The time after Father's Day seemed to have been put on fast-forward.
After Huo Yueze finished his graduation trip, he stayed at Panlong Bay for an extended period, taking Huo Guining out for food, drinks, and fun.
The Father's Day gift seemed to have given Huo Xiaozheng a sense of security.
He no longer obsessed over whether Huo Guining was by his side every day, and he even found his nephew more pleasant to look at.
Huo Yueze became the new generation's 'caretaker', but he enjoyed it thoroughly.
Other people's older brothers didn't like taking their little tagalongs along, as it dampened their fun.
Huo Yueze was different; he was adamant about bringing Ningning to every place where he could show her off.
Whether it was the arcade, restaurants, sports fields, or even just walking down the street, if passersby gave Ningning a second glance, Huo Yueze would seize the opportunity to boast.
Although Huo Guining found it exasperating, she benefited from Huo Yueze's enthusiasm. That summer, she painted every corner of South City.
Gradually, Huo Yueze expanded their playground to neighboring cities.
However, each time, Huo Xiaozheng would insist that the two go together when he was on business trips, so he could look after Huo Guining.
In early August, Huo Guining once again visited Xie Lingluo's counseling office.
As usual, Huo Xiaozheng dropped her off in the room and then went to the adjacent room to wait.
Xie Lingluo had cut her hair a bit shorter, making her look more intellectual and gentle.
She sat down across from Huo Guining and greeted her with a smile.
Huo Guining politely replied with a "hello."
"It's been a while since we last met. How have you been lately?" Xie Lingluo asked in a tone reminiscent of old friends, like a warm current flowing through Huo Guining's heart.
"Pretty good, I've been going out to play with my brother every day," Huo Guining smiled.
Xie Lingluo's dark eyes softened: "Sounds like you're living it up."
Huo Guining nodded: "Not just sounds like it, it really is quite carefree, haha."
Xie Lingluo couldn't help but laugh too.
After laughing for a bit, Xie Lingluo asked, "How's your health?"
Huo Guining thought for a moment before saying, "Much better than before. I haven't had any chest tightness for a long time."
Xie Lingluo: "Oh? It seems you've become very healthy. Do you like your current state?"
Huo Guining affirmed without hesitation: "I love it. In another month, I'll be starting school."
After a pause, she added, "At the same school as my brother. Because he's directly advancing to the high school division."
Xie Lingluo nodded in understanding: "How's your relationship with your dad?"
Huo Guining's eyes lit up: "Very good. And with my brother taking care of me, dad hasn't been as tired lately."
Xie Lingluo: "Ningning has learned to be considerate of her dad, that's wonderful."
They chatted for a while longer, and soon, Xie Lingluo announced the end of the session.
Huo Guining glanced at the timer, somewhat surprised: "Is it over so quickly today?"
Xie Lingluo smiled gently: "Yes, it is."
When Huo Xiaozheng came to pick up Ningning, his expression mirrored Huo Guining's: "It's over so soon today?"
Xie Lingluo announced: "Ningning doesn't need to come anymore. If we happen to meet on the street, let's just greet each other like friends."
This was directed at Huo Guining.
Huo Guining breathed a sigh of relief. Did Xie Lingluo saying this mean that from today on, the label of schizophrenia would be completely removed from her?
Huo Xiaozheng patted Ningning's little head and sincerely expressed his thanks.
The father and daughter left the counseling room.
Huo Xiaozheng picked up Huo Guining, hearing her say, "Dad, I think I've grown taller. Soon, you won't need to carry me anymore."
Huo Xiaozheng: "Is that so? Let's measure when we get home."
Xie Lingluo watched them leave, a gratified smile on her face.
Days passed, seasons changed.
Amidst the chirping of cicadas, the summer breeze rustled the leaves of the phoenix trees, and the street lights cast dappled shadows.
With Xie Lingluo's diagnosis, on this day in September, Huo Guining officially became an elementary school student.
Huo Xiaozheng escorted Huo Guining to the classroom door: "If you feel unwell, tell the teacher immediately, or call me directly."
Huo Yueze: "Uncle, you've said that three hundred times already. The teacher is waiting for Ningning."
In the classroom, a sea of little tots craned their necks to look at them, while the teacher at the podium gave Huo Xiaozheng an awkward smile.
It seemed she wanted to hurry him along but didn't dare to be too direct.
Huo Guining hugged her father, comforting him: "Dad, I'll come to the company to pick you up after school, don't worry."
"You know where your brother's high school division is, right? If someone..."
Huo Guining gave him that 'you're really impossible' look, patted Huo Xiaozheng's shoulder, signaling him to relax.
Huo Xiaozheng sighed inwardly, closed his mouth, patted her backpack, and let her into the classroom.
Seeing her sit down obediently at her desk under the teacher's guidance, Huo Xiaozheng finally left, looking back every few steps.
Huo Yueze found it unbearable to watch.
"Uncle, come on, Ningning's going to school, not to her funeral. Your expression is too..."
Huo Yueze only relearned the lesson of 'silence is golden' after receiving a sharp knock on his head.
"Come check on Ningning during your breaks, don't just run off to the sports field," Huo Xiaozheng said coldly.
Huo Yueze calculated the distance between the high school and elementary divisions, wanting to argue, but was silenced by Huo Xiaozheng's glare.
"Alright, I got it, Uncle."
Unlike Huo Xiaozheng's numerous worries,
Huo Guining felt a strange experience as she walked into the classroom.
Everything in the classroom seemed a bit cute, the teacher's voice had a coaxing tone, and all the classmates were genuinely little tots, their every word and action still tinged with childishness.
"Hey, what's your name?"
Huo Guining's ponytail was tugged, quite forcefully, making her scalp hurt.
She frowned and turned to look at the little boy behind her. He was chubby, with eyebrows shaped like the number eight, all scrunched up.
Huo Guining said in an unfriendly tone: "Kid, you need to be polite when greeting people, understand?"
The little boy hadn't expected such a response and became flustered: "Who said I wasn't polite?"
Huo Guining turned her body, looking composed: "I did. The answer is so obvious, why do you even need to ask?"
The boy was clearly confused by her logic. After a moment of bewilderment, he lost patience: "So, what's your name anyway?"
Huo Guining: "When asking someone's name, you should introduce yourself first. It's the code of honor, get it?"
The little boy got angry: "What does 'introduce yourself' mean?"
Huo Guining looked surprised: "You don't even know what 'introduce yourself' means? No way, really?"
"Waaah, mommy, I want to go home!"
One child's cry triggered homesickness in the other kids in the class. The classroom instantly descended into chaos, with cries rising one after another, showing no signs of stopping.
Huo Guining picked at her ear: ... What's wrong with these kids? Are they really this easy to tease?
Huo Xiaozheng's car hadn't even driven 500 meters when he received a phone call.
"Hello, is this the parent of student Huo Guining?"
Huo Xiaozheng frowned: "Yes, I am."
"It's like this, little Huo Guining has made the entire class cry. We need you to come to the school."
Huo Xiaozheng doubted his hearing: What on earth?
