“What do you think you’re doing?”
Huo Yao’s gaze swept sharply across the two people opposite him, his tone cold and heavy.
He had overheard some of what they said earlier.
He wasn’t part of their story, so he couldn’t offer further commentary.
But he knew very clearly that Shi Xi was also a victim.
If Lin Zhen had been arrested according to the law back then, undoubtedly she would have suffered less.
She had done nothing wrong and shouldn’t have to endure Lu Yan’s accusations.
He fixed his gaze on Lu Yan, who had physically attacked someone. His eyes were as cold and sharp as steel blades, instantly putting her on alert.
Lu Yan knew Huo Yao because he was investigating Huaying Hospital and had grown close to Lin Shi Xi.
Lin Shi Xi wasn’t as innocent as she appeared.
Both Lu Yan and Chi Yuan were well aware that the exposé on Huaying Hospital likely had her involvement.
“I’m sorry, Yan Yan is too emotional.”
Lu Mingzhe snapped out of his daze and looked at Shi Xi.
Shi Xi leaned against Huo Yao as if she hadn’t heard.
Lu Yan stared at her, “How impressive—so many people are willing to—”
Her sarcastic remark was cut off by Lu Mingzhe, “Yan Yan, that’s enough. How many times do I have to say it? The one who wronged you was never Xixi.”
“But she took all of you away! You all like her, care about her—then what am I?!”
Lu Mingzhe was left speechless.
Yan Yan’s resentment had always been there.
No matter how well they treated her, they couldn’t erase her psychological scars.
“You said you wanted to raise a dog, to take Xiao Bao back, but you never told me Xiao Bao belonged to Lin Shi Xi!” Lu Yan pointed at the Samoyed, tears streaming down her face. “You were cruel enough to drive Lin Shi Xi away back then. I always feared that one day you’d abandon me too, like a broken doll. Brother, if you were me, wouldn’t you be scared?”
Lu Mingzhe’s face turned ashen, “Yan Yan, how could you think that? You’re my sister…”
“Wasn’t Lin Shi Xi once too?”
Lu Yan’s words struck Lu Mingzhe like knives.
He froze in place, afraid to look at what expression Shi Xi might have now.
Shi Xi gently tugged Huo Yao’s hand, “Let’s go.”
Lu Yan had long since convicted her. After all these years, it would probably be hard to change her mind.
In the original storyline, Lu Yan and Chi Yuan were supposed to heal each other, but now their relationship hadn’t developed, giving off a sense of impending tragedy.
Of course, none of this concerned Shi Xi.
She had never actively provoked anyone. She just wanted to complete her tasks and live a better life.
Huo Yao gave a quiet “Mm,” directly took her cane, and picked her up.
Shi Xi’s gaze fell on Lu Yan’s reddened eyes, thinking she’d offer a few words, “Lu Yan, our lives could have had no intersection at all. It was you who insisted on asserting your presence in front of me. Let me tell you this: the more you fixate on me, the more you’ll suffer, because my future will only get better—that’s not what you want, is it?”
As her words fell, a stifling silence enveloped the surroundings.
Lu Yan clenched her hands tightly.
Her inner self had been completely laid bare by the other; those dark thoughts were now exposed.
The way Lin Shi Xi looked at her was like staring at a rat in the gutter.
She was mocking her.
But Shi Xi said, “I’m not mocking you. To me, you’re just someone irrelevant.”
Her words struck Lu Yan’s heart once again.
Lu Yan’s body began to tremble slightly.
Shi Xi didn’t look at her reaction.
Meeting Huo Yao’s dark, profound gaze, she cleared her throat lightly, “Why are you looking at me?”
Huo Yao strode forward, a curve lifting the corner of his mouth, “Because you’re beautiful.”
Shi Xi: “…”
Huo Yao: “What?”
She raised her hand and pinched his cheek a few times, “Are you really Huo Yao? Since when do you talk like this?”
Huo Yao chuckled deeply, “How do I usually talk?”
Shi Xi put on a serious face, “Stop joking around.”
Huo Yao: “…”
Shi Xi withdrew her hand from tormenting his face and habitually grabbed one of his fingers.
Watching her movement, the smile at Huo Yao’s lips became more pronounced.
Though young, she always carried a transparent yet innocent aura that constantly drew his attention.
As they walked away, Xiao Bao glanced at Lu Mingzhe before following the two without looking back.
“Woof!” Wait for me!
When they reached the Land Rover, Huo Yao turned to look at it.
Shi Xi also watched the Samoyed’s cheerful running figure, momentarily unsure what to do.
Huo Yao settled her in the passenger seat while Xiao Bao stood quietly by his leg, grinning obediently at them.
Its dark, gleaming eyes were full of expectation.
“Did you raise it before?” Huo Yao asked, “Quite well-behaved.”
“Mm, only for half a year.”
“Do you want to keep it?”
Since Shi Xi needed to return to school, she couldn’t possibly keep it now, so she shook her head, “I can’t.”
