"I'll prove it to you right now."
Qiao Xi dragged out the medicine box from under the bed and opened it.
Nine silver needles gleamed coldly as they were arranged in a neat row. She took one long needle, swiftly and precisely inserting it into a pressure point on Huo Xingzhou's leg.
She tilted her head, focusing intently on his face, and asked, "Do you feel anything?"
The needle triggered a sensation in his previously numb legs, the tingling spreading like ants crawling on his skin. Huo Xingzhou looked at her serious face, a shadow passing through his eyes.
His index finger traced the tip of his thumb, turning his face slightly away, a faint frown on his brow.
Qiao Xi immediately sensed his discomfort, twisting the needle a little deeper before speaking softly, "It's good if you can feel something. I haven't treated any famous people or held a medical license, but I'm certain I can heal your legs."
"With daily acupuncture to remove the blood stasis, along with some herbal remedies and massage, you'll be able to stand again in as little as a month or as long as six months."
A subtle shift occurred in Huo Xingzhou's expression, as though a thread had been pulled, his formerly cold demeanor softening just slightly.
"What do you want?"
He was a businessman, and nothing came without a price.
Qiao Xi paused, feeling a little embarrassed.
"My grandmother was taken to Haicheng by the Su family. They want the big project you're working on with Tianyuan Group... to make it possible for Su Weiwei to marry your cousin."
Even this country girl had heard of Tianyuan Group. It was a multinational giant, and although the Huo family was dominant in Haicheng, they were no match for the scale of Tianyuan Group.
That project was highly coveted.
Qiao Xi anxiously watched him, feeling guilty. She thought Huo Xingzhou was really unlucky. Not only did he have to lose resources, but also give up his fiancée to someone else.
Huo Xingzhou gave a sarcastic smile.
Seeing this, Qiao Xi lowered her head and sighed, "I'm sorry, I went too far."
She withdrew the needle, packed the medicine box, and left the room.
Huo Xingzhou watched her dejected figure leave, his eyes darkening. He reached for the phone on the bedside table and dialed a number.
"Zhou Yu, it's me."
The voice on the other end of the line sounded surprised. "Huo Er, you're really awake! I thought I'd be attending your funeral next year."
Huo Xingzhou spoke succinctly, "Prepare the documents on the Tianyuan Group and Huo family cooperation, make sure to... adjust them."
"Got it," Zhou Yu replied seriously. "Just a reminder, the car accident wasn't a simple one, but there are no traces left. I couldn't find any evidence."
Huo Xingzhou's expression was cold. "No need to investigate further, I know who did it."
"It's not your cousin's family, is it?" Zhou Yu asked angrily. "That bastard has no skills and is resorting to dirty tricks! You're not giving him the documents, are you? If you are, I'll have to do more to cover it up."
Huo Xingzhou interrupted him. "Don't worry about that. Find out more about someone else for me."
"Who?" Zhou Yu asked.
"Qiao Xi..."
"Ah, your wife?" Zhou Yu responded, sounding surprised.
Huo Xingzhou didn't correct him. "Find out about her background, see if she has any ties to the first branch."
Zhou Yu paused for a moment, then his voice sharpened. "So, you think she was sent by the first branch? If that's true, you're in danger. You might need a bodyguard 24/7..."
Huo Xingzhou abruptly hung up, cutting off Zhou Yu's endless chatter.
He lowered his eyes slightly, his side profile shifting in and out of the light. Thoughts of his stubborn, radiant new wife flickered through his mind, his long fingers brushing the edge of the bed.
What a coincidence. His legs were paralyzed, and the Su family sent a substitute bride claiming she could heal him. That woman was spinning lies to try to take the project from him.
He had never believed in free handouts.
As for her looks...
Downstairs.
Qiao Xi, dressed in her bright red wedding gown, walked down the stairs. Huo's mother took her hand, saying, "I brought you a set of my daughter's clothes, go change. I'll take you out to shop for some clothes and jewelry."
"No need, I..."
Huo's mother wouldn't hear any objections, pushing her to change into the clothes and insisting the driver take them to a bustling mall in Haicheng.
Once inside the mall, Du Juan immediately began shopping.
