"What nonsense are you spouting?"
Huo Xingzhou's face darkened, his expression sharp and cold.
"Oh, don't be so angry. I've got proof!" Zhou Yu waved his phone smugly and opened a group chat. "Your sister sent this to me."
Huo Xingzhou glanced at the screen, his face turning black as thunder.
In the photo, he was pinned down by Qiao Xi. The dim lighting and intimate positioning left little to the imagination.
"She sent it to quite a few people," Zhou Yu said, shaking his phone. "She even joked that her brother was so 'useless' his wife had to take the lead. And those love marks? Calling them bruises? You two really have a flair for romance."
Huo Xingzhou's anger surged. He resisted the urge to summon his sister and give her a thorough scolding.
"Are you done?" His voice dropped another degree, colder than ice.
Zhou Yu chuckled, unfazed. "Listen, your problem in that department shouldn't be ignored. I get it, you've got your pride. Qiao Xi might be skilled in medicine, but girls are shy about this kind of thing…"
With a sly grin, Zhou Yu pulled a small packet of blue pills from his pocket. "Lucky for you, I came prepared. I even tore off the packaging—discreet, right? No need to be embarrassed."
"Get out!"
Huo Xingzhou's fury exploded. "Take your filthy stuff and get out of my house."
The pills spilled onto the floor, scattering under the bed. Zhou Yu scrambled to pick them up, blowing off imaginary dust as he lamented, "You're wasting a miracle cure! Do you know how hard these were to get? One dose, and you'll feel like the man of the house again!"
"OUT!"
"Alright, alright, I'm leaving!"
In the living room, Qiao Xi answered a call, her tone calm but distant. "Hello."
"Qiao Xi, why did you leave so early last night?" Ye Manman's syrupy voice came through the phone. "I was so worried about you! Who was that man who picked you up?"
"Were you really worried about me?" Qiao Xi asked flatly.
"Of course! We're roommates, after all," Ye Manman cooed. In truth, she only cared about keeping Qiao Xi happy for the sake of the 100,000 yuan Chen Xu had promised her.
"I thought you were closer to Chen Xu. The way you two were acting at the gathering…" Qiao Xi's voice turned cold as she recalled their strange behavior.
"You've misunderstood! Chen Xu just wanted to confess his feelings for you…"
"No misunderstanding. Don't invite me to any more of your gatherings, and let's stop contacting each other."
Before Ye Manman could respond, Qiao Xi hung up and immediately left the class group chat.
Back in their dorm, Ye Manman's face twisted with rage. "Who does she think she is? A poor country bumpkin kept by a man, and she dares look down on me?"
Her phone buzzed with multiple notifications—credit card repayment reminders. Panic set in. If her contacts were exposed, her facade as a wealthy girl would crumble.
"Just wait, Qiao Xi!" Ye Manman gritted her teeth. She'd secured an internship at the city hospital, too. She'd make sure Qiao Xi's reputation was destroyed, her internship lost, and her diploma withheld.
Unaware of Ye Manman's scheming, Qiao Xi ended the call feeling lighter. She was never good at socializing, and the gathering had opened her eyes to her classmates' true nature.
"Little sister-in-law, done with your call?" Zhou Yu called out cheerily from the staircase.
"Mm. Are you two done talking?"
She didn't bother correcting Zhou Yu's way of addressing her anymore.
Zhou Yu sauntered over with his hands in his pockets, pausing dramatically. "Hai City might look glamorous on the surface, but there's a lot of filth underneath. Those so-called drinks? Spiked. One sip, and you're out cold. Plenty of naive girls fall for it."
"Thank you. I'll keep that in mind," Qiao Xi replied sincerely.
Determined to help his brother's happiness along, Zhou Yu added, "Second Brother's got the looks and the figure, but his pride's a bit much. Don't look down on him, alright? Once his legs are healed, you'll have plenty of blissful nights ahead!"
Qiao Xi blinked, not quite understanding his implication.
Still, she nodded obediently. "Alright."
How could she possibly look down on Mr. Huo? He had helped her and even provided her with money. He was the ideal patient!
Satisfied, Zhou Yu left with a smirk.
Three days later.
At Jiade Auction House, the monthly auction was in full swing.
The list of items up for bid had been published in advance, drawing a crowd of Hai City's elite. The parking lot was packed to capacity.
Qiao Xi pushed Huo Xingzhou's wheelchair into the Romanesque-style building, her eyes filled with wonder.
Huo Sixiao clung to her arm affectionately. "Sister-in-law, there are so many amazing items here! If it weren't for you speaking up, my brother wouldn't have let me come."
She shot a glare at Huo Xingzhou.
"Mr. Huo is very reasonable," Qiao Xi said, glancing down at him in defense.
"Reasonable? He only spoils you," Sixiao teased.
"Keep talking, and I'll have the driver take you home," Huo Xingzhou warned coolly, his authority undeniable.
Sixiao immediately fell silent.
From across the room, a shrill voice rang out. "Mom, who's that plain-looking woman? A nanny?"
Su Weiwei sauntered over in a tight dress, her nails painted bright red. Next to her was Zhao Yuzhen, carrying her bag with servile devotion.
"Oh, it's my dear stepsister." Su Weiwei sneered. "One cripple, one country bumpkin. What a pair."
"You watch your mouth!" Sixiao snapped, shielding Qiao Xi and Huo Xingzhou like a fierce hen. "You're dressed like a streetwalker, but even with all that makeup, you can't compare to my sister-in-law's natural beauty!"
"You little brat, who are you calling names?"
"Whoever responds," Sixiao shot back.
"Such poor manners," Su Weiwei huffed, adjusting her shawl. Her gaze flicked to Huo Xingzhou. "Pity. I heard the Second Young Master can't have children. Is it true? What a shame."
Huo Xingzhou's eyes sharpened. "My private affairs are none of your concern."
"You—" Su Weiwei faltered under his icy stare, her anger bubbling.
Sixiao laughed. "My brother wouldn't look at someone as trashy as you anyway."
"Let's go," Zhao Yuzhen urged Su Weiwei, pulling her away.
As they left, Sixiao muttered, "What kind of mother sides with her stepdaughter over her own child? Even tigers don't eat their young."
Qiao Xi lowered her gaze, her chest feeling tight.
Warm and firm, Huo Xingzhou's hand covered hers, patting it gently. "Push me inside," he said softly.