Chapter 94: Chapter 94: The Exchange of Cups, An Unexpected Guest
The clubhouse atmosphere was dim, relying entirely on lighting to create the ambiance.
Qiao Xi followed Huo Xingzhou step by step, not daring to fall behind even by a single step.
Eventually, the waiter stopped in front of a carved wooden door and said, “Mr. Huo, here we are.”
“Mm.”
The waiter knocked on the door before opening it.
Laughter and music immediately poured out from inside, assailing Qiao Xi’s ears.
...
“Huo Second has arrived!”
“He’s not Huo Second anymore; he’s the President of Tianyuan Group!”
“Zhou Yu, it’s just you who knows! You really are our good brother, helping Huo Xingzhou keep it a secret from us!”
Looking inside, Qiao Xi could see seven or eight young men, but the most active one was the handsome man sitting next to Zhou Yu. He was wearing a dark blue shirt, paying great attention to his appearance and looking more refined than the others, with violet cufflinks adorning his wrists.
His facial features were very sharp, and his phoenix eyes looked particularly shrewd.
He stood up, walked to the doorway, and patted Huo Xingzhou’s shoulder, “Didn’t expect you’ve really recovered; we’re happy for you.”
His gaze then fell on Qiao Xi, with a somewhat intense scrutiny that made her a little uncomfortable.
“So this is Sister-in-law?” he seemed to say teasingly.
The man called Xiang Huai was smiling at the corner of his mouth, his gaze never moving away from Qiao Xi.
Zhou Yu quickly elbowed him aside and said, “Xiang Huai, don’t block the door! Huo Second, Qiao Xi, come in quickly and take a seat.”
He pointed to the double sofa in the middle and said, “I especially reserved a spot for you two, this is the lover’s seat.”
“Thank you.”
Huo Xingzhou replied indifferently.
“Zhou Yu! Can’t you speak properly? What lover’s seat, it’s a married couple’s seat!” the young men sitting by the sofa teased in unison, bursting into laughter.
Qiao Xi and Huo Xingzhou sat together, her left hand held loosely by him, which made her feel a lot more at ease.
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Aside from her, there were no other girls here.
The others occasionally looked her way with friendly eyes.
“Sister-in-law, can you sing?”
“Sister-in-law, could you take my pulse? I’ve been feeling a bit weak recently, have to soak two cups of Goji berries every day.”
They were all very enthusiastic, extending their hands for Qiao Xi to check their pulses.
Except for the one called Xiang Huai, who just sat on the side, drinking.
Qiao Xi was a bit overwhelmed.
Huo Xingzhou said coolly, “If you want to have your pulse taken, go register at a hospital. She’s off work now; don’t take up her rest time.”
“Yo! Look at him getting all protective!”
“So sweet.”
“Huo Second, you of all people have these moments too. Who would have known!”
They joked.
Qiao Xi smiled shyly, her eyes shining as she looked at Huo Xingzhou.
“Xingzhou, you’ve come to the clubhouse today. You’ve got to drink a cup, or the brothers won’t let you leave!”
It wasn’t clear who first made the suggestion, but it was met with the agreement of most.
“Right! Gotta drink a cup!”
“Sister-in-law has to drink too!”
Zhou Yu intervened to smooth things over, “Guys! That’s not appropriate! Sister-in-law is still injured, and Xingzhou is just recovering from a serious illness. At a time like this, you can’t drink alcohol!”
“Zhou Yu, I knew you would side with them! We’re celebrating today, one cup won’t hurt!”
“How about drinking a bridging cup then! We weren’t there at your wedding. This could make up for it!”
“Bridging cup!”
“Bridging cup!”
Someone even directly called the service desk to find two dragon and phoenix cups, which looked very festive.
“Drink with this! Sister-in-law, don’t be shy!”
Qiao Xi looked at Huo Xingzhou with a pleading expression in her eyes, clearly seeking help.
She really didn’t know what to do.
“Mr. Huo…”
“Hard to refuse such kindness.”
Huo Xingzhou said in a gentle voice.
Seeing that even he was helpless, Qiao Xi resigned herself to fate.
White liquor had already been poured into the pair of cups, not too much, just a small amount that could be quickly finished in one sip.
“Drink!”
“Drink!”
Qiao Xi nervously pursed her lips, holding a small wine cup in her hand as she looked towards Huo Xingzhou. Her mind was blank, and she had no idea what the posture for the wedding toast was supposed to be like. Huo Xingzhou reminded her, and he led her hand around his arm, his eyes intently focused on her.
At that moment, Qiao Xi felt as if she had found her backbone, and she closed her eyes slightly, taking a sip of the white liquor.
Spicy and stimulating.
The liquid flowed down her throat, sweetening her heart.
There was no ceremony, no wedding toast, nor a grand banquet on their initial wedding night.
If only…
A touch of fantasy filled Qiao Xi’s heart, she thought it must be because the liquor was too strong.
Holding the small cup in her hand, she didn’t even lower her arm, peering through the dim light at the stunningly handsome man before her.
The others started to chuckle with insinuation upon seeing this.
“I’ve never seen Huo Xingzhou take anything so seriously before! Even in the past…”
“Seems like he’s really taken it to heart.”
“Sister-in-law, don’t be shy, we’re all easy to talk to.”
They all offered their kind comfort, yet Xiang Huai sat to the side and scoffed, saying, “We only hear laughter from the newlyweds, not the cries of the old flames.”
As soon as these words fell, the atmosphere turned awkward.
Xiang Huai didn’t pay attention to them, stood up, and said, “I’m going to pick someone up.”
“Who is he going to pick up?”
“Everyone’s already here.”
Among them all, it was Xiang Huai and Huo Xingzhou who held higher statuses and came from better families. The Xiang Family wasn’t much in Haicheng but was a prestigious clan in the Imperial Capital.
Zhou Yu’s expression turned cold, and he explained to Huo Xingzhou and Qiao Xi, “That kid is probably acting up again, don’t mind him. He’s full of pride, and quite often a spoilsport.”
Qiao Xi nodded, feeling that Xiang Huai didn’t like her much, even to the point of dislike.
Huo Xingzhou pinched her wrist and said, “If you don’t want to stay, we can go home now.”
“But…”
He had finally gotten together with his friends.
Qiao Xi made up her mind and said, “I want to stay a bit longer. Mr. Huo, why don’t you chat more with them? It’s fine for me to just sit here. This place is quite novel to me.”
She was considering Huo Xingzhou’s feelings.
“Alright then, just sit there.”
Huo Xingzhou guided her to sit down by the shoulder, and poured her a glass of juice, “Don’t drink any more alcohol.”
“Mhm, Mr. Huo, you shouldn’t drink either, your body needs to recover.”
The two of them were being so affectionate, making all the single people howl in protest.
“Huo Xingzhou, you’re really not treating us like outsiders! What has Jiaojiao been up to lately? I’m thinking of becoming your brother-in-law!”
“Huo Xingzhou only has one sister, how are we going to share her!”
The noise and chatter filled the room.
The door of the private room at the clubhouse was pushed open.
“What are you all talking about that’s so lively?” A girl as fresh as a blossoming flower stood next to Xiang Huai, her voice crisp and sweet as she said, “Are you surprised to see me?”
Dressed in a white French-style dress, wearing a red and black checkered hairband, with an extremely slender figure, she stood tall and graceful.
Stunning everyone present.