Chapter 7

“My hand, my leg, my arm…”

Shen Nanxi’s voice was choked with sobs, soft and pitiful, as if she were complaining coquettishly.

The end of her words carried a teasing lilt that tugged at the man’s heartstrings.

But it vanished quickly. The man remained angry.
“You’re so careless! It’s not like I ate you or anything!”

“Wuwuwu…”

Shen Nanxi braced against the floor to get up.

“Open the door! I want to see your injuries!”

He was furious and just wanted to get his hands on her immediately—to teach her a lesson.

It took Shen Nanxi great effort to stand. She rinsed off with the shower and said,
“I’m not wearing any clothes. Don’t come in.”

“Open the door. Right now. Immediately!”
Huo Xizhou was already at his limit.
“I’ve seen it all before, it’s not like it’s anything new.”

His tone was fierce, and Shen Nanxi didn’t dare disobey. She turned off the water and opened the door a crack.

Through the steamy mist, her fair and delicate body was partially visible. Her hair was damp, cheeks flushed, so breathtakingly beautiful it was unreal.

Her full, heaving chest came into view, and Huo Xizhou’s breath caught. His eyes locked on that area, unable to look away. Heat surged through his body.

Seeing his dazed stare, Shen Nanxi snapped,
“Old man, what are you looking at?”

Old… old man?

Huo Xizhou’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard. He looked up, his handsome face darkening. He shoved the door open and stepped inside.

“Let me see where you’re hurt!”
He gritted the words through clenched teeth, making Shen Nanxi’s heart tremble.

Huo Xizhou grabbed her arm to check, his grip rough and punishing—clearly deliberate. But as he saw her bruises, his chest heaved, and he growled:
“What happened? Why are you covered in injuries?”

His gaze was cold and sharp, making Shen Nanxi flinch. He was always this harsh.

“It was Shen Chaonan. We’re getting divorced, remember? Why do you care where I got hurt? Get out—I’m taking a shower.”

She tried to twist her arm free, but his strength was overwhelming. She couldn’t budge.

He barked:
“Behave! Now answer me—why are you getting home so late?”

Then a sudden thought crossed his mind, and his eyes flicked toward a certain part of her body. Shen Nanxi thought he looked like a pervert.

Wait—wasn’t it true that even when she’d stripped in front of him before, he’d shown no interest? Could it be… he thought something had happened to her?

She looked at him and said:
“I got a job. I was working overtime.”

Huo Xizhou narrowed his eyes at her.
“What kind of job makes you work overtime? Are you working at a restaurant?”

Shen Nanxi didn’t want to tell the truth.
“Yes, at a restaurant. Some customers were drinking tonight, so I got off late.”

“Quit. You’re not allowed to keep working there. It’s too dangerous for a woman to be out alone. I’ll arrange a job for you at the factory.”

Shen Nanxi frowned, her beautiful brow creasing.
“We’re getting divorced soon. Don’t meddle in my life! And by the way, your divorce application should’ve been approved by now, right? If it is, let’s go file for divorce tomorrow. Once we’re divorced, I’ll move out.”

After saying this, his grip tightened, hurting her.
“Ow, that hurts! Let go!”
She tried prying his hand off.

As she leaned forward to apply force, her full chest swayed, trembling slightly. Huo Xizhou stared, letting her struggle. The veins on his forehead bulged, sweat beading.

Just as she was about to notice, he released her and walked out.

“Wrap a towel when you’re done. I’ll apply medicine for you,” he said hoarsely.

“Since when are you this kind?”
The words slipped out.

His deep voice came from outside.
“Since now.”

“What a weirdo.”

Rubbing her sore arm, Shen Nanxi’s heart pounded—it was from fear.

She finished her shower, put on her pajamas, and came out.

Huo Xizhou was standing at her door with a bottle of medicine, smoking. When he saw her, he squinted.
“Come here.”

“I’ll put the medicine on myself. I already bought some.”

“Can you reach your back?”

“Yes.”

Shen Nanxi turned to walk back to her room, but he snapped:
“Stop!”

Her heart jumped, and she froze.

Huo Xizhou exhaled smoke slowly. Behind the curling gray smoke was his chiseled, handsome face. At 27, he exuded the magnetism of a mature man.

His eyes were sharp and cool, aloof and restrained. His tall frame stood like a pine tree, radiating an intense masculine aura—irresistible to most.

Shen Nanxi tried to ignore him, but her heart skipped a beat. Too bad he was too old—not her type.

