Good Husband, Please, Please

"I didn't do anything."

Qiao Xi's face flushed, her mind replaying the image of the sketch.

It was a life drawing—female, her features vague but her body perfectly proportioned, completely nude. The lines were firm and precise, capturing every detail. It was clear someone had put a lot of effort into it. The woman's body was direct and bold, crashing into Qiao Xi's visual nerves.

The figure in the drawing was graceful, seductive.

It was hard to tell whether it was a sculpture or a real person. If it was real, Qiao Xi might have been a little jealous. After all, even those studying life drawing had to learn to sketch the human body.

But why would such a drawing be in Huo's family art studio?

"Qian, does Mr. Huo... does he know how to paint?" Qiao Xi asked, curiosity getting the best of her.

Qian was tidying up the photo frames, her voice calm as she replied, "In a family like the Huo's, they don't just learn to paint—they learn everything. Young Master Huo has reached Grade 10 on both violin and piano, and his piano skills are at a performance level."

That's the way noble families raise their children—well-rounded development!

Qiao Xi was astonished. "He's that talented?"

Qian sighed wistfully. "Yes, in the past, he used to spend hours every week in this very studio. He even had someone teaching him, but after the accident… he hasn't come here once."

Qiao Xi had always forgotten to ask about the accident.

From Huo Xingzhou, she knew only that it was caused by the big house.

"Qian, what exactly happened the day of the accident?"

Qian's expression grew tense. She casually replied, "It was just a truck driven by a fatigued driver who crashed right into him. The driver was only sentenced to two years in prison. Unfortunately, Young Master Huo's legs are still crippled."

The punishment for traffic accidents wasn't very harsh these days.

If the money was right and the family was willing to forgive, the punishment could often be avoided.

"The insurance paid out a million, but money means nothing to us. The Huo family has plenty of that," Qian said bitterly.

Qiao Xi felt a twinge of sympathy.

She wondered how much money the Huo family had given the driver to cover up the truth. Huo Beiting had clearly calculated that it would be impossible to uncover the real cause of the accident.

"Don't worry, Qian. 'Surviving a great disaster will lead to future blessings,'" Qiao Xi said, trying to comfort her.

Qian wiped away her tears. "Yes, you're right. Madam, marrying into our family is the greatest blessing."

She clasped Qiao Xi's hands with sincerity. "Please, promise me that no matter what happens in the future, you and Young Master Huo will never separate. It's normal for a married couple to argue. He's cold on the outside but warm on the inside. Please, be patient with him."

Qiao Xi hesitated.

She remembered the "Marriage Agreement" she had signed with him.

It had stipulated that they would divorce after three months, and everything right now felt so fleeting.

"Madam?" Qian called her name again.

Qiao Xi gave a vague response. "I'll stay with him until his legs heal."

"Ah."

Qian was so pleased that she went on to clean the studio. "I'll clean it up well, just in case Young Master gets interested and wants to paint again."

Qiao Xi mumbled a response, feeling heavy-hearted, and headed downstairs.

As she descended, she saw Huo Xingzhou standing in the living room, pacing back and forth.

He was deliberately training his legs, moving slowly at first, then attempting to walk faster. Sweat was beading on his smooth forehead as he maintained a stern expression, walking back and forth again and again. Eventually, he collapsed onto the carpet, exhausted.

"Huo Xingzhou!" Qiao Xi hurried over. "Did you hurt yourself?"

His eyes were bright and intense, like a leopard's, with a subtle trace of ambition.

"I'm fine." He replied gruffly.

"I'll help you up. You know, trying to rush things doesn't work."

She gently extended her hand to grab his arm, but he refused to let her help, deliberately exerting force and pulling her off-balance, causing her to fall into his arms.

Qiao Xi found herself resting her head on his legs, staring up at him.

"Sometimes, instead of getting up, I'd rather you just sit with me," he said softly.

Qiao Xi licked her dry lips, her mind racing to form the right words. "Mr. Huo, why are you pushing yourself? According to my rehab plan, you've already completed today's exercises."

"Qiao Xi," he said in an even tone, his face calm, "I don't want you to think that I'm ever lacking in some areas."

Qiao Xi lowered her gaze, avoiding his.

She muttered softly, "It's normal. A lot of men have those kinds of problems. Every time you force it with medication, it's bad for your health."

"What are you talking about?" Huo Xingzhou leaned in, his handsome face looming closer.

"Nothing," Qiao Xi said, blushing, her face turning red as she tried to defend herself.

"I heard everything."

His hand slipped under her shirt and gently tickled her waist. Qiao Xi squirmed, laughing uncontrollably.

"I didn't say anything! Mr. Huo, haha…"

His mischievous hand seemed to know exactly where to touch her, causing a rush of ticklish pleasure to spread through her body.

"Let me go, please!" She giggled helplessly, her usual composure lost.

"Say something nice," Huo Xingzhou demanded, noticing that her mood had been off when she came downstairs. He wanted to distract her.

Qiao Xi panted, "Say... what nice things?"

"That depends on how sincere you are."

His hands, trained from playing the piano, moved with precision, strumming her body like the keys of an instrument. It was a maddening sensation, neither here nor there.

Qiao Xi gave in, laughing helplessly. He had complete control over her body.

"I... I was wrong, Mr. Huo," she said in a breathless whisper.

He didn't stop.

Qiao Xi, clinging to the last remnants of her rationality, scrambled for words.

She remembered a video she had watched recently with Shu Xue—girls in the video acting coquettishly, flirtatious and captivating.

"Ah…"

"Are you distracted again?" Huo Xingzhou seemed displeased, poking her soft side again, causing her to squeal.

"No," Qiao Xi replied, summoning her courage, "Good... husband, please, please."

The words were a mortifying admission.

Huo Xingzhou smiled, satisfied, and let go of her.

Suddenly, he seemed to find the intimacy between husband and wife rather enjoyable.

Qiao Xi took the opportunity to sit up, shifting away from him slightly.

"The necklace came loose," Huo Xingzhou remarked, his gaze settling on her neck.

Qiao Xi looked down. The pearl necklace he had given her was loose, its clasp undone. She reached up to fix it, but he was quicker.

Leaning forward, his hands went around her neck, expertly fastening the necklace. As he pulled back, his lips brushed her reddened earlobe.

Qiao Xi shuddered.

"Mr. Huo, you…"

"Qiao Xi, I don't need medication to do this," he said, his kiss landing on her lips.

No man liked to be looked down upon in this regard, no matter their social standing.

He kissed her slowly, teasing her with soft touches, making her heart race.

Suddenly, the sound of a familiar, boisterous voice came from the door.

"Anyone here? Your delivery's arrived! I'm coming in!"

Footsteps approached, drawing nearer.