"How so?"
The man leaned back against the soft leather seat, his posture relaxed, his eyes gleaming like a moonlit spring.
Qiao Xi hesitated before speaking. "Mr. Huo, I feel like you already knew that painting was a fake."
It was just a gut feeling.
"What makes you think that? I'm no expert in artifact authentication."
Qiao Xi frowned, organizing her thoughts before voicing her reasoning. "You gave up on it so decisively at first and remained unfazed even when Huo Beiting ridiculed you. Most importantly..."
"What's the most important reason?"
"The Huo I know wouldn't spend 35 million on a painting. For you, that money would be better spent on meaningful endeavors." Like setting up a foundation or making charitable donations.
He wasn't the type to feign sophistication or chase fame. Instead, he was grounded and principled—qualities befitting a true gentleman.
Unexpectedly, Huo Xingzhou leaned closer, his gaze locking onto hers.
"My little doctor is so clever. But..."
His eyes sparkled with the depth of a moonlit lake as he chuckled softly, "Some things still need to be bought."
He then placed a red velvet box in her hands. "Consider it a reward."
Huo Xingzhou never thought that a young woman he barely knew could see through his nature so easily, while those he called "family" never truly understood him.
Qiao Xi opened the box to find a set of gold needles, their polished surfaces glinting faintly.
As expected.
Exactly as she had guessed.
"I noticed you eyeing Zhuo Feng's gold needles last time. Now they're yours."
Qiao Xi wanted to decline but couldn't bear to part with them.
Seeing her adorably conflicted expression, Huo Xingzhou added, "I'll deduct the cost from your consultation fees."
"Deal!"
Her brows arched, and she agreed with a cheerful voice.
His deep-set eyes filled with amusement. His little doctor deserved the very best.
"Mr. Huo, you're so kind!"
Her innocent, trusting demeanor stirred something in him, his heart growing warm. A faint smile tugged at his lips as he murmured, his voice low and sensual,
"So, Qiao Xi, you'd better be good to me too."
"Mm-hmm!"
The rest of the ride, Qiao Xi kept her head down, stroking the needles one by one with care, unable to contain her joy.
The car eventually pulled up at their home.
At this hour, the villa's front doors were usually closed, and the living room lights dimmed. Aunt Qian would normally be in her room watching TV, ready to call it a night.
How strange.
"Take it slow and look carefully before stepping inside," Huo Xingzhou warned with an undertone of frost in his voice.
There was always the chance the Huo family's main branch, having suffered a loss, might come stirring up trouble.
They were capable of anything—even arson and murder.
Qiao Xi, unnerved by his words, wondered if wealthy neighborhoods could experience home invasions too.
She pushed his wheelchair carefully past the entryway and saw Du Juan and Huo Jiancheng sitting on the living room sofa. Her tension eased.
"Mom. Dad."
Huo Xingzhou greeted them calmly. "What brings you here?"
Qiao Xi spoke softly, "Mother-in-law, father-in-law." These titles still felt a little awkward on her tongue.
Du Juan's expression was stern, her face clouded.
Huo Jiancheng shot his son several pointed glances, as if hoping he'd understand the situation.
"Having an eye spasm? I'll take you to an ophthalmologist tomorrow," Du Juan said icily, suppressing her anger as though swallowing dynamite.
Qiao Xi felt her nerves tighten again.
"Dear, getting angry will only give you wrinkles. Let's just calmly discuss whatever's on your mind. You want the kids to get along, don't you?" Huo Jiancheng, ever the peacemaker, tried to smooth things over.
That was his specialty—papering over conflicts.
"I'd like to discuss things calmly too. Aunt Qian, show them what you found." Du Juan took a deep breath. Everyone has moments of recklessness; youth is no excuse for losing control.
She couldn't let her anger get the better of her.
Aunt Qian silently held out her hand, revealing two small blue pills.
"I found these while cleaning. They were under the young master's bed." Aunt Qian sighed, her tone heavy with disappointment. "I'm an experienced woman; I know what these are at a glance."
Huo Xingzhou's expression instantly turned frosty.
Qiao Xi, her almond-shaped eyes wide with confusion, stared at the unfamiliar pills. She had never encountered such things before.
"Huo Xingzhou! You've always been my pride!" Du Juan shook her head, her voice filled with frustration. "If your father needs such things, I can understand. But you're still so young—what's the rush?"
"Dear, don't drag me into this while lecturing the boy," Huo Jiancheng pleaded.
It was perfectly normal for men in their fifties to need a little help now and then.
"Be quiet."
Du Juan barked at him.
Huo Jiancheng immediately shrank back, turning as meek as a quail.
"I know you two are newlyweds and may lack restraint. But the doctor said you need to take care of your health. There might still be hope for recovery in the future," Du Juan advised earnestly. "Xingzhou, there's no need to rush. Besides, weren't you the one who declared you'd have Qiao Xi live as a widow? And now..."
Building a good relationship was one thing, but forcing intimacy was another.
Qiao Xi was bewildered but managed to grasp one thing—these blue pills were for... men's issues.
She couldn't believe Mr. Huo would be so concerned about his male dignity.
Meeting her puzzled gaze, Huo Xingzhou's face turned stormy, and he gritted his teeth. "Those aren't mine."
Du Juan chuckled coldly. "Oh? Then I suppose Zhou Yu must have intentionally planted them to frame you?"
"Why not?"
Huo Xingzhou's eyes turned sharp, like a frozen lake catching fire. His fists clenched tightly, veins bulging on his hands, his knuckles whitening as they cracked audibly.
Sensing the tense atmosphere, Qiao Xi swallowed hard and spoke up, "Huo... Huo Xingzhou didn't take them."
Du Juan looked at her seriously. "He didn't?"
"He didn't," Qiao Xi confirmed. She monitored his pulse daily. "And Zhou Yu was here a few days ago."
Du Juan looked skeptical but let out a sigh of relief. "As long as he didn't take them, he'd better not in the future either." She pocketed the pills. "These are confiscated."
"Dear, take Xingzhou upstairs to rest. I have something I want to discuss with Qiao Xi."
"Alright."
Huo Jiancheng wheeled his son toward the elevator, eager to escape the brewing storm.
"Qiao Xi, come sit with me," Du Juan said, patting the seat beside her.
This girl, the more Du Juan looked at her, the more she liked her.
Qiao Xi obediently sat down, her demeanor sweet and well-behaved.
"I know this must be hard for you, having to live like a widow. But… some things can't be rushed," Du Juan said, her tone meaningful. "Once he recovers, things will be much more… enjoyable."
"Huh?"
Qiao Xi blinked in confusion. What things?
"This," Du Juan said, making a gesture with her thumbs touching.
"Wait, no, we haven't..." Qiao Xi started to explain.
"My dear, there's no need to be shy. You've already done it." Aunt Qian smiled knowingly and placed her phone on the table with a decisive click.
Goodness, a nine-photo burst.
"Here. That night when you were drunk, you and the young master got very… passionate. I could hear the noise from downstairs," Aunt Qian said, flipping through the photos one by one.
"See? These red marks are from your kisses. Poor thing had to wear high-collared shirts for two days."
Qiao Xi's mouth opened, her cheeks turning crimson as her entire face burned with embarrassment.
The shame spread from her ears to her toes, making her feel like she might spontaneously combust.
Bruises!
Qiao Xi, you absolute idiot!