Chapter 9 The Country Girl and the Cripple, a Match Made in Heaven

The Huo Family's old mansion is located in Haicheng's mid-mountain affluent area, featuring traditional Chinese garden styles. The corridors are adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, and the glazed green tiles and red walls exude a low-key yet profound and luxurious heritage.

The Huo Family is divided into two branches: the elder branch lives with the patriarch in the old mansion, while the second branch resides in the city. Huo Xingzhou moved out to live in a small villa on his own, but after a recent injury, his parents took care of him nearby.

At six in the evening.

The golden crow sinks in the west, and dusk approaches.

Qiao Xi pushed Huo Xingzhou through a long corridor before they reached the banquet hall.

Inside, the lights were bright, and there were many people. The maids were arranging a spread of delicacies on the long table, while a high-pitched and loud female voice urged them to work faster.

"This is your great-aunt, shrewd and capable, tricky, and loves to save face," Du Juan whispered to Qiao Xi, "Her name is Wang Fengxian, and many people call her Wang Xifeng behind her back."

"The man sitting on the sofa is your great uncle, ruthless and hypocritical," she continued.

None of the family members sounded like decent people.

Qiao Xi took note.

Wang Fengxian turned her head and, upon seeing the second branch's family, laughed mockingly, "You've finally arrived. Seeing Xingzhou in a wheelchair, I even feel a bit of pity."

She had a pair of narrow phoenix eyes, and a sharp chin, appearing quite formidable.

"Big sister-in-law's words are still so mean," Du Juan responded coolly.

"I, oh I love speaking the truth," Wang Fengxian chuckled while examining Qiao Xi, "Here is your country daughter-in-law. Tsk tsk, a country girl with a cripple, a match made in heaven."

She kept calling someone a cripple, disabled!

This was a harsh jab at the second branch's heart.

Huo Sijiao couldn't bear it and countered sarcastically, "Great-aunt, does your mouth stink because you didn't brush your teeth this morning? The stench is overwhelming; won't you suffocate great-uncle at night?"

"Huo Sijiao, how dare you speak to your elders that way! Is this the upbringing of the second branch?" Wang Fengxian's eyes narrowed, her face darkening immediately.

"I, oh I simply love speaking the truth," Huo Sijiao said aggressively, hands on her hips, "Nüwa should've used your face when mending the heavens."

Wang Fengxian was furious, slapping her across the face.

Huo Sijiao was not someone who took abuse lying down. She grabbed Wang Fengxian's hand and twisted it around, causing her to cry out in pain.

"What is all this fuss about!"

An elderly yet resonant voice came from the staircase, belonging to an old man dressed in dark grey practice clothes, leaning on a dragon-headed cane. He had bright, spirited eyes. By his side stood a dignified Huo Beiting, and a refined, slender middle-aged man.

"Dad."

"Grandpa."

Everyone dared not continue their antics.

"Be seated."

At the order of the elderly Mr. Huo, everyone gathered around the dining table.

"I've called you here today to announce something," the old master began, "The elder branch has found Cheng Han's disciple, Zhuo Feng. As a trade, the second branch will give their project to the elder branch, signing this 'Project Transfer Document'."

As he finished speaking,

the elder branch showed signs of joy, while the second branch was suffocated with indignation. It was only natural for a family to help each other, but the old master had to tie it to interests, leaving the second branch discontented!

Wang Fengxian chuckled smugly, "Does sister-in-law disagree? It seems Xingzhou's legs are not as valuable as the project to you."

"You!"

Anger caused Du Juan's chest to ache. On one hand was her son's hard work, on the other, his legs. With resolve, she clenched her teeth and said, "Xingzhou's legs are more important! But we must verify the person first!"

Old Mr. Huo sneered, "So you don't trust me. Doctor Zhuo, please examine my grandson's legs first."

"Yes," the slender and sharp-witted middle-aged doctor replied respectfully, bowing.

Zhuo Feng squatted down to open his medicine chest, revealing a row of needles glinting with a cold light.

