Husband, You Feel So Cool

"How could I possibly let you go? Stop pretending to be so innocent. I know exactly what kind of person you are!" Chen Xu sneered, forcefully dragging Qiao Xi toward the rest area next door.

"Let… go!"

Her body burned with discomfort as she reached into her sleeve and felt the cool touch of a silver needle. With all her strength, she jabbed it into him.

"Ahhh!" Chen Xu let out a pained wail.

Qiao Xi leaned cautiously against the wall, her hand trembling as she clutched the needle. Her legs felt weak, but her gaze remained vigilant.

"So you don't know what's good for you?" Chen Xu, humiliated and enraged, barked angrily. "If you won't agree, I'll take what I want by force!"

Before he could take another step, a strong kick sent him flying.

"Take what by force? Let's see how hard you are after this," sneered Zhou Yu, following up with two more kicks to Chen Xu's backside. "Scumbag!"

"Who do you think you are to touch me? I'll make you pay!" Chen Xu howled as he scrambled to his feet and bolted, clutching his bruised head.

"In a society ruled by law, I'm just doing my part as a Good Samaritan!" Zhou Yu quipped.

On the other side, Huo Xingzhou bent down and effortlessly scooped Qiao Xi into his arms. His lean, muscular frame carried her as if she weighed nothing.

"Huo… Sir…" Qiao Xi murmured pitifully.

"We're going home."

Huo Xingzhou's voice was calm but firm as the driver pushed his wheelchair toward the exit.

The commotion had drawn a crowd from the private room. All they saw was Zhou Yu walking off triumphantly, while Chen Xu nursed his battered face in humiliation.

Leaf Manman was the first to break the silence. "Who was that? And where did Qiao Xi go?" She was starting to panic—was her ten grand about to vanish into thin air?

Chen Xu's face darkened. "A meddlesome idiot! And that Qiao Xi? Hah, collecting lovers left and right. She'll settle for anything!"

"Maybe we should ask your uncle about this later?" Leaf Manman suggested cautiously.

"No need!" Chen Xu spat through gritted teeth. "I'll handle this myself!"

He wasn't about to let this slide.

Outside the hotel.

Zhou Yu slid into the car and glanced at the back seat. His brow shot up when he saw Huo Xingzhou cradling Qiao Xi in his arms.

"I did some digging," Zhou Yu said, smirking. "That guy's been chasing after your little wife for years. No luck, though, so tonight he planned to turn the graduation party into a trap."

"Qiao Xi isn't the careless type," Huo Xingzhou said, frowning slightly.

"They served Long Island Iced Tea. Barely tastes like alcohol—more like lemonade. A girl as well-behaved as her? She wouldn't stand a chance against that." Zhou Yu shook his head. "Those drinks pack a punch, and whoever planned this knows her weaknesses well."

Nestled in Huo Xingzhou's arms, Qiao Xi shifted closer, her cheek brushing against his cool skin. "You feel so nice and cool," she murmured, her voice soft and drowsy.

Her body burned with fever, and instinctively, she sought relief, leaning in closer.

"Stay still." Huo Xingzhou tried to gently push her away, but she clung to him like a kitten seeking warmth.

Zhou Yu chuckled mischievously. Mimicking her soft tone, he teased, "Husband, you feel so cool…"

"Shut up."

"Oh, come on, hubby~"

"Zhou Yu!" Huo Xingzhou's sharp tone silenced him instantly.

Clearing his throat, Zhou Yu shifted back to business. "What's your plan for tonight? Should I send someone to…"

"Keep it quiet. Huo Beiting's people are watching me."

"Got it. So we're letting that scumbag off easy?"

"I never said that." A cold glint flashed in Huo Xingzhou's eyes as he whispered instructions.

Zhou Yu listened, then gave an approving thumbs-up. "You never disappoint, Huo Er!"

The car pulled up to the small villa.

Zhou Yu helped Huo Xingzhou out of the car while Aunt Qian hurried over at the sound of the commotion.

"Oh my, what happened to the young madam?" she asked, concerned.

"She had a bit too much to drink at a class reunion," Zhou Yu explained politely. "Well, I've done my part. I'll leave her in your care now."

"Thank you, Zhou Shao! Take care on your way back!"

After Zhou Yu left, Aunt Qian helped push Huo Xingzhou's wheelchair into the master bedroom.

"I'll prepare some sobering soup," Aunt Qian said. "Young master, keep an eye on the young madam—she's probably feeling awful."

Once she left, Huo Xingzhou glanced down at the woman in his arms. She was clinging to him, murmuring nonsensical words, her cheeks flushed and lips slightly parted.

"You're so cool…" she murmured again, nestling closer.

"Qiao Xi." He called her name softly, but she didn't respond, lost in her drunken haze.

He sighed, gently pushing her back onto the bed. But as he turned to pour her a glass of water, she staggered to her feet and lunged at him.

Crash.

The wheelchair tipped over, and they both ended up on the floor. Warm water spilled all over Huo Xingzhou, soaking his face and chest.

His back ached from the fall, but before he could react, he felt something soft and warm against his cheek.

Qiao Xi, half-asleep, was licking the water off his face like a kitten.

"Qiao Xi!" he growled, both annoyed and flustered.

"You taste… cool," she muttered, her movements slow and dazed.

"I told you before—don't push your luck!" He tried to push her off, but her clumsy persistence left him at a loss.

"I want… water," she murmured, her lips brushing dangerously close to his.

That was the last straw. Huo Xingzhou flipped the situation, pinning her down and claiming her lips in a fiery kiss, his frustration pouring into every movement.

When he finally pulled back, her breath was shallow, her eyes misty and unfocused.

The phone buzzed incessantly nearby. Seeing it was Chen Xu, Huo Xingzhou's expression darkened. Without hesitation, he blocked and deleted the number, then powered off the phone.

Looking down, he saw that Qiao Xi had already fallen into a deep sleep, completely oblivious to the chaos she had caused.

Suppressing his lingering frustration, he sighed heavily.

"Young master," Aunt Qian called out, pushing the door open with a tray of sobering soup. She froze, taking in the scene of disarray—the toppled wheelchair, scattered items, and the two of them on the floor.

"Oh my!"