This Kneel, Lowered to the Dust

"Beiting!"

Huo Jianjun urged again, "Think about the shares!"

Getting that 30% stake is the priority—without equity, what is dignity worth?

Huo Beiting's eyes were bloodshot.

His fists clenched tightly, veins bulging on the backs of his hands.

He bent his knees.

Bang!

He knelt on the ground.

All his life's calculations and pride turned to ashes in that kneel!

He couldn't surpass Huo Xingzhou.

Humiliation spread through him.

Huo Beiting bit his lower lip so hard it bled, his heart filled with dark, venomous curses.

His forehead hit the hard ground, quickly swelling and reddening.

Thud!

Thud!

Thud!

He knocked his head three times in succession.

Qiao Xi watched him without a trace of pity.

Once, he orchestrated that car accident, nearly killing Huo Xingzhou. Later, he humiliated, plotted against, and poisoned him at every turn.

Such a person—how could they deserve any sympathy?

"That's enough, isn't it?"

Huo Beiting's voice was hoarse, a metallic tang of blood creeping into his throat.

Wang Fengxian sobbed as she helped him up, crying, "How can you humiliate my son like this? Huo Xingzhou, you're so heartless! Even saving your own grandfather becomes a calculation for you!"

Qiao Xi pursed her red lips and stepped protectively in front of Huo Xingzhou.

"If he were truly heartless, he'd let you all rot in jail!" she said coldly, her voice tight, staring at them with indifference.

Huo Beiting fixed his dark gaze on her. "I beg Qiao Xi, disciple of the National Medical Master, to treat my grandfather!"

That 30% equity—he was determined to get it!

But Qiao Xi had no intention of letting him succeed. "You only said to bow and plead for treatment, but never said I must agree afterward."

To her, this wasn't enough.

Far from enough.

"You're going back on your word!"

Wang Fengxian pointed at her and yelled.

Huo Jianjun, face dark, stopped his wife and turned to Qiao Xi. "What other conditions do you have? Don't push it too far."

Qiao Xi's delicate face remained cold as she replied lightly, "I do have a condition, but it's not with you all. It's…"

She looked at Huo Weiguo and said, "It's with you. When my finger fully heals, I'll come back to discuss terms with you. I hope, by then, you still have something I want."

A healer's heart is kind, but not naive.

Her calculations were precise, giving due justice to every situation.

"Huo Xingzhou, Elder Cheng, let's go home."

"Hmm."

Huo Xingzhou's eyes held a rare gleam of admiration.

He had thought her to be the kindest, most tender-hearted person, but she turned out to be just as decisive and vibrant, filled with clarity about love and hate.

The group boarded the car, and the Rolls-Royce drove away, leaving the Huo family staring at each other with stiff, unsightly expressions.

Huo Weiguo was unsettled by Qiao Xi's parting words, beginning to ponder what she might want.

All he had left was that 30% equity.

"Grandpa! Don't let that country bumpkin fool you! She's just holding a grudge and doesn't want to treat you! Even without Cheng Han, we can turn to Lu Bannong! The medical world has always revered 'South Cheng, North Lu,' and Lu Bannong is no less skilled."

Huo Beiting's heart burned with fury, his mind already devising plans to eliminate Qiao Xi.

Huo Weiguo, pale-faced, sighed. "The phrase 'South Cheng, North Lu' means Lu Bannong won't cross the Qinhuai River. Years ago, he declared the Qinhuai his boundary, splitting the North and South with Cheng Han. They do not interfere with each other."

His treatment policies were peculiar—he outright refused anyone from south of the Qinhuai River, no matter the severity of their condition, showing no mercy.

The Huo family had no choice but to turn to Cheng Han or… Qiao Xi.

"Fengxian, take me back to my room," Huo Weiguo said weakly.

Unwilling, Wang Fengxian pushed him back.

Watching his departure, Huo Beiting muttered venomously, "I can't stand seeing that country bumpkin act all high and mighty!"

