Tempting Huo to Marry

Chapter 36: Trouble! Huo Qingsui’s deep, dark eyes fixed on her. Noticing that her slender white fingers were almost twisted into a rope by his grip, a faint smile flashed across his eyes: “Alright, let’s talk about today’s events first.” Xia Wan let out a quiet sigh of relief. “I’ll owe you that bath for now. Let’s talk about it after we’re done.” Pretending not to notice the change in her expression, Huo Qingsui curled his lips and said with a straight face. Xia Wan felt a lump in her throat and widened her eyes. “You…” “What are your thoughts on today’s events?” Without giving her a chance to continue, Huo Qingsui changed the subject. The tips of his sparse eyebrows arched slightly, making his already stern expression appear even more serious. At the mention of this, Xia Wan couldn’t help but sneer: “Who else could it be but Xu Jialing?!” Since she’d returned to the country, what single event had occurred that wasn’t connected to Xu Jialing? Besides… Thinking of that disgusting incident, Xia Wan narrowed her eyes, her eyes brimming with undisguised loathing: “But I’m certain that even if she really was the one pulling the strings behind the scenes, she would never leave any evidence for me to catch her.” As if to prove her point, a knock sounded on the ward door at that very moment. “Young Master Huo.” “Come in,” Huo Qingsui replied indifferently. The door opened, and Shi Jun walked in holding a file, which he respectfully handed over: “Young Master Huo, we’ve identified the person who leaked the mistress’s information. His name is Lin Hang. He’s a member of the Lin family who’s risen to prominence in the last couple of years. For a time, he pursued Xu Jialing relentlessly,and he has invested in Xu Jialing’s upcoming debut film. He was also the one who initially leaked the photos of Xu Jialing in the hospital online. But…” He paused, his brow furrowed in distress. “We can’t find any solid evidence proving that Xu Jialing ordered him to do this.” “Lin Hang?” Huo Qingsui’s long, elegant fingers flipped through the two thin sheets of paper. A faint, almost-smile curved the corner of his thin lips, and finally, he handed the documents to Xia Wan. Xia Wan took them, frowning. “Where is he now?” After reading through it, she asked Shi Jun directly. Huo Qingsui glanced at her. “Want to go see him?” “Yes.” Xia Wan did not deny it. At a nod from Huo Qingsui, Shi Jun spoke in a respectful, subdued tone: “Madam, Lin Hang is currently in an apartment near the hospital. Our people are keeping an eye on him.” Xia Wan pursed her lips: “Could you ask Assistant Shi to take me there?” Shi Jun instinctively glanced at Huo Qingsui. “I’ll go with you.” Huo Qingsui fixed his gaze on her; his handsome, clean-cut face beneath his short black hair clearly spelled out the words “you cannot refuse.” Xia Wan’s lips twitched, and she shook her head. “But the doctor said…” “Let’s go.” Giving her no chance to refuse, Huo Qingsui signaled with his eyes for Shi Jun to push him from behind, then naturally took her hand and led her out. As her warm yet dry hand covered his, Xia Wan’s words of refusal seemed to be scorched away, vanishing instantly in the breeze. The apartment. “Let me out!” Lin Hang stood up and lunged toward the door, but no sooner had he taken a step than he was grabbed by the collar from behind and thrown violently back into the room. No mercy. “Ugh!” He crashed heavily to the floor, and an indescribable pain washed over him. Lin Hang grimaced in agony, his brows knitted tightly together. “Bastards!” Clenching his fists, he glared furiously at one of the black-clad bodyguards pinning him down and bellowed at the top of his lungs, “What do you think you’re doing?! Do you know who my father is?! If you know what’s good for you, let me go! Don’t mess with me! Or else, you’ll face the consequences!” He struggled fiercely, raising his leg to kick out! The black-clad bodyguard sneered expressionlessly, subduing him effortlessly once more and pressing his head into the ground. Raging fury burned in Lin Hang’s eyes. He felt nothing but humiliation, yet at the same time, an uncontrollable sense of panic and fear spread through his heart: “Let me go!” “Click…” Just then, the apartment door swung open. Lin Hang instinctively looked toward the doorway. In his line of sight, a cold, piercing face loomed closer, radiating a chill that sent shivers down his spine. “You… you…” Overwhelmed by fear, Lin Hang reflexively tried to step back, but under the gaze of those bottomless, icy eyes, he found himself unable to move an inch. Even the words he had intended to shout in defiance were choked in his throat. Under such an overwhelming aura, it wasn’t long before his heart leapt into his throat. He had never seen anyone like this before. Even without uttering a single word, simply standing there, the pressure and fear they radiated were indescribable. It took him a long time to muster the strength to force out a single sentence: “Who… who are you?!” Huo Qingsui shot him a cold glance, showing no interest in wasting time on someone like him. Curling his lips, he cut straight to the chase: “Xia Wan—where did you get her information? Who gave it to you?” His voice was deep, and a chill spread through the air. An oppressive atmosphere instantly engulfed the entire apartment. Lin Hang’s breath caught in his throat! He