Chapter 8: Chapter 8 The Fairy Can''t Grow a Mouth

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    The next morning, early.

    Huo Family''s small villa.

    The driver had been waiting at the door since early morning and respectfully opened the car door when he saw Qiao Xi approaching.

    Just as Qiao Xi was about to get into the car, she saw the man lounging inside. Despite his seemingly calm and cool demeanor, a hint of asceticism was added by a red mole on his neck.

    Qiao Xi was surprised.

    She had told Huo Xingzhou that morning that she was going to the traditional Chinese pharmacy to buy some herbs, but she hadn''t expected him to be in the car.

    "I''ll accompany you," the man said indifferently.

    Qiao Xi nodded reservedly.

    As the car traveled, he flipped through his phone, while she distractedly gazed out of the window, bored and restless.

    "Young Master, Young Madam. We''ve arrived, but it''s difficult to park in front of the Wanren Hall," the driver said.

    The driver parked the car at the parking lot at the end of the street.

    Qiao Xi glanced at Huo Xingzhou''s legs and said, "Mr. Huo, you should wait for me in the car."

    "Hmm."

    He just didn''t feel at ease with her going out on her own.

    Huo Xingzhou continued to browse his phone in the car while Qiao Xi walked toward the bustling street.

    Wanren Hall was the largest traditional Chinese pharmacy in Haicheng, and from a distance, Qiao Xi could see a dense crowd of people, congested and unable to move.

    As she got closer, she listened to the conversation and learned that Wanren Hall had been substituting inferior herbs for good ones, and customers had come to demand an explanation, leading to a dispute.

    "Our herbs are of the highest quality, if you don''t have evidence, don''t falsely accuse us!" the Pharmacist shouted, his face flushed with anger, "Who knows if you are just trying to extort us!"

    "Nonsense! I even have the prescription for the medicine I bought!"

    "Compensation! You make dirty money! What if patients get harmed from these?"

    The Pharmacist dismissed the customers harshly, "Get out of here, stop making a scene! Offending our boss will do you no good!"

    With that, he closed the door, and the crowd suddenly became chaotic, pushing and shoving.

    Then, a scream!

    "Someone has fainted!"

    "Quick, call an ambulance! Is there a doctor?"

    A pale-faced young man was lying on the ground, his breathing weak, unconscious. The onlookers dared not touch him, fearing that he might die from their inadvertent actions!

    Seeing this, Qiao Xi quickly approached and shouted, "Please step back and give him some air!"

    Qiao Xi glanced at Huo Xingzhou, who gestured for her to accept it.

    She pinched the thick red envelope and said, "Thank you."

    "Sister-in-law, you really shouldn''t be so polite with my dad. He has plenty of his own money," Jiaojiao said.

    Mrs. Huo the second glared at her, "Don''t be disrespectful; watch how you speak."

    Huo Sijiao said, "I''m just happy to see my sister-in-law, ma. She''s so much better than that heartless woman who ran away after the car accident, even though she was from the Star Moon..."

    "Jiaojiao!"

    Mrs. Huo the second sharply cut her off, and Huo Sijiao shrank her shoulders, daring not to continue. She realized it was not good to speak of that woman in front of Qiao Xi.

    Star Moon... the foundation?

    Qiao Xi was puzzled and not sure, deciding to ask Huo Xingzhou when she had the chance.

    "Sir, madam," Aunt Qian reported, "the old house called to say there''s a dinner gathering tonight." The Huo Family held a family banquet once a month.

    Du Juan frowned, a bit displeased, "Why throw a banquet at such a critical time? It''s like a wolf celebrating the New Year with a chicken; they must have ill intentions."

    Seeing this, Huo Jiancheng reassured her, "If you don''t want to go, I''ll call and say our branch of the family won''t attend."

    He picked up his phone and called the old house to explain the situation. However, before hanging up, the whole family saw his expression grow more solemn and serious.

    "Is this information real?" Huo Jiancheng''s voice trembled as he spoke.

    After getting a response, he hung up the phone, looking dazed.

    "What happened?" Du Juan asked anxiously.

    Huo Jiancheng glanced at his family, then whispered a few words in her ear.

    Du Juan was shocked, "Is this news true?"

    "Absolutely certain; the old master has already verified it."

    "Go! Even if it''s a trap, I''ll face it. I can''t miss such an opportunity," Du Juan declared resolutely.

    Huo Sijiao complained sourly, "Mom, what''s so good about this family banquet? The main branch surely wants to humiliate us, and I don''t want to see the smug look on Huo Beiting''s face."

    "We must go because they have found Cheng Han''s disciple who says he can cure this condition."

    Huo Sijiao gasped in surprise, joy rising to her brows.

    "My brother''s legs can be healed!"

    Hearing this, Qiao Xi looked down at Huo Xingzhou. Compared to her, an unknown small fry, he must trust Cheng Han''s disciple more.

    The light streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows cast a soft glow on his chiseled face, yet it couldn''t penetrate the depths of his eyes. His face bore no sign of happiness; instead, he gently took her wrist and advised her in a low voice.

    "At the old house, no matter what happens, stand behind me and don''t speak."

    Qiao Xi was taken aback.

    Could the family banquet turn problematic?