The Ex-Husband Returns

Chapter 10: I’ll Pay for Her

What kind of nonsense was that—“Even the married ones?”

Was he seriously implying something between her and Dr. Xiao? Had he misunderstood their relationship?

Qiao Mo seized the moment to clarify: “There’s nothing going on between Dr. Xiao and me. You can’t just throw around accusations like that and slander my reputation.”

Li Feng quickly realized his words had been out of line. That was just his own assumption, after all.

And since the girl was married—whether he believed her or not—he did trust his brother’s character. There was no way he’d do something so despicable.

“Sorry, I’ve had a bit too much to drink. I didn’t mean what I said.”

Qiao Mo didn’t want to make too big a deal of it, especially since he was a friend of Xiao Zheyan’s. Her eyes flickered, though her face still looked grim.

“It’s fine. Just watch what you say next time.”

Whoa—fiery. He’d thought she was a soft little bunny, but turns out, she had some serious bite.

Meanwhile, Xiao Zheyan couldn’t stop thinking about one thing: she was pregnant—what was she doing in a place like this, thick with smoke?

“How much do you make a night?” he suddenly asked.

That question—ugh. It sounded way too much like he was asking about... other services. It was insulting.

She shot back sarcastically, “Dr. Xiao, do all men assume that just because I work part-time at a bar, I must be doing something shady?”

“I earn my money with honest labor. I don’t need your approval, and you have no right to judge me.”

Without waiting for their reactions, Qiao Mo turned around and walked away.

Xiao Zheyan realized she was truly upset. He quickly stood and followed her into the hallway.

Once there, he grabbed her hand—ignoring her attempts to pull away—and said calmly, “You misunderstood me. I meant, how much do you make for a night’s work here?”

Qiao Mo paused. She knew she might’ve overreacted just now.

Ever since getting pregnant, her emotions had been all over the place.

She turned her head slightly, avoiding his gaze. Her lips parted.

“Two hundred yuan for four hours.”

Two hundred for a night? Xiao Zheyan pulled out his phone without hesitation.

“Then let me pay you. Just go home and get some rest.”

Qiao Mo snapped her head around, eyes wide in disbelief.

“Dr. Xiao, do you think I’m some cheap woman?”

“I am short on money, but I don’t take just any money.”

“You said it yourself—if I earn it, then I deserve it. But if I take your money for doing nothing, what do you think that makes me?”

He had meant well, but clearly Qiao Mo didn’t see it that way—and twisted his words again.

Xiao Zheyan felt utterly ridiculous. Why was he even here, turning down good drinks just to meddle in someone else’s business?

“You’re reading too much into it. That’s not what I meant. If you’re not willing, forget it.”

He didn’t say another word, just turned to head back toward the private room—only to feel a tug at his wrist. She had grabbed him.

He turned, eyes dropping to her hand, his brow tightening. What now?

Before he could ask, Qiao Mo spoke first.

“Dr. Xiao, I’d appreciate it if you stopped speaking to me like we’re friends. We’re not close like that.”

In that moment, Xiao Zheyan realized something: not only did he meddle too much, but apparently he also imagined things that weren’t there.

He’d thought they were already friends. But she clearly never saw it that way.

She was pregnant—he couldn’t say anything too harsh. But he was frustrated.

Regret filled his voice. “Fine. Just pretend I farted, then.”

As he walked away, Qiao Mo stared at his back, lips pressing into a straight line.

“Did he really just say that? How does someone like him still use words like that?”

At the front desk, Qiao Mo was about to check if there were any new orders when the supervisor called out to her: “The guests in Room 334 just left. Go clean it up.”

“Okay.”

She set down her tray, grabbed a cleaning cloth, and headed toward Room 334.

But the moment she pushed the door open, a thick cloud of smoke hit her square in the face, triggering a coughing fit that left her red and breathless.

Her stomach churned violently—she nearly vomited on the spot. Desperate for air, she turned and rushed out, heading to the window to breathe in some fresh air.

After a moment, when she finally calmed down and returned, she found a crowd gathered at the door. At the front stood a well-dressed woman, screaming at the supervisor with a finger pointed at his face.

“It was definitely one of your staff who stole my ring! Who went into the room after we left?”

“Whoever entered next—that’s who took it.”

“Otherwise, why did she leave halfway through cleaning? Must’ve gone to hide the ring somewhere. Pull up the security footage now and find out who it was!”

Someone in the back of the crowd suddenly pointed. “It was her! I saw her go in—and she came right back out!”

All eyes turned toward Qiao Mo. She blinked, clearly confused.

“What’s going on?” she asked.

The supervisor pushed through the crowd, face stiff, and questioned her directly:

“Did you pick up a ring in that room just now?”

“No,” she replied, her eyes calm and honest.

The rich woman scanned her from head to toe, then sneered coldly, her tone sharp.

“If not, why’d you run?”

As the customer, Qiao Mo couldn’t afford to get into a shouting match. She forced a professional smile and tried to explain sincerely.

“The smoke was really intense. It made me feel sick, so I stepped out to get some fresh air.”

“Smoke?” The woman scoffed. “You work in a bar and you’re afraid of smoke?”

“Please. Just admit you stole it and stop making excuses!”

Qiao Mo couldn’t risk mentioning her pregnancy—if the bar found out, they’d probably fire her on the spot.

Meanwhile, in Room 333, Xiao Zheyan had just stepped out to use the restroom. He was surprised to see a commotion forming nearby—Qiao Mo right in the middle.

He was about to step forward, but then paused.

He recalled what she had said earlier—that he should mind his own business. So he did just that and turned away.

Qiao Mo noticed him too. Their eyes briefly met, then quickly shifted apart. A second later, he was walking in the opposite direction.

She thought back to how she’d spoken to him earlier, and honestly, it was fair. After all, she was the one who’d pushed him away.

Now, to blame him for being cold would be hypocritical.

The wealthy woman, seeing that Qiao Mo couldn’t give a “reasonable explanation,” became even more convinced she was guilty.

She turned to her friends and barked, “Strip her! The ring’s probably hidden on her somewhere!”

The group began closing in. Qiao Mo instinctively stepped back, her hand protectively over her lower abdomen.

She locked eyes with the woman, fearless on the surface—but the tense line of her jaw betrayed how nervous she really was.

“I didn’t take your ring,” she said steadily. “You have no right to search me.”

The rich woman sneered. “And we’re supposed to take your word for it? You were the only one who went in. Who else could’ve done it?”

They cornered her against the wall—nowhere left to retreat. Someone reached out a hand toward her.

Qiao Mo was panicking inside, but forced herself to stay firm. “If you don’t believe me, fine—call the police.”

The supervisor, who had been watching in silence, suddenly stepped forward.

Qiao Mo thought maybe he’d stand up for her.

But instead, he twisted the knife.

“I knew something was off about her,” he said with a sneer. “A pretty girl like that, just working as a waitress? Who knows if she’s here for drinks or for men.”

A greasy-looking man nearby used the moment to grope her face, leering openly at her chest.

“Spend a night with me, and I’ll forget the whole ring business,” he laughed.

Not far off, Xiao Zheyan had just rounded the corner when he heard those words. His steps froze.

Both fists clenched tightly at his sides.

The next second, he turned back and marched straight toward the crowd.

Qiao Mo spotted him. Her eyes lit up with a flicker of hope…

But that hope was instantly crushed the moment she heard what he said.

“I’ll pay for the ring—whatever it’s worth.”