She's My Treasure

The two stepped out of the car.

Huo Xingzhou spoke calmly, his expression as composed as ever:

"You're tired today. Go get a good night's rest. Tomorrow is the groundbreaking ceremony for the Huo Group's new project, and we need to attend."

His tone was indifferent, as if nothing out of the ordinary had transpired in the car moments ago.

Qiao Xi secretly let out a breath of relief.

He had warned her before—there would be no affection, not even indulgence.

It was only the effect of the medication; it had nothing to do with her.

She felt a bit relieved, but there was an unexpected hint of disappointment.

"Will Mom and Jiao Jiao be attending?" Qiao Xi asked.

"They don't want to. Said it'll only annoy them," Huo Xingzhou replied, his tone understanding. What he didn't explain was that tomorrow wasn't just about attending—it was about watching the drama unfold.

"Alright then. Goodnight, Mr. Huo."

"Goodnight."

After bidding him goodnight, Qiao Xi returned to her room. She was exhausted, but after taking a shower, she felt unusually alert. Lying in bed, she couldn't resist opening the photo album on her phone.

The photographer's assistant had already sent her the raw images.

Her fingers froze as she scrolled to the photos of them kissing. Memories of the passionate kiss from earlier in the day and the reckless indulgence in the car came flooding back, making her curl her toes in embarrassment.

She patted her flushed cheeks with her hands.

"Qiao Xi, get a grip. Mr. Huo is just under the influence of the supplements. He definitely doesn't mean anything by it."

She couldn't figure out why they had ended up in such an intimate situation.

Her first thought was to delete the intimate photos, but in the end, she couldn't bring herself to do it. Instead, she moved them into an encrypted album.

Finally, she picked a dignified traditional Chinese wedding photo, with her wearing a phoenix coronet and red bridal robe, to show Grandma. It would put her at ease.

Her grandmother, however, had been wanting to return to the countryside lately. The doctors had said her health had plateaued and she could be discharged.

Qiao Xi sighed, furrowing her brows in worry before a yawn overtook her. Soon, sleep claimed her.

The next morning.

Aunt Qian had prepared a delightful breakfast.

"I bought the steamed soup dumplings Young Master mentioned a few days ago, and the sticky rice Missus was craving," Aunt Qian said as she plated the food.

"Thank you, Aunt Qian," Qiao Xi said softly.

Sitting nearby, Huo Xingzhou glanced up and noticed her light makeup—it made her look a bit different today.

"I'll check on the Young Master's medicine," Aunt Qian said, bustling happily to the kitchen.

Qiao Xi smiled and sat down beside Huo Xingzhou, pouring him a glass of fresh milk.

"Mr. Huo, for calcium."

"Thanks," he replied.

"Is there anything specific I need to do at today's groundbreaking ceremony?" Qiao Xi turned to him with curiosity.

Huo Xingzhou, as always, didn't avoid discussing work around her, and she had guessed he was holding onto some trump cards.

"Just stay by my side and look pretty," he said nonchalantly, gracefully eating his breakfast. "Don't push yourself."

"I'll behave, I promise."

She wasn't about to repeat her impulsive actions from before.

By nine in the morning, the two left the house.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held in the western suburbs, and the scale was grand. Balloons, confetti cannons, and giant banners lined the two-kilometer entrance route.

Closer to the venue, rows of decorated bulldozers and excavators stood in formation.

After parking, they approached the ceremony, where a lion dance troupe was performing.

From a distance, Qiao Xi could see a group of well-dressed executives crowding around the Huo family's main branch, offering compliments. All the prominent families of Haicheng—the Xu, Sun, and Nan families—had sent representatives.

She also spotted Sun Shao in the crowd.

"The second branch of the Huo family has arrived," someone announced loudly.

"Here to embarrass themselves, aren't they? After all, this project was initially his responsibility. Now he has to watch his hard work handed over to someone else. Tsk, tsk."

Huo Beiting strode over with a proud air, accompanied by the stunning and seductive Su Weiwei. His expression brimmed with arrogance as he approached Huo Xingzhou.

