The Toast and an Unexpected Guest

The club was dimly lit, with the ambiance highlighted by strategic lighting.

Qiao Xi followed closely behind Huo Xingzhou, making sure she didn't fall behind for even a step.

Finally, the waiter stopped in front of a carved wooden door. "Mr. Huo, this is the place," he said.

"Hmm."

The waiter knocked lightly before opening the door to the club room.

Laughter and music poured out immediately, hitting Qiao Xi's ears.

"Huo Er's here!"

"He's not just Huo Er anymore, he's the president of Tianyuan Group!"

"Zhou Yu, you're the only one who knew, huh? You really are a great brother, helping Huo Xingzhou keep this from us!"

Qiao Xi peered inside, spotting seven or eight young men. The most lively one was sitting next to Zhou Yu—a handsome man dressed in a dark blue shirt, meticulous in his appearance, even sporting violet cufflinks.

His features were chiseled, and his almond-shaped eyes gave off an unusually sharp look.

He stood up, walked to the door, and patted Huo Xingzhou's shoulder. "I didn't expect you to really recover. We're happy for you."

His gaze shifted to Qiao Xi, studying her with a profound look that made her feel a bit uneasy.

"Is this your wife?" He asked, a hint of teasing in his voice.

The man, named Xiang Huai, smiled with amusement, keeping his gaze fixed on Qiao Xi.

Zhou Yu quickly squeezed between them. "Xiang Huai, don't block the door! Huo Er, Qiao Xi, come in and sit."

He gestured toward the double sofa in the center. "I saved a spot for you. This is the couple's seat."

"Thanks."

Huo Xingzhou replied indifferently.

"Zhou Yu! Can't you say something properly? It's the couple's seat, not the 'couple position'!" The young men sitting on the sofa teased, bursting into laughter.

Qiao Xi sat next to Huo Xingzhou, his hand lightly holding hers, making her feel a little more at ease.

There were no other women here, just her.

From time to time, they shot her friendly glances.

"Does little sister-in-law sing?" one of them asked.

"Little sister-in-law, can you take my pulse? I've been feeling weak lately and drinking two cups of goji berry tea every day," another said.

They were all enthusiastic, holding out their hands for her to take their pulses.

Except for Xiang Huai, who just sat off to the side drinking.

Qiao Xi felt overwhelmed.

Huo Xingzhou's voice was calm as he said, "If you want to take your pulse, go to the hospital. She's off work now, don't take up her rest time."

"Oh! He's protecting her now!"

"How sweet."

"Huo Er, you've always been so distant, but now you're like this. Didn't see that coming!"

They teased.

Qiao Xi smiled shyly, her bright eyes glancing at Huo Xingzhou.

"Xingzhou, since we're here at the club, you have to drink one cup. Otherwise, the brothers won't let you leave!" someone said, not sure who started it, but it was quickly agreed by most.

"Right! One cup!"

"Little sister-in-law has to drink too!"

Zhou Yu tried to smooth things over. "Guys! This might not be appropriate! Little sister-in-law is still recovering, and Huo Xingzhou just got better. They shouldn't drink!"

"Zhou Yu, I knew you were on their side! We're happy today, one cup won't hurt!"

"How about we do a toast? When you two got married, we weren't there. Let's make up for it now!"

"Toast! Toast!"

Someone quickly called the service desk to bring two small, celebratory wine glasses, decorated with dragons and phoenixes, looking festive.

"Let's use these! Little sister-in-law, don't be shy!"

Qiao Xi looked at Huo Xingzhou, her eyes pleading for help.

She really didn't know how to handle this.

"Mr. Huo..."

"How can I refuse such enthusiasm?" Huo Xingzhou said softly.

Qiao Xi realized he had no choice either, so she resigned herself to the situation.

The glasses were filled with white wine, not much—just enough for a small sip.

"Drink!"

"Drink!"

Qiao Xi nervously pursed her lips, holding the small glass, glancing at Huo Xingzhou. Her mind went blank; she didn't know how to toast properly. Huo Xingzhou gently guided her hand around his arm and looked into her eyes.

In that moment, Qiao Xi felt like she had some support, closing her eyes slightly before taking a sip of the white wine.

It was sharp and fiery.

The liquid flowed down her throat, leaving a warm, sweet feeling in her chest.

They hadn't had any formal ceremony or toasts on their wedding night, let alone a grand banquet.

If only...

Qiao Xi felt a fleeting sense of longing, thinking that maybe the wine had gone to her head.

She held the small glass, not letting her arm drop, gazing at the man before her in the dim light.

The others started to smile suggestively.

"I've never seen Huo Xingzhou so serious! Even back then…"

"Seems like he's really putting his heart into it."

"Little sister-in-law, don't be shy. We're all easy to talk to."

They all comforted her kindly, but Xiang Huai, who had been sitting quietly beside them, scoffed. "Only the newlyweds laugh, not the old ones crying."

As soon as those words were spoken, the atmosphere turned awkward.

Xiang Huai ignored them and stood up, saying, "I'm going to pick someone up."

"Who is he going to pick up?"

"The person is already here."

Among them, Xiang Huai and Huo Xingzhou held the highest positions and came from better backgrounds. The Xiang family wasn't a big name in Haicheng, but they were well-respected in the capital.

Zhou Yu's expression turned cold, and he explained to Huo Xingzhou and Qiao Xi, "This guy probably had another outburst. Don't mind him. He's always like this when he's feeling proud."

Qiao Xi nodded, sensing that Xiang Huai didn't like her—maybe even disliked her.

Huo Xingzhou squeezed her wrist. "If you don't want to stay, we can leave now."

"But…"

He'd only just had the chance to gather with his friends.

Qiao Xi made up her mind. "I want to stay a little longer. Mr. Huo, you should talk to them more. I'll just sit here. This place is quite new to me."

She was thinking of Huo Xingzhou.

"Alright, you stay there," Huo Xingzhou said as he patted her shoulder, sitting down and pouring her a glass of juice. "Don't drink any more alcohol."

"Okay. You shouldn't drink either, your body needs to recover."

The two were so affectionate that the single guys around them howled in jealousy.

"Huo Xingzhou, you really don't treat us as outsiders! What's Jiao Jiao been up to? I want to be your brother-in-law!"

"Huo Er only has one sister. How could you even think about it?"

Laughter filled the room.

The door to the club's private room was pushed open.

"What are you guys talking about? It's so lively!" Xiang Huai's voice rang out, and beside him stood a delicate girl, her voice sweet and crisp. "Are you surprised to see me?"

She wore a white French-style dress, a red and black plaid headband, her figure slender and graceful, standing there like a blooming flower.

She stunned everyone.