Font Size:
Xu Ruanruan’s voice carried a pitiful tone, her delicate and vulnerable face almost shouting, “I’ve been wronged!”
Faced with such a tearful beauty, most men would feel a surge of sympathy and a strong sense of justice.
But Huo Qi frowned instead. That face reminded him too much of his stepmother—especially the expressions she wore when falsely accusing him to his father. They were eerily similar.
Thinking about how his meddlesome stepmother was probably watching the reality show livestream, Huo Qi’s expression grew even colder.
He hadn’t joined the variety show to form some on-screen romance; he hoped others would abandon any such thoughts of pairing up with him. He had no intention of reciprocating anyone’s feelings.
Under Xu Ruanruan’s expectant gaze, Huo Qi walked slowly downstairs. He stopped two steps away, looking down at her with an icy expression, his voice as cold as a winter chill.
“Excuse me, I’m busy. Can you move aside?”
Xu Ruanruan: “???”
Shame and disbelief filled her as her hands clenched tightly. She stared at Huo Qi in shock, unable to process his cold rejection.
When she didn’t move, Huo Qi frowned slightly, placed one hand on the staircase railing, and vaulted over the side with a graceful leap. His long legs landed lightly on the floor below.
While the comments argued, a refined woman lounging on a chaise in another villa let out a bell-like laugh as she watched the livestream on her phone.
“That bastard dares to participate in such a low-brow variety show? Being mocked by other wealthy families is one thing, but now he’s being criticized online. It’s perfect. If this gains traction, how will he ever have the face to fight us for shares? Should I give it a little push?”
A slightly chubby man nearby frowned in disapproval.
“Mom, why are you even watching that illegitimate son’s show? Ever since he joined the entertainment industry, he’s been a laughingstock for high society. Dad’s given up on him entirely. Why waste your time?”
“I’m just being cautious. Otherwise, who would want to watch his unlikable cold face? Anyway, with his aloof personality, he won’t make it far anywhere.”
The woman casually closed the livestream, looking at the man beside her with motherly affection.
“My dear son, all of Mom’s hopes rest on you. When you join Huo Corporation, make sure to perform well and make your father proud.”
“I know, Mom. Now give me more money to grease the right wheels.”
“Of course.”
Meanwhile, the villa’s front door opened again. A short-haired, bold, and strikingly beautiful woman strolled in, casually pulling a suitcase behind her.
“Hello, I’m Qiao Li, one of the female contestants.”
Huo Qi, standing nearby with a glass of water, nodded slightly. His cold voice carried no warmth.
“I’m Huo Qi.”
Before Qiao Li could seize the chance to strike up a conversation, he turned and walked toward the staircase without hesitation. His pace was brisk and decisive.
Standing at the bottom of the staircase, Xu Ruanruan bit her lip and refused to budge, staring stubbornly at Huo Qi as he approached.
Chapter 5: Brother~ She’s So Fragile, You’re So Pitiful
Their gazes met, but looking into his piercingly cold almond-shaped eyes and sensing the increasingly suffocating aura as he approached, an overwhelming chill surged in her heart. Almost instinctively, like a natural response to danger, she stepped aside—just as she had earlier dodged Ning Qingyan’s throw.
She understood that Huo Qi had endured countless hardships since childhood. His nature was cold and sensitive. Many gentle, virtuous, and kind women had tried to win his favor over the years, but none had succeeded. Assuming he wasn’t interested in such types, she had opted for a more delicate and pampered persona. But little did she expect such cold indifference in return.
Watching this scene unfold, Qiao Li stood to the side, a thoughtful look in her eyes. Then, a faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at her lips.
Huo Qi walked with his usual brisk pace, indifferent to all distractions. Reaching the second floor, he encountered Gu Si, who was supporting Ning Qingyan as she walked.
Ning Qingyan’s right foot landed on its heel, her toes slightly lifted. She couldn’t wear shoes due to the bandage, and her pale face betrayed her discomfort. Her expression was one of embarrassment.
Huo Qi slowed down for a moment, his gaze falling on her tender, reddened foot. He recalled using her towel the night before and frowned slightly before speaking in a cold, detached tone:
“Do you need help?”
Gu Si glanced at him lazily, his tone lighthearted. “No need. I’ve got it.”
Huo Qi ignored him, directing his gaze at Ning Qingyan. He disliked being indebted to anyone. Taking her towel was a mistake, so he’d help her this once and consider the matter settled.
