Taming The Hidden Bigshot By Kissing Him
Chapter 337: She Wants to Shake the Tree with a Mantis

Chapter 337: Chapter 337: She Wants to Shake the Tree with a Mantis

The next day.

When Qiao Xi awoke, she felt a heaviness in her stomach but didn’t think much of it.

She turned her head and saw that the man beside her was still lying in bed, his brows furrowed and breath long and steady. He must have been tired recently, with faint dark circles under his eyes.

Qiao Xi thought that even the most remarkable men couldn’t be made of steel.

Working during the day, laboring at night.

There would come a time when even they would collapse.

She got up quietly, freshened up, and changed into a red dress with white dots in a Hong Kong style before heading downstairs. Her beauty was as radiant as peach and plum blossoms, and sometimes wearing bright colors made her look even more striking, delicate, and vivid.

As soon as she went downstairs, she entered the kitchen.

Aunt Qian was making breakfast and upon seeing her enter, said, "Young Madam, why don’t you rest a little longer?"

Qiao Xi smiled like a delicate peach blossom, her luscious red lips parting lightly, "I’m going to prepare some restorative herbal cuisine for Xingzhou and also concoct medicine for Mr. Zhou. I’ll be simmering it on the small stove later and will need Aunt Qian to keep an eye on it."

"Is Mr. Zhou sick? What’s wrong with him?"

Qiao Xi felt a bit embarrassed and whispered into her ear, "He has a deficiency of kidney qi, shortness of breath, and fatigue."

Aunt Qian laughed until she could hardly close her mouth, "Dear me! These young people really don’t know how to restrain themselves. Mr. Zhou is handsome and popular with the girls; I heard that he used to change girlfriends frequently. I wonder who has the talent this time."

She knew that Mr. Zhou had a lot of messy things in his hands; the last medicinal pill was brought by him.

As Qiao Xi gathered ingredients, she said, "It must be someone who can hold him."

She felt that Zhou Yu had special feelings for Shu Xue, at least not merely playing around.

Yet, their relationship hadn’t reached the point where he would consent to get married.

She asked Aunt Qian, "Aunt Qian, do you know why Mr. Zhou doesn’t want to get married? He says he believes in not marrying."

Aunt Qian shook her head, "I don’t know the details, but I’ve heard that Mr. Zhou had a first love. They were even talking about marriage, but later something happened and they broke up."

"Oh."

Qiao Xi didn’t ask further. She immersed the medicinal and food ingredients in water for an initial cleaning.

Suddenly, there was a disturbance in the living room.

"Sister-in-law!"

The familiar voice of Huo Sijiao rang out and in a moment, she appeared at the kitchen door, "Sister-in-law, are you busy? Mom and I came to see you, and we brought some of your favorite pastries."

Qiao Xi wiped her hands and hurried out.

"Mom, Jiaojiao. How did you come so early? Have you had breakfast?"

Du Juan smiled and said, "We’ve eaten."

She waved Qiao Xi over, "Child, come here, I have something to talk to you about."

"Oh."

Qiao Xi walked over and sat down on the sofa in the living room, pulled by her.

Jiaojiao also sat down close to her, the sisters-in-law appearing very affectionate.

Du Juan, wearing a loose and casual floral dress, looked at Qiao Xi seriously, "Child, I need to apologize to you."

Qiao Xi was somewhat alarmed, "Why do you need to apologize to me?"

Regret was written all over Du Juan’s face, "At the last Rong De private auction we attended, after you left, I accidentally overheard Liu Huimin on the phone saying she would cancel your registration for the acupuncture conference. That’s when I learned she had been meddling behind your back."

She felt very remorseful, "I should have told you sooner. But at that time, Liu Huimin knelt down and pleaded with me, asking for three days to resolve the situation. I agreed, and I apologize for taking matters into my own hands without your consent."

Before the three days were up, Qiao Xi had already learned about this matter.

Du Juan felt a pang of regret when she thought about it, she shouldn’t have gone soft.

