Chapter 573: Chapter 573: Respect the Robe before the Person

“Qiao Xi?”

By her side, Huo Xingzhou called out.

“Ah? Are we going home?” Qiao Xi came back to her senses, her gaze crashing into his deep eyes.

“Going home.”

Huo Xingzhou didn’t ask further, opening the car door for her to get in.

Old Chen drove the car, heading onward.

Qiao Xi sat on the leather seat, and finally fully awakened, she said, “Today, Lu Yingxue also began to study with Master Huang. There might be changes to the successor of the Zhong Family. According to what Old Master Zhong implies, he wants Zhong Yi and Lu Yingxue to have a child. If Lu Yingxue does not get pregnant, Zhong Yi might not necessarily be the heir.”

Qiao Xi leaned on the soft cushion, her back sore and aching, and said, “What a strange rule, shouldn’t the competition for the heir be about ability?”

Huo Xingzhou saw her in this state and extended his hand to gently knead the side of her lower back, saying, “The Zhong Family is strong enough; the heir only needs to have brains. Both Zhong Lingxiao and Zhong Yi are capable. Since Zhong Lingxiao’s woman is pregnant, the old man has to reconsider… and moreover…”

“Moreover what?”

Qiao Xi’s clear apricot eyes looked at him.

Huo Xingzhou swallowed that answer, saying, “Old Master Zhong needs Zhong Yi to show loyalty. Lu Yingxue is the fiancee arranged for him, to test if Zhong Yi is obedient enough and can consider the family’s interests. My cooperation with Zhong Yi has angered the old man.”

He left out the most important reason.

It was because Old Master Zhong knew about Zhong Yi’s past and wanted to completely sever his lingering thoughts on Qiao Xi!

“So that’s how it is.”

A thought flashed through Qiao Xi’s mind, and she nearly grasped it.

Suddenly.

A ticklish sensation crept up her lower back.

Qiao Xi hurriedly grabbed the hand causing the mischief, “What are you doing? We’re in the car.”

He was particularly fierce last night; her limbs felt weak and sore, and today she had stood for hours learning acupuncture with Master Huang.

“Lie down, I’ll massage your waist for you,” Huo Xingzhou said softly.

“No, Old Chen is here,” Qiao Xi whispered, keeping her voice low, “How can you be so frivolous even in public.”

Hearing the commotion, Old Chen in the front promptly chuckled and said, “Young Madam, just pretend I’m air! Haicheng has been calling the young master, insisting every other day for you to have a child. The Acupuncture Conference has ended too, Young Madam, you should consider it too.”

Du Juan and her husband Huo Jiancheng also had plenty of idle time, joining the clamoring crowd pressing for a child.

Surprise crossed Qiao Xi’s eyes; when Du Juan called her, she had never said such things about pressing for a child.

All the pressure had been passed on to Huo Xingzhou.

Why has he never mentioned it?

Perhaps her eyes showed too much surprise, Huo Xingzhou gently rubbed her head, “Let nature take its course, no need to force it. If we have one, we’ll have one; if you don’t want to, we can continue with contraception. Besides, we’re still young, we can enjoy everyone’s love a bit longer.”

Qiao Xi clenched her fist and gently patted his shoulder, “Such a big matter, and you didn’t tell me.”

“I was afraid you’d be pressured.”

“I’m not.”

Her gaze drifted towards the car window, “This isn’t the way home. Where are we going?”

“To Yunqi Hotel, for the Xie Family’s celebration banquet.”

The fall of a mighty whale meant the rise of another family. Even though the end of year family rankings weren’t out yet, everyone knew the Xie Family was now a contender not to be underestimated.

“Is it appropriate for me to go dressed like this?”

Qiao Xi looked at her casual outfit, feeling it was indecorous.

Today she wore a simple white knitted top and jeans, plain but they complemented her skin and figure well.

“No matter what we wear, we are the honored guests at the Xie Family’s event. If you feel it’s not suitable, we can make a detour to Ruisa Shopping Mall to pick out a dress. After all, Master Irina’s design studio is there for you.”

Qiao Xi shook her head, “No need, if you think it’s alright, then I’m fine with it too.”

People respect the clothing first and then the person. She didn’t want to embarrass Huo Xingzhou.

“Old Chen, directly to Yunqi Hotel, please.”

“Alright, Young Master.”

Old Chen accelerated, and the car stopped at the entrance of Yunqi Hotel. The doorman, recognizing the familiar license plate, respectfully guided them to a special parking spot.

