Chapter 226 - I’m Really Hopeless

"So, these are all mine?" When Zoey slowly parted from him, she raised her hand that was holding the key holder as she grinned. 

Her face was flushed and hot, but her heart was warm from this seemingly ice-man. Ironic, wasn't? Who would have thought that she would ever feel this overwhelming mix of emotions from him?

"Mhmm." Nodding his head, he smiled as he hummed a tune. For him, these were just simple material things he could easily give to her. 

But, tonight, these weren't just what he gave. His heart was the most important thing he had handed over to her.. And in the future, he would comply with each of her wants and needs, shower her with unconditional love the two of them deserved. 

He waited for almost thirty years, and Matthew Xi could say it was worth it. He was glad to live and meet her in this lifetime because Matthew Xi couldn't think of any other person who could fill his heart with her simple smile, gentle kiss, and loving touches. 

"So, I can sell them if I need money?" Zoey raised her brows, blinking her eyes as she teased the man. 

"Mhmm," Once again, he just nodded while his eyes never left her beautiful visage. 

"What if I sell them to you? Will you buy them?" Biting her lower lip as Matthew Xi was just staring at her, Zoey inquired innocently. 

"I will." 

"Then, will you gift them to me again?"

"If you want them," Matthew Xi answered, ignoring her opportunistic scheme that was yet to get concocted. 

"Hihi~" Hearing how chill he was despite the fact that Zoey's words were quite alarming, Zoey giggled as she could not help but act cute and sweet. 

He was making her feel like a baby, and Zoey felt the need to get spoiled and doted! After all, she often did things herself that no one actually thought about and an independent woman like her didn't need to be spoiled too!

"I'm kidding~! Although, I don't think I need these, I'll still accept them — never turn down a blessing!" In a matter-of-fact tone, Zoey humored as she shamelessly accepted the bribe. 

After all, before she was his woman, she's a greedy businesswoman. With this chopper, cars, and then a yacht, Zoey already thought of how these could generate money! Heck, Matthew Xi could even resign from the XI Corporation, if he let her generate revenue from his resources.

"What are you thinking?" Unconsciously, Zoey didn't notice that she suddenly went into silent mode as her eyes suddenly seemed to flash with dollar signs. 

"Money!" 

As soon as Zoey spouted her words, Matthew Xi placed his forefinger on her forehead, "Don't think about anything else when you're with me." Matthew Xi muttered, slightly pushing her forehead while she frowned. 

"Darling, my first husband is money and I can't —" Before Zoey could even tease him fully, Matthew Xi sealed her lips close with his own. Her eyes widened as he bit her lower lip. 

"What were you saying?" Drawing back, Matthew Xi asked as an inexplicable glint flashed across his eyes. 

"My hubby is..." Zoey paused as she gulped. Why did she feel that Matthew Xi was jealous? Over money? Really? Zoey didn't want to believe how petty it was as she was just joking! 

"Who?"

"Darling, it should be 'what' not 'who'." In a matter-of-fact tone, Zoey rolled her eyes as her expression twitched. 

"Doesn't matter." Yet, his blunt response made her face distort even more. 

"Gosh... I think I made a wrong decision." Peering at him in disbelief, Zoey murmured which was audible enough for him to hear. 

He smirked, "Too bad," Caressing her cheek, Matthew Xi gently stroked her lips by his thumb. "You can never change your mind, and even if you want, I won't let you go easily. Remember, you're trapped with me... forever." He smiled, raising his gaze and locked eyes with her. 

"Damn it." Zoey muttered before she chuckled faintly at his claim. "I'll trust you then, don't let me escape or I'll burn the XI Corporation down." She humored. 

"Mhmm, do that — I'll even help you." 

"Hehe, how hopeless." Zoey giggled as Matthew Xi wasn't even trying to conceal his feelings by exposing that he would help her even if it's a threat to his own company. 

Just then, Zoey remembered something upon the thought of XI Corporation. "Right, Aunty Xi told me that she needs to talk to you after what you did today. What did you do, anyway? She seemed mad." Relaying Vivian Xi's message earlier, Zoey tilted her head to the side as she inquired. 

"She told you?" Knitting his brows, Matthew Xi didn't expect his mother to rat him out as Vivian Xi knew he had been keeping his real identity to Zoey. 

"Nope. I told her, I knew. I even felt bad because she apologized to me." Zoey shook her head sideways, as she recalled how guilty Vivian Xi was earlier. 

Matthew Xi sighed, realizing that he went overboard earlier. Obviously, his mother would be enraged. However, he and Zoey just got officially together. 

How could he leave her tonight? He didn't even want to be separated from her even for a second. 

"Tomorrow."

"No, you can't let my future mother-in-law sleep disappointed!" Shaking her head, Zoey affirmed which made him frown. 

"My love, we have forever. You know I really like Aunty Xi, right? I don't know what you did to upset her, but I don't think she deserves the frustration." Zoey sighed, guessing his reluctance. 

After all, Zoey also felt gloomy at the thought that he would have to go home tonight. Still, the reason was valid and should be prioritized. 

Since Zoey didn't really have a mother figure — including Sarah Zheng as Zoey always distanced herself from Zion Kwan's mother — she would hate to let Vivian Xi sleep with a heavy heart. She liked Matthew Xi's mother, and he should respect and treasure her as he had a good mother which she was unfortunate not to have. 

"Okay..." Matthew Xi heavily sighed, still frowning.

"Thank you!" When he agreed, Zoey smiled as she tiptoed and gave him a quick kiss. Just that one second peck, his mood slightly lightened up. 

'I'm really hopeless....' Matthew Xi muttered internally as he could not seem to disagree with her ever.