Chapter 22

A bitter hatred welled up in her tear-filled eyes—like shards of poisoned ice.

Shen Nanxi. As long as Shen Nanxi was dead, everything could go back to the way it was.

A bright, handsome boy flashed through her mind, and the tears wouldn’t stop. She loved him like her life depended on it, loved him down to her bones. How could she let go so easily?

At the family compound, Shen Cheng arrived in the rain.

Shen Nanxi welcomed him inside. Shen Cheng sat down and pulled thirty thousand yuan from his bag, placing it on the table. Looking at her, he said:

“Nanxi, Xizhou doesn’t like you. It’s pointless to keep holding on. Listen to your father—divorce Xizhou. I’ll help you find someone more suitable.

Take this thirty thousand, and I’ll transfer a property to your name. Then you’ll have your own home in Yun City and can bring your family over too.

There’s no future for you here. Huo Xizhou can’t give you anything except disgust.”

Shen Nanxi’s expression turned cold. Her brows furrowed slightly. “You’ve got it wrong. I’m the one asking for the divorce. He’s the one refusing. If you want the divorce, talk to him.

I’d love to leave this place—but he won’t let me go.”

“He won’t divorce you?”

Shen Cheng was shocked. He knew how much Huo Xizhou loathed his daughter.

“Yeah, he said I’ve got him under a spell—he’s not divorcing anymore.”

Shen Nanxi said it seriously. Shen Cheng stared at her for a few seconds. As a man, he could somewhat understand.

“Alright then, take the money. I’ll wait for him to come back and see where he stands.”

“I don’t want it. Don’t give me money!”

Shen Nanxi stood up and walked away. She didn’t want to be alone with Shen Cheng any longer.

Shen Cheng sighed helplessly. His daughter had changed—he could no longer read her.

He tucked the money back into his bag.

After a while, Huo Xizhou came back with food. He glanced at Shen Cheng, then went straight to the table. His face was expressionless. “Father-in-law, did you come for something?”

Father-in-law?

Shen Cheng’s eyes widened. He had never called him that before. Was this him acknowledging Nanxi as his wife?

“I asked Nanxi. She said you don’t want a divorce anymore?”

Huo Xizhou set down the food and solemnly replied, “Father-in-law, I don’t want a divorce. I want to stay with Nanxi. You need to talk to Shen Ziyan. Otherwise, she’ll be my enemy—along with the rest of your family.”

Shen Cheng was shaken, his feelings mixed. “I’ll talk to her.” But he knew his daughter was deeply attached—she wouldn’t be easy to persuade. Still, he had to explain the consequences to her.

He left quickly, but as he walked out, he said, “I acknowledge Nanxi as my daughter. Xizhou, you are my son-in-law—I hope you’ll be patient with her.”

Huo Xizhou didn’t respond. His eyes were deep and unreadable.

After Shen Cheng left, his expression lightened, and he went to the bedroom to call Nanxi for dinner.

Shen Nanxi stood up quickly, worried he might try to hug her. “Did you eat yet? Come on.” Without waiting for a reply, she walked out first.

“Yeah, let’s eat. I bought dishes you like.”

He had noticed she preferred light, nutritious meals—so that’s all he ordered.

There were crabs, shrimp, braised pork, and baby greens. He shelled the crab and picked out shrimp for her, even smiling as he said, “Look at how well I pamper you—feeling spoiled yet?”

Shen Nanxi rolled her eyes at him but said nothing.

Huo Xizhou chuckled, then turned serious. “I dealt with Shen Ziyan earlier. I’ll also hire a bodyguard for you. If you want to open a shop, I’ll support you—as long as it’s legitimate, I have no objections.

“But don’t ever mention divorce to me again. I don’t want to hear that word. Got it?”

Shen Nanxi didn’t like his commanding tone. “I won’t take your money. I left it in your room. I want to earn my own living. Once I have enough, I’ll hire a lawyer and talk about divorce then.”

Huo Xizhou’s face darkened immediately. His muscles tensed—he wanted to slam the chopsticks down, but restrained himself. “After what we’ve done, you still want a divorce?”

He was so furious he nearly choked. His heart felt like it was roasting over a fire. He never thought coaxing a woman could be this hard.

He pampered her, gave her money, even took revenge for her—and she still wanted to leave!

“What do you want me to do so you don’t divorce me?”

Shen Nanxi replied coldly, “There’s nothing you can do. I just don’t like you.”

Suddenly, he grabbed her by the neck and lifted her into his arms, pressing her against his solid chest. One hand supported her hips as he looked at her flushed lips—and kissed her.

He carried her into the bedroom. No matter how she hit him, he didn’t let go.

His kisses were forceful and possessive.

Lust filled his eyes as he pinned her to the bed, capturing her lips in a deep, overwhelming kiss, holding her face so she couldn’t move—forcing her to accept it.

Shen Nanxi couldn’t breathe—he devoured her completely. Her eyes rolled back as she struggled to stay conscious.

Huo Xizhou gasped heavily, a deep, almost primitive sound escaping his throat. Desire overwhelmed him.

Seeing her struggle, he loosened his grip slightly, letting her catch her breath—then kissed her again, hands roaming her body.

His kisses were like a violent storm. Shen Nanxi couldn’t resist. His heated groans filled her ears, sending shivers down her spine.

She was like a small boat drifting in a wild ocean. Then came his husky, seductive whisper: “Wife, please… I’m suffering.”

“N-No…”

Her broken voice barely made it out—then her lips were sealed again. He kept kissing, touching, pressing against her…

Shen Nanxi began to cry. After the storm, she staggered out of the room.

Beast. Maniac. Her first kiss was gone—violently taken by this madman.

Huo Xizhou sat against the headboard smoking, his zipper still undone. His handsome face was flushed from the encounter.

Today, he had completely let go. That primal release was something he hadn’t imagined—like a wild beast tearing its prey apart.

He was too powerful. Shen Nanxi was trembling from fear—she felt like he might kill her if they actually slept together.

When he later went to open her door, it was already locked. He looked at the untouched food on the table and felt a little regret—but still left her with a warning:

“Let’s see if you ever dare mention divorce again. If you do, I’ll deal with you just like today!”

Shen Nanxi hid under her blanket. After a moment, she shouted back:

“We’re not compatible. My small body can’t take your torment. I’m not afraid of you—I still want a divorce!”

“Looks like I’ve been too soft on you. Next time, it won’t be so easy!”

Shen Nanxi buried herself under the blanket and didn’t reply.

The man eventually left—ate, showered, then washed his pants and the soiled bed sheets.

The Next Day

Shen Nanxi didn’t come out until after he left. She hadn’t showered the night before, so she washed up, ate, and then left with her bag.

Xiao Bin’s car was parked a little ways from the family compound. She walked over and got in. From the shadows, two other cars followed behind.

Xiao Bin’s car arrived at the clothing shop. The signboard had already been installed. Shen Nanxi was thrilled and got out quickly.

The two cars behind them screeched to a halt. Several people jumped out—three grabbed Shen Nanxi, while the other three went after Xiao Bin.

She was dragged into a car. The workers inside the shop watched the whole thing, stunned. People these days had guts—snatching someone in broad daylight!

Xiao Bin couldn’t fend off four attackers. The men had martial arts skills and beat him down. After he was knocked to the ground, they took off with Shen Nanxi.