Taming The Hidden Bigshot By Kissing Him
Chapter 360: Qiao Xi, I Feel So Suffocated

Chapter 360: Chapter 360: Qiao Xi, I Feel So Suffocated

Qiao Xi took his pulse and found his heartbeat strong and powerful, without the slightest problem.

His Qi and blood seemed abundant, his body unharmed.

She looked up at Huo Xingzhou, hesitant, "Do you really feel unwell? What kind of discomfort is it?"

"Oppressed chest, heavy heart."

Huo Xingzhou lied straight-faced to her.

Qiao Xi’s gentle voice chimed in, "There’s nothing wrong with your body; it might be psychosomatic. Mainly psychological issues causing this... Have you been under a lot of stress lately? Or is there something particularly troubling you?"

Qiao Xi felt guilty within, for she had been preoccupied with the needle trial conference and, indeed, had not paid attention to Huo Xingzhou’s movements for a while.

Huo Xingzhou looked deeply at her without directly answering her questions. Instead, he said, "You tend the Eucalyptus Flower at home every day, is it because I gave it to you?" Or is it for the boy in your memory, the one you can’t seem to forget, dead or alive?

"Of course!"

Qiao Xi answered as she gazed at him, "I cherish it so much because it came from you. I understand the language of the flower and know your intentions."

Huo Xingzhou withdrew his hand, pitying that these were not his intentions.

"Tired of the same flowers at home, want to change them?" he asked.

Zhong Yi’s identity was yet undetermined, and he couldn’t say anything for now.

Qiao Xi was slightly disappointed but still spiritedly suggested, "Then how about white roses?"

Having been thoroughly instructed by Shu Xue in the language of flowers, she had come to appreciate such covert, restrained romance.

The message of white roses was, "I am worthy of you. For you, I want to become a better person."

Huo Xingzhou seemed pleased by her suggestion, "Alright."

"Then I’ll ask Aunt Qian to order the white roses. I’m quite tired of these Eucalyptus Flowers anyway. White roses are nice, and after some time, we can even switch to red or champagne roses."

Qiao Xi was easily content. She hadn’t realized the man before her had been churning through countless waves in his heart, enduring unbearable jealousy.

"Okay."

Huo Xingzhou steadied himself a little and said, "The court opens at nine in the morning. With conclusive evidence, it’s very likely to be ruled on the spot."

Qiao Xi paused mid-action and said, "I want to go."

"Alright."

Qiao Xi hurried her actions, finishing a few bites of breakfast and drinking a glass of milk. Finally, wiping the corner of her mouth, she looked toward Huo Xingzhou.

Huo Xingzhou stood up, saying, "Let’s go."

...

The trial of Xu Guangyao generated a lot of attention.

After all, he was once deemed Haicheng’s most successful "live-in son-in-law," a poor man who rose to become a powerful figure via marriage to a top-tier beauty, only to implode spectacularly.

Xu Guangyao’s downfall was certain to be severe, but his name would surely live on.

He had enjoyed glory in the first half of his life!

Rare luxury cars filled the courthouse parking lot. The Liu Family came with Liu Zongyun and Liu Huimin, along with brothers Xu Yunye and Xu Xiuyuan. Liu Huimin, wearing a black embroidered cheongsam, pushed Liu Zongyun’s wheelchair inside.

Liu Zongyun was critical witness appearing in court; another, a flawed witness, was Shen Shiyun.

With her child growing inside her, she had ultimately betrayed Xu Guangyao, deciding to seek leniency for herself and her unborn baby. Yet, being pregnant, her sentence would be postponed.

Young Master Sun and his coterie were certain not to miss such excitement, and even Ye Zhimeng, who hadn’t yet left the country, had sneaked in.

Huo Family’s second branch arrived early, with Du Juan and her husband, bringing along Huo Sijiao.

Huo Sijiao, waiting on the courthouse steps under the scorching sun, said, "Why haven’t my brother and sister-in-law arrived yet? She’s not skipping this, is she?"

Du Juan spoke softly, "No, she wants to come."

After all, Xu Guangyao changed her life and was her biological father. He’d been detained so long without a visit from Qiao Xi; surely, her heart was disturbed, filled with resentment.

"There’s the car, that one!"

Huo Sijiao, craning her neck, recognized a familiar Rolls-Royce Phantom.

She jogged over and opened the car door with eagerness, "Sister-in-law, you’ve finally come!"

"Jiaojiao."

Reluctantly, Qiao Xi hooked her arm and glanced back at Huo Xingzhou.

Pulled forward by Huo Sijiao, she said, "Sister-in-law, the trial is about to start. A lot of people have come today to gaze upon Xu Guangyao, the beast in human skin."

"Jiaojiao!"

Du Juan interjected a warning look.

As terrible as Xu Guangyao may be, he was still Qiao Xi’s biological father. It must hurt for her to hear such words.

Huo Sijiao stuck her tongue out, whispering, "I didn’t mean it, sister-in-law. I’m just upset for you."

Qiao Xi shook her head, "It’s alright. I know you mean well. What he did deserves our scorn; I don’t mind you cursing him, I’d like to curse him as well."

But what difference would cursing make, when the established facts remain unchanged?

Mother and daughter walked ahead affectionately, while Huo Jiancheng and Huo Xingzhou followed, seeming to lack family status.

Walking through courthouse security, Qiao Xi coincidentally spotted Liu Huimin and Liu Zongyun, who silenced their conversation at her arrival.

Liu Zongyun wheeled his chair over and cautiously asked, "Shall we enter together?"

Seeing his gaunt face, Qiao Xi remembered his hardships and the piece of yellow jade he had treasured like a gem. Touched, she finally nodded.

A smile played on Liu Zongyun’s lips.

"Let’s go this way," he said.

Qiao Xi glanced at the side corridor, puzzled as to why Liu Zongyun would guide her there when most were heading straight to the public gallery. Without voicing her question, she just nodded.

And soon, she understood.

A disheveled Xu Guangyao was escorted by two staff members from the end of that corridor. Usually, families couldn’t meet the accused before sentencing, unless involved in the defense.

But it seemed the Liu Family had pulled some strings to open the side passage.

Xu Guangyao looked nothing like Haicheng’s influential Mr. Xu, but rather a street beggar, in his detention center uniform and skin grown so dull.

Upon seeing Qiao Xi, especially standing with the Liu Family, he grew even more agitated!

"You... you..."

He gasped for breath, trying to advance, but the staff restrained him.

Huo Xingzhou slightly moved to shield Qiao Xi, holding her hand more tightly as he noticed the cold sweat in her palm. Qiao Xi tensed, her almond eyes fixed on Xu Guangyao.

This man was the architect of twenty-two years of her hardships.