stiffly turned his neck and finally saw the person standing beside him. That Xia… Xia Wan? How did they find out? Panic flashed in his eyes, and he felt layer upon layer of cold sweat break out on his back. “Speak.” Huo Qingsui’s icy gaze swept over him. Lin Hang’s pupils suddenly contracted! “I… I don’t know what you’re talking about?!” Gritting his teeth, he denied it vehemently. “Don’t understand, is that it?” A faint smile played on his thin lips as his slender fingers tapped lightly on the wheelchair. Huo Qingsui spoke without a trace of emotion, “Then let’s talk somewhere else. How about that?” Lin Hang blurted out, “Where?!” “The police station.” Huo Qingsui’s stern face remained calm and composed, yet the two words that slipped from his thin lips instantly sent a chill through Lin Hang’s body. Lin Hang’s body suddenly went rigid, and his breathing became extremely rapid. “You…” Huo Qingsui took in every change in his expression, shot him a mocking glance, and continued unhurriedly, “I hear your father is negotiating a major project? If a scandal were to break out in the Lin family right now, do you think…” “No!” Lin Hang’s eyes widened, cold sweat beading on his forehead. His hands, resting on the floor, clenched unconsciously, veins bulging. Xia Wan, who had remained silent until now, shot him a cold glance. Seeing his terrified expression, she felt not a shred of sympathy: “If you knew this would happen, why did you do it in the first place? When you leaked my information, didn’t you realize it was illegal? Or did you think money could fix everything?” The blood drained from Lin Hang’s face, and his eyes darted nervously. “I… I…” “Shi Jun.” Huo Qingsui called out impatiently. “Yes, Young Master Huo.” Shi Jun replied expressionlessly, then signaled to the two black-clad bodyguards. He picked up the phone and said casually, “Young Master Huo, Young Master Li is also very interested in that project Lin Corporation is currently negotiating.” Young Master Huo… Young Master Li? Lin Hang’s feelings were no longer merely fear. He finally came to terms with the reality: he had crossed the wrong person. “I’ll talk! No longer daring to hesitate, he frantically looked at Huo Qingsui. But Huo Qingsui didn’t even give him a second glance. Fearing it was too late, he swallowed nervously and blurted out, “I… I overheard it by accident! Really! I went to the hospital that day and just happened to see Jialing sitting there crying. Her best friend was with her—that Xie, Xie something or other. I saw how upset Jialing was, and I... I felt so bad for her that I wanted to help her get even, so... so I went to ask her best friend. And then... well, you all know what happened after that...” “Xie Yixiang?” Xia Wan’s lips twitched imperceptibly, his eyes cold. Lin Hang nodded frantically, his eyes slightly glazed over: “It’s her! It’s her! She’s the one who told me your name is Xia Wan. It was her…” He paused, then continued breathlessly, “This really has nothing to do with Jialing. You… you mustn’t blame her! I swear!” Xia Wan’s pretty, doll-like face instantly darkened, growing as cold as if covered in a layer of ice. A warm hand wrapped around hers without warning. “Leave it to me.” Huo Qingsui looked at her quietly and said softly. Xia Wan’s lips trembled: “Huo…” “Take her to the police station.” Huo Qingsui raised his gaze to the man in black, a flash of ruthlessness flickering in his deep eyes. “Yes, Young Master Huo!” The cold-faced bodyguard in black grabbed Lin Hang off the ground without a word and dragged him away. “No! Let me go!” Lin Hang’s mind went blank, his body going limp as mud. After a long moment, his face deathly pale, he screamed in terror, “I already told you! Spare me! I don’t want to go to the police station!” A chill glinted in Huo Qingsui’s eyes as he coldly uttered two words: “Too late.” Finding Lin Hang’s cries annoying, the bodyguard simply stuffed a cloth gag back into his mouth. “Mmm! No matter how hard he struggled, Lin Hang couldn’t break free. By the time he was dragged to the door, his face was ashen. Shi Jun paused for a moment before asking, “Young Master Huo, what about that Lin family project…” Huo Qingsui curled his lips in a casual smile: “Didn’t you say Li Youlin was interested? Then give it to him.” “Understood. I know what to do.” Shi Jun gave a slight nod to indicate he understood. Huo Qingsui nodded, then turned to look at Xia Wan beside him. His voice was no longer icy; instead, it held a hint of subtle tenderness. “What are you thinking about?” Her thick, curled eyelashes fluttered, and Xia Wan spoke: “I was thinking…” “Buzz, buzz, buzz—” The sudden vibration of a cell phone cut her off. “It’s your phone.” Xia Wan pursed her lips, trying to pull her hand out of his palm. “Don’t be silly.” Huo Qingsui glanced up at her, his cool tone carrying a clear tone of finality. Xia Wan felt embarrassed. What... had she done wrong this time? What was he trying to achieve by always acting like he was lecturing a junior? Seeing that she had stopped moving obediently, the corners of Huo Qingsui’s lips curled up slightly before he took out his phone. The screen flashed with the name Wen Mochen. “Hello, what’s up?” Huo Qingsui answered, his tone indifferent. The next second, Wen Mochen’s slightly hoarse voice came through the phone: “Fourth Brother, where are you? Something’s happened!”