She’s My Wife

Driver Lao Chen stepped forward, pulling the hysterical middle-aged woman away. With a respectful tone, he said, "Young Madam, are you all right?"

Young Madam?

Qiao Xi is the Young Madam?

Everyone stared at her in shock. Could it be that Qiao Xi was the wife of the Huo family's Second Young Master?

"They're married?"

"How could Qiao Xi be the Young Madam of the Huo family? Would she retaliate against us now?" Wu Yachun's group of girls were visibly terrified.

Huo Xingzhou maneuvered his wheelchair closer, taking Qiao Xi's cold hand in his own. His sharp gaze swept over the crowd as he warned, "She is my wife, not anyone's mistress. Those who spread defamatory rumors will face legal consequences."

The items in Ye Manman's hands dropped to the floor as her legs gave out beneath her.

The Huo family—what a concept!

They were the pinnacle of Haicheng's financial world, a top-tier family of wealth and power.

How did Qiao Xi manage to marry into such a family? How could she, of all people, be the Young Madam of the Huo family?

"You'd better open your eyes and see clearly!" Huo Sixiao appeared from the crowd, carrying a thermal food container.

"This is my sister-in-law! She and my brother are legally married! As for those of you who spread rumors about her being a mistress, are you blind?"

Her voice was filled with righteous indignation as she stepped protectively in front of Qiao Xi.

"Xiao Xiao," Qiao Xi called softly, "I'm fine."

"Sis-in-law, don't worry! I've seen that forum post—it's all lies!" Huo Sixiao raised her voice, addressing the onlookers. "You say my sister-in-law rides in many luxury cars? Well, guess what? Our Huo family garage is full of them! Is it so strange for her to switch cars every day?"

"You people are just nosy busybodies! Want to keep staring? Fine, I'll remember all your faces and deal with you one by one later!"

Her fiery personality and strong sense of justice sent the crowd scattering. None of the onlookers dared linger any longer; they hurried away with their tails between their legs.

Wu Yachun bit her lip, her face pale. She realized she had offended the Huo family.

"Qiao Xi, I'm sorry!"

"Qiao Xi, please forgive us. It was all Yachun and Manman's idea! We didn't mean to target you, but Yachun said if we didn't cooperate, her uncle would make our lives miserable at work."

"Yes, we're begging you. We really need this job. Please don't hold a grudge."

Wu Yachun's lackeys all turned on her, apologizing to Qiao Xi.

Wu Yachun's expression darkened further as she threw a hateful glare at the disheveled Ye Manman.

The middle-aged woman, now frightened, pointed an accusing finger at Ye Manman. "She's the one who said you were a mistress!"

"What a bunch of spineless cowards!" Huo Sixiao scoffed, holding Qiao Xi's other hand protectively. "Sis-in-law, do whatever you want with them! Whatever the outcome, our Huo family will back you up!"

Hearing this, Wu Yachun turned even paler.

She stammered, trembling, "Ye Manman, say something! Didn't you say you knew someone from the Huo family? Beg them for mercy!"

Her uncle was merely a minor department head. How could he dare provoke the Huo family?

Huo Sixiao squinted at Ye Manman.

"You know me? Who the hell are you? Some stray cat or dog?" She glanced at Ye Manman's bag. "Is that a knockoff?"

Ye Manman's face burned with shame.

"So you've been lying this whole time!" Wu Yachun snapped, furious, and slapped Ye Manman across the face. "You shameless faker!"

Ye Manman clutched her cheek, her body swaying.

Her mind was a mess, and she wished she could just faint to escape the situation.

"If you dare faint, I'll jab you awake," Qiao Xi's cold voice cut through the tension. "And I'll make sure you stay bedridden for life."

Ye Manman's face turned beet red and pale by turns. She collapsed to her knees with a thud, crying out, "Qiao Xi, I've been blinded by jealousy! I was stupid and did all these horrible things out of envy! I'm sorry!"

Qiao Xi looked down at her with a calm, detached expression.

"Four times now," Qiao Xi said softly. "At the class reunion, you and Chen Xu set me up. During the internship, you sowed discord to isolate me. Then, you sent Chen Xu to cause trouble at the hospital to tarnish my reputation. And today…"

"That makes five," Huo Xingzhou interjected from his wheelchair, correcting her. "The forum post was also her doing."

His gaze was icy, shards of frost glinting in his dark eyes.

Ye Manman felt as if she had fallen into an icy abyss, her body shivering uncontrollably as if buried in snow.

"She's truly vile!" Huo Sixiao huffed angrily. "People like her should be thrown in jail!"

"I'm sorry, Young Master Huo! I'm so sorry! Please, forgive me!" Ye Manman sobbed, kowtowing repeatedly.

Huo Xingzhou turned to Qiao Xi, wary that she might show mercy. He knew people like Ye Manman wouldn't change and would only seek revenge when given the chance.

"Ye Manman," Qiao Xi said calmly, her voice devoid of emotion. "I won't stoop to illegal means to retaliate against you, but you will face the consequences of your actions. I'll collect evidence and let the law deal with you."

"Qiao Xi, we were college roommates! How can you be so ruthless?" Ye Manman cried hysterically. "You've been watching me make a fool of myself, haven't you?"

"We could've coexisted peacefully," Qiao Xi replied. "You're the one who's been trying to harm me at every turn."

Ye Manman's despair deepened, and she lashed out bitterly, "So what if you have powerful connections? You even bankrupted Chen Xu's family, didn't you? I knew I couldn't beat you."

"You're ridiculous!" Huo Sixiao snapped. "You're the one picking fights! My sister-in-law doesn't want anything to do with you!"

"Get lost," Huo Sixiao added disdainfully, "and wait for your court summons."

Ye Manman's hatred burned fiercely in her heart, her eyes bloodshot with fury. Yet, she had no choice but to grab her belongings and leave in humiliation.

The corridor fell quiet once more.

Qiao Xi glanced at Wu Yachun and her cronies, then gently placed her hand on Huo Xingzhou's wheelchair, speaking softly, "Mr. Huo, let me take you back to your room."

The man's expression remained cold, and he didn't respond.

Instead, he pressed a button, and the wheelchair began to move forward automatically, leaving her hand hovering awkwardly in mid-air.

She quickly followed and managed to slip into the elevator before the doors closed.

"Mr. Huo," she asked tentatively, her heart pounding nervously. "Are you upset?"

Qiao Xi couldn't figure out what had provoked him.

He raised his cold gaze to meet hers.

"Qiao Xi," he said icily, "you'd rather endure slander and humiliation than tell them you're my wife?"