“You’re not allowed to work in restaurants anymore. If you want a job, I’ll arrange one. Didn’t you say you only have a middle school education? You can do clerical work.”

Shen Nanxi glanced sideways at him. He was leaning against the wall, smoking, exuding both arrogance and nobility. She didn’t care why he suddenly wanted to help her.

She rejected him decisively:
“I wasn’t telling the truth. I rented a shop and started making clothes for people. I went to pick out fabrics tonight—that’s why I came home late.

And don’t ask where I got the money. I earned it. It’s not what you think. I didn’t do anything to betray you.”

She said it all in one breath, just to make it clear—so he wouldn’t assume she’d cheated on him.

Huo Xizhou had been thinking that. But after she said this, he hesitated.
“You earned a few thousand yuan in one go?”

“I borrowed it. But the shop’s already making money—I’ll pay it back.”

He looked at her suspiciously. Was she really capable of that?

“Where is it? I’ll go check it out tomorrow.”

Shen Nanxi narrowed her peach blossom eyes, a little annoyed.
“You’re too nosy. Let me ask you—has the divorce report been approved? You’re not getting any younger. Once we’re divorced, hurry up and marry Shen Ziyan. Brother-in-law.”

She said it and stepped into her room, feeling immensely satisfied. She shut the door, applied her medicine, and went to sleep!

Huo Xizhou’s handsome face darkened. That pent-up frustration was stuck in his chest. Calling him old?

Back then she had stripped and thrown herself into his arms, saying she liked him. That image still haunted him. But now, all he felt was disgust.

Fuming, he threw away the cigarette and went to bed.

At the Shen residence.

The modern garden villa was expansive, its high, solid walls shielding the lush scenery inside. The yard was full of blooming flowers and green willows. Five European-style villas stood under tall trees—elegant, opulent, and a clear sign of wealth and status.

Shen Cheng had returned early in the morning and called his sons and daughter back, saying he had something important to discuss. He also told Su Wenhui to prepare food. Su Wenhui thought it was some happy occasion.

As soon as Shen Cheng got home, she asked with a smile,
“What is it?”

“We’ll talk when everyone’s here.”

“Dad, what’s going on?”
Shen Ziyan was curious.

Shen Cheng didn’t answer. He lit a cigarette. The maid brought tea, and he leaned back on the couch to smoke. Su Wenhui shot him a look of disdain.

The eldest son Shen Zhengxiao and his family arrived. The second son Shen Beiming’s family arrived soon after.

Both sons were married to businesswomen. Shen Cheng had always hoped his daughter would marry into a military or political family to protect his business interests.

Su Wenhui had been classmates with Huo’s mother, Zhou Man. Zhou Man married into a military family, which formed a connection between the two families.

Now that their youngest daughter had married Huo Xizhou, things could work out—as long as the relationship was maintained and no more conflicts arose.

Once everyone had arrived, Shen Cheng scanned the room calmly and said in a serious tone:

“No matter what, Shen Nanxi is still my daughter. You’re not allowed to lay hands on her. Think about the family’s interests—we need the Huo family’s support if we want long-term stability and to avoid being crushed.”

“Do you understand?”

Eldest son Shen Zhengxiao replied first:
“Understood.”

Though he didn’t like his father’s affair, what man didn’t stray? He had been tempted himself.

The second son also nodded in agreement. He had to go along with their father if he wanted a bigger share of the family business.

“Dad!”

Shen Ziyan was clearly displeased. Su Wenhui’s face had gone stiff and cold.

Shen Cheng raised a hand to calm them down and continued:

“We live in a society ruled by law. Violence isn’t tolerated. No matter what, she is still my daughter. I don’t want to see our family tearing itself apart. Didn’t you notice someone’s missing? Chaonan beat Nanxi and was taken to the police station—detained for 15 days!

That’s punishment. She used legal means to protect herself. Wenhui, keep your son in line. Ziyan, show some concern for your brother.”

There was a hidden message in his words, which made both women’s faces twist in anger.

Su Wenhui shouted,
“All you do is defend her! Do you even care about Ziyan anymore? She stole the man Ziyan loves!”

“Dad, you’re so biased!”

Shen Ziyan was seething with hatred. She had loved Huo Xizhou since she was a teenager. She had waited all these years, looking forward to marrying him after college. But just when the wedding was being prepared, that countryside girl came and stole her fiancé.

How could she possibly swallow that?