Qiao Xi, I Am Your Mother

"A person who has been reborn, what old feelings could they still have?"

Huo Xingzhou slightly raised his chin, his tone carrying a hint of arrogance as he retorted.

Xu Xiuyuan was momentarily stunned before replying, "I've agreed to your request." Let's consider it a favor for Qiao Xi's care of his grandmother.

"Then I'll take my leave."

Having achieved his goal, Huo Xingzhou turned to leave.

After Huo Xingzhou left, Xu Xiuyuan made an overseas call: "Since a choice was made from the start, there's no turning back. Huo Xingzhou is finished in this life."

He'd become a contented, idle man, living with a disability, never again able to touch the pinnacle of power.

As for Zuo Feng, it was very likely a trap set by the first branch. Huo Xingzhou, in his desperation, had no other options.

After hanging up, Xu Xiuyuan thought of Qiao Xi and felt a faint sense of unease.

Unbeknownst to Qiao Xi, someone was keeping an eye on her.

She was currently attending to a special patient.

"Name?"

She asked with a stern expression.

"Zhao Yuzhen."

Zhao Yuzhen, dressed in gold and silver, holding a designer handbag, looked complicated.

"Number 23, please wait outside first." Dr. Yan's appointments were hard to get, as there were always patients coming from far and wide.

Zhao Yuzhen arrived early, having bribed a scalper to get the 23rd slot.

"Xi Xi, let me in now. I have a banquet to attend later," Zhao Yuzhen said with a sense of entitlement.

"Next."

Qiao Xi ignored her.

"You're really holding a grudge, aren't you? I'm your mother," Zhao Yuzhen's expression darkened. "At the auction last time, wasn't it enough that Weiwei was hurt? If your second branch had won that 'Longevity Pine and Crane' painting, Huo Beiting wouldn't have vented his anger on her."

Qiao Xi frowned and replied angrily, "Huo Xingzhou deserved to be scammed out of thirty million, didn't he?"

"I'm your mother, and I still have to wait to see the doctor? If I hadn't given birth to you and hurt my health, I wouldn't need to be here at all."

"Go wait outside, or I'll call security," Qiao Xi said firmly.

Zhao Yuzhen glared at her, "With your temper and background, no one will like you. If it weren't for me, would you have had the luck to marry Huo Xingzhou? You're just an ungrateful, spoiled child."

She stomped her foot and left the room.

Qiao Xi sat back down and continued processing the patient's registration. Zhao Yuzhen's sudden appearance cast a shadow over her heart.

As evening approached, Zhao Yuzhen's number was finally called. She snorted coldly when she saw Qiao Xi.

During Dr. Yan's diagnosis, Qiao Xi stood by to assist.

"Ms. Zhao, you're at an age where pregnancy is already difficult. It's hard to regulate your body to conceive at this stage," Dr. Yan gently advised her to give up on the idea.

Zhao Yuzhen was determined: "I must have a child."

Su Weiwei was her stepdaughter, and Qiao Xi... She needed a son to inherit the Su family's wealth to firmly secure her position as Su's wife.

"Then you'll need to try to regulate your body, though the chances are slim." Dr. Yan suddenly remembered Qiao Xi's insights on infertility during her assessment. Perhaps she had a solution.

"Qiao Xi, please come and check her pulse."

"I don't need her!"

Zhao Yuzhen mocked, "Dr. Yan, what does an intern know? Don't ruin my body, just give me the prescription, and I'll take the medicine as prescribed."

Qiao Xi lowered her gaze. She had taken Zhao Yuzhen's pulse during the auction.

It could be treated.

The health formula left by Grandpa Cheng could, in the short term, bring her body to optimal condition.

But now, she had chosen to refuse.

Zhao Yuzhen vented, "Dr. Yan, find another intern. She can't be flexible." She thought that being a rich wife gave her the privilege to cut in line.

"What happened?" Dr. Yan asked.

"This afternoon, I needed to go somewhere, and I asked her to let me go in early. She ignored me completely." Zhao Yuzhen was furious just thinking about it, feeling that Qiao Xi was constantly opposing her.

"She's new and inexperienced," Dr. Yan said mildly, handing the prescription to Zhao Yuzhen. "Here's the prescription. Go to the pharmacy to get your medicine. After some time, come back for a check-up."

Zhao Yuzhen glared at Qiao Xi before leaving.

Dr. Yan looked at Qiao Xi and said, "Don't take it personally. There will always be unreasonable patients in the hospital. She thinks because she has money, she deserves special treatment."

Qiao Xi said, "I'm not bothered."

Dr. Yan nodded. "Next time, don't let her cut in line."

"Got it."

Qiao Xi took a deep breath. It was truly disheartening to have a mother like that.

"By the way, there's one more thing I want to ask you. Do you know the Chinese medicine expert Cheng Han?" Dr. Yan had suspected it for a while. Qiao Xi's acupuncture style was too similar to Cheng Han's.

"How could I know such an influential person?"

Qiao Xi laughed lightly.

"Maybe I was mistaken." Dr. Yan had thought she might be connected to Cheng Han. He waved his hand, "Forget it. It's the end of the day. Go home now."

"Okay."

Lately, she had been staying in the same ward as Huo Xingzhou, just keeping him company. After all, everyone knew about their marital status, so no one commented.

When Qiao Xi returned to the ward, Huo Xingzhou was on the phone, discussing business.

She softened her steps and overheard him saying, "15% is too low. 25%. I can switch companies at any time."

His tone was firm, indifferent.

The other party finally agreed.

"Make sure the rebate goes into my account." Huo Xingzhou hung up the phone and looked at her. "Off work?"

"Mm. What's the rebate?"

"I bought an insurance policy. Any insurance has a rebate benefit, a commission for the salesperson to increase competitiveness."

His insurance policy was worth a hundred thousand a year, so the rebate wasn't insignificant.

Qiao Xi didn't ask further, just smiled and pursed her lips.

"Why are you smiling?"

"I just think it's funny that someone like Mr. Huo would care about rebates."

"I'm not a fool. Money that shouldn't be wasted, shouldn't be wasted." Huo Xingzhou sighed. "What made you think I'm someone who spends recklessly?"

"In TV dramas, wealthy families are always portrayed like that. They throw around millions and tip the waiters generously when they eat Western food," Qiao Xi said, eyes crinkling with a smile.

Huo Xingzhou was different from the rich people she had seen, perhaps this was the refined heir raised by a top-tier family.

"Next time, I'll take you to a Western restaurant to experience it."

Huo Xingzhou said, placing an insurance contract in front of her. "Sign here."

It was a life insurance policy, securing her future.

"The beneficiary is you."

She looked at him in surprise.

"This is part of the employee benefits. Aunt Wen and Old Chen have it. The premiums have already been paid. If you don't sign, it's a waste."

Huo Xingzhou's expression was calm, yet unyielding.

Qiao Xi felt a surge of sweetness mixed with a pang in her heart. She took the pen and signed her name.

Being his employee had great benefits.

If she were truly his wife, how much better would it be?

Huo Xingzhou looked at her and said, "I've arranged for you to have two days off. Come with me to a place."

"Does Mr. Huo no longer need to pretend to be ill in the hospital?"

"The fish is already hooked, no need to pretend anymore."