Chapter 3: Chapter 3 Pull Down His Pants

    In a corner of the staircase.

    Seeing the name flashing on the screen, Qiao Xi answered, suppressing her aversion.

    "Hello."

    "Xixi," Zhao Yuzhen gently probed on the other end of the line, "I heard Huo''s second young master has woken up? Are his legs truly ruined?"

    The doctors had just issued a diagnosis, and the Su Family was already privy to internal information.

    Zhao Yuzhen did not express concern about how the Huo Family would deal with a surrogate daughter-in-law, nor did she ask about how she spent the previous night, but instead sought to pry into insider details.

    Qiao Xi''s heart grew even colder.

    She said indifferently, "If there''s nothing else, I''m going to hang up."

    "Wait!"

    Zhao Yuzhen called out anxiously, "You must help your sister! Huo Xingzhou has a major project in his hands, a collaboration between Tianyuan Group and the Huo corporation. If you can convince him to sign the ''Project Transfer Document,'' your sister will be able to marry the elder Huo heir, and you can be sisters-in-law."

    Qiao Xi laughed in scorn.

    "What makes you think I can do this favor? I''m just a bride brought in to avert disaster, with no status whatsoever."

    Zhao Yuzhen coaxed her patiently, "Since you married in, Huo Xingzhou has woken up. The second branch of the Huo Family is counting on you now. Besides, he''s already a cripple; what use does he have holding onto the project? It''s better to hand it over and ensure your sister''s marriage to the Huo elder heir."

    Greed flickered in Zhao Yuzhen''s eyes; that project could reap profits in the billions upon completion. And it was through that very project that Huo Xingzhou had secured his position in the Huo corporation.

    "I can''t help you."

    With that, Qiao Xi was about to hang up the phone.

    Zhao Yuzhen''s voice turned shrill, as she shouted, "That rural old hag has been taken to the Su Family! If you don''t agree, you may never see her again in your lifetime."

    "Have you no heart!" Qiao Xi roared, "She''s my grandmother, your mother-in-law as well!"

    All these years, if it hadn''t been for her grandmother raising her, she would have died a long time ago!

    Her grandmother eked out a meager existence, scrimping and saving for her schooling, working herself to illness. No matter how hard she tried to learn medicine from the neighbor, Old Man Cheng, she couldn''t save her grandmother''s worn-out, failing body.

    Zhao Yuzhen actually made her travel a long distance! Who knew what hardships and indignities that old lady had to suffer?

    "Your father died early, and I have no blood relation to that old hag," Zhao Yuzhen said callously.

    Clutching her phone, Qiao Xi''s knuckles turned white, and her fingers trembled.

    Biting her lip and holding back tears, she reddened her eyes and asked, "Am I still your biological daughter?"

    Zhao Yuzhen was silent for a while, then answered with cold indifference, "Weiwei is the one I raised with my own hands; she comes from a good background, has charm, and talent. You managed to marry the Huo second heir, she should obviously marry someone even better than you. I don''t care whether you steal or rob, you must do it."

    "On the day you return to your parents'' home for the visit, I expect good news. Otherwise... considering the old woman''s age, anything can happen."

    Zhao Yuzhen hung up the phone directly.

    "Ah."

    Aunt Qian responded with a sound, giving Qiao Xi an "heroic" look.

    The two left, closing the door behind them.

    Qiao Xi stood by the bed, her head down, fiddling with her fingers, licking her dry lips. The man''s sharp gaze was fixed on her.

    After a long while.

    He said distantly, "Miss Qiao, I can give you money. Her dowry is all tied up in the stock market, she''s deceiving you."

    Qiao Xi bit her cheek, explaining, "I''m not after money."

    Huo Xingzhou saw flashes of last night''s scenes before his eyes, his chest heaving slightly as he said stiflingly, "Awake, I would never indulge you to treat me as you did last night. Being widowed alive means you can''t touch even a finger of mine, not even..."

    His expression grew colder, "Not even for satisfying a craving."

    Qiao Xi''s face turned so red it could bleed.

    Was hugging and kissing what he meant by satisfying a craving?

    "I didn''t," she murmured softly, "And besides, you are not capable anyway."

    "What did you say?" the man asked.

    Qiao Xi shook her head and let go of her tightly clasped hands, making a decision.

    Her eyes were as clear as water, her voice firm, "Mr. Huo, I am confident that I can heal your legs."

    "Heh."

    The man scoffed.

    From a proud scion to a cripple, he was full of irritation and defeat. The woman in front of him was humiliating and mocking him over and over again.

    Even with Huo Xingzhou''s usual good manners, he had lost the last of his patience, "Get out."

    Qiao Xi''s innocent face was full of defiance, "I''m not lying."

    "Do you have a medical license? Have you ever cured anyone? What proof do you have?"

    Qiao Xi shook her head, "No, but I have treated many people in the countryside. When I touched you, I felt your pulse, it''s..."

    "Get out!"

    With a frown, Qiao Xi got a bit angry facing his resistance.

    She stepped forward, swiftly pulling off Huo Xingzhou''s covers and stripped down his sleep pants! His muscular legs, clearly defined, were now exposed to the air.

    The man was furious.

    "Qiao Xi!"