mr. George and Mrs. George's faces darkened, but with so many guests around, they couldn't lose their temper.
Henry George saw me and clenched his teeth in fury, but he could only hold it in.
The wedding ceremony started shortly after.
I stood on the stage, waiting for Fiona Lawrence to come.
Soon, Fiona, supported by her father and holding a cane, walked in slowly.
She wore a pure white wedding dress and looked even more stunning.
Just then, Henry George suddenly rushed forward and blocked Fiona's way.
"Fiona, you can't marry him," Henry George grabbed Fiona Lawrence's hand. "Marry me, and I'll treat you right."
Fiona Lawrence forcefully shook off Henry George's hand. "Henry George, I've already said, the one I'm marrying is Samuel George. Stop pestering me."
"I'm not pestering you. How would you know how I feel about you?" Henry George didn't give up and kept talking.
"Samuel George is from the ranch; he's not worthy of you. Only I deserve you."
"Shut up." I hurried over to Henry George and shoved him away in one push.
"Henry George, don't push it. Today's my wedding. If you keep causing trouble here, don't blame me for not holding back."
I pushed Henry George back a few steps. He glared fiercely at me and said, "Samuel George, just you wait—I won't let you get away with this."
Just then, a plainly dressed woman suddenly rushed in. Her belly was slightly rounded, like she was pregnant.
"Henry George, you liar." The woman pointed at Henry George and shouted loudly.
"You promised to marry me, and now you want to marry another woman. What do you take me for?"
The guests were all shocked and started whispering among themselves.

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