Qiao Xi, Take Off Your Clothes

Qiao Xi froze, her face flushed crimson as she registered his words. Her heart ached, as if it had been slashed with a blade, anger and pain surging within her.

Huo Xingzhou tightened his grip on her hand and looked up at Huo Beiting. His voice was cold but steady. "I'll be watching closely. Looking forward to your so-called double celebration."

Though battered and bruised, his aura remained composed and untouchable, like a distant, frosty mountain peak.

Huo Beiting sneered, his voice dripping with derision. "Still pretending, huh? Let's see what ripples you can manage in this storm."

He laughed, savoring the moment. It felt like a day worth celebrating.

Furious, Qiao Xi bit her lip hard, her hands trembling as she pushed Huo Xingzhou's wheelchair forward. Just as they were about to leave, Huo Beiting extended his foot, deliberately tripping the wheelchair.

The wheelchair toppled over, and Huo Xingzhou fell heavily onto the ground. Pain shot through his body as if his insides were being torn apart. He felt the metallic taste of blood creeping up his throat.

"Huo Xingzhou!" Qiao Xi dropped to her knees, frantically trying to help him up.

Above them, Huo Beiting laughed maniacally, standing tall as if relishing his superiority. "Hahaha! A cripple like you dares to challenge me? Look at yourself—you can't even stand. Or do you still dream that Zhou Feng will heal your legs?"

He crouched down, his voice low and sinister. "Let me enlighten you. Zhou Feng is my pawn, not some prodigious student of Cheng Han. Face it—you're doomed, and your time is almost up."

"You're full of nonsense!" Qiao Xi's eyes burned with anger, her voice trembling with rage. "He will live a long life—longer than yours!"

Her words carried a promise, an unshakable determination. She would heal him, protect him, and ensure his future was secure.

Huo Beiting's expression twisted in mockery. "Hah! A village girl acting tough? Both of you are nothing but ants—insignificant insects destined to crawl beneath me. From now on, you can only look up at me in envy."

He smirked, venting his malice before sauntering away. His family followed, discussing over-the-top dinner plans to celebrate the "final downfall" of Huo Xingzhou.

Left behind in the echoing silence, Qiao Xi helped Huo Xingzhou back into the wheelchair. She was gentle but trembling, her tears falling freely as she pushed him toward the exit.

"Did it hurt?" His voice was weak, yet oddly lighthearted, as if nothing serious had happened.

Qiao Xi shook her head silently, but when she realized he couldn't see, she quickly added, "No, not at all. He's an old man with barely any strength."

"For someone who never swears, you surprised me today. Didn't think you had it in you," Huo Xingzhou teased, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

"He deserved it! I just… ran out of things to call him," Qiao Xi muttered, frustration in her tone.

"Then let's learn more creative insults together next time," he said lightly.

"Mm," she murmured, her voice choked with unshed tears. But as they reached the car, her resolve crumbled, and she broke down, crying uncontrollably.

Old Chen, their loyal driver, gasped when he saw them. "Young Master! Young Madam! What happened? You're hurt!"

"Just drive us home," Huo Xingzhou instructed calmly. His usual composure only made his battered appearance more striking.

Once they arrived at the villa, the household staff erupted in panic. Aunt Qian rushed out, nearly dropping her kitchen towel. "Oh, heavens! What happened? I'll fetch a doctor right away—no, ice packs! Wait—"

"It's fine," Qiao Xi reassured her, quickly regaining her composure. "I'm a doctor. I'll take care of it. Could you just prepare some food for us instead?"

Aunt Qian hesitated but finally nodded. "Alright, dear. I'll get right to it."

Before Qiao Xi could start tending to his wounds, the sound of a car pulling up broke the relative calm. Moments later, Du Juan stormed in, with Huo Jiancheng right behind her.

"What happened? Word from the old house said you were punished with the family rod. I couldn't sit still! Let me see—oh my heavens, there's blood everywhere!" Du Juan's hands trembled as she touched his shoulders lightly, tears streaming down her face.

Huo Xingzhou handed her a piece of paper. "I've severed all ties with the Huo family."

Both Du Juan and Huo Jiancheng froze, staring at the document as if it burned their hands.

"Severed ties?" Du Juan whispered, her voice breaking. "What happened?"

"The car accident was orchestrated by the eldest branch. Zhou Feng was their pawn, and the old man knew everything. He allowed the separation to protect their reputation," Huo Xingzhou explained, his tone cold and detached.

Du Juan staggered, her face pale. "Then your legs… What about your legs?"

"I'll walk again," he assured her firmly. "And when I do, the glory I achieve won't be theirs to share."

Tears welled up in Du Juan's eyes again, but this time, there was hope. "Then I believe you."

That night, after the chaos subsided, Qiao Xi tended to his wounds. Her hands trembled as she applied ointment to his bruised and battered back.

He caught sight of the red marks on her arms. "Lock the door."

She blinked, confused. "Why?"

"Qiao Xi, take off your clothes."

Her face turned scarlet as she froze in place. His voice, low and steady, broke the silence again. "Your back is injured. Let me apply the ointment."

"I-I can do it myself!" she stammered, stepping back.

"You can't reach it." His gaze held no ulterior motive, only sincerity. "If this was a battle, your scars are medals. Let me see them."