Even after the driver had dropped Huo Yueze off at home and Huo Xiaozheng and Huo Guining had returned to Panlong Bay, Huo Guining was still basking in the joy of having "a young man coming of age in the family."
Huo Xiaozheng's mood, which had been dampened by her constant chatter on the way home, had improved considerably.
After washing up, Huo Xiaozheng pinned her down on her small bed and gave her a serious lesson on "no early dating."
"Liking someone is a process of two different people gradually being attracted to each other. A healthy romantic relationship should make both people become better versions of themselves."
Huo Guining had read plenty of novels in her past life, otherwise she wouldn't have transmigrated into this book.
At this moment, listening to Huo Xiaozheng's rambling, she found it somewhat amusing.
"Dad, do you think your previous relationship with Aunt Qin was healthy?"
Huo Xiaozheng fell silent for a moment before replying, "No, it wasn't."
"Don't worry, I won't follow in your footsteps," Huo Guining said casually, patting her old father's shoulder.
Huo Xiaozheng: ...
However, Huo Guining's nonchalant attitude actually put Huo Xiaozheng's mind at ease.
At least he didn't have to worry about Ning Ning being deceived by a scoundrel in the future.
As for other matters, he didn't care.
After this incident, Huo Yueze had originally wanted to take Ning Ning along for the graduation trip, but Huo Xiaozheng ruthlessly refused.
He didn't want Huo Guining to be influenced too early by the blossoming feelings of adolescent boys and girls.
Although Huo Yueze had tried his best to explain that his relationship with that girl wasn't what Huo Xiaozheng imagined, Huo Xiaozheng still wouldn't budge.
The reason for his refusal wasn't just because he didn't trust Huo Yueze, but also because Huo Guining had been very busy lately.
She was due to start school in September.
Huo Xiaozheng appeared even more nervous than Huo Guining.
Unbeknownst to Huo Guining, Huo Xiaozheng was even selecting her future classmates.
"This boy looks like trouble, no."
"This girl is not bad, quiet and well-behaved, a good match for Ning Ning."
"Is this the Shen Family's youngest grandson? Put him in the next class, don't let him bother Ning Ning."
Xi Chuan held back as long as he could, but finally couldn't resist reminding him with a strained smile, "Mr. Huo, we only invested in a building for Miss Ning's school. The Shen Family are the actual board members."
Huo Xiaozheng paused his search: "Oh, is that so?"
"Yes, it is," Xi Chuan replied with a polite smile.
The next day, Huo Xiaozheng strode into the office full of vigor and handed Xi Chuan a stack of documents.
"I've donated another building to Ning Ning's school. Go through the list of children I mentioned yesterday again."
Xi Chuan: ...
Huo Guining herself was very calm about the whole situation.
She worked from nine to five, and in her spare time, she painted, swam, and went shopping.
On this day, Huo Jing had a rare day off and had arranged to go shopping with Huo Guining early in the morning.
After breakfast, Huo Jing appeared punctually at Panlong Bay, waiting to set off with Ning Ning.
The atmosphere around Huo Xiaozheng was a bit chilly.
His tone towards Huo Jing wasn't particularly friendly either: "Ning Ning is at a critical stage of growth. Don't let her eat any junk food."
Huo Jing rolled her eyes hard.
Ever since the last time when she secretly took Ning Ning to eat burgers, cola, and fried chicken, and was discovered by Huo Xiaozheng, she had been lectured for a whole month.
"Fried chicken might contain hormones. Eating it too frequently could lead to precocious puberty," Huo Xiaozheng warned.
Huo Jing pleaded, "Brother, you really are my biological brother! I truly know my mistake. Today I'll make sure Ning Ning eats healthy food. I'll even send you photos, okay?"
Only then did Huo Xiaozheng let her off the hook.
He then turned to look at the girl with pigtails behind her: "Ning Ning, you understand too, right?"
Huo Guining timidly peeked out from behind Huo Jing and promised without much conviction, "I understand, Dad."
Huo Xiaozheng left the house with lingering doubts, not forgetting to remind Ning Ning to bring her medicine with her.
Of course, Huo Guining agreed to everything he said.
After Huo Xiaozheng left, Huo Guining happily took Huo Jing's hand, and the two joyfully went shopping.
"What kind of surprise do you want to prepare for your dad?"
Huo Jing, wearing enormous sunglasses and looking aloof, held Huo Guining's hand as they entered the elevator.
Huo Guining opened her small purse, took out her savings card, and said pitifully, "I want to buy a watch for Dad, but I don't have enough money..."
Huo Jing thought about Ning Ning's house and stock rights, and suddenly Huo Xiaozheng's image overlapped with Ning Ning's.
She sighed helplessly, "Why don't you use the black card your grandfather gave you? You could buy a sports car with that, no problem."
Huo Guining shook her head seriously, "That won't do. I want to use money I've earned myself to buy a gift for Dad."
Huo Jing remembered that half a month ago, a friend in their circle had accidentally seen a painting in her photo album and really liked it.
After some inquiries, the friend wanted to ask through Huo Jing if the artist would sell the painting.
Thinking this was a form of recognition for Huo Guining, Huo Jing asked for her opinion.
To her surprise, Huo Guining, who usually treasured her paintings, not only agreed to sell but also sent over her other works, asking if the buyer was interested in any others.
In the end, she sold two paintings.
They were worth eighty thousand yuan.
When Huo Jing recommended these paintings, she hadn't revealed Huo Guining's true identity.
Therefore, this money was indeed earned by Ning Ning's own merit.
The small fortune in Huo Guining's hands came from this.
Huo Jing thought for a moment, "You can't afford an expensive watch, but you could buy your dad something else. Eighty thousand isn't a small amount."
Huo Guining tilted her head and counted on her fingers, "I've thought about giving Dad a watch, a pen, a tie clip... I can't think of anything else."
Huo Jing made a decision, "Some entry-level watches are quite nice too. Let's go! Auntie will take you to choose one!"
The aunt and niece were so engrossed in shopping that they lost track of time.
When Huo Xiaozheng returned to the Panlong Bay villa, only a few floor lamps were still lit in the villa.
He frowned and called Huo Jing, but she informed him that she had already sent Ning Ning home. If he hadn't seen her, then Ning Ning must be asleep.
After all, today's shopping trip had been quite tiring.
Huo Xiaozheng walked upstairs, and just as he pushed open the bedroom door, he sensed something was off.
Huo Guining, hiding behind the door, worried: Eh? Why isn't Dad pushing the door open?
Huo Xiaozheng paused for a good while before finally pushing the door open.
"Dad! Happy Father's Day!" Huo Guining jumped out as planned, giving Huo Xiaozheng a surprise.
The bedroom light suddenly came on, and Huo Guining was holding a small cake with "Happy Father's Day" written in black chocolate.
Huo Xiaozheng was stunned.
To be able to reach Huo Xiaozheng's height, Huo Guining had specially moved her footstool behind the door.
She stepped onto the footstool, handed the cake to Huo Xiaozheng, then scampered to the dressing room and brought out two gift boxes, one large and one small.
"These are the holiday gifts I prepared for you! Open them!" Huo Guining's little face was full of barely concealed pride.
