Chapter 48: The Husband’s Charm (Part 4)

Qiao Yanli glanced at Xia Yanxi briefly before looking back at Chu Muzhi.

He then hummed the word, “Cigar.”

Chu Muzhi quickly withdrew a metal case and took out one long cigar for his brother.

Qiao Yanli took a deep breath and blew a puff of thick smoke. The puff of smoke that dissipated before his face highlighted the mystery that was in his eyes.

“She is different from the rest. Despite her appearance that is of a strong-willed woman, she is actually just a fragile and sensitive young woman. Back there, she was assaulted by someone she once trusted. Just awhile back, she was cheated by her own family. She’s hurt and she is shutting herself out from everyone else. Her guard is up and if I gave her a card to use, she would only take it negatively. She would think that I am looking down on her, humiliating her further.

Chu Muzhi nodded.

“That’s true. The two of you have just met a few days ago. Giving her a supplementary card with unlimited funds would only turn her against you, making her doubt the purpose of the marriage itself. Be that as it may, why would you have me and the brothers purposely lose hundreds of thousands to her? You could have just asked us to lose a couple of millions instead. That would immediately solve her problem. Whatever they are…”

Qiao Yanli scoffed.

“If it were millions, she would immediately pick up on the charade. Do you really think she would be willing to accept such a large amount?”

Chu Muzhi broke into a laugh.

“Ahhhh! What a sly man you are, Second Brother! To think that you can help her solve her financial problems and not raise her suspicion at the same time!”

Qiao Yanli turned his distant gaze to the girl inside the Bentley. She was leaning against the other side of the passenger door, playing on her phone in the dark. Her eyelashes fluttered only once the entire time he was staring at her. Her long hair draped below her jaw, dangling like a satin sheet. Even the way she was sitting; quietly and obediently as she waited for her husband, was elegant and impeccable.

He flicked the ashes on the tip of the cigar and took another go at it.

“Have Shaoze check if he has any bone marrow that would match her younger brother.”

Qiu Shaoze came from a family of medical doctors, and he himself was a prestigious specialist. He was known to be the boy talent in the medical society.

Chu Muzhi nodded and gave an “okay” sign.

“One more thing…” Qian Yanli said as he took another deep puff.

“The factory that belonged to Xia Corporation. is going to be put on auction. I want you to take matters into your own hands.”

Chu Muzhi tilted his head.

“Erm… Second Brother? That place has no value of any kind. Not that I can’t or I won’t but… If you want to buy it…”

Before he could finish his sentence, his eyes flared open as they shot toward the girl sitting in the car.

“Second Brother, are you really in love?”

He was willing to fork out a sum of fortune to buy a factory that was as good as the dirt they stood on, just to have his wife smile?

Qiao Yanli flicked the ashes off his cigar again and when he noticed it was halfway through, he came before an ashtray situated on top of a public trash bin and put it out. He came back with his hands tucked in his pockets, and said, “Just do as I say.”

***

Xia Yanxi might look like she was scrolling through a social media app, but her mind was imagining the scene where Qiao Yanli and Chu Muzhi were tallking to each other. Occasionally, she would sneak a peek. The man’s face was poorly illuminated by the yellow hue of the streetlight but that was enough for her to savor him entirely. His stoic composure coupled with his dashing face were truly a scene to behold. The way he smoked, clamping the thick piece of cigar between his supple lips, was enticing for one. Even the way he blew out the smoke, rendering the surroundings momentarily hazy, merely enhanced her view of his manliness.

To be honest, she had her fair share of handsome men surrounding her ever since she had been able to perform complex calculations. That being said, she had never seen anyone that exuded such a manly aura as he did. Not even Bai Wenxuan…

While many others possessed an appearance that could stand on equal footing with him, not one could match the aura and attractiveness that he had.

He was only twenty seven years of age, yet he was able to give an impression of timeless experience, deep knowledge, and the epitome of elegant behavior.

When his brothers and their partners were teasing each other, his eyes were only fixed on her, never leaving her for even a second. Even when they were coming out from Red Rose, many a young woman had eyed him with lust and longing, yet the man could not care less; not even offering a simple glance as reciprocation to their admiration.

And then the thought came. She could not comprehend why a man of such calibre would be willing to marry her?