As if understanding her words, Xiao Bao barked and raised its front paws against the car, then rubbed against her leg.
It grew so anxious it nearly tried to climb into the car.
Huo Yao pulled its leash and stroked its head, saying to Shi Xi, “Let it stay at my place for now.”
Hearing this, a smile bloomed on Shi Xi’s lips, “Okay!”
Huo Yao had Xiao Bao get in the back seat.
Xiao Bao circled around excitedly, wagging its tail vigorously.
Watching the flying fur, Shi Xi belatedly asked, “It sheds – is that okay?”
“No problem.”
“Where are we going? When are you going to confess?”
Shi Xi remembered the important matter.
Huo Yao silently tightened his grip on the steering wheel: “…”
He thought she had already forgotten about that.
He glanced in the rearview mirror, “First let’s take Xiao Bao to my place.”
Xiao Bao pushed its head between them, “Woof!”
Shi Xi smiled and rubbed her face against its fur.
Huo Yao reached over with his large hand, pushed Xiao Bao away, and commanded sternly, “Xiao Bao, sit properly!”
Xiao Bao gave him a white-eyed look and continued doing Tie Tie with Shi Xi.
Huo Yao: “…”
By the roadside, Lu Mingzhe withdrew his gaze, his chest feeling as if stuffed with cotton, unbearably uncomfortable.
Xiao Bao had originally been hers.
After she left the Lu Family, Xiao Bao was also sent away and had been staying at a pet shop. He had only recently remembered.
Xixi was right – though Xiao Bao had only lived with her for half a year, it still remembered her scent and knew to protect her. While he had watched Xixi grow up, he had stood by watching her suffer, even turning a blind eye to her pleas and cries for help.
He was inferior to Xiao Bao.
Lu Yan shook off his hand and randomly hailed a taxi to leave.
He didn’t stop her.
She needed to calm down, and so did he.
Lu Mingzhe turned back to stand beside Lu’s mother.
Lu’s mother stood as if petrified, her face somewhat pale, “Mingzhe, just now… Xixi didn’t even look at me.”
Lu Mingzhe didn’t know what to say.
Because he had been the same – when he saw Xixi, all those deliberately forgotten past memories instantly became clear again.
Yet Xixi no longer even looked directly at him.
Lu’s mother was still murmuring to herself, “Yanyan has returned, but I’ve lost Xixi, haven’t I?”
“Mom, let’s go back. Dad is waiting.”
Some things could be ignored as if nothing had happened when left unspoken, but once voiced, they had to be faced.
It was the entire Lu Family that had been cruel and heartless toward Xixi.
Lu’s mother covered her chest, tears finally falling.
Only at this moment did she clearly feel that something seemed to be missing here.
Moreover, it could never be restored.
From the car Huo Yao drove, Shi Xi had known his family background was extraordinary.
So when she arrived at his spacious apartment, she wasn’t surprised.
He lived alone, usually only returning to rest, so the place lacked a lived-in atmosphere.
But it appeared clean and tidy.
Xiao Bao immediately took a liking to his sofa.
He tore at the cushions and clawed at the fabric…
Shi Xi watched with trepidation. After confirming he wasn’t a color-shedding Husky but indeed a Samoyed, she awkwardly told Huo Yao, “I didn’t know he was this mischievous.”
“It’s fine. Ji Lu says I’m a dog’s natural enemy.”
As Huo Yao spoke, his gaze swept over the misbehaving Xiao Bao, his thin lips curling into a smile.
It was terrifying to dogs.
When Xiao Bao met his eyes, the cushion in his mouth dropped.
He let out a whimper and jumped down from the sofa.
Huo Yao bent down, patting the dog’s head with his large hand. “Be good.”
Xiao Bao: “…Whimper.”
Shi Xi was utterly astonished. Could dogs really sense his aura?
Was Xiao Bao genuinely intimidated?
“Have you been a dog trainer before?”
“No, Xiao Bao is naturally obedient.”
After saying this, Huo Yao glanced at Xiao Bao again.
Xiao Bao wagged his tail in response.
Shi Xi silently gave him a thumbs-up.
She picked up the cushion and placed it back on the sofa.
The living room was sparsely furnished—no television, projector, or even a coffee table.
“Do you live alone?”
“Yes, my parents don’t like living with me. They say I’m too cold.”
Shi Xi nodded. Just looking at Huo Yao, he did seem cold and difficult to approach.
Noticing her expression, Huo Yao curved his lips slightly. “My father is a forensic pathologist, my mother is an obstetrician-gynecologist. They’re both retired now. I’ll take you to meet them another day.”
Immediately, her eyes flickered, her lips parting slightly without words.
But from her fluttering eyelashes, he could completely read her thoughts.
He bent down before her, his usual sharp aura softening.
His dark eyes uncontrollably revealed traces of affection, making his strong, handsome features appear exceptionally gentle.
Following his heart’s desire, he kissed her slightly pursed lips.
