I Don’t Want to Go Home Tonight

"Xu Xingluo!"

"Xingluo, little sis!"

"I saw the news that you were coming back, but I didn't expect it'd be tonight's flight. You've been away for months! What a heartless little girl."

As Qiao Xi watched the previously composed young men stand up one by one to greet Xu Xingluo at the door, a flash of amazement crossed her eyes.

So this is Xu Xingluo.

Even more beautiful and graceful than on the big screen, she stood there like a picturesque scene.

A swan gliding on a moonlit lake.

Noble and elegant, yet alluringly charming.

The group surrounded her, firing off questions.

It was as though she was meant to be adored, the centerpiece of everyone's attention. Clearly, she had grown up in a privileged environment, her charm almost too dazzling to be real.

"Brother Jing!"

"Brother Zhou Yu!"

Xu Xingluo greeted them all politely, her voice melodic.

Finally, her gaze landed on Huo Xingzhou and Qiao Xi.

"Brother Xingzhou."

Her voice was soft and velvety, carrying a hint of lingering warmth. Those two words seemed to swirl on her tongue, leaving traces of sweetness in the air.

"Is this your luck-bringing wife?" Xu Xingluo's mesmerizing peach blossom eyes shifted to Qiao Xi, her tone light with curiosity. "She's actually quite pretty."

She extended her hand confidently, signaling goodwill. "Hello, I'm Xu Xingluo."

Her confidence was palpable.

Qiao Xi shifted her gaze from Xu Xingluo's white French dress, her lips curving into a faint smile. "I'm Qiao Xi."

The atmosphere grew slightly awkward.

Zhou Yu frowned, shooting a glare at Xiang Huai.

Why bring Xu Xingluo here? Isn't this deliberately causing trouble for Huo Xingzhou?

Xiang Huai raised an eyebrow, a look of provocation on his face.

Huo Xingzhou remained indifferent, his deep eyes as cold as frost atop a lofty mountain. His fingers, wrapped around Qiao Xi's wrist, gently brushed her skin, causing her to feel a slight tickle.

Xu Xingluo's delicate face maintained a constant smile, seemingly oblivious to the scene.

She sank into the sofa, chatting and socializing effortlessly with the others.

Meanwhile, Qiao Xi and Huo Xingzhou seemed in their own world, their closeness uninviting to outsiders.

Huo Xingzhou, seemingly bored, casually fed Qiao Xi from the fruit platter while lounging comfortably.

"Huo, I… I can't eat anymore," Qiao Xi softly reminded him.

The music in the room was loud, and to speak to him, she had to lean in close, making the atmosphere even more intimate.

"Then feed me."

Huo Xingzhou handed her the silver fork.

Suppressing a fleeting moment of discomfort, Qiao Xi's lips curved slightly. "What kind of fruit do you want?"

"Anything."

Huo Xingzhou's reply was nonchalant.

Qiao Xi picked up a piece of cantaloupe and brought it to his lips.

His gaze lingered on her like a silken thread as he murmured, "I'm not hungry anymore. Let's go home."

"Alright."

Seeing that he wanted to leave, Qiao Xi had no reason to refuse.

Huo Xingzhou pulled her up, and all eyes in the room turned toward them.

"It's getting late. We'll head home first," Huo Xingzhou said coolly.

Qiao Xi stood quietly beside him, fully supporting his decision.

"Leaving so early? It's only nine!"

"Marriage changes a man, doesn't it?"

The others merely teased, but Xiang Huai's tone turned mocking. "In a hurry to leave? Not giving me any face?"

Xu Xingluo frowned, tears brimming in her eyes. "Brother Xingzhou, is it because I'm here?"

Her tearful eyes were heartbreakingly expressive.

"This has nothing to do with you," Huo Xingzhou replied icily, pulling Qiao Xi out of the venue without a second glance.

Qiao Xi felt his mood grow colder. Was it because of the Xu family?

Jiaojiao had once mentioned that the Huo and Xu families were at odds and couldn't stand the sight of each other.

Footsteps hurriedly approached from behind. Qiao Xi turned to see Zhou Yu catching up.

"Huo, Qiao Xi, I didn't know Xiang Huai would bring Xu Xingluo," Zhou Yu explained anxiously. "He just said it was a gathering of brothers. I thought it'd be a chance to hang out and have some fun."

"Are you okay?" he asked worriedly.

Huo Xingzhou's gaze turned icy. "I'm fine. Just don't set up such pointless gatherings again."

"I promise I won't." Zhou Yu almost swore on it.

With that, Huo Xingzhou left.

Zhou Yu sighed deeply. What a mess.

Returning to the room, he saw that everyone else had left except Xu Xingluo and Xiang Huai.

Xu Xingluo was sobbing, downing glass after glass of wine.

"He still hasn't forgiven me!"

Tears streamed down her face as the ballet world's most beautiful swan lived up to her reputation.

Xiang Huai gently dabbed at her tears with a tissue, his voice full of concern. "It's okay. There's still time."

Xu Xingluo shook her head, choking on her sobs. "I hate the way he looks at me. He must despise me. But I had no choice back then. I didn't mean to…"

"Xingluo, he's married now."

"No!"

Xu Xingluo's voice was full of defiance. "That Qiao Xi is just a luck-bringing village girl. They have no emotional connection. But I'm his childhood sweetheart! Didn't you all think we'd end up together back then?"

Seeing her unstable emotions, Xiang Huai reluctantly nodded.

Xu Xingluo cried harder, her peach blossom eyes swollen and red as she clutched her chest, coughing.

"Maybe I should have died in that car accident. If I had, I wouldn't feel this pain, and Brother Xingzhou wouldn't hate me so much…"

"Don't say that. That was his choice," Xiang Huai said firmly, patting her back gently. "Stop drinking. I'll take you home later."

"I don't want to go home tonight," she sobbed, breathless.

Outside the door, Zhou Yu quietly closed it.

What kind of tangled fate is this?

Is Xu Xingluo still holding onto false hopes?

After standing in place for a moment, he finally pulled out his phone and sent a message to Huo Sijiao:

"Xu Xingluo is back!"

The night was dark.

A Rolls-Royce drove silently, its headlights casting a soft glow.

Qiao Xi sat quietly, hesitant. Seeing Xu Xingluo had stirred many thoughts.

She was someone who had returned from abroad.

Her relationship with Huo Xingzhou might not be ordinary.

Was that birthday gift Aunt Qian found sent by Xu Xingluo?

And those overseas calls Huo Xingzhou often received—were they from her too?

The thoughts weighed on her, leaving her restless.

"What are you thinking about?" Huo Xingzhou asked, his deep gaze fixed on her.

Qiao Xi shook her head.

"Say what's on your mind."

Encouraged by his words, she bit her lip before asking hesitantly, "Really?"

"Mm, speak."

"Mr. Huo, that Miss Xu… what's your relationship with her?" Her cheeks flushed, her voice tinged with embarrassment.