A Village Girl and a Cripple—A Match Made in Heaven

The Huo family's ancestral mansion was nestled in the affluent hillside district of Haicheng. With its traditional Chinese garden design, the property featured intricate carved beams, painted eaves, and glazed tiles, exuding a quiet yet profound air of luxury.

The Huo family was divided into two branches. The elder branch lived with the patriarch in the ancestral home, while the younger branch resided in the city. Huo Xingzhou had moved out to live in a small villa on his own, but after sustaining injuries, his parents had moved nearby to take care of him.

At six in the evening.

The sun dipped below the horizon, and dusk cast its shadow over the city.

Qiao Xi pushed Huo Xingzhou's wheelchair through the long corridor, finally arriving at the banquet hall.

Inside, the room was brightly lit, filled with shadows of people moving about. Maids bustled around the long dining table, setting out lavish dishes while a loud, commanding female voice hurried them along.

"That's your elder aunt," Du Juan whispered to Qiao Xi, introducing her quietly. "Sharp-witted, shrewd, and obsessed with appearances. Her name is Wang Fengxian, but behind her back, people call her 'Wang Xifeng.'"

"The man on the sofa is your elder uncle—ruthless, hypocritical, and cunning."

It didn't sound like anyone in the family was pleasant.

Qiao Xi made a mental note.

Wang Fengxian turned her head and spotted the younger branch of the family. With a sly smile and a sarcastic tone, she said, "Oh, you're finally here. Xingzhou in a wheelchair—it almost makes me feel sorry for him."

Her fox-like almond-shaped eyes and sharp chin gave her a naturally confrontational air.

"As sharp-tongued as ever, Sister-in-law," Du Juan replied coolly.

"Oh, I just tell it like it is," Wang Fengxian chuckled, shifting her gaze to Qiao Xi. "So this is your country bumpkin of a daughter-in-law, hmm? A village girl paired with a cripple—what a match made in heaven."

She kept tossing out the word "cripple" as if twisting the knife deeper into the younger branch's wounds.

Huo Sijiao couldn't hold back and shot back, "Aunt, did you forget to brush your teeth this morning? Your breath stinks. Be careful not to suffocate Uncle later tonight."

"How dare you speak to your elders like that! Is this the upbringing of the younger branch?" Wang Fengxian's eyes narrowed in anger, her face darkening.

"I'm just telling it like it is," Huo Sijiao retorted, hands on her hips. "Really, Aunt, your face could've been used by Nuwa to patch the sky."

Wang Fengxian was livid and swung her hand, aiming for a slap.

But Huo Sijiao wasn't one to sit still and take it. She grabbed Wang Fengxian's hand and twisted it back, making her scream in pain.

"What's going on here?"

A commanding, elderly voice echoed from the staircase.

The family patriarch appeared, dressed in a dark green martial arts outfit and leaning on a dragon-headed cane. His sharp gaze and robust demeanor silenced the commotion. Beside him stood a confident Huo Beiting and a scholarly, thin middle-aged man.

"Father."

"Grandfather."

No one dared to cause more trouble.

"Take your seats."

The patriarch's words were law, and everyone obediently gathered around the dining table.

"Today, I've called you all here to announce something," the old man began. "The elder branch has found Zhuo Feng, a disciple of Dr. Cheng Han. As an exchange, the younger branch will transfer its project to the elder branch by signing this Project Transfer Agreement."

His declaration dropped like a bombshell.

The elder branch wore expressions of satisfaction, while the younger branch simmered with frustration and anger. Helping each other was one thing, but tying it to such blatant self-interest made it hard for the younger branch to swallow.

Wang Fengxian smirked sweetly. "What's wrong, dear Sister-in-law? Don't tell me you're unwilling? It seems Xingzhou's legs aren't as important as this project to you."

"You—!"

Du Juan clutched her chest, seething. It was a bitter choice: her son's hard work or his legs. She gritted her teeth and made up her mind. "My son's legs come first! But we need to verify the doctor first."

The old man snorted coldly. "You doubt me now? Dr. Zhuo, examine my grandson's legs."

"Yes, sir."

The slim and capable-looking Dr. Zhuo bowed respectfully and knelt to open his medical kit, revealing a set of gleaming needles.

Qiao Xi noticed immediately—they were all gold needles, practically collector's items. Dr. Zhuo rolled up Huo Xingzhou's trousers and selected a triangular needle, inserting it directly into the Zusanli acupuncture point.

The needle pierced one inch, two inches—he was going deeper!

Going beyond two inches risked hitting blood vessels.

Dr. Zhuo's technique of bloodletting with needles was sound in theory, but the timing was off, which could worsen Huo Xingzhou's condition.

A skilled doctor could read the flow of energy in the meridians, something that came from experience or innate talent. Qiao Xi belonged to the latter; she had an instinctive grasp of the energy's movement.

"This won't work!" she called out, trying to stop him.

Everyone turned to look at her with mixed expressions.

Dr. Zhuo chuckled disdainfully. "Madam, are you teaching me my trade? I've been practicing medicine for over forty years—when I was handling needles, you probably weren't even born yet."

The elder branch burst into laughter. "This village girl is probably afraid Xingzhou will abandon her if his legs heal."

Qiao Xi opened her mouth to explain, but before she could, a hand slid a delicate pastry into her mouth. The buttery filling burst as his cool fingers brushed her lips.

"This is my favorite dumpling at every family banquet. Have a taste."

Huo Xingzhou slowly wiped his fingers with a napkin, his calm gaze locking with hers, reminding her of his earlier words at home.

Whatever happens, stay behind me and don't speak.

"Please continue, Dr. Zhuo," Huo Xingzhou said indifferently. "She's young and doesn't understand—just concerned for me."

Dr. Zhuo pushed the needle deeper, now two and a half inches. Twisting it, he adjusted the angle. Black blood oozed from the puncture site.

Standing up confidently, Dr. Zhuo declared, "Master Huo, I can treat this condition. Second Young Master should already be feeling sensation in his legs."

"Yes," Huo Xingzhou replied calmly, though he noted a difference compared to Qiao Xi's earlier treatment—hers had been far more comfortable.

"Well done, Dr. Zhuo! Second Brother, sign the agreement so the project can be handed over!" Huo Beiting eagerly placed the document and pen in front of him.

Backed into a corner, the younger branch had no choice.

With no alternative, they had to sign, sacrificing the project for the hope of restoring Huo Xingzhou's legs.

Qiao Xi bit her lip, frustration bubbling. She could treat him—there was no need to give up the project! Did he not trust her?

Without acknowledging her silent distress, Huo Xingzhou picked up the pen and signed his name with smooth strokes.

Placing the pen down, he said flatly, "Cousin, the project is yours. However, the Sun family's land is still an issue."

The future city project between Tianyuan Group and the Huo family required acquiring five square kilometers of land, but the Sun family refused to relocate their ancestral home.

Huo Beiting folded the document smugly. "That's because you lack capability! A mere plot of land was too much for you to handle. When the groundbreaking ceremony happens, I'll make sure to invite you."

Wang Fengxian laughed so hard her gums showed. "Didn't you know? Beiting is friends with Sun Wei-meng and has already arranged a meeting with his father. The Sun family has only one precious son!"

The Sun family's indulgence of their heir was infamous.

"How convenient."

Huo Beiting proudly displayed his phone, the screen flashing with an incoming call. "It must be Sun Wei-meng agreeing to relocate. What was difficult for you is nothing to me."

To flaunt his victory, he answered on speakerphone.