Taming The Hidden Bigshot By Kissing Him

Chapter 103: Chapter 103: A Public Kiss, Full of Affection
 

“Ah! The child!”

“Careful now!”

Qiao Xi’s face was stricken with fear as she clutched the child in her arms tightly, ready to use her body as a cushion to protect the little one.

In the blink of an eye, a strong arm encircled her upper body, pulling her into an embrace. She steadied herself, standing dumbfounded as she looked at the man who had hastily appeared before her.

His features were handsome, his expression cool and collected. His eyes were dark as ink, irresistibly drawing one in.

The child in her arms wailed loudly.

Qiao Xi was still in shock when Yang Yuerong took the child over, examining it with tender concern.

“Mr. Huo…” Qiao Xi wanted to explain but wasn’t sure how to begin.

It seemed like she had been tripped by someone, but she couldn’t be certain who. There were too many guests around, and it was unclear what their intentions were.

Huo Xingzhou gently pinched the back of her hand, a gesture meant to comfort.

His gaze was icy as a cold smirk curled at the corner of his lips, “If someone no longer wants their feet, just let me know.”

Xiang Huai spoke with nonchalance, “Xingzhou, are you suggesting someone deliberately tripped her? Being protective of one’s wife should have its limits.”

“Brother Xingzhou, Brother Huai. Don’t argue, this is all a misunderstanding,” Xu Xingluo hurriedly interjected.

Yang Yuerong, with a face full of fear, patted the child’s back to soothe it, “It’s all okay, no harm done. I’ll take the child back to the room first. Make yourselves at home!”

Her words carried no blame towards Qiao Xi, yet Qiao Xi felt a deep sense of guilt.

Xu Xingluo kindly offered comfort, “Qiao Xi, just be more careful next time.” Her words implied it was Qiao Xi’s fault.

She then turned to Huo Xingzhou and spoke affectionately, “Brother Xingzhou, I thought you weren’t coming. We are going to Qing Lake to set off fireworks later.”

“I remember how much you loved setting off fireworks at Qing Lake as a child.”

The Liu Family’s estate was adjacent to the clear, blue waters of Qing Lake, stretching for miles, a breathtaking sight to behold.

The Liu Family had spent a fortune on the latest and most fashionable fireworks that lined the lake’s edge. There were also many tourists and media who had come upon hearing the news, eager to witness the grandeur of the fireworks display.

As Qiao Xi watched Xu Xingluo’s charming demeanor, her heart sank.

Childhood memories? Did Xu Xingluo and Mr. Huo have memories exclusive to them?

Qiao Xi felt a chill, though her hand was held tightly by the man. She heard him say, “People’s tastes change. What I liked before, I do not like now.”

Every word he spoke was in her defense.

Finally, Liu Zongquan could no longer stand by and said, “Let’s start the meal! After we’ve eaten, you young people can go and enjoy the fireworks.”

“Please take your seats, everyone. The banquet begins now.”

The main table was for the elders, while the table next to it was for the younger relatives who were close to them.

Ironically, Xu Xingluo and Huo Xingzhou were seated at adjacent tables.

She and Qiao Xi were seated on either side of Huo Xingzhou, with Xiang Huai next to her, followed by Liu Zongquan’s eldest son, Liu Yi, whom Qiao Xi had met once.

The rest of the seats were taken by younger members of the Yang Family, faces unknown to her.

Xu Xingluo was charming and amiable, bright and captivating.

She attended to everyone, serving food and pouring tea, not neglecting Qiao Xi either.

Indeed, she was the high-quality daughter-in-law that all the prestigious families in Haicheng vied for, with her strong social skills, exceptional talent, and graceful demeanor.

Watching her, Qiao Xi’s gaze dimmed, and an unwarranted envy welled up inside her.

Xu Xingluo placed the beautifully prepared Luo Pond Shrimp on the far side away from Huo Xingzhou and explained carefully, “Brother Xingzhou is allergic to shrimp. He’s hated them since he was little.”

The intimacy in her voice caused Qiao Xi’s heart to seize up suddenly.

Then came a heavy sense of loss. Xu Xingluo’s past with Mr. Huo was something she, an outsider, could never be a part of. Xu Xingluo knew what he loved and what he didn’t.

As for her, her knowledge of this man was very, very limited.

“My wife loves them,” Huo Xingzhou spoke indifferently.

He stood up and, using the serving chopsticks, placed a small dish of shrimp on his plate. He elegantly rolled up his sleeves and meticulously peeled the shrimp shell and vein, then delivered the succulent flesh to Qiao Xi’s lips.