"I thought you wouldn't show up," he sneered.

"How could I miss the chance to see you in all your glory, Cousin?" Huo Xingzhou replied calmly.

Huo Beiting smirked, clearly pleased.

"I know this must be hard for you to stomach. Too bad your health failed you. Why not stay in the hospital a few more days?"

He had heard from Zhuo Feng that Huo Xingzhou's condition was dire—one more relapse, and he'd be finished.

Huo Beiting's gaze was filled with mocking pity.

"Xingzhou, why aren't your parents here?" Wang Fengxian approached, dressed in a striking red cheongsam. "Even your grandfather is here. Do they think they're too important to show their faces?"

She cast a disdainful glance at Qiao Xi.

"It's not like I mean to criticize, but parading a country girl around as if she's some treasure? Aren't you embarrassed?"

Huo Xingzhou remained composed, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

"Aunt, she is my treasure."

"Second Young Master, I heard Qiao Xi is interning at a hospital. Even her biological mother has to line up to see a doctor. Having a daughter like that is truly unlucky. And you're calling her your treasure?" Su Weiwei chimed in with a mocking laugh.

"Should I consider you my treasure, then?" Huo Xingzhou countered, his tone cool and his gaze mocking. "Why are you so concerned about who I treasure? Feeling nostalgic about the past?"

Su Weiwei's face stiffened. Once upon a time, she had been infatuated with him—who wouldn't have been?

"That's enough!"

Huo Beiting's expression darkened with anger. After the ceremony, he'd discard Su Weiwei—she had outlived her usefulness.

"Beiting, the ceremony is starting. Don't waste time on irrelevant people. Don't disappoint your grandfather," Huo Jianjun interjected coldly.

"Yes, Father," Huo Beiting replied, casting a disdainful glance at Huo Xingzhou before leaving.

As the main branch of the Huo family walked off, Huo Xingzhou turned to Qiao Xi.

"Let's get closer for a better view."

"Alright."

Qiao Xi pushed his wheelchair forward.

The area around the ceremonial foundation stone was crowded with people. They stopped at the outermost ring, right beside the Huo family patriarch.

The old man, dressed in a traditional Tang suit embroidered with pine trees, leaned on a cane with a stern expression. Two bodyguards flanked him.

When he saw Huo Xingzhou, he greeted him with a lukewarm, "How's your leg?"

"Thanks to your care, it's fine."

"Hmph, stubborn," the old man snorted dismissively.

Age had taken its toll on him—his hunched back and constant joint pain made him look frail. Even Zhuo Feng's acupuncture treatments provided only temporary relief.

The patriarch had long guessed Zhuo Feng wasn't Cheng Han's student, but he chose not to expose him. With Huo Xingzhou crippled and rumors swirling about his infertility, the family business would inevitably fall to the main branch. The old man saw no need to stir up unnecessary conflict.

"If it can't be fixed, so be it. The Huo family will ensure your life is comfortable. The 5% share I gave your branch stays—it'll serve as your dividend."

He spoke as if granting a great favor, though his bias was blatant.

The main branch held 20% of the company's shares, while the second branch had only 5%. The old man retained 30% himself, ensuring the Huo family's absolute control of the business, with the remaining shares divided among minor stakeholders.

"Thank you for your generosity, Grandfather."

Huo Xingzhou's tone was light, his smile faint, as though he had long accepted the injustice.

The old man shot him a glare, his voice sharp.

"Stop with the sarcasm and self-pity."

Standing by his side, Qiao Xi felt a pang of bitterness for him.

"You should focus on Cousin," Huo Xingzhou said mildly. "I hear he used 20% of the shares to sign a profit-sharing agreement with Tianyuan Group for the Future City project."

If the deal failed, the main branch would lose everything, including the family's control over the company.

The old man's face darkened instantly, his eyes brimming with anger.

"Foolish boy!"

Just as the words left his mouth, the crowd ahead suddenly erupted into chaos, with startled cries echoing everywhere.