Shi Xi froze.
Why was he being so forward?
But he only brushed them lightly before pulling back, asking, “Xixi, what else do you want to know about me?”
Shi Xi gazed at the man so close to her, clutching his arm, then shook her head.
“You don’t want to learn more about me?”
“Knowing you is enough for me.”
“Mm.” He nodded in agreement, his tone slow and earnest as he emphasized, “As long as it’s you, nothing else matters.”
How could Shi Xi not understand? He was comforting her, telling her not to dwell too much on the unchangeable circumstances of her birth family.
She reached out to wrap her arms around his waist, burying her face in his chest, her voice muffled as she said, “Huo Yao, how are you so good?”
Huo Yao’s throat tightened slightly as he embraced her slender waist.
He lowered his head, his chin gently brushing against her hair.
To him, this gesture felt quite similar to how Xiao Bao behaved.
So he stopped himself from such foolish behavior.
Yet the more he restrained himself, the more he wanted to nuzzle closer.
He couldn’t help but recall the softness he had briefly tasted earlier.
Darker shades swirled in his eyes as his hand resting on her waist grew restless.
Until he heard her say, “Alright, I accept your confession.”
Huo Yao’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he lifted her chin, “I haven’t even started yet.”
“Then say it now.”
“…”
When asked to speak, he turned mute again.
Shi Xi couldn’t help but laugh.
Watching her laugh, Huo Yao found his own lips curving upward involuntarily.
He said, “This is exactly why I want to be with you, for a long time.”
She asked curiously, “What do you mean by ‘this’?”
Cupping her face with his palm, he gently squeezed her cheeks, “Your emotions affect me. When I see you smile, I want to smile too. When you’re unhappy, I feel restless. When you look at me, your eyes are beautiful, your nose is adorable, your lips…”
As he spoke, his thumb gently stroked her puckered lips.
Shi Xi, caught between laughter and tears, grabbed his hand. Just as she opened her mouth, he leaned in.
After breaking certain taboos, he became a predator skilled in plunder, leaving her no time to catch her breath.
The cane clattered to the floor.
Xiao Bao looked up with innocent eyes, witnessing the far-from-innocent scene.
After a long while, Xiao Bao began pawing at Huo Yao, barking fiercely.
—As if afraid he would devour Shi Xi.
Only then did Huo Yao relent.
But his thirst remained unbearable.
He spoke hoarsely, “I’ll get you some water.”
Shi Xi sank back onto the sofa, her legs still weak, her mind blank, with only the lingering tingling and burning sensation on her lips.
Huo Yao returned from the kitchen and handed her a glass of warm water.
When she didn’t take it, he brought the cup to her lips.
She then took small sips from his hand.
Her lips were vibrant, fuller and more moist than usual.
Huo Yao’s eyes darkened again.
After drinking about half the glass, she pushed it away and looked up at him, “Next time… don’t suck my tongue.”
It made her speech slurred.
Huo Yao finished the remaining water, his neck flushing red, “…Okay.”
Whatever the case, agreeing first was never wrong.
Because of the delay with Xiao Bao, Huo Yao didn’t take Shi Xi out to a restaurant but cooked a meal for her instead.
It was clear he didn’t cook often—the fridge only had some frozen beef, dumplings, and noodles.
But neither was picky, and they ate happily.
Around nine in the evening, Shi Xi checked the time on her phone and said,
“I should head back to the dorm.”
Huo Yao: “Mm.”
He kept his head down, cleaning the kitchen.
Another ten minutes passed.
Shi Xi walked up to him and showed him her phone, “Captain Huo, it’s half past nine.”
Huo Yao didn’t look at the phone, turning instead to wash some fruit, “I haven’t had time to eat the strawberries I brought back last time. Finish them before you go.”
Shi Xi: “…”
She moved beside him, watching his careful movements as he washed the strawberries.
His long, rough fingers held each strawberry, removing the stems with such focus, as if he wanted to pick out every single black seed.
She could tell—he was just stalling for time.
Was he trying to make her stay overnight?
Her suspicious look made Huo Yao uncomfortable.
He picked up a strawberry and put it in her mouth, “I’ll take you back after you finish eating.”
Shi Xi bit into the strawberry, staring at his large bowl of strawberries, momentarily speechless.
Even if you gave her two stomachs, she probably couldn’t finish it all, okay?
That night, Shi Xi didn’t leave.
Besides the master bedroom, Huo Yao’s place also had a bed in the guest room.
The conditions were naturally better than her dorm or apartment.
Wearing Huo Yao’s large T-shirt as pajamas, she stood at the bathroom door, looking for her cane.
Upon closer inspection, Xiao Bao had taken it and was currently chewing on it like a chew toy.
“Xiao Bao, give it back to me.”
Hearing the noise, Huo Yao walked over and scooped her into his arms. “Calling for him is worse than calling for me.”
Shi Xi: “…”
Xiao Bao dropped the cane. “…Woof?”