The Next Day.
The atmosphere at Huo Xingzhou's villa was noticeably quieter.
Du Juan and Huo Jiancheng, satisfied that everything was back on track, had moved out of their son's villa. They even forcefully took Huo Sijiao along to prevent her from being a third wheel, creating space for the couple to spend time together.
With them gone, Qiao Xi finally had the freedom to focus on treating Huo Xingzhou.
In the quiet room, the man sat in his wheelchair with long needles inserted into his ankle. His gaze followed Qiao Xi as she bustled around the room, lips pressed in a pout.
He remained silent for a long time.
"Qiao…" He had barely spoken a word when Qiao Xi turned on the LCD television. The sudden sound from the TV drowned out his voice, leaving him frustrated.
The little girl really held a grudge.
Huo Xingzhou frowned at her back, his pale, elegant fingers clutching the bedsheet tightly. A flicker of pain crossed his face as he winced, "Ah… it hurts."
Startled, Qiao Xi turned around and rushed to him, flustered. "Where does it hurt? The acupuncture points… Ah! Let go, or you'll press on the needles!"
Before she could finish, Huo Xingzhou grabbed her, pulling her into his arms. She landed straddling his lap.
"Not letting go until you finish talking. Otherwise, you'll run away again," he said, his arm easily encircling her waist.
Qiao Xi's lashes fluttered, her earlobes burning bright red. Her rosy lips were tinged with a deeper blush as she squirmed in his hold. She'd never been this close to a man before.
"You avoided me last night and have been sulking all morning," he said, his fingers unconsciously tracing circles on her lower back, making her shiver slightly.
"You don't trust me. You had to trade the project for this," she muttered. She knew she had no right to be angry, but she couldn't help it.
That project was his hard work and the only leverage the second branch of the family had to make a comeback.
"Of course I trust you," he said in a low voice.
"Zhuo Feng is a pawn sent by the first branch to harm me. I gave that project to them deliberately. I believe in you, which is why I know you can help me play this role well."
The anger in Qiao Xi's heart dissipated.
"What role?" she asked.
"Until I can stand again, don't reveal your exceptional medical skills," he said calmly, his sharp features illuminated clearly in the soft light.
Exceptional skills?
Qiao Xi lowered her head, her skin pale as snow.
"What about Sun Shao?"
"You're a medical student. Treating minor illnesses is natural. But my legs? They've been declared incurable—a lost cause by countless experts and academicians."
"Okay, I understand," she replied obediently, nodding like a well-behaved child. She just needed to avoid drawing too much attention to her skills.
Huo Xingzhou couldn't help but smile at her adorable reaction.
He suddenly remembered the ridiculous remarks from Zhou Yu last night. His Adam's apple bobbed as he licked his thin lips lightly but ultimately swallowed the question he wanted to ask.
Qiao Xi's face flushed as she pushed against his chest. "Let go first. I need to remove the needles."
Huo Xingzhou's cold demeanor softened, his heartbeat unsteady.
As Qiao Xi knelt down and deftly removed the needles, she could feel his intense gaze burning into her. Her cheeks reddened further, leaving her no place to hide.
The mounted LCD TV on the wall broke the silence.
"Our reporter visited the Xingyue Foundation. Since its establishment, it has supported 100 underprivileged children in completing their education and funded over a thousand families. However, the founder has never made a public appearance…"
Qiao Xi listened intently, her eyes lighting up. She recalled Huo Sijiao mentioning the Xingyue Foundation before.
Her gaze sparkled as she looked up at Huo Xingzhou. "I was one of the students sponsored by the Xingyue Foundation."
"When I was young, my family was so poor that we couldn't afford tuition. A kind benefactor sponsored all the children in Yueyue Village, allowing me to go to school. I've always wanted to find that benefactor."
Huo Xingzhou's expression turned complicated. "Why do you want to find them?"
"To repay their kindness," she said softly. Her delicate features, as bright and gentle as an autumn lake, seemed to pierce straight into his heart.
Huo Xingzhou hadn't expected that an impulsive decision he made back then would become a ray of hope in someone else's life. He was momentarily mesmerized, his hand unconsciously reaching out to stroke her silky hair.
The touch sent a jolt through both of them, the lingering silence breeding unspoken tenderness.
"Huo… Are you…" The words died on Qiao Xi's lips, interrupted by a knock on the door.
Knock, knock.
"Sir, the Sun family is here," Aunt Qian called from outside.
"Got it," Huo Xingzhou replied.
Qiao Xi quickly helped him straighten his clothes. "I'll push you downstairs."
Her fair, slender fingers rested lightly on the wheelchair handles. A rare flutter stirred in Huo Xingzhou's chest, but he quickly suppressed it, blaming Zhou Yu's outrageous comments.
In the Living Room.
Mrs. Sun glanced around the room, visibly relieved when she didn't see Du Juan, the troublesome woman.
"Our madam has moved out," Aunt Qian explained, seeing through her thoughts. The two women had always been at odds, bickering like cats and dogs.
Sun Weimeng burst into laughter. "Mom, you're built like a tank. What's there to be afraid of?"
"You insolent brat! Watch your words!"
Mrs. Sun smacked his back, glaring. She was full and well-rounded, not "tank-like"!
"Ow! That hurts!"
When Qiao Xi and Huo Xingzhou entered the living room, they saw Sun Weimeng whining in pain. Qiao Xi cleared her throat, drawing their attention.
"Second Master Huo, Madam," Mrs. Sun greeted them gracefully. Sun Weimeng, on the other hand, turned beet red when he saw Qiao Xi and stammered, unable to get a word out.
"Thank you for saving my son's life, Madam," Mrs. Sun said warmly, presenting a check for 500,000 yuan.
Qiao Xi quickly waved her hands. "It was just a small favor. Anyone else would have done the same."
"Not accepting it? Is it too little?" Mrs. Sun raised an eyebrow, ready to raise the amount to five million at a moment's notice.
Understanding the Sun family's penchant for using money to solve problems, Huo Xingzhou took the check and pressed it into Qiao Xi's hand.
"They've given it to you, so take it. Sun Shao's life is worth far more than 500,000 yuan," he said coldly, his sharp gaze commanding.
Sun Shao peeked nervously at Huo Xingzhou's legs, his expression growing heavier with pity. The rumors that Huo Xingzhou was crippled seemed to strike a chord with him.
"What's with that look?" Huo Xingzhou asked icily.
Sun Shao hesitated before blurting out, "Huo Er, are you really… not able anymore? Wouldn't that leave Madam Huo all alone? But she's skilled in medicine, so maybe she can help you recover?"
"You fool! Watch your mouth!"
Mrs. Sun glared at him, wishing she could slap him into silence.
"Ouch, I was just saying! Besides, I want Qiao Xi to help me with my issue too. One needle from her cured me before. Maybe two more can make me good as new!"
No man wanted to live with such a problem, and Sun Shao had suffered enough ridicule from the upper circles of Haicheng.
"You can beat me to death if you want, but I don't want to live like this anymore! A man with this kind of problem has nothing to look forward to! I've taken countless pills, and none have worked," Sun Shao sobbed, collapsing on the floor in despair.
Mrs. Sun hugged him, crying as well. Aunt Qian tried to console them, but to no avail.
Biting her lip, Qiao Xi glanced at Huo Xingzhou, her watery eyes full of hesitation. She tugged at his sleeve, and he instinctively held her hand, his thumb gently caressing her soft palm.
In the end, he wrote two words on her palm with his finger.