"Qiao Xi, this was originally your own matter. Yet I meddled because of my friendship with Liu Huimin. It ended up being unfair to you..."

Du Juan was very reasonable.

Actually, this matter couldn’t really be said to be her fault, but she didn’t want any complications to arise at home, worried that Qiao Xi would bear grudges if she found out later.

It would be better for her to just sincerely apologize.

She didn’t feel that there was anything disgraceful about an elder apologizing to a younger one.

After hearing this, Qiao Xi felt a warm and comforting feeling in her heart.

"Mom, there’s no need for an apology over such things. You have your own considerations, and after all, I trust that whatever you do, you do it with my best interests at heart. You wouldn’t do anything to hurt me, I believe in you."

It was only after marrying into the Huo Family that Qiao Xi began to enjoy the affection of a mother-daughter relationship.

Du Juan had nothing but praise for her, really loving her as if she were her own daughter. Sometimes, she would even give Qiao Xi things that Huo Sijiao didn’t have.

Qiao Xi really liked Du Juan as her mother-in-law.

Upon hearing this, Du Juan held her hand and said, "I know you’re understanding and always considerate of others. Next time something like this comes up, I will definitely tell you in advance, and never be fooled by Liu Huimin again."

"Yes!"

Huo Sijiao couldn’t help saying, "It’s all the Liu Family’s fault, especially Liu Huimin. She spoiled Xu Xingluo to the point that she became lawless and allowed her to do as she pleased. She even tried to scheme against my sister-in-law, and now, she must be full of regret."

That’s what you call retribution.

It’s just a pity that the one who is suffering is her sister-in-law.

"Sister-in-law, are you really going to participate in that Chinese Medicine Festival? I heard from mom that if you lose, the consequences are very serious. What if you really can’t continue studying medicine, then what will you do?"

She could see that her sister-in-law really loved Chinese medicine and acupuncture, practicing tirelessly day and night.

But this Chinese Medicine Festival was unfair to her.

If others participated and lost, it wouldn’t matter, but if National Doctor Cheng Han’s apprentice participated and lost, she would have to pay a severe price. Even she could feel the deep malice the Imperial Capital’s Lu Family had towards her sister-in-law, suspecting it might be a conspiracy.

Du Juan was also worried, "We can’t think of any way to help you."

Qiao Xi, holding one hand of each, said, "Don’t worry about me. If I don’t participate in this competition, they’ll just have other traps waiting for me to fall into. Besides, I can’t run away at the last minute, as that would tarnish Grandpa Cheng’s reputation. He’s dedicated his life to healing and saving people, and as his apprentice, I can’t be a coward."

"Grandpa Cheng once lamented how thriving Chinese medicine was before the North-South Division, how lively the exchanges were. But in the past twenty years since the division, the Chinese Medicine Community has made no progress, everyone only looking out for themselves, suppressed by the Lu Family. I also want to try and see if my own insignificant power can change anything."

She knew she was but an ant.

An insect trying to stop a chariot.

A mantis trying to stop a chariot.

But the Lu Family and Xiang Family had cornered her into this path, and she had no choice but to move forward.

She also must move forward!

The way back was blocked.

Huo Sijiao gave a thumbs up, with red-rimmed eyes, "Sister-in-law, you really have spirit! I want to be someone like you too, shining brightly."

Du Juan felt a sourness in her heart, "If you’ve decided, then we as your family will be your strong support!"

"Thank you, mom, thank you, Jiaojiao!"

Huo Sijiao squeezed a little closer to Qiao Xi on the couch, getting next to her.

"Sister-in-law, have you heard of Baroque Restaurant? It’s one of only three restaurants worldwide and one recently opened here in Haicheng. It’s very famous. But because it’s so expensive, it limits most people, yet all the society’s ladies and daughters of wealthy families go there to take pictures and check in."

Huo Sijiao’s heart itched with desire.

"Sister-in-law, are you interested in accompanying me there?"