Worse Than a Beast

Huo Xiaoran said, “I keep feeling that the Lu family’s situation is very complicated. With the police and bandits in one family, it’s not appropriate for me to be in the picture.”

Huo Zhou sighed. “In my memory, Uncle Lu is gentle and temperamental. I never expected that the scars on Auntie’s body were caused by him.”

Qiao An recalled Qianyu’s instructions and said, “Your Uncle Lu is a man with a human face and a beast’s heart. Qianyu said that she knew since she was young that her father abused her mother.”

Huo Zhou widened his eyes. “That’s impossible? Qianyu must be framing Uncle Lu. She’s taking revenge on Uncle Lu.”

Qiao An and Huo Xiaoran looked at Huo Zhou in disbelief. Xiao Ran said, “Isn’t the evidence obvious enough?”

Huo Zhou was speechless.

Qiao An said, “Qianyu guessed that you wouldn’t believe her, so she didn’t argue just now. Firstly, she was afraid that she would alert the enemy. Secondly, she knew that she had a history of lying and framing her mother. Her testimony was insufficient. But she secretly instructed me to call the police to deal with it.”

Huo Xiaoran shifted his gaze to Huo Zhou. Huo Zhou shouted helplessly, “No way, it’s me again?”

Huo Xiaoran said, “Call the police anonymously.”

Huo Zhou nodded. “Alright.”

When they returned to the Heavenly Imperial Garden, it was already noon.

Sisi stood at the intersection to welcome them. When Huo Zhou saw Sisi, he turned around and wanted to run.

Huo Xiaoran grabbed him. “Your mother placed her at home. If you don’t want to see her, will you never see your mother again?”

Huo Zhou braced himself and walked up.

When Sisi saw Huo Zhou, the corners of her lips curled up involuntarily.

Huo Zhou glanced at Xiao Ran. “Why don’t you come to my house for dinner too?”

Huo Xiaoran glared at him. “Why should I be the third wheel?”

Huo Xiaoran pushed him away. “Go home.”

Huo Zhou leaned towards Xiaoran, looking very resistant to going home.

Huo Xiaoran hugged Qiao An and bragged, “I want to spend some alone time with my wife. Don’t be a third wheel.”

Huo Zhou became despised by everyone and was very depressed.

Sisi went forward and grabbed Huo Zhou’s hand. “Zhou Zhou, come home with me.”

Huo Zhou looked like he had nothing to live for. He asked Sisi incredulously, “Don’t you feel awkward staying in my house shamelessly?”

Sisi smiled brightly. “Zhou Zhou, you know that I’ve been a latchkey child since I was young. Later, my parents got into a car accident and passed away. I didn’t have a home anymore. Now, Mom treats me like her biological daughter and treats me so well. I already treat this place as my own home.”

Huo Zhou poked Sisi’s sore spot and felt ashamed, so he stopped making things difficult for her.

When Huo Zhou returned home, his mother asked the servants to make a large table of… candlelight dinner.

Seeing Huo Zhou but not Xiaoran and Qiao An, Zhou Zhou’s mother was very surprised. “Why isn’t Xiaoran here?”

“He wants to spend time alone with his wife,” Huo Zhou said angrily.

Zhou Zhou’s mother sighed. “Sigh, my Xiaoran is so good. He knows how to earn money and dote on his wife. Unlike some people who only care about money and are only half successful in life, yet he’s as arrogant as a peacock every day.”

Huo Zhou rolled his eyes at her. “Mom, can you talk nicely? Is there a point in being so contemptuous of me every day?”

Zhou Zhou’s mother said, “Ah, son, I didn’t say anything about you. I’m sorry. I forgot that you’re also a wifeless person and accidentally hurt your pride. I’m sorry.”

Huo Zhou suddenly pulled out a stool and saw the candles and roses on the dining table. He pretended to be stupid. “Isn’t this noon? Why should we put up candles at noon? I’ve only heard of candlelight dinners, but I’ve never heard of candlelight lunches. Mom, or do you want to perform that song ‘Mom in candlelight’?”

Zhou Zhou’s mother was so angry that she almost vomited blood. She calmed her heart and tried to be as gentle as possible. “Butler. Turn off the lights and close the curtains.”

“Yes, ma’am”

The lights in the living room suddenly dimmed.

Zhou Zhou’s mother said to Zhou Zhou, “I still have something on. I’ll deal with it first. You and Sisi eat first.”

No matter how stupid Huo Zhou was, he could tell that this was a candlelight dinner prepared for him.

He picked up the red wine in front of him and downed it in one gulp.

Sisi reminded him, “Zhouzhou, drinking on an empty stomach is not good for your stomach.”

“Why do you care?” Zhou Zhou felt that Sisi and her mother were in cahoots. He was also very angry at Sisi.

Sisi looked very aggrieved.

All of this was clearly arranged by Zhou Zhou’s mother. She just didn’t want to let his mother down, so she cooperated with her. She didn’t expect Zhou Zhou to be so disgusted by all of this.

After drinking a glass of wine, Zhou Zhou immediately felt his body warm up. Some factor in his body was stirring. Zhou Zhou suddenly stood up and pointed at Sisi. “What did you put in the wine?”

Sisi looked puzzled. “I didn’t do anything.”

Zhou Zhou staggered out, but after taking a few steps, his body collapsed to the ground.

Sisi was at a loss. “Zhou Zhou, what’s wrong?”

Huo Zhou glared at her angrily. “Isn’t this your scheme? You want me to submit to you with such despicable methods.”

Only then did Sisi understand what was wrong with Huo Zhou. She said anxiously, “Zhou Zhou, I didn’t put this medicine. I swear, I didn’t know that there was something wrong with the wine.”

Seeing how sincere she was, Huo Zhou believed her.

“If you want me to believe you, then get out of here now.”

“Oh, okay.” Sisi quickly ran towards the door.

However, she suddenly turned around and looked at Zhou Zhou worriedly. “Zhou Zhou, are you alright?”

Zhou Zhou saw the guilt and worry flickering in her eyes and his anger subsided.

“Don’t worry, will my mother really harm me?”

Sisi also felt that Zhou Zhou’s mother would know her limits. Only then did she leave in relief. However, when she was opening the door, she realized that it was locked from the outside. Sisi hit the door hard. “Mom, open the door. Let me out.”

Zhou Zhou’s mother was standing outside and eavesdropping. When she heard Sisi’s voice, she quickly said, “Sisi, don’t you like Zhou Zhou? That kid isn’t enlightened, so Mom can only use extreme methods. Don’t worry, after you’re done, Zhou Zhou must marry you.”

Sisi squatted there helplessly.

Huo Zhou shouted in exasperation, “Huo Ruping, are you crazy?”

Zhou Zhou’s mother roared, “Yes, I’ve long wanted to have a grandson. Huo Zhou, you have to be with Sisi today. Otherwise, I won’t let you out.”

Huo Zhou was so angry that he threw everything beside him. “You’re really crazy.”

Sisi walked over timidly and comforted Zhou Zhou. “Zhou Zhou, don’t worry. I won’t take advantage of you. Actually, I don’t have to be with you. Because I love you, I just want you to be happy. If being with me makes you suffer so much, I won’t be willing to be with you.”