C8 I Don't Want to Get Married Anymore!

She instinctively tilted her head toward the man. "Mr. Huo, I'm blind."

"Mm." The response came in a deep voice tinged with a touch of arrogant nonchalance.

"I'm Qiao An," she added, hoping to coax more words out of the man to confirm her suspicions.

"Mm."

The man was terse, his glance once again catching the stark palm print on Qiao An's face. The origin of that mark...

Huo Chengzhou's eyes narrowed, his voice icy, "Who is responsible for the injury on your face?"

Qiao An paused, reflexively reaching up to touch it, inadvertently revealing the reddened back of her hand to Huo Chengzhou's sharp gaze.

He reached out to grasp her hand, attempting to bring it closer for inspection, but Qiao An recoiled as if startled. "Mr. Huo..."

His eyes flashed with a chill. "Your hand is injured too."

Qiao An cast her gaze downward, letting her hair fall to conceal the palm print and tucked her hand into her sleeve. "It's nothing."

Huo Chengzhou felt a surge of irritation. It seemed the Qiao family had resorted to "private justice" to coerce her into marrying him.

Was he really that undesirable?

With a tightness in his chest, Huo Chengzhou declared coolly, "We won't be registering the marriage today."

Huo Feng, walking ahead, turned in surprise. "Mr. Cheng?"

"Back to Bamboo Listening Pavilion."

Huo Feng glanced at Qiao An, but before Huo Chengzhou could respond, she, belatedly realizing the situation involved her, interjected, "Mr. Huo, why aren't we going to register?"

Without the certificate, how would she claim her birth parents' legacy?

Without it, her bruised face and burnt hand would have suffered for nothing!

Huo Chengzhou gave her a sidelong look, his tone detached, "I'm not in the mood today."

Confusion etched on her face, Qiao An grappled with a tumult of emotions—relief mingled with a profound sense of injustice.

For a moment, she was torn between joy and sorrow.

Additionally, when the man said he wouldn't go to get the marriage license today, did that mean he'd go another day, or did he change his mind after seeing her?

She had to get to the bottom of it.

Qiao An gathered her courage and asked, "Mr. Huo, may I ask what exactly you mean by that?"

Huo Chengzhou responded with a detached tone, "First, explain the injuries on your face and hand, then I'll answer your question."

Qiao An paused, the embarrassment on her face fleeting, "They were just accidents..."

"Accidents?" Huo Chengzhou scoffed, "The burn on your hand was an accident, and the slap mark on your face was, too?"

Qiao An hesitated, then said, "Mr. Huo, the process isn't important. What matters is the outcome. As long as we get the marriage certificate today..."

She stopped herself, overwhelmed by the myriad of issues that awaited her.

A marriage certificate was not like a piano grade certificate; it signified the formation of a family, and the man beside her would become her lawful husband.

She struggled to process the deluge of information.

Huo Chengzhou's gaze swept over her, his voice betraying neither joy nor anger, "I never coerce anyone, especially not when it comes to something as significant as marriage."

Qiao An was taken aback, "I'm here of my own free will!"

"Do you think I'm blind?" came the man's icy retort.

She lowered her gaze, speaking softly, "I'm the one who's blind... If that's the case, then I'd like Mr. Huo to accompany me back to the Qiao residence to clarify things."

Huo Chengzhou felt a mix of irritation and frustration.

He glanced at Huo Feng and instructed, "Let's go to the Qiao residence."

Qiao An breathed a sigh of relief. There was no need to marry since he didn't see her in that light.

It was an indescribable feeling.

She hoped Qiao Minghui and Zhou Yun would show some sense and return the possessions her biological parents had left her.

She reclined in her chair, a look of relief crossing her face. Huo Chengzhou noticed the gesture, his eyebrows raising ever so slightly.