With a sweet smile, the doorman said, “President Xie mentioned that if President Huo were to come, we must offer the best hospitality. The banquet halls in Yunqi are all set up today, and the arrival of you and Young Madam will surely grace the occasion.”

Qiao Xi’s eyes brimmed with laughter as she took Huo Xingzhou’s arm and walked inside.

The parking lot of Yunqi Hotel was full, and at the entrance, one could see big bosses on the phone trying to secure an invitation. It seems with the changing dynamics in the Imperial Capital, everyone wanted to connect with the Xie Family, a soaring dragon on the rise.

“Those are business owners from out of town.” Huo Xingzhou pointed towards several portly bosses with beer bellies and said, “Over there is Zhao Chang, the most famous traditional Chinese medicine merchant from the Southwest. Xu Yunye has dealt with him several times but could never get the upper hand.”

Confused, Qiao Xi asked, “He sounds so formidable; how come he doesn’t have an invitation?”

“Xie Xubai appears indifferent to fame and wealth but likes to handle matters based on his preferences. Zhao Chang’s reputation isn’t very good, and the Xie Family prefers to do business with partners of good character. The two families have no business dealings, and the Yang Family that is being purchased is in the medical equipment business, so there’s no need to give him face.”

“Oh.”

So that’s how it is.

Qiao Xi followed Huo Xingzhou inside and was led to the banquet hall.

The banquet hall of Yunqi Hotel was vast and packed with people.

Glasses clinked, and there was a fragrant mingling of perfumes and hairs.

It seemed quite lively.

The waitstaff bustled among the guests, striving to provide excellent service to each one.

The moment Ning, the assistant, saw Huo Xingzhou’s handsome face, he squeezed through the crowd, smiled and said: “Forgive us for the lack of preparation today, President Huo. President Xie didn’t expect so many people to attend. The elders at home asked for a number of invitations to be sent out, and we accidentally issued too many.”

With a brief glance around, Huo Xingzhou noticed that the crowd mainly comprised parents with their daughters, and he understood.

It turns out this celebration banquet was also Xie Xubai’s matchmaking banquet.

The Xie Family elders intended to check out the young ladies.

With an unspoken amusement in his eyes, Huo Xingzhou said to Qiao Xi, “I have matters to discuss with Xie Xubai. I’ll have Old Chen accompany you for some food.”

“Go ahead.”

Qiao Xi said casually.

She was no longer the girl who would feel nervous at banquets; she could now stand on her own.

“President Huo, President Xie is waiting for you in the small conference room on the second floor.”

“Hmm.” Huo Xingzhou paused a bit and said, “My wife hasn’t had dinner. Please ask the kitchen to prepare something for her. The pastries and drinks at the banquet don’t really suit her taste.”

“Of course, I’ll immediately instruct the hotel to arrange it.”

Qiao Xi watched him walk away and smiled.

He was off to divide the spoils with Xie Xubai.

“Old Chen, let’s sit in the corner.”

“Certainly, Young Madam.”

Old Chen followed Qiao Xi closely and sat down on a small sofa in the corner.

The hotel’s female manager, upon receiving instructions from above, took great care to attend to Qiao Xi. Hearing that Young Madam Huo had not had dinner, she immediately brought forward the hotel chef’s specialties: avocado with bird’s nest, eel rice casserole, and French silver cod, along with a dessert of Longjing tea custard and a fruit platter.

“Please enjoy. If you have any other requests, you can call for me at any time. Sir, would you like to order anything?”

Old Chen scratched his head: “Do you have braised beef noodles? I’d like one with a lot of beef.”

The female manager smiled warmly: “Yes, we have it. Please wait a moment; I will have the kitchen make it, but it may take some time.”

“Thank you very much,” Old Chen thought to himself that the service at Yunqi Hotel was indeed good.

The female manager left promptly, and Qiao Xi, looking at the richly fragrant dishes, did feel quite hungry.

But proper girls attending banquets are either there to socialize or for matchmaking, hoping to cinch their waists to appear slender and graceful. At most, they would sip a bit of red wine during interactions, not dine so heartily.

This corner suddenly became very conspicuous.

Just as Qiao Xi was about to dig into the eel rice casserole with her spoon, the sofa beside her sunk in slightly.

A scent wafted through the air and into her nostrils.

Qiao Xi slowly turned her head to look over.