“No, no, I can manage on my own. It’s not a big deal,” Ning Qingyan replied, shaking her head, clearly flustered.
Huo Qi nodded without another word, sidestepped them, and returned to his room.
Gu Si clicked his tongue and remarked teasingly, “So aloof. Xiaoyan, don’t pick up his habits, or you’ll never find a girlfriend.”
Ning Qingyan nodded earnestly. “Got it. I’ll remember that.”
Meanwhile, standing awkwardly at the foot of the stairs, Xu Ruanruan felt a pang of grievance. Huo Qi had greeted the newly arrived Qiao Li and even offered to help a stranger like Ning Qingyan. So why was he so cold toward her alone?
“Need some help? I’ve always been strong—I can do anything a guy can do,” Qiao Li’s clear voice cut in as she approached, holding her suitcase in one hand.
Xu Ruanruan reluctantly nodded, her voice subdued. “Thank you.”
Maintaining her delicate and pampered persona for the cameras, she added weakly, “Let’s do it together. You’re a girl too—it’s tough.”
As soon as she finished, Qiao Li effortlessly hoisted the larger suitcase with one hand. After a few seconds, she frowned in confusion and asked, “What’s in here? Rocks? It’s so heavy.”
Xu Ruanruan hesitated before replying, “Ahem, just some skincare products.”
Maintaining her persona as a pampered beauty meant she had to carry numerous bottles and jars of cosmetics and skincare items, which naturally made the suitcase heavy.
Even Qiao Li struggled a bit. After pushing her own suitcase aside, she used both hands to lift Xu Ruanruan’s suitcase, managing to ascend the stairs with difficulty.
Watching this, Ning Qingyan nudged Gu Si with her elbow. “Go help them. They’re all girls, after all.”
Gu Si glanced at her injured foot and clicked his tongue. “Did you forget how you got hurt?”
Ning Qingyan paused before laughing carelessly. “Didn’t they say it was just a fainting spell? Besides, girls should be pampered! What’s wrong, Emperor? Why is the eunuch getting worked up?”
Gu Si looked at her, feigning disdain. “A bootlicker ends up with nothing, you know?”
Ning Qingyan adopted a serious expression and nodded earnestly. “Noted, noted. Won’t happen again.”
Gu Si couldn’t help but laugh at her antics, his desire to tease her rekindled. Leaning closer, he whispered near her ear, “Fine, call me ‘brother,’ and I’ll help them carry the suitcases.”
Their faces were inches apart. Ning Qingyan looked up at him with her clear, bright eyes reflecting his devilishly handsome face. Then she curved her pretty peach blossom eyes and responded in a deliberately low, playful voice:
“Brother, someone as kind-hearted as you is bound to lend a helping hand!”
Her deliberately softened and slightly raspy voice sent shivers down Gu Si’s spine. Coupled with her teasing tone and the warmth of her breath, Gu Si’s ears turned red almost instantly. The blush spread rapidly from his ears to his pale neck, even tinging his sexy, defined Adam’s apple.
The moment left Gu Si speechless. He abruptly straightened, avoiding her gaze like she was a dangerous predator, and hurried downstairs without a word.
If Ning Qingyan hadn’t asked, he probably would’ve helped anyway. But he’d tried to use the moment to tease her and ended up being the one flustered. It was utterly humiliating—especially in front of his lackey. How was he supposed to maintain his authority now?
Feeling inexplicably frustrated, Gu Si grabbed both suitcases and hauled them upstairs. After placing them on the second floor, he ignored Ning Qingyan’s attempt to praise him and went back downstairs to grab his own luggage and the last suitcase.
When Xu Ruanruan shyly said, “Thank you,” and Qiao Li casually remarked, “Thanks, man,” Gu Si shut them down with a curt reply: “Ning Qingyan asked me to help you. Please make sure to follow our male guest No. 1, Ning Qingyan!”
Ning Qingyan blinked in confusion, watching as Gu Si, expressionless, carried his suitcase to his room without acknowledging her.
Qiao Li, still calm, gave Ning Qingyan a few extra glances. She hadn’t expected this “background character” to have such good relationships with the male leads. It seemed her plans needed a slight adjustment.
Meanwhile, Xu Ruanruan, feeling utterly defeated by her interactions with the three male leads, found a tiny comfort in Ning Qingyan’s kindness. She turned to him with a soft smile, her voice sweet:
“Brother Qingyan, I was wrong earlier. How’s your foot? Feeling better?”