Taming The Hidden Bigshot By Kissing Him-Chapter 638 Qiao Xi is Really Angry

Qiao Xi held Huo Xingzhou’s arm as they entered the small banquet hall, her gaze landing squarely on Zhong Yi.

She hadn’t expected to see him twice in one day.

Her voice was soft and distant as she greeted him, "Young Master Zhong."

Zhong Yi glanced at her but didn’t respond, instead turning to Huo Xingzhou and saying, "You actively decided to attend my housewarming party. You’re just here to watch the show, right? Well, now that you’ve seen enough, did you bring a gift?"

Huo Xingzhou produced a square box and handed it to him. "Congratulations to you and Miss Lu on moving in together—new beginnings for the new home."

Zhong Yi accepted it with a sour expression. As he opened the box, he remarked, "Can’t even manage a proper congratulatory message—you really should’ve just stayed silent."

Qiao Xi glanced at the box in his hands, noticing something inside that looked like a seal.

Huo Xingzhou gave Zhong Yi a seal?

She frowned lightly, unsure if it was a private seal or an official one. Were they collaborating on yet another project?

With a snap.

Zhong Yi closed the box and said, "Take your seats."

Huo Xingzhou nodded slightly. "The drama’s been excellent—just wondering if the food will match this level of theatrics."

After speaking.

He guided Qiao Xi toward the vacant seats at the main table.

The servants had already replaced the dishes and utensils.

At the center of the table sat Lu Yingxue and Zhong Yi. The remaining seats were occupied by mostly unfamiliar faces, except for one—an old acquaintance of Qiao Xi’s. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ

It was Lu Yan, sitting in his wheelchair.

A servant had just wheeled him out from the rest lounge to join the dinner. Ever since his accident, he had avoided lively gatherings like these.

Still, it made sense for him to attend since he and Lu Yingxue, as cousins, maintained a good relationship.

Lu Yan’s expression was gloomy, markedly colder than it had been in the past. His eyes brimmed with emotions that made Qiao Xi uncomfortable—she only spared him a glance before looking away.

Yet upon seeing an old enemy, Lu Yan didn’t show the same restraint.

The fork in his hand was driven so hard into the table that its handle bent.

Lu Yingxue, though, proved herself to be quite skilled.

Despite being slighted by Zhong Yi, she still had the composure to entertain her guests. Her resolve won over even more sympathy; some attendees felt so moved by her plight that they wanted to confront Zhong Yi on her behalf!

That woman—she really knew how to endure!

She was even serving food for Zhong Yi.

"This pineapple curry duck is the chef’s special creation. Give it a try. If you like it, we can have them come more often," Lu Yingxue said, instructing the servants to distribute the dish among the guests.

"Everyone, please enjoy it."

Out of the corner of her eye, Qiao Xi glanced at Zhong Yi and saw that, as expected, he didn’t touch the pineapple curry duck.

Because of Ayi—he was allergic to pineapple.

He never ate pineapple, not even once.

Noticing this detail, Qiao Xi felt her suspicions confirmed.

She lowered her head and took a bite of the tart pineapple—the taste combined with curry was even stranger.

"Drink the soup first,"

Huo Xingzhou served her a bowl of savory mushroom chicken soup.

Qiao Xi obediently nodded.

"Heh."

Lu Yan let out a sardonic laugh. "Some people might have hands, but they’re still useless—might as well be crippled."

He hated Xu Yunye, but he hated Qiao Xi just as much.

His right leg had been rendered useless.

Leaden with unending pain, the torment had turned him into someone neither human nor ghost.

It was through this torment that his hatred for Qiao Xi and Xu Yunye had festered.

He wanted nothing less than mutual destruction!

Qiao Xi shot him a look, silently rolled her eyes, and resisted the urge to argue with him.

Lu Yingxue, observing the tension, said to Qiao Xi, "Please don’t take it to heart. My cousin hasn’t been in the best mood since his injury—it wasn’t meant as a personal attack."

Qiao Xi replied, "I didn’t take it personally; instead, it seems Miss Lu is overreacting. Rest assured, I wouldn’t stoop to arguing with someone under psychological duress."

"Who are you calling deranged?" Lu Yan’s face flushed with rage, veins standing out on his neck as he glared at her.