Upon seeing them, Qiao Xi realized they were all golden needles, definitely of a collectible grade. This Boss Zhuo rolled up Huo Xingzhou's trouser leg and took a triangular needle to pierce the Zusanli acupoint directly.

The needle plunged straight in, one inch, two inches!

He was going to go even deeper!

Inserting the needle over two inches would puncture a blood vessel.

Boss Zhuo was right to use acupuncture to let blood, but the timing was wrong, which could worsen Huo Xingzhou's condition.

A skilled doctor could observe the changes in the meridian qi, which comes with either experience or innate talent. Qiao Xi was the latter; she could grasp the ebb and flow of the meridians' energy.

"No! This shouldn't..."

Qiao Xi opened her mouth to intervene, and people looked at her with diverse expressions.

Zhuo Feng sneered with disdain, "Is the young madam teaching me how to do my job? I've been studying medicine for over forty years, long before you even knew where you were."

The Huo Family's eldest branch jeered, "You're just a country girl who's afraid that once Xingzhou recovers the use of his legs, he will abandon you, right?"

She wanted to explain, but a hand with long, slender knuckles stuffed her mouth full with a crisp three-freshness dumpling, and the cool fingers brushed past her red lips. As she bit down, the juicy filling burst out.

"I always love these crisp dumplings at every family banquet. Try them and see if they're good," Huo Xingzhou said calmly, taking a napkin to wipe his fingers that were dotted with oil.

Qiao Xi met the man's placid eyes and instantly remembered what he had said at home.

No matter what happens, stand behind me and don't speak.

"Please continue, Doctor Zhuo," Huo Xingzhou said indifferently, "She's young and doesn't understand; she's just worried about me."

Zhuo Feng inserted the needle two and a half inches, twisting and enlarging the angle. Dark, bruised blood seeped out from the needle hole, and he stood up confidently after withdrawing the needle.

"Old Master, I can cure this!" A glint shone in his eyes, "The young master's legs are feeling something now, aren't they?"

"Mm."

Huo Xingzhou responded.

He had also noticed the difference between Qiao Xi and Zhuo Feng; her technique felt more comfortable.

"Doctor Zhuo truly is a case of 'the blue outshining the indigo'! Cousin, hurry up and sign this Project Transfer Document!" Huo Beiting eagerly placed the document in front of him, thoughtfully passing over a pen as well.

At this point, the second branch had no other choice.

They could only sign, in exchange for Huo Xingzhou's health.

Qiao Xi bit her lower lip tightly, the taste of the dumpling in her mouth fading. She stretched out her hand to rest on his arm, feeling both distressed and angry. She could cure him, too; there was no need to give up his project!

Did he still not trust her?

Huo Xingzhou ignored her, took the pen, and signed with bold and flowing characters.

Huo Xingzhou put down the pen, his expression remaining neutral as he said, "Cousin, I'm handing over the project to you. But the Sun Family's plot of land hasn't been secured yet."

Tianyuan Group and the Huo Corporation were collaborating on the Future City project, aiming to create a world-leading high-tech smart town. They were looking to acquire five square kilometers of land, and the Sun Family's old house was within that area, but they stubbornly refused to move.

Huo Beiting folded the document, his laugh tinged with sarcasm, "That's because you lack the capability! You can't even secure a small piece of land. Wait for the groundbreaking ceremony when I'll invite you as a guest."

Wang Fengxian's laughter revealed her gums, "You don't know yet, do you? Beiting and Young Master Sun are good friends; he has already introduced Beiting to President Sun. The Sun Family only has Sun Weimeng as their sole heir!"

The Sun Family was infamous for spoiling their son.

"How coincidental."

Huo Beiting raised his phone screen, flashing as he spoke with smug satisfaction, "President Sun is calling; surely he's agreeing to relocate. A tough bone that's hard for you to chew is a piece of cake for me."

In a move designed both to show off and to humiliate Huo Xingzhou, he turned on the speakerphone in front of everyone.