A Kiss is a Painkiller

"Qiao Xi, you..."

Wu Yachun was trembling with anger. "Everyone, don't listen to her threats. Practicing medicine without a license is a criminal offense. How could the president of Tianyuan Group want a woman who's going to prison as his wife?"

They were sure Qiao Xi would end up in jail.

At least three years, to start.

"That's right, impossible!"

"She's just bluffing with power!"

"If I were the president of Tianyuan Group, I wouldn't want her either."

They had all been intimidated by Qiao Xi earlier, and some were even considering sneaking off to avoid any future grudges.

Even the reporters had quietly lowered their cameras, too afraid to continue filming.

It was only when Wu Yachun pointed this out that they snapped back to reality.

"Hey."

Zhou Yu couldn't help but speak up. "Why are you all speculating? Why don't you ask the person involved?"

He laughed arrogantly.

As they turned around, they saw him and the man beside him, Huo Xingzhou.

The man's eyes were cold.

"Huo... Huo Er Shao," one of them stammered.

"That's Huo Xingzhou," another whispered.

They were all in a panic, shrinking away and only daring to speak in hushed voices.

Zhou Yu pushed Huo Xingzhou's wheelchair forward and said, "You all crack me up. You say Qiao Xi is using her power to bully people, but you're the ones who are soft when it comes to the powerful."

Huo Xingzhou's face was grim as he said in a flat tone, "My personal affairs are none of your business."

"Zhou Yu, make sure they delete everything they filmed before we leave."

"Got it."

"I'll leave this to you."

Huo Xingzhou maneuvered the wheelchair and reached for Qiao Xi's wrist, saying, "Let's go inside first."

His tone was commanding.

"Mm."

Qiao Xi obediently followed him.

Zhou Yu rolled up his sleeves, signaling to the two bodyguards to be ruthless and forcefully delete all the photos and videos they had taken.

His gaze then landed on the relatives of the patients and Wang Dafu's parents.

"Wang Dafu was arrested by the police for the kidnapping case. The police will release an official statement soon. If you want to find him, go to the police station."

He smiled and added, "And you fools, believing everything others say and being used as pawns. It's easy for me to investigate your identities. After the press conference at the city hospital, I expect an apology from you all to Qiao Xi. If you don't come, I'll visit you one by one."

They were too angry to speak.

He gave a mocking glance at Director Wu and Wu Yachun, a deep coldness flickering in his eyes, making them shiver.

Zhou Yu said, "You people will get what's coming to you."

They fell silent, too afraid to speak.

...

In the hospital room.

Huo Xingzhou sat in his wheelchair and took out a set of cotton pajamas from the wardrobe, placing it in front of Qiao Xi.

"Your clothes are all wet, change into these."

He reached out and gently touched the button at her neck.

"Huo sir!"

Qiao Xi's cheeks turned bright red. "I can change myself."

Huo Xingzhou looked down at her hands, which were wrapped in bandages, and asked, "Can you undo the buttons?"

Qiao Xi bit her lip. She couldn't.

"Sit still, don't move." His tone had a commanding undertone.

Qiao Xi sat on the edge of the bed, her hands hanging by her sides, her gaze evasive.

She let him unbutton her top.

She tightly shut her eyes, but her skin's sensitivity became more pronounced. His fingers were warm, occasionally brushing against her skin.

Huo Xingzhou looked at her seriously, with no hint of desire in his eyes.

"All done."

After he spoke, Qiao Xi opened her eyes.

The thought of him seeing her like that made her feel a wave of embarrassment.

Her gaze shifted to his legs, and she asked, "Huo sir, there's no one else here. You can stand up."

The man's fingers caressed his leg, still warm with the lingering touch.

He said, "It hurts a little."

Yesterday, in a moment of urgency while trying to save her, he had pushed himself too hard.

The pain had resurfaced, and he had resorted to using the wheelchair again.

"Has it gotten worse?" Qiao Xi asked anxiously.

"Just overuse of my legs," he said lightly.

Qiao Xi glared at him, not understanding how he could joke around at a time like this.

"Huo sir, I'm worried you'll have permanent damage. When it rains and gets cold, you'll be in so much pain."

She frowned, speaking angrily.

"Will you make me suffer?"

Huo Xingzhou's eyes were like still waters, but the raging waves of emotion beneath were known only to him.

Qiao Xi opened her mouth slightly. She thought she wouldn't, but for some reason, the words couldn't come out.

Huo Xingzhou slowly stood up, his body trembling slightly as he bent down and leaned close to her.

His gaze was at her eye level.

His warm breath swept across her cheek and ear.

Qiao Xi couldn't help but tense up, her beautiful almond eyes trembling like rippling water.

"Huo sir?"

"Qiao Xi, about that agreement..."

Could it be voided?

He wanted to ask, but the words got stuck in his throat.

Because the girl in front of him had kissed him passionately on the lips.

Huo Xingzhou straightened his back, feeling the heat rise in his neck, the red mole on his skin burning. Her tenderness, pleasure, and care made him lose his composure for a moment.

In a moment.

Qiao Xi pulled away, her face flushed as she awkwardly said, "The dopamine released by the body can act as a painkiller."

Her fabricated explanation couldn't even fool Huo Xingzhou, who wasn't inexperienced.

But he nodded thoughtfully.

"I understand."

His tone carried a barely perceptible hint of a smile.

Qiao Xi's face turned even redder.

She awkwardly shifted in her seat, but Huo Xingzhou held her wrist, carefully avoiding her injury.

"Little doctor, the dose of dopamine is too low."

He spoke the words, then kissed her again.

It was passionate, heated.

There was no turning back.

His touch was gentle yet focused, restrained yet tempting.

Her heart raced, a mix of desire and shyness. She even wondered if, one day, they became the closest of people, then...

Qiao Xi's body grew limp, settling onto the soft hospital bed.

The man bent down to kiss her, and everything before her darkened.

She could feel the scars on her neck being kissed repeatedly, with soft licks that sent shivers down her spine.

"Huo sir..."

She couldn't help but call out, curling her toes. Her focus was entirely on him, and her wounds no longer hurt.

"Little doctor, you did very well today. Keep bullying with your power. I like the way you shine so brightly."

Like a beam of light.

He whispered.

Qiao Xi felt a little lightheaded from his praise.

"Don't you blame me?" she whispered.

"Never."

He looked deeply at her. "I'm just afraid everyone will fall in love with that bold, radiant you."

He couldn't have her all to himself.

"Huo sir, how could they like me?" Qiao Xi found it laughable. They would rather curse her to death.

Huo Xingzhou chuckled softly. She was so adorably naive.

In two days, when her identity was revealed, those flies and bees would be swarming.

"Qiao Xi, at the press conference in two days at the city hospital, you'll attend with me. I'll clear your name for everything they've thrown at you."

There, she would meet Cheng Han.

Qiao Xi was shaken by his words.

Could it really come true?

But he was Huo Xingzhou.