Whether it was Song Qing or Song Tianbai, neither gave Huo Guining a good first impression.
At this moment, although Song Tianbai obediently said he had no ulterior motives and was merely curious, Huo Guining didn't believe this nonsense.
She took out a wet wipe to clean her hands, and said languidly, "Is that so? Somehow I don't quite believe it."
As expected, a flash of darkness passed through Song Tianbai's eyes.
Huo Guining lowered her head, the corners of her mouth curling slightly.
"Since you have no purpose, then please don't bother me again in the future. Thank you."
Huo Guining tossed the tissue into the trash can and turned to leave.
A cold sensation suddenly gripped her wrist, sending a shiver through her on this hot summer night.
She hastily shook off Song Tianbai's hand.
"If you have something to say, just say it. Don't put your hands on me!"
Before she could finish speaking, Huo Guining watched in shock as Song Tianbai fell to the ground like a willow in the wind.
Huo Guining looked at her own hands in astonishment: surely she didn't use that much force?
Song Tianbai propped himself up on the ground.
Hearing Huo Guining's words, he pouted pitifully, tears welling up in his dark eyes: "Sister Ning Ning, I'm sorry, I just wanted to chat with you..."
Huo Guining belatedly caught a whiff of tea.
Before she could speak, Old Master Huo's authoritative voice came from behind.
"Ning Ning, what are you doing?"
Huo Guining turned to see Old Master Huo approaching the garden, surrounded by a group of people.
Huo Guining glanced at Song Tianbai on the ground, then at herself standing over him.
As she pondered, Old Master Huo had already arrived in front of her.
Old Master Huo's face was grim as he had someone help Song Tianbai up.
He asked with concern, "Are you alright?"
Song Tianbai's lips curled slightly, putting on an innocent facade: "I'm fine, Grandfather. Please don't blame Sister Ning Ning. I just fell accidentally, it has nothing to do with her."
Huo Guining was inwardly rolling her eyes to the heavens.
Look at him, even a white lotus on a snowy mountain wasn't as pure as he pretended to be.
Old Master Huo, however, simply nodded: "That's good then."
Song Tianbai waited for a while, but when Old Master Huo didn't continue, a flash of confusion crossed his eyes.
Old Master Huo paid him no more attention, instead taking Ning Ning's hand and leading her inside: "Why are your hands so cold?"
Huo Guining obediently replied, "I was just startled by a dog."
Song Tianbai: ...
He looked up at Huo Guining, his eyes somewhat cold.
Old Master Huo seemed to completely miss this subtext: "Even if you were startled, your hands shouldn't be this cold."
"Let's have your grandmother prepare some medicinal soup for you!" Old Master Huo decided firmly.
Huo Guining's heart sank, and she made a mental note against Song Tianbai.
Behind them, Song Tianbai stared fixedly at the backs of the grandfather and granddaughter.
In the cover of night, the darkness and jealousy in his eyes nearly overflowed.
Huo Guining sensed something and turned her head, only to be met with his fake smile.
She inwardly cursed her bad luck.
Old Master Huo squeezed her hand firmly, signaling her to focus on walking.
Meanwhile, the conversation between Huo Xiaozheng and Song Qing was not yet over.
The history between Huo Xiaozheng and Song Qing could be traced back to their student days.
Song Qing was capable, attractive, and had already shown extreme ambition during her school years.
There was nothing she wanted that she couldn't get.
At that time, Huo Xiaozheng was busy taking over company affairs and greatly appreciated capable people like Song Qing.
Song Qing was also very perceptive. When Huo Xiaozheng extended an olive branch to her, she immediately grasped it.
As Huo Xiaozheng's assistant, Song Qing performed her work excellently.
During the time when Huo Xiaozheng was entangled with Qin Zhiyi, Song Qing was also very tactful, often advising Huo Xiaozheng that he shouldn't be so fixated on such trivial romantic matters.
Although Huo Xiaozheng couldn't accept such advice at the time, he greatly appreciated her rationality.
However, their working relationship ultimately soured because of Qin Zhiyi.
After Qin Zhiyi announced her relationship and explicitly rejected Huo Xiaozheng, Song Qing expressed her love for him and hoped they could marry.
Huo Xiaozheng naturally refused.
After this, Song Qing promptly resigned and took away a batch of Huo Xiaozheng's client resources.
Out of appreciation for Song Qing, Huo Xiaozheng didn't pursue her responsibility.
He thought that he and Song Qing, as work partners, had parted on good terms.
But her sudden appearance on this special day truly bewildered Huo Xiaozheng.
"Did my leaving back then make you resent me so much?"
Song Qing's voice pulled Huo Xiaozheng back from his thoughts.
Huo Xiaozheng frowned: "I don't resent you for leaving. What I resent is that you violated professional ethics."
Song Qing thought: Huo Xiaozheng is still as stubborn as ever.
Song Qing feigned openness and smiled: "Yes, I did it on purpose. I'm so capable, and the Song family isn't some small household. How am I not good enough for you?"
Huo Xiaozheng: "Neither marriage nor love should be bargaining chips in a negotiation."
Song Qing sneered.
Huo Xiaozheng glanced at a spot not far away and said meaningfully: "Or is it that your child is just another one of your bargaining chips?"
Song Qing's expression stiffened.
"Song Qing, we're not children anymore. If you have something to say to me this time, you might as well speak plainly."
"Our past relationship has pretty much dissipated for me, but I'm willing to give you a chance."
After saying this, Huo Xiaozheng didn't give Song Qing a chance to speak.
He stood up and walked to Old Master Huo's side.
Old Master Huo whispered a few words in his ear, then instructed Huo Guining: "Later, your grandmother will send some medicinal soup to you. You must drink it."
Remembering her poor track record, Old Master Huo then warned Huo Xiaozheng: "You're not allowed to help Ning Ning drink it. It's the height of summer, yet her hands are still so cold."
"It's most likely because of your indulgence!"
Huo Xiaozheng obediently accepted the reprimand.
Huo Guining flashed him an ingratiating smile: "Dad, I love you!"
Huo Xiaozheng patted her head: "It's getting late. Go wash up first. We'll be done here soon."
"Okay."
Song Qing coldly observed all of this, complex emotions in her eyes.
Her son, Song Tianbai, walked up to her side a few steps behind, timidly saying: "Mom..."
Song Qing's expression was displeased as she lowered her voice: "You can't even handle such a small matter. Useless!"
Her tone carried disgust, as if Song Tianbai were filth from a street corner.
In comparison, the scene of Huo Guining surrounded by love became increasingly painful for Song Tianbai to witness.
He tightly gripped his palm until a warm sensation spread.
Huo Xiaozheng caught a glimpse of this scene from the corner of his eye and made some mental calculations.
After the banquet ended, Huo Xiaozheng walked into the bedroom.
The small bed was neatly made, and there was no sign of Huo Guining in the bathroom.
