Tempting Huo to Marry

Chapter 23: A Warm Touch Xia Wan almost burst out laughing. Not only had she stolen her boyfriend, but just moments ago, she’d been crying and begging her to leave Qingcheng—and now she actually had the nerve to invite her to the engagement party?! Hah. Xia Wan stared at Xu Jialing with a cold smile. “Wanwan…” Xu Jialing’s shoulders trembled slightly at the sight of her, her fingers unconsciously twisting together. Her eyelashes were completely drenched in tears, making her look truly pitiable. “Please…” “Sure.” Xia Wan curled the corners of her lips in a mocking smile, responding lazily, “I’ll be there.” Since they wanted her to join so badly, she was curious to see what they could come up with. Xu Jialing’s eyes widened suddenly, and she burst into tears of joy: “Wanwan, is… is that really true?” Xia Wan cut her off with distaste: “Now, please, get out.” “Wanwan?” Xu Jialing froze instantly, her small face filled with panic as she hesitated, unable to speak. Her patience completely gone, Xia Wan called out expressionlessly toward the door: “Aunt Zheng!” Soon, the maid Aunt Zheng came running over. Seeing Xia Wan, she was startled: “Miss? When… when did you get back?” Xia Wan didn’t answer her. Her cold gaze fell once more on Xu Jialing and Xiao Ran. Parting her thin lips slightly, she said casually, “Aunt Zheng, throw these two out. Although Xia Zhengtao isn’t home, this house isn’t some place where just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can wander in.” Those heartless and humiliating words instantly caused Xu Jialing and Xiao Ran’s expressions to shift repeatedly. Xu Jialing nearly stumbled backward. Aunt Zheng cast a troubled glance at the pitiful-looking Xu Jialing: “Miss, she’s your cousin…” Wouldn’t it be a bit rude to kick her out? “Does my word no longer hold any weight?” Xia Wan swept her gaze over them with a half-smile. “Or do I need to personally throw them out?” She deliberately emphasized the word “throw.” Aunt Zheng shuddered, dared not hesitate any longer, and steeled himself to walk up to the two of them: “Cousin, Mr. Xiao, please leave for now.” “Xiao Ran…” Xu Jialing tugged at his arm with a look of sadness and grievance. But Xiao Ran didn’t move. His hand at his side clenched tightly, the veins on his temple throbbing. He glared at Xia Wan, and all his frustration erupted into a frenzied demand: “You’re moving out? Where are you going?!” Xu Jialing’s fingertips trembled violently. She stared blankly at Xiao Ran’s ashen profile, overwhelmed by a wave of panic. She opened her mouth, but no sound came out. Xia Wan paused in her packing. She turned and shot Xiao Ran a sarcastic glance. “What’s it got to do with you?” “Was it that man from last night? Huo Qingsui?” Xiao Ran felt an intense tightness in his chest; even breathing had become difficult. Xia Wan’s expression darkened: “Xiao…” “Wanwan!” Xu Jialing furrowed her delicate brows. Her expression was a complex mix of anguish and disbelief. “You’ve only been back a few days. Do you even know who that man was last night? How could you… how could you…” Xia Wan, laughing bitterly out of sheer rage, cut her off, his eyes brimming with deep loathing and contempt: “Xu Jialing, I’ve known you for twenty-two years, and I never realized you were such an ungrateful person?” “Wanwan…” Xu Jialing bit her lip. Xia Wan let out a cold laugh, not even bothering to look at her: “Get out!” Xu Jialing was about to say something, but Aunt Zheng stopped her: “Cousin, please go home first.” Her delicate fists clenched at her sides. Xu Jialing lowered her head, her fragile voice brimming with endless resentment: “Wanwan, well… I’ll go now. I’ll give you the invitation later.” With that, she took Xiao Ran’s hand and left, though clearly reluctant. “Miss, what are you doing…?” Aunt Zheng looked at Xia Wan with concern. “I’m moving out. Aunt Zheng, you go back to your work.” Xia Wan explained indifferently, then turned back to continue packing. Aunt Zheng hesitated, then let out a soft sigh and left. Five minutes later, Xia Wan dragged her suitcase out the door. The moment she stepped out of the Xia family villa, she froze. A few meters away, a black Bentley was parked there. And outside the car... Huo Qingsui, dressed in a crisp suit, stood there with elegant poise. His left hand was tucked into his suit pants pocket, while a cigarette was held between the fingers of his right hand. Beneath the pale blue smoke rings, the expression on his handsome, chiseled features was so faint it was almost nonexistent. Xia Wan was momentarily taken aback: “You… why are you here?” Huo Qingsui looked at her, his expression impassive, his voice low and husky: “Didn’t I tell you to wait at home so I could come with you?” Xia Wan suddenly felt as if she were being scolded by an elder from her childhood. “I can handle it myself. No need to trouble yourself,” she muttered under her breath, shifting her gaze awkwardly. Huo Qingsui’s deep, still eyes—as calm as a still lake—rested on her. After a moment, he chuckled wryly, turned aside, and said casually, “Let’s go. Get in the car.” Xia Wan unconsciously let out a quiet sigh of relief. Huo Qingsui placed her luggage in the trunk. As he closed it, his cold, piercing gaze swept toward the direction Xiao Ran had just left, and he gave a barely perceptible twitch of his lips before getting into the car. The Bentley pulled away slowly, gliding steadily along the asphalt road. The car was quiet; no one spoke. Xia Wan