Chapter 579: Chapter 579: Is It Useful Just Because You Like It?

Xie Xubai spoke unhurriedly, “Don’t try to matchmake me with Pei Chun, she has no sense of proportions and keeps escalating things. As for Miss Huo and me, we have nothing to do with each other; her brother, Huo Xingzhou, and I have a business partnership. My last trip to Haicheng was to discuss matters concerning the Xiang Family… Out of respect for her brother, I give her some extra consideration.”

“You’re lying to me.”

The old lady clutched her chest in great distress, “You even gave up your hotel room for her to stay, and I heard a rumor that when you were in Haicheng, you proposed a marriage alliance with the Huo Family. Are you still saying there’s nothing going on?”

Xie Xubai glanced at Ning Yuan.

Ning Yuan touched his nose and whispered, “I didn’t say anything.”

“Don’t look at Ning Yuan; he is utterly loyal to you. It’s some inside information I got myself. Just be frank with grandma, I won’t hold you back.”

“Grandma.”

Xie Xubai said, “Don’t worry about this matter. I have some other business to attend to, I’m going to the study.”

He stood up, ready to leave the place of trouble.

The elder lady shouted at his retreating figure, “You going to handle it? Are you going to handle it until you’re an old bachelor at seventy or eighty? My head is really hurting, ow!”

Ning Yuan quickly lowered his voice and suggested, “Miss Huo’s sister-in-law happens to be an apprentice of National Doctor Cheng Han, why not have her take a look at your headache, maybe?”

A gleam flashed in the eyes of the Xie Family matriarch, “That’s right!”

“Ning Yuan, to the study!”

“Ah, yes, President Xie, I’m on my way.”

Ning Yuan hurriedly followed.

The elder lady sat on the sofa, her face bearing a leisurely smile.

The young rascal wants to pursue the girl but still puts on airs; time waits for no one.

If she takes a liking to someone else and things settle with them, it’ll be too late!

Xie Xubai’s mother came out with a late-night snack asking, “Mom, what are you smiling about? Where is Xubai and Ning Yuan? I’ve prepared some of their favorite snacks for a late-night meal; I hope Xubai didn’t upset you, did he?”

She placed the tray on the coffee table and sat down next to the old lady.

“Hmph.”

The old lady huffed, “He’s good in every way, just too anxious about not getting married. I need to find out what young Miss Huo likes and strike precisely.”

“Wanling, call that Doctor Qiao who won the top prize at the needle trial competition tomorrow, ask her to treat my migraines.”

This traditional Chinese medicine treatment for migraines is very effective, but the old lady is stubborn!

She disdains the Lu Family and the Xiang Family, unwilling to invite a Chinese physician from the Lu faction for treatment, nor would she let anyone in the family seek out the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association. The Lu Family, also because of the matter with the four major family quotas, repeatedly caused trouble and willfully ignored them.

This has dragged on until now.

Xie Xubai’s mother smiled and nodded, “Okay, I’ll call her tomorrow…”

The old lady, somewhat anxious, changed her mind, “You go call now; people might not have gone to bed yet at this hour. Sound them out, see if they would agree.”

“Alright, I’m on it. So does your head really hurt tonight?”

The old lady said proudly, “Just a little.” She was actually faking it.

Wanling, Xie Xubai’s mother, smiled with pursed lips, took out her phone to get Doctor Qiao’s number from a contact, and made the call.

…

In the night.

A Rolls-Royce glided through the bustling center of the Imperial Capital.

After leaving the banquet hall, Qiao Xi and Huo Xingzhou went to a well-reviewed private chef for a dinner. Even Old Chen was fully satisfied with the meal, humming a tune as he walked out.

She tasted the long-missed flavors of Haicheng and indulged a bit.

Qiao Xi rubbed her belly. Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes nurturing one’s health, but sometimes she too succumbed to the temptations of taste.

“Young Madam, the chef at this restaurant is pretty good, maybe we should hire him for our home?” Old Chen, ever since he got his million-dollar salary, spoke with a bit more confidence. He had no other hobbies but his love for food and drinks.

Qiao Xi smiled, about to make a joke, when her phone vibrated.

She glanced at Huo Xingzhou, who was sitting next to her tapping away at his laptop in an overseas video conference, and whispered, “I need to take this call.”

Qiao Xi slid her finger across the phone screen and turned to take the call.

“Yes, this is Qiao Xi.”

“Right, I’ve been needing to study under my teacher in the mornings recently. I only have time in the afternoons… Tomorrow afternoon?”

“I’m free, that’s fine. I’ll call you back tomorrow with a specific time.”

After finishing the call, Qiao Xi hung up.

Huo Xingzhou closed his laptop and asked her, “Someone looking for you to treat them?”

Qiao Xi leaned back against the chair cushion with her phone and said, “It’s the elderly madam of the Xie Family. She said she’s been suffering from migraines since she was young. The Xie Family has been on bad terms with the Lu Family, and she never sought out Beijing’s traditional doctors. She asked if I could come over and see her.”

Migraines are a real torment, excruciatingly painful when they strike.

“You agreed?”

Qiao Xi’s eyes curved as she wrapped her hand around his, moving closer and said, “Out of respect for President Huo, I should agree, right? Besides, it’s a good thing that people from Beijing are seeking me out for treatment.”

A hint of amusement swirled in Huo Xingzhou’s eyes, “The Xie Family might have ulterior motives.”

Qiao Xi pressed, “What do you mean?”

From the front driver’s seat, Old Chen laughed loudly and said, “Young Madam, you might not know about it yet. Right after we left the Xie Family’s celebration banquet, the young miss declared in front of all the guests that President Xie is pursuing her, and he didn’t clarify. The news has already spread, and the Xie Family’s busy looking for a wife for President Xie.”

They sure are efficient.

“What? Doesn’t Jiaojiao like Shen Xuanzhi? No, she’s probably trying to anger Pei Chun on purpose for me, right?” Qiao Xi instantly figured out the scheme, “I thought she seemed really agitated tonight, and she’d been drinking on her way over. Knowing that she has bodyguards following her all the time, I felt a bit relieved.”

Qiao Xi’s almond-shaped eyes looked at Huo Xingzhou, “Could it be Shen Xuanzhi…”

“Shen Xuanzhi left without notice and settled into a small hotel. He has submitted his application to the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association. Based on his performance at the acupuncture conference, there should be no problem joining the association.”

Shen Xuanzhi wouldn’t leave Beijing easily because he harbors a deep-seated grudge in his heart.

After hearing this, Qiao Xi felt a heaviness in her heart: “His actions are hurtful, but I can understand why. However, Jiaojiao must be feeling really down; she’s so proud…”

Huo Xingzhou wrapped his arm around her shoulders and said, “Isn’t it good now? The Xie Family is interested, let fate decide.”

Qiao Xi frowned slightly, “But I think Shen Xuanzhi really likes Jiaojiao.”

“So what if he does?”

Huo Xingzhou’s gaze settled on her fair cheeks, much like Zhong Yi was to him.

Is liking someone useful?

Not everyone has the courage to cast everything aside and chase after their feelings.

Wrong timing, wrong place.

Qiao Xi took a deep breath, “Then I’ll go to the Xie Family tomorrow to treat the old lady.”

“Hmm.”

Huo Xingzhou gently rubbed her shoulder.

A scene that Qiao Xi saw at the Zhong Family earlier that day suddenly flashed through her mind – Zhong Yi’s subtle mannerisms.

How come even the small gestures are the same?

The suspicions that had arisen in Haicheng surfaced again.

She needed to seek further confirmation!

She turned her head to look at Huo Xingzhou.