Chapter 78: Chapter 78: He Bathes Her

    “Hello, this is Qiao Xi. May I ask who is this...”

    Qiao Xi spoke softly.

    There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone.

    “Hello?”

    Qiao Xi frowned, thinking that perhaps she had dialed the wrong number.

    At that moment.

    ...

    From inside the bathroom, Huo Xingzhou called out, “Qiao Xi, time to bathe.”

    “Oh, coming,” Qiao Xi replied loudly.

    The breathing on the other end of the phone turned erratic and then the call was abruptly ended.

    How strange.

    Qiao Xi didn’t think much of it and placed her phone on the bedside table before heading to the bathroom.

    In the bathroom.

    Steam filled the air.

    The man’s suit jacket lay on the vanity, his shirt cuffs rolled up to reveal his forearms with distinct muscle lines.

    His indifferent eyes softened a touch, “The doctor said the wounds on your body aren’t serious, you just have to keep your hands dry.”

    “Oh.”

    Qiao Xi stood to the side, waiting for him to leave.

    But he showed no sign of doing so.

    “Mr. Huo, aren’t you leaving?”

    “Can you bathe with those hands?” Huo Xingzhou’s gaze, teasing and mirthful, fell on her hands wrapped so that they resembled buns.

    “Then...”

    Qiao Xi found it hard to speak.

    “I’ll help you.”

    He was forthright.

    His fingers found the zipper of her dress at her back, pinching the clasp.

    “Mr. Huo...”

    “Qiao Xi, whatever feelings you had for me initially, I now harbour the same for you.” His eyes were like waves, enveloping her.

    Qiao Xi’s body stiffened, and she shut her eyes tightly, letting him do as he pleased.

    The dress was removed, tossed aside.

    Then came the undergarments.

    Like a marionette, she sat in the bathtub. Luckily, dense bubbles concealed her crucial parts, spared from his constant gaze, otherwise, Qiao Xi really wanted to dig a hole and bury herself.

    His warm hand landed on her shoulder, the rough texture of his fingerprints grazing her skin.

    In the bathroom, a rich fragrance permeated the steam.

    He, before her, was even more stern and abstinent.

    Qiao Xi felt dazed, as if her emotions were stirred.

    His voice was husky beyond recognition.

    What did that mean?

    When she was healed, what did he want to do?

    “Do you prefer silk bedding or pure cotton?” he asked again.

    His simple words ignited her like a flame.

    Her eyes rimmed with red, she murmured with moisture in her eyes, “Pure cotton.”

    “Mm.”

    He responded, his fingers gently stroking her back.

    “Qiao Xi, I was a bit scared that day,” Huo Xingzhou’s voice was hoarse, “After the phone connected, I heard Zhuo Feng assaulting you.”

    His large hand gripped her slender waist as if to affirm her presence.

    “Mr. Huo, I’m fine.” Her voice was sweet to the point of syrupy.

    Huo Xingzhou slowly put some distance between them, eye to eye.

    “Qiao Xi, once your identity is revealed, many people will come to seek medical help. If you don’t want to see them, just refuse, and I will take care of the rest,” he said earnestly.

    Qiao Xi nodded heavily, “Mm!”

    Her nose felt sour, her eyes burned hot, and her heart seemed to fill with a sweet and sour floral scent.

    Mr. Huo, so wonderful!

    Her cheeks were tinged with pink, her eyes like ripples on a lake in spring.

    “Mr. Huo, my... wound hurts a bit.”

    After speaking, she leaned in slowly, imitating his manner to kiss the corner of his lips.

    It was both nai?ve and passionate – utterly unfair.

    “Qiao Xi.”

    He called out her name cautiously, on the edge of losing control.

    Her eyes were clear as she looked at him, “Mr. Huo is a painkiller, and we don’t have to wait until... the day the wound heals.”

    Her words lit another fierce fire.

    Huo Xingzhou abruptly picked her up, leaving the bathroom.

    Qiao Xi felt the world spinning as she was placed on the soft bed, the man looming over her.

    Now she started to feel a bit nervous and afraid.

    Looking down at her from his height, Huo Xingzhou spoke with restraint, “Qiao Xi, I’ll give you one chance to regret this.”

    After speaking.

    He grabbed a silk quilt and covered her body, “Rest well.”

    Qiao Xi, with wide almond eyes, bit her lip and looked at him.

    “Don’t look at me like that.” The man’s voice was low, his countenance pale, and the red mole on his neck burned bright, “Next time, I won’t let you go.”

    He got up and walked into the bathroom. Soon, the sound of the shower and other noises that not even the closed door could contain reached her ears.

    Qiao Xi hid in the covers, her face flushed.

    As sleepiness deepened, she slowly closed her eyes and gradually drifted into dreams.

    Cold air clinging to him, Huo Xingzhou stepped out of the bathroom to see her snuggled sweetly in the covers.

    He was about to do something when the door was knocked on.