propped her chin in her hand, idly glancing out the window. As luck would have it, she spotted Xiao Ran’s car parked by the roadside—it appeared to have broken down—and he had gotten out to inspect it. “Hmph.” Xia Wan snorted disdainfully. Huo Qingsui followed her gaze and caught Xiao Ran’s unmasked look of anger directed right at them. “Still thinking about your ex-boyfriend?” He averted his gaze and asked casually. “How could that be?” Xia Wan snapped her head around, her delicate brows furrowed, her eyes brimming with contempt and disgust. “I, Xia Wan, have always been able to let go. He’s just a cheating scumbag—what right does he have to make me dwell on him?” “Is that so?” Perhaps his tone was too casual; provoked by him, Xia Wan unconsciously raised her voice: “Of course! I’m not that pathetic! Who hasn’t run into a scumbag when they were young? I’ll just pretend I was blind.” With that, she turned her head away haughtily, too lazy to speak to him any further. Huo Qingsui glanced at her, a faint smile curving his thin lips. Silence fell once more inside the car. Until the vibration of a cell phone broke the silence. Immediately after, Huo Qingsui’s baritone—deeper and more melodious than a G major chord—filled the air: “Hello? Uh… okay, I got it. About half an hour, I guess. Yeah, that’s it.” “Do you have something to do?” Xia Wan turned around, her tone casual. “If you do, just drop me off up ahead. I can make my own way back.” Huo Qingsui said nothing, his gaze fixed ahead. “Huo Qingsui?” Xia Wan furrowed her brow. “Mm.” Huo Qingsui finally turned to glance at her, making the decision for her, “I’ll take you out to eat, then drive you home later.” “I…” “Be a good girl. Don’t be difficult.” The Bentley finally came to a stop at Youqingju. As soon as she got out of the car, Xia Wan was wrapped around the waist by Huo Qingsui. His strong hands pressed against her skin, and the warm sensation instantly spread to every fiber of her being, making her whole body burn with heat. Xia Wan’s breath caught, then his breathing became ragged. “Huo…” Keenly sensing the slight stiffness in her body, Huo Qingsui’s lips curved into a pleased smile. He leaned down toward her, a faint, indulgent smile playing at the corners of his sparse eyebrows: “There will be others here later, but you don’t need to worry about them. Just enjoy your meal.” “I…” Xia Wan was completely unable to resist. She shifted awkwardly and instinctively looked up at him. From this angle, the man’s stern features were as perfect as a sculpture, especially those deep, bottomless eyes—they seemed to possess a magical allure capable of stirring the hearts of many young women in an instant. No wonder he was the man Qingcheng’s women most wanted to sleep with. Xia Wan pouted but ultimately didn’t move. Huo Qingsui led Xia Wan upstairs. As he pushed open the door, the private room—which had been fairly lively just moments ago—fell instantly silent. “You’re here?” Li Youlin crushed the cigarette butt in his hand, shifted his crossed legs casually, and smiled flirtatiously. “Have a seat. I’ve been waiting for you.” Huo Qingsui led Xia Wan to sit across from him and made a brief introduction: “Li Youlin, Wen Mochen, and this is Xia Wan.” “Hello,” Xia Wan nodded in greeting, a polite yet distant smile playing at the corners of his lips. Li Youlin curved his lips slightly but said nothing; instead, Wen Mochen responded warmly. Just then, the waiter entered. Just as Wen Mochen was about to order, Huo Qingsui spoke up first: “Sweet and Sour Pork with Pineapple, Longjing Shrimp, West Lake Vinegar Fish… and another cup of coconut sago pudding.” That clear, soft voice made Xia Wan’s eyes light up. What a coincidence! All her favorite dishes! Wen Mochen glanced at Huo Qingsui in surprise, then looked at Li Youlin, who wore a meaningful expression, and finally kept her mouth shut. The service at Youqingju was quick; before long, a series of exquisite dishes, visually appealing and fragrant, were brought to the table. Huo Qingsui naturally handed the chopsticks to Xia Wan, his magnetic voice soft and gentle: “Eat up. Let’s talk about something.” “Thank you,” Xia Wan said cheerfully as he accepted them, his clear eyes sparkling with a light brighter than the stars. Wen Mochen was once again left speechless. When had his fourth older brother... when had he ever been so gentle with a woman? Was the person sitting across from him really his fourth brother, the one known in the business world for being cold-blooded and ruthless? Goodness... Throughout the meal, while Xia Wan ate with relish and complete focus, the other three barely touched their food, spending the entire time discussing business. Finally, Xia Wan was so full she couldn’t move. “Finished eating?” Huo Qingsui turned his head and caught sight of her fair little hand rubbing her stomach, unable to help but chuckle. “Mm-hmm.” Xia Wan only then realized what she’d done and felt a bit embarrassed. “You…” “Don’t move.” “Huh?” Xia Wan blinked. The next second, Huo Qingsui’s slender fingers picked up a tissue and gently wiped her lips. His slightly cool fingertips accidentally brushed against her lips. Xia Wan felt a tingling, itchy sensation where he touched her, which spread instantly throughout her entire body. “You…” “You had some coconut juice on your lips,” Huo Qingsui said casually. Xia Wan bit her lip, feeling a sudden, inexplicable flutter of panic. Just as she was about to speak, she felt a warm, soft touch on her hand.