# Chapter 179: A Night of Fire and Smoke
Hello everyone, it’s me again! How are you all doing? Today I will continue to walk with you and review Chapter 179 of "The Untouchable Ex Wife." This chapter truly brings us to a turning point where the two sworn enemies of love—Xavier and Leia—find themselves stuck in the middle of nowhere, forced to share a single room with a leaky roof, a lumpy bed, and enough emotional tension to burn down the whole place. Let’s dive in, shall we?
The conditions at Happy Days were absolutely brutal, even by the most forgiving standards. But as Leia stood there, peeking at the so-called accommodation they had been given, she couldn't help but wonder—could it really be so terrible that staying in a cow shed would have actually been an upgrade?
Before she could spiral further into her misery, Xavier stepped in, wrapping his arm around her shoulders with infuriating calmness. "It's late. The both of you should head to bed, don't worry about us..." He smiled, pulling Leia closer. "I'm sure you've noticed that we have a somewhat 'special' relationship... I'm sure we'll figure out the sleeping arrangements."
Leia’s face flushed instantly. She tried to squirm out of his embrace, but Xavier simply held her tighter. "There's nothing special about our relationship! Stop spreading rumors, you idiot! People will get the wrong idea."
But Xavier wasn't about to let her go. He looked down at her, his gaze tender, almost unbearably warm. "You're so stubborn, darling. Our relationship is really something else."
If the situation had been any less infuriating, Leia might have noticed how his heartbeat quickened beneath his cool facade. But she was too busy trying to escape—and too aware that they had an audience.
Lily and Angelo stood nearby, exchanging knowing glances. It was clear they had both already formed their own conclusions about this "special relationship." Angelo grinned like a child watching his favorite drama unfold, but Lily, ever the opportunist, tugged him away before he could embarrass himself further.
"Okay, we won't disturb you then. Take your time to discuss it. There are brand-new toiletries in the room, and if you're hungry, there are some snacks there too. Goodnight and sweet dreams."
And with that, the two tactful visitors disappeared, leaving Xavier and Leia alone in front of their new sanctuary.
Lily had suspected all along that there was something between Xavier and Leia. That was exactly why she had suggested they share the same room. Now, seeing Xavier's pleased expression, she knew she had made the right call. Whatever favor she was doing for him now, she was certain he would return it later. That was simply how the entertainment industry worked.
"Miss Anderson, it seems like the rumor is true," Xavier teased, watching her panic with undisguised amusement.
Leia shot him a warning glare but said nothing. She was too busy gathering her thoughts and, more importantly, figuring out how to survive this nightmare of a room.
The only bedroom inside the little house looked rather ordinary—and not in a charming, rustic way. An old wooden bed sat in the center, topped with a new mattress that was probably the only recent upgrade in the entire place. But that was where the good news ended. The floors were bumpy and uneven, the roof leaked in several places, and the walls seemed too thin to keep out the cold night air. It was only a marginal improvement over a cowshed, and Leia honestly wasn't sure it deserved even that much praise.
But the true horror revealed itself when she discovered the water situation. There was no tap water. No hot water. Just a large tank filled with cold, standing water that had to be scooped out and boiled on the spot if one wanted to wash her face—let alone take an actual bath. Leia’s heart sank as she realized what this meant.
"I get why Shirley did that now..." Leia swallowed hard, thinking of the industry diva who had caused such a fuss earlier. "We can't blame her for being a diva. It's not easy to stay here."
Xavier, however, seemed completely unbothered. If anything, he looked like he had just checked into a five-star honeymoon suite. He flopped down onto the bed leisurely, tucked his arms behind his head, and smiled up at the ceiling. "I think this place is pretty good. The bed is rather soft, and we can look at the stars. How romantic!"
Leia’s eye twitched. "Is that so? Coincidentally, I'm allergic to romance," she snapped, pulling a chair over and sitting down as far away from him as possible.
Still, her pride could only last so long. The day had been long, dusty, and exhausting. Grumbling under her breath, she finally admitted defeat. "Xavier, go and heat up some water for me so I can take a bath and wash my hair too."
It came out as both a complaint and a reluctant request—a plea wrapped in annoyance. Xavier, rather than bantering back, simply nodded. He understood. Leia had grown up like a princess, pampered and protected. There was no way she would be comfortable in these conditions. So, he decided to take care of her.
"Okay," he said, suddenly sounding like the world's most considerate boyfriend.
He went to the kitchen, found some firewood, and used a silver lighter to ignite it. But what he didn't expect was the thick smoke that billowed out, choking him until his eyes watered. He blinked furiously, waved his hands, and coughed like a man who had never built a fire in his life. Still, after a while, he managed to heat the water.
"It's ready. Go ahead and take a bath. I'll go out and smoke." He carried a large bucket of water into the room, then politely retreated, trying to preserve both his dignity and her privacy.
When Leia saw his red, puffy eyes, she felt a pang of sympathy—but she couldn't help the smirk that crept across her face either. "Are you sad? Why are you crying?"
"I'm not crying!" Xavier protested, flustered. "It's because I burned the firewood. Aren't you moved by my dedication and gentlemanliness?"
Leia bit back a laugh. "Yes, I'm moved. You're indeed here to suffer." Then, with a rare note of sincerity, she patted his shoulders. "Although you're a beast most of the time, sometimes you look like a human too. I'll remember this favor and repay you when I get the chance."
Xavier's eyes gleamed dangerously. A slow, determined smile spread across his face. "You can repay me now!"
Before Leia could react, he took a step forward. "You just need to repay me with your body."
The air between them shifted. For so long, both of them had been too pretentious, too guarded, too afraid to admit what was really in their hearts. They cared about each other—everyone could see it, and somehow, even they knew it too. But they had spent so much time dancing around the truth that the simplest words became the hardest ones to say.
Now, after holding himself back all day, Xavier finally decided to throw caution to the wind and confess his feelings like a man.
And Leia? She stood frozen, heart pounding, searching for the right words to push him away—or perhaps, to pull him closer.
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**Reader's Impressions & Star Rating:**
What a deliciously tense chapter! I absolutely loved the contrast between the rough, rustic setting and the simmering romance between Xavier and Leia. Xavier's unexpected tenderness while heating up water—despite nearly choking to death on smoke—melted my heart. And Leia's stubborn, tsundere attitude only makes their dynamic more entertaining. The chapter perfectly balances comedy, frustration, and chemistry. I just wish the confession scene lasted a little longer, because that ending left me breathless!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating: 4.8 / 5 Stars
**Next Chapter Prediction:**
Leia is bound to panic at Xavier's bold demand. With her pride on the line, she'll likely try to deflect the confession with a sharp retort or even a hasty escape—but in a room this small, there's nowhere to run. Xavier, on the other hand, seems determined to force the truth out into the open. Will Leia finally stop fighting her feelings? Or will an unexpected interruption—perhaps a certain nosy Lily or a suspicious call—ruin their intimate moment? Either way, I predict sparks will fly, and not just from the firewood!
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