C14 Thank You Mr Huo!

Zhou Yun quickly returned with a vintage-looking handbag and tossed it beside Qiao An, saying, "There's not much inside, just a couple of pieces of clothing."

Qiao An clutched the handbag to her chest as if it were a precious treasure, her face radiating happiness.

Catching her expression from the corner of his eye, Huo Chengzhou's eyebrows lifted ever so slightly.

Qiao Minghui finally exhaled in relief. "Qiao An, even though you've always wanted to find your biological parents, the Qiao family will forever be your home. You and Huo are welcome to visit anytime."

Qiao An gave a slight nod. "Thank you."

With a sheepish smile, Qiao Minghui offered, "It's nearly noon. How about I have the kitchen whip up something for lunch? You could eat here."

"There's no need," Huo Chengzhou replied, his chin tilting upward. "Qiao An and I have other matters to attend to. We'll visit another time."

With that, he deftly maneuvered his wheelchair and, noticing Qiao An still seated, he softly prodded, "Qiao An, let's go. What are you daydreaming about?"

Startled, Qiao An blurted out, "Eh? Oh!"

Huo Chengzhou chuckled with a hint of implication, "Reluctant to leave? Don't worry. Your uncle said this will always be your home. You can return whenever you wish."

His cool gaze briefly settled on Zhou Yun. "After all, no one will dare to bully you again."

"Okay," Qiao An murmured in agreement.

She then took up her guide staff and followed closely by Huo's side as they exited. Outwardly, she appeared serene, but inside, a storm of emotions raged.

She had never imagined a day when a man would defend her honor in the Qiao family home.

It was impossible not to feel moved.

Yet, amidst the emotion, she harbored doubts.

Why?

This was supposedly her first encounter with Huo Chengzhou. She didn't buy into the notion of love at first sight, especially under her current circumstances.

Could it really be as he said? "They burned my woman's hand and slapped her face. That's as good as slapping me in the face, isn't it?"

Someone like Huo Chengzhou would never allow his authority to be challenged by anyone.

There was, of course, one other possibility.

But...

She had been on edge earlier and hadn't noticed the man's voice.

After all, many people have similar vocal tones, and even she couldn't always tell them apart.

What was most telling, however, was that Huo Chengzhou had a leg injury, while the man she heard had a strong, healthy stride.

Huo Feng helped Qiao An into the car and then she heard the sound of him folding the wheelchair and stowing it in the trunk.

The corners of her mouth lifted in a slight smile as Qiao An chuckled to herself about her thoughts.

How could such coincidences exist in the world? Besides, it was merely a whiff of peony fragrance she found vaguely familiar. How could she possibly link these two individuals together?

Noticing her smile, Huo Chengzhou tapped his fingertips cheerfully on his knee, his deep voice breaking the silence, "What's the matter? Are you happy?"

Qiao An, clutching her handbag, smiled back at him, "Yes, very happy. Thank you, Mr. Huo."

Whether you're standing up for me or retrieving what's mine.

Huo Chengzhou gave a slight nod and signaled to Huo Feng, "Let's go."

At the Qiao residence on the third floor, Qiao Xue, with an ice pack on her face, stood by the window watching the black Land Rover SUV vanish from sight. Her expression was still marred by intense frustration and confusion.

Huo Chengzhou's words echoed clearly in her ears: "I simply like Qiao An, that's all. I don't care about her past relationships. In fact, I should thank you for luring Moo Haoyan away, as it gave me the opportunity to be with Qiao An."