"These, and this one! Wrap them up for me. Qiao Xi, you'll look beautiful in them."
"That's too extravagant. Actually..."
Qiao Xi thought about what Huo Xingzhou had said about her mother-in-law's dowry being tied up in the stock market, and worry crept over her. These clothes were priced in the tens of thousands, far more than she spent in half a year living in the countryside.
Her small savings couldn't cover this.
"Younger girls should dress bright and lively. A daughter-in-law is like a half-daughter. No need to be polite with family," Huo's mother said, eyeing her fondly.
Qiao Xi's eyes flickered.
The two women swept through the clothing store and then entered the jewelry shop.
But then, an unwelcome person approached them.
"Well, if it isn't Mrs. Huo Er. Still have the energy to shop? I heard your son woke up, congratulations! Too bad he's become a cripple... That means the inheritance rights will only go to the first branch." The wealthy woman sneered.
Huo Xingzhou was too outstanding, so when he fell, everyone took the chance to kick him down.
Du Juan sneered back. "Mrs. Sun, I heard your son got hospitalized because of women. Better hope he doesn't die from them. Oh, what's the big deal? Warts or something, no harm done."
"You!" Mrs. Sun exploded with rage.
"What? Even if my son's legs are paralyzed, he's still better than your son! I heard the Sun family couldn't find a cure for his infertility, and now your family... is going extinct!"
Du Juan looked at Mrs. Sun disdainfully, her words like daggers.
It was well-known in Haicheng that the only son of the Sun family had issues, and he liked to take medicine to try to fix it, making a fool of himself.
Mrs. Sun couldn't take it anymore. "Your son is no better! But we'll find Mr. Cheng, and then you'll be begging me!"
"Beg you? Don't be ridiculous! Our Xingzhou is a man of destiny. I'm sure Mr. Cheng will come to him for treatment!"
When it came to family feuds, Huo's mother had the upper hand in the verbal battle.
"Don't forget, the Sun family still holds land. Let's see how Huo Xingzhou handles the project between Huo family and Tianyuan!"
Mrs. Sun's face alternated between pale and green as she grabbed her bag and stormed off.
Hearing mention of the Tianyuan Group project, Qiao Xi's expression grew dark.
Du Juan noticed, but adjusted her expression, turning to point at the top display case. "Show me that sapphire necklace."
The salesperson, wearing white gloves, took out the jewelry box, praising her taste. "You really have an eye for these."
Qiao Xi stared at the price tag, overwhelmed by the numbers. Before she could react, Du Juan had already draped the necklace over her neck.
The teardrop-shaped sapphire pendant made her pale skin glow under the sparkling lights.
"It's perfect for you," Huo's mother said, admiring her.
Qiao Xi shook her head, biting her lip as she seriously said, "I can't accept this necklace. You've already given me so much."
"Alright, my dear..." Huo's mother sighed, putting the necklace back.
Taking the chance, Qiao Xi asked, "Who is Mr. Cheng? Why does it seem like everyone in Haicheng is looking for him?"
Huo's mother linked their arms as they walked. "Mr. Cheng, also known as Cheng Han, is a renowned national doctor. His acupuncture skills are unparalleled, specializing in difficult cases. Any ailment in his hands is guaranteed to be cured. But he retired at sixty, and no one knows where he is, though I've heard he's taken on disciples."
If they couldn't find him, finding one of his disciples would still be helpful.
Wealthy people valued their health, and who didn't have the occasional headache or illness? To be able to call on a famous doctor was a form of protection.
Qiao Xi nodded thoughtfully.
Her neighbor, Grandpa Cheng, also specialized in acupuncture, and she had learned the method to treat blocked meridians from him. For a brief moment, she entertained a ridiculous thought, but quickly dismissed it.
Grandpa Cheng's real name wasn't Cheng Han.
They were not the same person, and no national doctor would live in the countryside.
"As long as we find Cheng Han, Xingzhou's..." Du Juan's words were interrupted as her phone vibrated. She released Qiao Xi's arm and answered the call.
"Hello."
The person on the other end said something that made Du Juan's expression change drastically. Her face turned ashen.
"Let that bastard wait! I'll be back right away!"