Husband, I Can’t Walk Anymore

Two Days Later

Qiao Xi had already prepared a decoction of traditional Chinese medicine for Huo Xingzhou.

She carefully dressed herself, choosing a floral dress layered with a white jacket, which made her look even more delicate and radiant.

"Huo Sir, I'm heading out now," she said to the man lounging on the sofa, watching TV.

Huo Xingzhou asked casually, "Heading out this early?"

"I'm going to see Grandma first," Qiao Xi replied cheerfully. The doctor had mentioned her grandmother's condition was improving, and the thought lifted her spirits.

"Alright," Huo Xingzhou responded.

He watched her leave, the hem of her dress swaying happily, and picked up his phone. Dialing a number, he said, "Move tonight's private meeting to Shan Hai Banquet."

6:00 PM

Cars lined the entrance of the Shan Hai Banquet Hotel. A group of students, all looking like undergraduates, were gathered, with the class president of the Traditional Chinese Medicine program checking off names from a list.

"Has Qiao Xi arrived yet? We haven't seen her since the start of the semester. It's been, what, four or five months?" a few female classmates whispered among themselves.

"Maybe she's still on some sugar daddy's bed," one remarked snidely. Rumors had spread around campus that someone saw Qiao Xi getting into a luxury car with an older man.

"Ye Manman, you were her roommate. You must know something. Was she really being kept by someone?" they asked curiously.

The girl named Ye Manman, with a perfectly done-up face and a designer bag worth over 20,000 yuan, said softly, "Don't talk about her like that. Even if she did something like that, she must've had her reasons. Her family's poor, and her grandma's sick…"

"Ew, so she really is with some old man? Disgusting! Manman, you're too kind to still defend her," they jeered.

"Our Manman is a true beauty and heiress—rich, pretty, and kind-hearted. Nothing like Qiao Xi. Manman, aren't you friends with the Huo family's heiress?"

Ye Manman gave an awkward smile.

At that moment, a blue Porsche sped into view, parking right in front of them, prompting cheers from the crowd.

"It's Chen Xu!"

A young man in a white shirt stepped out of the car, one hand casually tucked in his pocket, the other spinning his car keys.

"Chen Xu, this car must've cost over a million, right?"

Chen Xu chuckled. "We have a few others at home."

"Wow, so rich!"

"Chen Xu, let's go open the private room. Tell the latecomers the room number in the group chat," the class president reminded him.

Chen Xu's uncle worked as the logistics manager at Shan Hai Banquet, which allowed him to snag a prestigious private room for their gathering. For many of the students, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to dine in such a high-end hotel, and they eagerly whipped out their phones to take photos.

"Follow me," Chen Xu said, his ego swelling under the crowd's praise. "Tonight's dinner is set at 18,000 yuan per table. Eat and drink to your heart's content."

The students gasped in amazement, showering him with compliments.

However, some whispered behind his back, "Lucky Qiao Xi. I heard Chen Xu's planning to confess to her tonight."

The group followed a server to room 201. The lavishly decorated space, with its sophisticated interior design and opulent fruit platters, left them wide-eyed.

"Start eating. I'll go find my uncle," Chen Xu said. He shot Ye Manman a meaningful glance before stepping out, and she followed him, bag in hand.

In the dimly lit hallway.

Chen Xu's expression darkened. "Are you sure Qiao Xi will come?"

Leaning against the wall, Ye Manman replied, "She said she'd be here soon. I've made all the preparations. Don't forget the 100,000 yuan you promised me."

Chen Xu snorted. "You'll get your cut after it's done. But… is it true that she's being kept by someone?"

"Why don't you find out yourself?" Ye Manman sneered. "You'll know whether she's a virgin the moment you touch her."

Chen Xu laughed darkly. Either way, it was a win for him.

"She's here," Ye Manman said, nodding toward the hallway.

At the end of the corridor, under the warm, golden lights, Qiao Xi approached, her figure graceful and radiant like moonlight. Even her shadow seemed charming and lively.

Chen Xu's gaze flickered with obsession as he eagerly went to greet her. "Qiao Xi."

Ye Manman, with a harmless smile plastered on her face, grabbed Qiao Xi's hand and said warmly, "Everyone's here, just waiting for you. We couldn't start without you."

Qiao Xi turned and asked, "Didn't you say 6:30? I'm not late."

"You're always so punctual. Come on, let's head inside," Chen Xu said, gallantly opening the private room door. "I've saved a seat just for you."

Qiao Xi found herself seated between Chen Xu and Ye Manman.

Inside, the students eyed her with mixed expressions.

Some whispered cautiously, while others brazenly commented, "Qiao Xi, your outfit is from this year's spring collection, isn't it? Must've cost a lot. Who bought it for you?"

With a gentle voice, Qiao Xi replied, "A family elder bought it for me." Aunt Dujuan had recently gifted her several more outfits.

The student scoffed. "A family elder? Sure, a sugar daddy counts as an elder, I guess."

"Your grandma's from the countryside. How could she afford…"

"Let's focus on the food instead of gossiping," Chen Xu interrupted, shooting a warning glance at the gossipy students.

The dishes were served, and everyone busied themselves taking photos for their social media, showing off their fancy meal.

Ye Manman poured Qiao Xi a drink and said, "They're just jealous you landed an internship at the city hospital."

"Thank you," Qiao Xi replied, sipping the drink.

"If your grandma's sick and needs money, I can lend you some. I've got savings," Ye Manman offered sweetly. She always played the role of the good friend in front of Qiao Xi.

"There's no need. I can manage," Qiao Xi replied, quietly eating her meal and taking another sip of the drink. She didn't notice that the drink's light alcohol content masked its effects well.

After two glasses, her cheeks flushed, and her head felt hazy. She swayed slightly and murmured to Ye Manman, "I need to use the restroom."

"Sure, it's just next door," Ye Manman said, a satisfied smirk creeping onto her face. She knew Qiao Xi's sharp instincts and keen sense of smell, so drugging her would've been too risky.

Qiao Xi stumbled out into the hallway, her legs feeling weak. Leaning against the wall for support, she pulled her phone from her sweater pocket.

The name "Husband" appeared on the screen, and she instinctively answered, her voice soft and kittenish. "Hello, Husband?"

On the other end of the line, Huo Xingzhou's breath caught as laughter rang out from the men around him.

"How's the party?" he asked in his usual calm tone.

"I… I want to go home. I can't walk anymore," she said, her voice slurred, her mind foggy.

"You've been drinking?"

"That drink… so strong," she mumbled, struggling to stay coherent.

"Stay put. I'm coming to get you."

Qiao Xi nodded like a little chick pecking rice, crouching by the wall with a pitiful yet endearing look.

Before Huo Xingzhou could hang up, he heard another voice.

"Qiao Xi, what are you doing here?"

It was Chen Xu, his voice overly enthusiastic as he grabbed her arm. "Come rest. I've booked a room next door."

"No," Qiao Xi protested, trying to shake him off.

Chen Xu wrapped an arm around her waist. "Be good. After tonight, you'll be mine. Whatever you want, I'll give you."

"Chen Xu! This is illegal!"