Chapter 187: Chapter 187 Mr. Huo is Better than Young Master Zhong Chapter 187: Chapter 187 Mr. Huo is Better than Young Master Zhong Qiao Xi was still unaware of Xu Xingluo’s malice when she returned home after work and finished her chores. Dressed in a light purple gauzy nightgown, she replaced the nutrient solution for all the eucalyptus flowers in the villa.

Since that time,
All the fresh flowers in the villa had become eucalyptus flowers.

Aunt Qian said that it was Mr. Huo who had asked her to find a new florist to supply them, fresh every day.

Qiao Xi’s fingers gently stroked the delicate blossoms, a smile lifting the corners of her mouth, her almond-shaped eyes shimmering with happiness.

Done with her kitchen duties, Aunt Qian stepped out and glanced at the clock on the wall, which had advanced to ten o’clock.

“Young Madam, this is the young master’s supper. Would you mind taking it to his study?”

“Sure.”

Qiao Xi answered and set down the watering can, picking up the small tray to carry it upstairs.

Huo Xingzhou had been out at a social engagement this evening, returning home reeking of alcohol without having had dinner. He went straight to his study, saying he had a video conference with someone from the Imperial Capital.

Qiao Xi approached the study, not wanting to disturb his meeting, and gently knocked on the door.

“Come in,”
The muffled voice of Huo Xingzhou came through the door.

Qiao Xi opened the door and walked in. The man was speaking to his laptop, gesturing with his eyes for her to place the items on the desk. Listening to the technical terms tumbling from his lips, she lightened her steps.

She quietly set the tray down on the desk and was about to leave when Huo Xingzhou caught the hem of her gown.

She looked up at him, puzzled.

Yet, he didn’t let go. To the laptop camera, he said, “Young Master Zhong, a pleasure doing business. Even if the Xiang Family hadn’t voluntarily withdrawn from next year’s competition, I’m sure we could have collaborated a second time.”

The young man on the other end laughed lightly, his warm voice resonating, “President Huo, don’t be too proud. After all, the Xiang Family has cooperated with our Zhong Family for many years.”

Huo Xingzhou’s eyes and brows carried a faint aristocratic air.

“The Zhong Family and the Xiang Family may partner, but Young Master Zhong’s only choice is me.”

The Tianyuan Group had always harbored ambitions to break into the Imperial Capital, but only after the Zhong Family’s illegitimate son took power did they find a crack to exploit.

Like a giant shark that had scented blood, they pursued relentlessly.

Launching an offensive on the glamorous battleground of the Imperial Capital.

Qiao Xi pursed her lips, listening to the men’s verbal fencing filled with silent undercurrents. She couldn’t shake the feeling that the voice on the other side sounded vaguely familiar.

Standing at the side of the desk, all she had to do was lean in slightly to appear in the camera’s view.

Curling her toes, she felt a slight ache in her shins as she longed to sneak a glimpse of the other’s appearance. Her beautiful eyes struggled to peek at the screen.

Huo Xingzhou noticed her little movement. His long fingers hooked hers, caressing her fingertips.

With a sudden tug.

“Ah!”

Qiao Xi exclaimed, tumbling into his arms. Her face instantly flushed, and she covered her mouth. Struggling to sit up from Huo Xingzhou’s embrace, her deer-like eyes, wet and glistening, turned towards the laptop’s display.

The video feed had already been cut off.

“Mr. Huo! It’s all your fault, you made me lose face!” she complained flirtatiously.

Wrapping his arm around her waist, Huo Xingzhou suggested, making her sit in his lap, “Is it my fault you lost face, or is it because you wanted to see what he looks like?”

He had clearly seen her furtive movements.

“Curious.”

Qiao Xi dispelled her absurd suspicion, “I always hear you and Zhou Yu talking about how formidable Young Master Zhong is, and quite mysterious too. There are no photos of him online, so I just wanted to see what he looks like.”

After all, in her heart, Huo Xingzhou was already impressive enough.