Lu Yingxue feigned a warning, "Lu Yan, focus on your meal."

Suppressing his fury, Lu Yan ground his teeth and stared at Qiao Xi’s delicate face with a predatory expression.

The hatred boiling within him had swelled to its breaking point; he desperately needed an outlet.

Lu Yingxue attempted to smooth things over. "After dinner, we’ve arranged a little game—archery. There’s even a prize to liven things up: a piece of spring-colored jadeite glass."

As soon as she finished speaking.

Qiao Xi set her chopsticks down. "Thank you for the meal, but I’m full. I’ll take my leave now."

Huo Xingzhou’s lips curved upward slightly—it seemed she had grown a sassy streak, which he found rather endearing.

If others didn’t show her respect, she wouldn’t bother offering them courtesy either.

His own dishes remained nearly untouched; he took a napkin and carefully wiped the corner of Qiao Xi’s lips. "Let’s not impose any longer. We’ll be leaving now."

The moment the couple stood up, they drew everyone’s attention.

Lu Yingxue’s smile faltered slightly. "We’ve prepared a game for after dinner—why not join us?"

"No thanks—your crowd isn’t our crowd," Huo Xingzhou answered coolly. "After all, Miss Lu’s friends don’t seem particularly welcoming toward us."

His gaze swept across the room, landing briefly on those who had whispered spiteful remarks behind their backs. One by one, they lowered their heads guiltily.

Maintaining a veneer of politeness, Lu Yingxue said, "Then Zhong Yi and I shall escort you out."

Zhong Yi’s impeccably sharp features twisted with irritation; he rose first and headed for the exit.

A few of them slowly walked out of the villa.

Outside on the lawn and garden, the floodlights illuminated the area like daylight.

Old Chen stood nearby, watching the foursome with a sense of unease—their interactions seemed outwardly calm but betrayed an undercurrent of turbulence.

He shook his head; as an insider, he was privy to the complicated love quadrangle that entangled them.

Unable to resist, Old Chen edged closer, eager to see how things would unfold.

Qiao Xi’s gaze lingered on Zhong Yi, and an inkling of thought resurfaced.

But she held herself back and said instead, "Young Master Zhong, take care of yourself. Don’t overstrain yourself. The medicine you took last time was quite potent—you need to rest for a while."

Zhong Yi raised his eyes and replied, "Thank you for your concern."

Suddenly.

A sharp, cold gleam flashed through the air.

Old Chen cried out in alarm, "Master! Young Madam! Watch out!"

He rushed forward and shoved Qiao Xi to the side.

Instinctively sensing the danger, Qiao Xi grabbed Huo Xingzhou and rolled to the ground.

The arrow pierced through the spot where Huo Xingzhou had been standing moments earlier, embedding itself in the lawn and tilting into the dirt.

It unearthed a spray of soil.

Turning her head, Qiao Xi spotted Lu Yan seated on the villa steps, holding a bow in his hands.

Clearly, she and Huo Xingzhou had been used as his live targets.

Slowly, she got up and asked Huo Xingzhou, "Are you hurt?"

During their tumble, he had cushioned her from the impact.

"I’m fine."

Huo Xingzhou’s expression was frigid, his long narrow eyes glinting with icy malice.

His suit jacket was scattered with grass and dirt; Qiao Xi’s quick glance noticed scratches on his hand caused by gravel.

Lu Yingxue hurriedly attempted to explain, "This must be a misunderstanding—I..."

Qiao Xi shoved her aside, stepped forward, and yanked out the embedded arrow.

Running her fingers over the sharp arrowhead, she realized it wasn’t a harmless toy—it was honed and razor-sharp.

If it had hit someone, there would surely have been blood.

Holding the arrow in her hand, Qiao Xi’s beautiful face turned icy as she strode directly toward Lu Yan on the front steps of the villa.

"Qiao Xi?"

"Young Madam!"

The voices behind her didn’t faze her in the slightest.

Lu Yan, initially smug and brazen, began to panic as he saw Qiao Xi’s cold, resolute demeanor drawing closer. Her gaze, sharp as a blade, sliced straight through to him.

His heart inexplicably tightened in fear.

What was this woman about to do?