Qiao Xi opened her mouth instinctively, biting into the shrimp flesh, and chewed thoughtfully.

“Is it delicious?” the man asked, his features as fine as carved jade.

Qiao Xi nodded vigorously.

Xu Xingluo’s expression turned sour, and Liu Yi, who was sitting on the side enjoying the show, couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Xiang Huai’s expression darkened as he took the whole plate of shrimp, saying, “Xingluo loves to eat them too.”

At the dining table, the two men seemed to be competing in a shrimp peeling contest to see whose plate had the most shrimp meat.

Utterly childish.

Huo Xingzhou took out a wet wipe and meticulously cleaned his fingers. Then he carefully arranged the dishes for Qiao Xi, all of which were her favorites. The two of them whispered from time to time, creating a world of their own.

Xu Xingluo’s heart was filled with bitter resentment, holding a grudge.

Even delicious delicacies tasted bland.

“Cousin,” Liu Yi leaned in, adding fuel to the fire, “If I were Huo Xingzhou, I would choose Dr. Qiao too. You’re too dramatic and take everyone for fools.”

Xu Xingluo glared at him fiercely.

Liu Yi shrugged indifferently, as their relationship as cousins had never been good.

He didn’t maintain any facade of closeness, “My mom had a brother instead of a sister, and you’re happy about it, aren’t you? This way, no one can threaten your status as the only cherished pearl of both families.”

“Liu Yi, why would you think that?” Xu Xingluo said with a mournful tone, frowning.

Liu Yi sneered without humor, “Cousin, you’d better pray there’s never a day when your true colors are revealed. Haicheng’s number one socialite, the well-behaved girl in the elders’ eyes, the perfect daughter-in-law.”

He had felt Xu Xingluo’s scheming for attention since childhood, and he had often been wronged because of it.

She wanted everyone to hold her in high esteem and follow her lead. And as the eldest grandson of the Liu Family, he was a stumbling block on her path to seeking favor.

Xu Xingluo clenched her back teeth, seething with jealousy on the inside.

Her eyes reddened as she watched Qiao Xi being pampered by Huo Xingzhou, while Xiang Huai consoled her, saying, “Xingluo, I’ve told you I would help you.”

Xu Xingluo’s nose turned red, “Thank you, brother Xiang Huai.”

Xiang Huai was her sharpest weapon, plus she still had that ‘get out of jail free’ card from ten years ago.

That country girl wouldn’t stand a chance against her!

If it hadn’t been for that car accident, the engagement would have been arranged after a month by their parents. She and Huo Xingzhou were meant to be together, and Qiao Xi was just an expendable interlude.

…

Eight o’clock on the dot.

Qing Lake fireworks.

The guests of the banquet hall poured out, after all, to watch the fireworks from the best spot at the Liu Family’s was a rare treat.

“Brother Xingzhou, I’ve specially reserved the best spot for you,” Xu Xingluo offered eagerly, “Come quick! The lighter is yours!”

Huo Xingzhou took the lighter and handed it straight to Qiao Xi.

Qiao Xi looked at him, feeling sweet inside.

The row of fireworks was neatly lined up by the lake’s edge, waiting for the guests to ignite them personally. Qiao Xi had never set off fireworks since she was a child; to her, fireworks were a luxury.

“Mr. Huo, let’s light them together,” Qiao Xi suggested.

Huo Xingzhou casually nodded, holding her soft hand as they approached the fireworks fuse to light it.

The fuse hissed, and the fireworks shot into the night sky, bursting into brilliant colors that reflected her joyously leaping fair face.

“So beautiful,” Qiao Xi exclaimed.

Huo Xingzhou felt a lump in his throat, the lighter igniting not only the fireworks but also the simmering desires deep within him.

“Indeed beautiful,” he responded.

In the full view of everyone.

Huo Xingzhou suddenly wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing her wildly. The light flickered on and off, and their passion intensified.

The surroundings were noisy, and whistles and teasing sounds continued.

Xu Xingluo’s eyes turned bright red, stunned for a long time.

How dare Qiao Xi! She’s shameless!

That destructive and uncontrollable emotion rose from the bottom of her heart as she looked at the chillingly dim Qing Lake; Brother Xingzhou was actually so intimate with that country bumpkin!

She had never experienced it herself!

“Brother Xiang Huai, you once said that whatever I do, you’d help me. Does that promise still stand?” Her lips trembled as she uttered these words.

Xiang Huai said, “It stands for a lifetime.”