Chapter 555: Chapter 555: When the Hongluan Star Stirs, the Old House Catches Fire Chapter 555: Chapter 555: When the Hongluan Star Stirs, the Old House Catches Fire Shen Xuanzhi’s hands clenched tightly at his sides, a sense of indescribable unease lurking in the pit of his stomach.

Finally, he bit the tip of his tongue and spoke with a certain aloofness: “I have no personal relationship with you, nor do I know you. There should be nothing for us to talk about, I’m sorry.”

After saying these words, he turned and entered the hotel.

But recalling that the hotel manager had addressed that person as President Xie, Shen Xuanzhi could roughly guess his identity.

The Xie Family, the fifth prestigious family of the Imperial Capital.

Xie Xubai.

Rumors say the Xie Family has an upright and principled lineage, with no known instances of infidelity or domestic abuse.

Such family values adhere to the belief that harmony in the home leads to prosperity in all affairs.

Many ladies of high society wish to marry into the Xie Family, yet Xie Xubai, thirty years old this year, has yet to stir the Hongluan Star of marriage. There has never been any close female confidante by his side, let alone a marriage prospect.

His special treatment towards Huo Sijiao was something Shen Xuanzhi noticed.

…

Watching Shen Xuanzhi’s retreating figure, Xie Xubai spoke with a gentle voice, “Take good care of Miss Huo tonight, she won’t feel comfortable after the hangover. Prepare some easily digestible and light breakfast for tomorrow morning, and ask if she has any other needs, fulfill them all.”

Her mood seemed to be down, otherwise, she wouldn’t have fallen asleep with tear stains on her face.

“Understood, President Xie,” said the lobby manager tentatively, “Should I inform Miss Huo that these instructions are from you?”

Xie Xubai, with his complexion as fair as jade, turned his gaze towards Huo Sijiao, who was being supported nearby: “No need. This is the hotel’s special treatment for VIP guests in our presidential suites, and it will be the standard from now on.”

“Understood.”

The manager nodded.

“I must be going now. I hope that the issues I mentioned regarding the hotel’s refurbishment will be resolved by the time of my next inspection.”

“Yes, President Xie.”

Xie Xubai left the hotel with his assistant and got into his car.

The bold assistant Ning, sitting in the passenger seat, couldn’t help but curiously ask, “President Xie, what did you want to ask that young man? It looked like he ran away.”

Assistant Ning and Xie Xubai were college friends; their conversations lacked the formalities and strictness of others.

“I didn’t want to ask anything.”

Xie Xubai’s gaze fell outside the car window, where the neon lights of the night shone bright and dazzling.

“That young man clearly has feelings for Miss Huo, and she likes him as well. It appears the bride-to-be of the Xie Family is about to slip away. After the New Year, you’ll be thirty-one, and your mother will be arranging blind dates again,” said Assistant Ning with a hint of emotion.

Xie Xubai’s eyes held a faint smile, “Let things take their course. You’re the same age as me, and you’re not in a hurry.”

Assistant Ning laughed, “No one’s rushing me at home, and I’ve dedicated my life to my career. But some people talk about leaving it to fate when their true intentions are barely hidden.”

If Xie Xubai was to be compared to a fox, he would indeed be an elegant and noble white fox.

“President Xie, if you were really leaving it to fate, why did you arrange for someone to take care of Miss Huo tonight? Isn’t it because you fear that a young man and woman might get carried away with heated emotions? When drunk, it’s easy to lose control. By having someone look after her, you eliminate that possibility,” pointed out Assistant Ning, who was well aware of his boss’s way of doing things.

Xie Xubai’s brows were relaxed and he did not deny it, speaking softly, “One should soberly take responsibility for their own choices, rather than being misled by alcohol and regretting it for life.”

Assistant Ning responded with a smile, “I hope you remain this clear-headed and steady always, and don’t let me see the day when emotions take over and impulse burns down the old house.”

Xie Xubai glanced at him, not responding to the bait but instead saying, “Keep a close eye on the Xiang Family’s movements. With the spectacle that Xiang Mingzhu has caused and Xiang Hai secretly rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment, the current situation is unknown. If Xiang Hai’s health fails, the shareholders will lose confidence in the Xiang Group.”

“Yes, I understand. I’ve already sent someone to watch the hospital, but the Xiang Group is pharmaceutical, and they’re tight-lipped, so it may be difficult to obtain firsthand information. Hopefully, President Huo will be able to help,” said Assistant Ning.

Xie Xubai leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes slightly, “All is in readiness, except for the opportunity.”

He had been conspiring with the Huo Family for a long time, all to make the Xie Family leap forward in the Four Great Families selection.

Assistant Ning laughed, “I remember you pacified your family by saying you would establish your career before settling down. How will you avoid matchmaking when the east wind blows your way?”

Even the descendants of such prominent families still face the pressure to marry!

…

The next day.

Qiao Xi woke up in the big bed of the villa; nothing substantial happened between them last night.

Huo Xingzhou was not so demanding, her arm burn still needed proper rest. She and Grandpa Cheng had flipped through ancient books in the countryside and made many strange things.

Among them was a beauty recipe called Jade Skin Ointment, which could remove scars and whiten the skin.

It might be worth a try once her injury heals a bit.

If a scar remains, then so be it.

Qiao Xi had a very comfortable sleep. After the needle-testing conference, it was as if all the tension in her body had loosened. She had a dreamless night and woke up with a good complexion.

The bed beside her was already empty; she didn’t know when Huo Xingzhou had gotten up.

After a simple wash, Qiao Xi went downstairs.

Xiaoyun was cleaning and upon seeing her, she asked: “Young Madam, you’re up. What would you like to eat?”

It was already ten o’clock, so it was time for brunch.

“Something light and simple is fine. Where are the others?”

“The young master is having an overseas video conference in the study. As for Young Master Sun and Old Chen, those two drank so much last night they haven’t woken up yet. I think they’ll only be in time for lunch.”

Xiaoyun said with a chuckle, her round face was delicate and kind.

Qiao Xi nodded: “Then let them sleep.”

“Okay, Young Madam, I’ll make you something to eat now. There’s lots of ready-to-make noodles in the fridge; I’ll prepare a bowl of plain noodles for you.”

“Sounds good.”

Qiao Xi wandered into the living room and turned on the TV listlessly.

Sitting in the soft sofa, the channel that came up was the local one.

A morning talk show segment from Imperial Capital TV Station was on, and the woman’s face on the screen was very familiar.

It was Lu Yingxue!

She was dressed simply but highlighted her figure’s advantages in the details.

Lu Yingxue’s popularity in the Imperial Capital was comparable to that of movie stars. As a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine, she was revered by many as a merciful Guanyin. Her die-hard fans almost seemed brainwashed, fervently believing in and defending her.

Even after her defeat in yesterday’s needle-testing conference, they could come up with a hundred reasons for her.

Lu Yingxue accepting a public interview, especially the day after the needle-testing conference, garnered much attention.

The viewership instantly reached several hundred thousand.

Qiao Xi didn’t change the channel, but instead watched Lu Yingxue’s interview while drinking warm water on an empty stomach.

The host just happened to ask why Lu Yingxue had a quarrel with Xiang Mingzhu at the needle-testing conference.

This was of interest to many.

There seemed to be some irreconcilable conflict between the cousin pair!

Qiao Xi held her cup with both hands, also waiting to see how Lu Yingxue would spin her tale.