Zhou Yu had once commented that Young Master Zhong’s tactics were no less formidable than Mr. Huo’s.

At her words, Huo Xingzhou pressed his thin lips to her earlobe, whispering, “Then, shall I take you to see him properly next time?”

His tone sounded slightly bitter.

Qiao Xi’s eyes curved like crescent moons, and she replied with restrained amusement, “Do I detect a hint of jealousy? Aunt Qian has made you a red bean and sweet osmanthus rice ball soup. President Huo, have something sweet to cure that taste.”

She picked up the celadon bowl, “Want a sip?”

Huo Xingzhou increased the distance between them and said, “Feed me.”

He didn’t let go of her hand as he held her–the warmth and softness within his arms were too comforting to release. Qiao Xi always had a faint scent of medicine on her, mixed with the fragrance of her usual shower gel; it was very pleasant.

Faint, very clean, refreshing to the heart and spleen.

Qiao Xi scooped a spoonful of the thick red bean balls and brought it to his lips.

Huo Xingzhou opened his mouth and took a bite.

Aunt Qian’s culinary skills were excellent; this dessert was meltingly smooth, not too sweet or greasy. Eating it as a late-night snack didn’t feel burdensome, but rather, it warmed the stomach.

“Drinking on an empty stomach is bad for your health,” Qiao Xi, sensing the faint smell of alcohol on him, said softly.

“Business dealings, unavoidable. But I will try to reduce the frequency,” he replied.

What he could promise, he promised. What he couldn’t, he wouldn’t offhandedly agree to.

Qiao Xi fed him spoonful by spoonful, and the little bowl of red bean ball soup was quickly finished. She put the bowl aside and was promptly pulled by the man into an overpowering kiss.

He had drunk a little, and his eyes were slightly reddened, elongating at the corners.

Those dark, deep eyes were more beguiling than usual. Qiao Xi found herself seated on the soft boss chair, her cheeks flushed. She saw the man’s strong hands resting on either side of the chair.

He leaned over, kissing her lips repeatedly.

Her eyes closed, languorous and indulgent.

He undid his tie and threw it aside, unbuttoning several on his shirt.

“Mr. Huo?” she called out in a daze.

“Had a drink, feeling a bit hot,” he said hoarsely.

With the white shirt flung open, she had an unobstructed view.

A chest, firm and covered by a layer of muscle, pale and powerful. The clear lines of his Adonis belt, trailing downwards.

Her body, soft and curled up in the chair, was kissed repeatedly by him, like a gift being unwrapped.

“Mr. Huo, that Young Master Zhong, he…ah…”

A prick of pain on her neck made her inhale sharply.

“Keep talking,” he commanded while continuing his actions.

“It’s nothing. Mr. Huo must be more handsome than him, more restrained and polite, more…” Qiao Xi babbled on with praise, trying to placate the man on the verge of jealousy and anger.

The man undid her final restraint, preparing to make his move.

Qiao Xi pressed against his chest and said, “Let’s go to the room, there’s no…”

“There is.”

The man reached back and pulled open the drawer, taking out a box of Taitai Le.

“Qiao Xi, there’s one everywhere in the house.”

Before Qiao Xi could ponder why they were everywhere, she was pulled into the abyss.

Her mind blank, she was left with only the intense trembling of her body.

His movements were fierce.

It seemed he was angry at hearing about another man from her lips, yet he still insisted on bringing up the astonishing and gorgeous illegitimate son of the Imperial Capital’s Zhong Family.

“He’s very smart, more formidable than his elder brother.”

“Appearing modest and gentle, but actually cunning as a fox.”

“What do I resemble in Little Divine Doctor’s eyes?”

Qiao Xi racked her brains, and remembering Shu Xue’s past comment “a canine waist,” she said with a trembling voice, “A dog… no, a wolf.”

A dog didn’t carry enough grandeur.

Huo Xingzhou, feigning retreat as a tactic, withheld and asked, “Between the wolf and the fox, which one do you like?”

It was as if he demanded she make a choice before granting her pleasure.