Huo Jianjun placated him. "The top priority is getting your grandfather on our side. If he's unwilling to part with the shares, there's only one solution—long pain is worse than short pain."

When he's gone, the shares will naturally fall into their hands.

Huo Beiting grasped his meaning and stared at him in shock.

"Dad, that's Grandpa!"

"Beiting, to achieve greatness, you can't afford to hesitate. Do you want to watch him give the shares to Huo Xingzhou? And what about that girl's last words? What if she asks for the shares? Would your grandfather agree?"

He would!

Huo Beiting was certain.

Because Huo Weiguo was desperate enough to trade anything for his health.

"Dad, Zhuo Feng left some specially-made powders. We'll coax Grandpa into leaving the hospital, and then…"

It was the fastest solution.

Huo Beiting gave in to his ambition and greed, his conscience crushed.

All for the sake of that 30% equity.

Huo Jianjun patted his shoulder approvingly. "It's good you've come around."

As they spoke, both their phones buzzed simultaneously with a system notification from the company: a shareholders' meeting was to be held the next day.

The father and son exchanged grim looks.

"A shareholders' meeting—Huo Xingzhou must be planning something big."

A storm was brewing.

...

Night fell.

A car slowly pulled into the courtyard of the Huo family's villa.

Du Juan and Huo Sijiao stood at the entrance, eagerly awaiting its arrival.

As the car approached, they quickly went to greet it.

"Sister-in-law, take it easy. Let me help you." Huo Sijiao carefully supported the injured Qiao Xi.

"Mr. Cheng, let me carry your belongings. The guest room has been fully prepared—freshly cleaned and sun-dried bedding is already set up," Du Juan said enthusiastically, her voice trembling with excitement.

After all, this was Cheng Han, alive and in person!

Cheng Han nodded in acknowledgment.

"Grandmother, Mr. Cheng looks tired. Could you take him to his room to rest?" Qiao Xi noticed the weariness in the elderly man's eyes and spoke with concern.

"Of course! Aunt Qian, quickly, bring the freshly prepared food to Mr. Cheng's room!" Du Juan called out loudly, leading Cheng Han to the guest room herself.

Huo Sijiao, like a shadow, clung to Qiao Xi's side, while Huo Xingzhou was left entirely unattended.

"Sister-in-law, are you thirsty? I'll get you some water."

"Sister-in-law, are you hungry?"

"Sister-in-law, are you tired?"

She fussed over Qiao Xi as if she were a precious treasure.

Finally, Huo Xingzhou stepped in, pulling her away with a single motion. "Your sister-in-law needs to rest in her room."

"Oh, then I'll go make her bed!" She always found ways to offer her help.

Huo Xingzhou looked at her coolly. "Can you let me and your sister-in-law have some time alone?"

Huo Sijiao immediately glanced at them with a teasing expression.

"Got it! All yours!"

Her brother had recovered, so it was only natural he had... thoughts of his own.

Huo Xingzhou led Qiao Xi to the master bedroom. Standing near the bed, she hesitated. "Mr. Huo, I have my own room."

"Qiao Xi, with more people in the house, it wouldn't be proper for us to sleep in separate rooms."

It was only then that Qiao Xi understood—she had nearly overthought the situation.

The man glanced at her and said, "Take a bath first, then eat something."

"Alright, I'll listen to you."

Huo Xingzhou gave her another look. "I'll go run the bathwater."

Qiao Xi watched as the tall figure turned and entered the bathroom. Soon, the sound of water filled the air.

Her ears grew red and warm.

The sky outside darkened from deep gray to pitch black. Inside the room, only the wall lamp was lit, casting the space in a soft amber glow, as if steeped in a hazy dream.

Suddenly.

The phone in her bag started vibrating violently.

It was an unfamiliar international number. Qiao Xi hesitated and didn't pick it up.

But the caller redialed immediately.

After a moment's thought, Qiao Xi decided to answer.