Old Master Huo's warning flashed through his mind.
"That Song Qing family's boy doesn't seem upright. Be careful."
Huo Xiaozheng's heart tightened as he opened the door and walked out hurriedly.
The door opposite suddenly opened, revealing Huo Guining's small figure.
She asked curiously, "Dad, where are you going?"
Huo Xiaozheng sighed in relief, "Nowhere. Why are you across the hall?"
Zheng Jinxiu emerged from behind Huo Guining, smiling, "Ning is growing up and wants her own room. I'm just helping her set it up."
Huo Xiaozheng was stunned for a moment.
This day was bound to come eventually, and Huo Xiaozheng wasn't entirely unprepared.
"Why the sudden desire to sleep alone?" Huo Xiaozheng asked as he walked into her bedroom. "Weren't you afraid of the dark?"
Huo Guining was too embarrassed to say she'd been teased by her classmates, so she just said she'd grown taller and sleeping in a small bed seemed childish now.
Huo Xiaozheng didn't press further and looked around the room.
This room had long been prepared for Huo Guining, cleaned daily, with bedding and essentials all ready.
They just needed to move her toiletries and clothes from Huo Xiaozheng's room.
After a thorough inspection, Huo Xiaozheng was satisfied. As he left, he said, "Go to bed on time, and no sneaking on your phone."
Huo Guining giggled mischievously.
Just then, Huo Yueze burst in with his phone, shouting excitedly.
Not noticing Huo Xiaozheng by the bathroom door, he babbled, "Ning, quick, log on! We need a jungler!"
Huo Xiaozheng gave him a sharp rap on the head, saying coldly, "Do I look like a jungler to you?"
Huo Guining waved at her brother like a lucky cat, in mock sympathy.
After Huo Xiaozheng and Huo Yueze left,
Zheng Jinxiu supervised Huo Guining as she drank her medicinal soup, then left as well.
Huo Guining thought she'd toss and turn all night, unable to sleep.
Surprisingly, she slept through till morning, without even getting up once.
It was Huo Xiaozheng who looked like he hadn't slept, with dark circles under his eyes.
"Dad, didn't you sleep well last night?" Huo Guining asked with concern.
Last night, Huo Xiaozheng had followed his usual routine, washing up and turning off the lights to sleep.
But he kept waking up, getting up to check if Ning was properly tucked in.
When he found her bed empty, he panicked momentarily.
Realizing she was just next door, he was too alert to fall back asleep.
This cycle repeated, leaving him sleepless most of the night.
But to Ning's question, he could only say, "I caught a bit of a chill last night, had a headache, so I didn't sleep well."
Zheng Jinxiu passed by, hearing this, and smiled knowingly without comment.
Huo Guining, however, grew worried: "Oh no! Dad, are you catching a cold?"
She stood up from her chair and reached to feel Huo Xiaozheng's forehead.
Huo Xiaozheng gently held her hands away, shaking his head, "No, it doesn't hurt anymore."
Huo Guining had never seen Huo Xiaozheng look so haggard.
So, even hearing his reassurance, she remained concerned.
She ran to the living room, grabbed a thermometer, and insisted on taking Huo Xiaozheng's temperature.
"Beep, 38.1°C, your temperature is elevated."
Huo Guining scolded, "You said it was nothing? You've got a fever!"
Huo Guining took Huo Xiaozheng's hand and led him upstairs, instructing the housekeeper as they went.
"Uncle Housekeeper, could you please bring some breakfast up later? Dad has a fever and needs to rest."
"Certainly."
"Grandma, Dad has a fever. Could you prepare a portion of the medicinal soup for him at lunch too?"
"Of course, dear."
Finally reaching the bedroom, she tucked Huo Xiaozheng into bed. Then she pulled out his phone, deftly unlocked it, and dialed.
"Hello, Uncle Xi Chuan? This is Ning."
"Dad is sick and needs to rest today."
"Alright, thank you."
Huo Xiaozheng smiled wryly, "Ning, I'm fine. It's just a low-grade fever."
Huo Guining was serious, "It may be low, but for someone like you who never gets sick, this is a big deal!"
Realizing this, she pulled out her phone again and called Shen Shiyan.
"Uncle Shen, my dad has a fever of 38.1°. Should he take fever medication?"
Unsure of what Shen Shiyan asked, Huo Guining covered the mouthpiece and relayed to Huo Xiaozheng: "Dad, do you feel unwell anywhere?"
Huo Xiaozheng chuckled, "You can turn on the speakerphone, you know."
Huo Guining smiled sheepishly, having forgotten about that option.
She switched to speaker, and Shen Shiyan's gleeful voice came through.
"Your dad's tough. I'm sure he's not feeling bad anywhere else. Don't worry."
Huo Xiaozheng calmly interjected, "Actually, I do."
Shen Shiyan's voice faltered, "Such as?"
"Headache, and I feel a bit weak."
"Any runny nose, cough, or sore throat?"
Huo Xiaozheng swallowed experimentally, "My throat's a bit sore, nothing else."
"Then take some pain relief and get some sleep."
Huo Guining chimed in, "Should we go to the hospital for an IV drip?"
Addressing Ning, Shen Shiyan's tone softened considerably, "No need. Your dad has a strong immune system. It's not necessary."
"But Ning, you should keep your distance from your dad. Your immune system isn't as robust."
At this, Shen Shiyan called out to Huo Xiaozheng, "Did you hear that? Stay away from Ning. It's probably the flu, which is contagious."
"Really?" Huo Xiaozheng asked.
Shen Shiyan laughed, exasperated, "What, am I trying to get a share of your estate or something? Why would I lie?"
Huo Xiaozheng abruptly ended the call and gently told Ning, "Ning, you should go now. Ask Uncle Housekeeper to bring me the medicine."
Huo Guining nodded decisively and left the room.
Huo Xiaozheng paused for a moment before lying down.
"So it's just a cold," he thought to himself.
He had worried it might be separation anxiety.
Some time later, the door opened.
Thinking it was the housekeeper with medicine, Huo Xiaozheng said, "Just leave it there. I'll take it later."
Huo Guining's indignant voice piped up, "I knew you wouldn't behave properly."
Huo Xiaozheng sat up, startled.
He saw Huo Guining carrying a small tray with medicine and steaming porridge.
Her little face was adorned with a pink mask, looking utterly adorable.
Even her voice sounded slightly muffled.
"Didn't I tell you not to come?" Huo Xiaozheng tried to sound stern.
Huo Guining explained, "It's okay, I'm wearing a mask. Dad, have some porridge first, then take your medicine."
"I asked Uncle Shen, and he said this way it won't upset your stomach."
Usually, it was Huo Guining who fell ill, and Huo Xiaozheng never thought being sick could be a good thing.
But now, enjoying Ning's care, he suddenly realized that his little girl was indeed growing up bit by bit.
Huo Guining sat on the edge of the bed, watching him eat while casually asking, "Dad, that Auntie Song Qing, how come I've never met her before?"
