You Satisfy Your Cravings, Regardless of My Life or Death

He appeared so noble and abstinent, like a highland flower, yet the words he spoke were filled with a subtle, lecherous tone.

This made Qiao Xi's face turn red without her being able to control it.

She quickly countered, her expression serious, "That's not true."

"Then... how about we try artificial respiration again? This time, you can teach me how." He looked at her and said.

"No."

Qiao Xi shook her head.

Huo Xingzhou didn't say anything, but his gaze on her made her feel guilty.

"Huo Sir, I'm going to wash up and rest. You should sleep early too." She almost made a hasty retreat, but as soon as she tried to jump down from the countertop, Huo Xingzhou grabbed her wrist.

She fell directly into his arms.

"It's so unfair." He smiled faintly, his cold face close to hers. "You satisfy your cravings, but don't care about my life or death."

"No, I don't."

Qiao Xi denied it.

"Then I won't be polite." He said, before kissing her swollen lips with intense passion. His movements were slow and deliberate, as if he had all the time in the world to tease her.

Qiao Xi felt like her head was spinning, his faint scent of alcohol and cold fragrance invaded her senses.

In the end...

Huo Xingzhou lowered his head, gently biting her lips. "Will the little doctor take revenge on me? Is there huanglian in the medicine I'll drink tomorrow?"

"I won't let you off."

Qiao Xi promised again.

Huo Xingzhou finally released her, and Qiao Xi was free, her legs weakening as they touched the floor.

"I'm going back to my room." Her voice was light as she walked out, almost like she was in a daze.

Huo Xingzhou chuckled softly, then looked down and muttered a curse under his breath.

As husband and wife, they were still strangers.

As partners in a contract, they were far from innocent.

The ambiguous layer of tension between them hadn't been broken yet.

The next morning.

Qian Aunty had prepared breakfast early, and when she saw Qiao Xi coming downstairs, she called out, "Young Mistress, come have breakfast."

"Okay."

Qiao Xi awkwardly adjusted the silk scarf around her neck.

Last night had been too intense.

It seemed like he was retaliating for the foolish thing she had done earlier.

"It's going to get hotter today. Why are you wearing a scarf?" Qian Aunty asked, curious.

"I'm a little cold."

Qiao Xi sat at the dining table, but Huo Xingzhou hadn't come down yet. She quietly began to eat her own portion of breakfast.

Qian Aunty didn't comment on it, though she did say, "It's 30 degrees, it is a bit chilly."

Late spring and early summer always brought unpredictable weather—one moment you're wearing a fur coat, and the next, you're exposing your waist.

Qiao Xi took two bites before noticing the large pile of packages in the living room. She asked, "Why are there so many parcels?"

"They're from the young master's classmates and friends. Even though our second house has fallen, we're still the Huo family," Qian Aunty said while tidying up.

The unfamiliar packages were put aside.

As for those from the young master's close friends, he'd have to open them himself.

"I'll help you." Qiao Xi finished her breakfast quickly and walked over to help Qian Aunty sort the packages.

She picked up a beautifully wrapped parcel, thinking it must be something thoughtful since even the packaging was so pretty.

Looking at the sender's name, she read it aloud: "Xu... Xingluo?"

Xu? She seemed to be quite fated with people named Xu lately.

When Qian Aunty heard the name, her face changed.

She quickly snatched the parcel from Qiao Xi's hands and hurried out of the house, throwing it into the large trash bin outside the villa.

Afterward, she washed her hands and looked at Qiao Xi, saying, "Young Mistress, our family doesn't get along with the Xus. We can't keep packages from them."

"What if it's something valuable? Shouldn't we return it?" Qiao Xi hesitated.

"No need. It's not from anyone important. I'll take care of it," Qian Aunty said, not intending to tell the young master about it.

"Oh, okay." Qiao Xi replied obediently.

Qian Aunty added, "Don't tell the young master about this. It'll only upset him."

"I won't."

After a while, they finished sorting the parcels, and Huo Xingzhou finally came downstairs. He had changed into a formal black suit, and the blue sapphire-encrusted cufflinks were especially noticeable.

Qiao Xi glanced at them and smiled.

"Good morning, young master. Please have breakfast." Qian Aunty said, "The old mansion called. They said the old master wants to see you."

"I know."

Huo Xingzhou went to the table, and Qiao Xi followed him, pouring him a glass of milk.

"Huo Sir, last night, I..."

"Did the little doctor not drink yourself into oblivion?" He looked up at her and said, "I thought you would forget again."

Qiao Xi's throat tightened as she considered her words. "Huo Sir, you once said that dopamine secretion is uncontrollable. It's just satisfying cravings. I understand."

She couldn't ask him to do artificial respiration again. She had thought of several things to say when she woke up, and now that she was facing him, she had to stay calm and not be shy.

Seeing her act so bold and indifferent, Huo Xingzhou almost laughed.

He had indeed said something like that before, but he had never expected her to respond this way.

The man suddenly lost his appetite.

Just then, his phone lit up on the side. He frowned as he opened it, then deleted the conversation without even looking at it.

Qiao Xi accidentally glimpsed the profile picture: an elegant white swan.

"Let's go, we're heading to the old mansion."

His brow furrowed, and there was no longer any trace of relaxation on his face. He seemed somewhat agitated.

The driver, Lao Chen, was already waiting outside, and Qiao Xi didn't speak. She silently followed him.

The car arrived at the Huo family's old mansion.

Huo Xingzhou suddenly grabbed Qiao Xi's hand and said, "What I need to do today is quite shocking. You can wait for me in the car."

Qiao Xi shook her head and replied, "I want to stay with you, Huo Sir."

"Alright."

At the old mansion, only Wang Fengxian was home. When she saw them, her expression was full of disdain.

In the master bedroom, the old master was resting in a rocking chair, his eyes closed.

"Old master, the second young master has arrived." The butler opened the door and said softly.

"Mm, let him in."

The old master's voice sounded heavy and worn.

Huo Xingzhou and Qiao Xi entered the room.

The old master, dressed in traditional Chinese attire, was leaning against the rocking chair. When he saw Qiao Xi, a clear look of disdain flashed in his eyes. "What is she doing here?"

"She's my wife. Of course, she's with me," Huo Xingzhou said coldly.

"You've fallen so low," the old master said coldly.

"Grandfather, what do you need from me?" Huo Xingzhou's eyes were as cold as ice, no trace of reverence left.

The old master slowly stood up and walked over to Huo Xingzhou.

"Xingzhou, you were once my proudest grandson. Fate hasn't been kind, and don't blame me for being heartless." His hoarse voice filled the room.

"I've decided to publicly announce that the Huo family will be inherited by the eldest branch at my 70th birthday. I'll give them the 30% I hold, and you should hand over the 5% you have as well."

He had gone back on his word. He had once promised that the 5% would be for the second branch.

"The Huo family consists mostly of small shareholders. Besides the 20% held by the newly formed Tianyuan Group, your cousin holds 35%. He can stabilize the Huo family. You should be generous."

Qiao Xi was furious when she heard this. Was Huo Xingzhou supposed to sacrifice everything just to secure Huo Beiting's position?

Huo Xingzhou stared at him quietly, his chest feeling like a block of ice crashing down, piercing his organs and freezing his blood.

His gaze flicked toward the "Share Transfer Agreement" that had been prepared on the bedside table. The pale white skin of it mocked him.

The heart is on the left, after all—everything was always tilted against him.

He should never have had any expectations.