Mr. Huo, Shall We Consummate Our Marriage?

"An insignificant woman."

Huo Xingzhou's warm hand gently pinched her chin, his gaze meeting hers with unwavering clarity. He already knew what she wanted to ask.

And so, he gave her an answer.

"I..."

Qiao Xi bit her lip lightly.

It felt as though asking such a question, given the nature of their relationship, crossed a line.

"Sorry, Mr. Huo," Qiao Xi said, her tone tinged with regret.

Huo Xingzhou's fingers moved to her cheek, sliding down her snow-white neck as he murmured, "I like it when you ask me things like this."

A swirl of emotions surged in Qiao Xi's heart.

Suddenly—

The man leaned in, his thin lips pressing against hers.

Qiao Xi closed her eyes, surrendering to the moment.

The faint aroma of alcohol lingered, blending with an atmosphere of intimacy.

Dizzy yet enchanted, she found herself sinking deeper into this entanglement.

Her hands instinctively wrapped around his neck.

"Little doctor, is your lipstick toxic?" he murmured against her lips.

The air between them was scalding, his dark eyes gleaming as if casting a spell on her heart.

Qiao Xi's face turned crimson.

"No, it's not," she replied, recalling the ingredients.

"Then wear it more often," he said, his words stirring her emotions.

She felt her head spin slightly. He liked her lipstick.

In a soft voice, she replied, "Okay."

They soon arrived at the villa.

Aunt Qian, upon seeing them return, bustled into the kitchen and brought two bowls of sweet soup directly to the master bedroom.

"Young Master, Young Madam, you probably didn't eat well outside. Have some supper," Aunt Qian said with a meaningful smile before leaving.

The faint sound of the door locking echoed from outside.

Qiao Xi stood up cautiously, testing the door lock.

It wouldn't budge.

"Aunt Qian?"

Qiao Xi called out but received no response. Aunt Qian had already left.

"Mr. Huo, Aunt Qian locked the door," she informed him.

"Mm."

Huo Xingzhou remained composed.

"So tonight..."

"Aunt Qian wants you to stay here tonight," he said, looking at her. "She did it on purpose. She's skeptical because I didn't act last night."

Aunt Qian was clearly trying to create an opportunity for them.

Qiao Xi pursed her lips, feeling a bit helpless. "Oh."

Her disgruntled expression made Huo Xingzhou smile despite himself.

"You've stayed here before," he said, undoing his tie with one hand, his gaze dark and smoldering. "Why not practice for next time?"

"What?"

He took her hand and placed it on his abdomen, the click of his belt buckle filling the air as he pulled it off and handed it to her. "Next time, you'll do it yourself. I'm going to shower."

The sound of running water came from the bathroom.

Qiao Xi sat upright on the sofa, the belt in her hands still warm from his body heat, her face flushed.

She still wasn't used to sharing a bed or being alone with Mr. Huo.

Would something happen tonight?

Would Mr. Huo consummate their marriage?

Huo Xingzhou's phone buzzed on the coffee table, displaying an unfamiliar number.

Just as Qiao Xi was about to inform him, the call ended.

A moment later, her own phone vibrated, showing the same number. It seemed familiar, but she couldn't quite place it.

She answered hesitantly, "Hello, who is this?"

"It's Xu Xingluo."

A cheerful voice came through. "Is this Qiao Xi? I tried calling Xingzhou, but he didn't answer, so I got your number instead."

"He's in the shower," Qiao Xi replied.

There was a brief pause on the other end, followed by a chuckle. "Is that how you operate?"

"What?" Qiao Xi frowned.

"Nothing. I just wanted to apologize for upsetting Xingzhou tonight. We've had so many misunderstandings. It's normal for him to not want to see me."

Qiao Xi remained silent, offering no comment.

"Qiao Xi, do you think he loves you?" Xu Xingluo asked. "Or is your relationship just a marriage of convenience?"

She chuckled softly. "Xingzhou is exceptional. Even if he's married, women will still flock to him. Can you hold onto him?"

Qiao Xi disliked her tone and simply said, "Why don't you call him after he's out of the shower?"

She ended the call, taking a deep breath.

Her gaze shifted to the fogged glass door, and suddenly, she found the courage to approach.

"Mr. Huo, how are your legs?" she asked, her throat dry.

"They're fine," came his deep voice as the water stopped running.

"Do you need anything?" she asked softly from the door.

"Qiao Xi."

He opened the door, his toned upper body exposed. Qiao Xi's face burned.

"If you want to look, just say so," he teased.

"I wasn't!" she retorted, flustered.

He handed her a towel. "Help me dry my back."

As she gently dried his back, she finally blurted out, "Miss Xu called earlier."

"What did she say?" he asked coldly.

"She apologized for upsetting you tonight."

He showed no reaction.

"Will you call her back?"

"Do you want me to?"

Huo Xingzhou turned around, his cold, pale chest muscles right in front of her eyes.

Qiao Xi found the sight dazzling.

"What if she really needs something?" she asked reluctantly, though women often have a way of saying one thing while meaning another.

He wrapped his arms around her waist and said, "Your right hand isn't fully recovered, is it? Let me help you wash."

Without leaving room for refusal, he held her and led her into the bathroom.

Qiao Xi didn't even have time to protest. As for the phone on the coffee table, Huo Xingzhou never touched it for the rest of the night.

The next morning.

Aunt Qian finally unlocked the door before dawn.

After getting up, Qiao Xi was taken straight to Cheng Han's clinic for a proper treatment session.

Stroking his white beard, Cheng Han said, "It's nothing serious, just needs some time to heal slowly. By the way, I have a visitor today—someone you know, the owner of Fu'an Hall."

Curious, Qiao Xi asked, "You're friends with the owner of Fu'an Hall?"

"Yes. In the future, when you buy herbs there, you can get a discount."

"Great!"

Hearing about a discount made Qiao Xi happy.

Every bit saved counts.

"Sister-in-law! Sister-in-law!"

Huo Sijiao's voice came from the staircase.

Qiao Xi stood up and walked out quickly, puzzled. "Why are you here so early?"

"Sister-in-law, I'm going to work with you today!"

Huo Sijiao raised her chin proudly as she spoke.

Last night, she had gotten solid intel from Zhou Yu—she needed to guard against that spoiled girl Xu Xingluo trying anything underhanded.