Chapter Seventeen: The Shameless Ex

The imperial kitchen served the dishes quickly—or rather, since only they were being entertained here today, the meals that Xu Xu and Huo Hanshen ordered soon arrived one after another.

Xu Xu soon realized that every dish Huo Hanshen had chosen happened to be her favorite.

She was quite a picky eater, after all.

“How did you know what I like to eat...” Xu Xu couldn’t help but look at Huo Hanshen in confusion.

“Hm? All the dishes I ordered are your favorites? Looks like my wife and I really are on the same wavelength,” he said playfully.

Hearing Huo Hanshen’s teasing remark, Xu Xu’s face flushed instantly, though she thought it was probably just a coincidence.

Maybe their tastes were just similar?

But while Xu Xu lowered her head, she didn’t notice the meaningful look Huo Hanshen gave her.

The private room fell silent in an instant. Xu Xu felt a bit awkward eating like this, so she lightly cleared her throat and took the initiative to speak: “Now that I think about it... we don’t really know each other that well.”

They were the closest of relations, yet also strangers in many ways.

Xu Xu knew nothing about Huo Hanshen, and he probably felt the same.

“My situation... you can probably guess,” Xu Xu said softly as she ate. “I’m the child switched at birth by the Xu family. My foster parents think I took away Xu Yaru’s life, so they don’t really like me.”

She gave a self-deprecating smile. “So, I’m basically an orphan now—no parents, just myself...”

“No, you’re not alone,” Huo Hanshen interrupted gently, reaching out to stroke her hair. He smiled at her warmly. “Now you have me.”

Meeting Huo Hanshen’s tender gaze, Xu Xu felt a warmth spread through her heart, her pulse suddenly racing uncontrollably.

She truly was lucky to have met a man like Huo Hanshen at their wedding.

“By the way... I don’t even know what kind of work you do,” she said, changing the subject.

Huo Hanshen lifted his teacup and took a sip, thinking for a few seconds before answering, “You could say... half a civil servant.”

Half a civil servant?

Xu Xu thought for a moment—probably a non-regular employee, not an official one.

Men usually have pride; he might be embarrassed to admit he’s not a full-fledged civil servant.

“That’s good,” Xu Xu smiled. “Civil servant salaries aren’t high, but at least they're stable.”

She paused, choosing her words carefully before continuing: “Since we’re married, we’re in this together. I’ll also take responsibility for the household expenses; you shouldn’t bear it all alone.”

Huo Hanshen caught the implication behind her words and couldn’t help but smile, finding Xu Xu utterly endearing.

“My salary isn’t as low as you think. Supporting a family won’t be a problem,” he said helplessly.

To Xu Xu, it sounded like a man’s pride talking.

After all, ordinary civil servant salaries aren’t high, and Huo Hanshen isn’t even a formal one, so the pay must be...

“We’re just ordinary people, no extravagant spending. We only spend a little each month, so it’s enough,” Xu Xu said with a smile, not wanting to discourage him. “Even if we have children in the future, it shouldn’t be a big problem...”

As soon as she said that, Xu Xu suddenly realized what she’d just mentioned. Her face turned red, and her words abruptly stopped.

She looked up and met Huo Hanshen’s eyes. His gaze was warm and intense, making her cheeks burn even more.

Oh dear! What was she saying?

They had only just married, and she was already talking about having children?

Would Huo Hanshen think she was in a hurry?

But explaining herself now would be even stranger.

Feeling awkward, Xu Xu cleared her throat and quickly changed the subject. “Anyway, I remember you said you have a daughter. How old is she?”

“Just turned five.” When he spoke of his daughter, Huo Hanshen’s expression softened. “She’s very well-behaved and sensible. If you met her, you’d definitely like her. But... she has a congenital illness and her health isn’t good, so she’s still in Beijing.”

At this, the smile on Huo Hanshen’s face faded somewhat. “Every time she goes for tests at the hospital, she’s obviously in pain but always endures it.”

He sighed softly, his eyes filled with unspoken sorrow.

Xu Xu was stunned, her mind involuntarily picturing a pale five-year-old girl lying on a hospital bed.

“So young...” Xu Xu felt a pang of sympathy.

She hadn’t expected Huo Hanshen’s daughter to be in such a condition.

No wonder Huo Hanshen was so eager to marry at the wedding—it must be for his daughter’s sake.

Thinking this, Xu Xu reached out and took Huo Hanshen’s hand.

He looked at her in slight surprise.

“Since we’re married, your daughter is my daughter now,” Xu Xu said sincerely. “Don’t worry, I will treat her as my own.”

Seeing her so earnest, Huo Hanshen couldn’t help but smile.

He leaned in slightly, speaking softly: “Yes, I believe my wife will be a good mother.”

As he spoke, he gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind Xu Xu’s ear.

Though it was a simple gesture, Xu Xu’s cheeks flushed once again.

Her heart raced uncontrollably—

It seemed that whenever this man came near, her heartbeat lost all control.

After finishing their meal, Xu Xu and Huo Hanshen rested briefly before preparing to leave. The imperial cuisine lived up to its reputation—expensive, yet delicious.

Even Xu Xu, who usually controlled her diet strictly, couldn’t help but overeat.

But shortly after leaving the private room, Huo Hanshen’s phone rang. He answered and went to a nearby lounge.

“I didn’t expect such a lucky blind box opening...”

Xu Xu watched Huo Hanshen’s retreating figure, her mind wandering.

Wasn’t this like pulling an SSR card, or finding a rare hidden edition in a blind box?

Though Huo Hanshen’s income wasn’t high, with his looks, physique, and character—

He was definitely a rare catch among men!

Such a good man was truly hard to come by.

“By this logic, I really hit the jackpot...” Xu Xu thought, smiling dreamily.

“Pfft.”

A sudden chuckle from behind snapped Xu Xu back to reality, and she frowned.

Turning around, she saw Huo Yunzhe staring coldly at her with a sullen face.

Xu Xu was speechless. “What are you laughing at?”

She had been in such a good mood until she ran into this jerk.

“Xu Xu, I saw everything. What are you trying to deny?” Huo Yunzhe said angrily.

Xu Xu: ?

Was he crazy? What was there to deny?

“How can you be so fickle?” Huo Yunzhe pointed toward the direction Huo Hanshen had gone. “You just broke up with me, and now you’re already swooning over another man!”

Xu Xu rolled her eyes, thinking he must be out of his mind.

“Are you hard of hearing or just forgetful?” Xu Xu sneered. “Wasn’t I clear enough yesterday?”

“Stop it!” Huo Yunzhe grabbed Xu Xu’s hand excitedly. “I know you’re upset. Can you calm down? How long are you going to make a scene?”

Huo Yunzhe held her wrist tightly. Xu Xu felt a sharp pain and forcefully shook his hand off.

Rubbing her now slightly reddened wrist, she snapped, “Are you crazy? I told you I’m married now. We have nothing to do with each other! Who’s making a scene here?”

Seeing her rub her wrist, Huo Yunzhe felt regretful. He had been too forceful in his anger.

But what Xu Xu said...

“So you’re not causing trouble?” Huo Yunzhe said sternly. “I know I upset you yesterday, but it wasn’t on purpose! I was delayed by something and didn’t make it to the wedding. I never said I wouldn’t marry you!”

He stepped forward. “We can still hold the wedding again. Why do you have to make such a big deal? Now both our families are embarrassed!”