After arriving at the company.
Huo Xiaozheng was worried that Huo Guining would be bored, so he wanted to leave Huo Yueze behind to keep her company.
Unexpectedly, Huo Guining 'sacrificed family for justice', waving her hand grandly to indicate she didn't need anyone to accompany her.
As for her brother, if he could help Huo Xiaozheng and reduce his workload, that would be even better.
Huo Yueze wore a bitter expression, trying to hold back but ultimately failing: "Sister, actually your favorite is Uncle, right?"
Huo Guining nodded matter-of-factly: "Yes, of course. Who else?"
Huo Yueze raged helplessly, pointing at himself and asking reluctantly: "Then what about me?"
Huo Guining replied without hesitation: "You're my second favorite!"
Her expression was frank, her tone super sweet, and her smile sincere.
Huo Yueze's gloom instantly lifted, and he followed Huo Xiaozheng out of the office with renewed vigor.
Seeing the two walk away, Huo Guining patted her chest in relief: "That was close, I almost slipped up."
Huo Yueze attended the meeting with Huo Xiaozheng and realized that his uncle hadn't been exaggerating.
This meeting was indeed very important.
The Huo Group was constantly expanding, and its overseas business territory was also growing.
Currently, Huo Xiaozheng had successfully negotiated the resource project in Country S.
With this project, the Huo Group's income was set to rise steadily.
Huo Guining had no interest in business.
She curled up in the office, enthusiastically drawing her favorite anime characters.
"Buzz... buzz..."
Her phone suddenly started vibrating.
The screen displayed an unknown number.
Thinking it might be one of the recent scam calls, Huo Guining hung up without a second thought.
However, the caller was persistent and kept calling back.
Huo Guining answered with suppressed anger: "Who is this?"
Her tone was a bit harsh.
The person on the other end seemed startled by her tone and paused before saying: "It's Song Tianbai."
Huo Guining thought to herself, why won't this kid leave her alone?
"How did you get my number?"
On the phone, Song Tianbai's voice was weak: "I saw your social media username that day, looked it up, and found your phone number..."
Huo Guining disliked his calculated approach and asked bluntly: "Why are you looking for me?"
"Can we talk? I'm downstairs at your company."
Huo Guining's dislike peaked: "Song Tianbai, we're not close enough to sit down and chat, are we?"
"What new task has your mother assigned you this time?"
Huo Guining rarely used such a sarcastic tone, but she disliked both Song Qing and Song Tianbai.
Song Tianbai's voice lowered even more: "It has nothing to do with my mom, I snuck out on my own..."
Huo Guining laughed: "Trying to cling to me again? Dream on!"
She was about to hang up.
"Come down, I'll tell you how to get rid of me and my mom."
That's what Song Tianbai said.
This time, it was Huo Guining's turn to be stunned.
At first, Huo Guining didn't take Song Tianbai's words seriously and continued drawing.
But Song Tianbai's cryptic words made her curious.
Fine, she might as well go take a look. After all, he was just downstairs, and the security guards and receptionist all knew her well, plus there were surveillance cameras.
Thinking this, she informed Sister Yin Su and headed downstairs.
The elevator arrived at the first floor.
Bright sunlight shone through the tall floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the entire lobby. The clean marble floor reflected a soft glow.
Song Tianbai was huddled in the corner of a brown sofa, head lowered, lost in thought, looking somewhat forlorn.
Huo Guining pressed her lips together and walked towards him.
"Hey!"
Huo Guining said, looking down at him.
She stood against the light, her shadow perfectly covering Song Tianbai.
Song Tianbai looked up to see her descending like a goddess, surrounded by a golden glow.
He couldn't help but squint his eyes.
Huo Guining quickly sat down across from him, adopting a negotiating posture.
"Speak," Huo Guining said calmly, "I'd like to hear how you plan to teach me to drive you and your mother away."
Song Tianbai was unfazed by her mocking attitude.
He even sat up a bit straighter.
Then, he rolled up his sleeves.
Huo Guining: ?
What was he doing in such a public place?
Gradually, Huo Guining understood.
Song Tianbai's upper arms were covered in bruises.
"So the bruise you showed me this morning wasn't from bumping into something in the escape room?" Huo Guining said, suddenly realizing.
Song Tianbai hadn't expected her first reaction to be this. He paused before nodding: "Right, it wasn't from the escape room."
Huo Guining's expression turned grim: "These... they weren't caused by your mother, were they?"
Song Tianbai nodded, then shook his head.
Huo Guining spoke impatiently: "If you have something to say, say it properly. Don't act like you can't speak."
Song Tianbai raised his head, meeting her gaze: "After my dad passed away, my mom became a bit... unhinged. These happened when she lost control of her emotions."
Huo Guining asked, confused: "So?"
Song Tianbai spoke with rare seriousness and sincerity: "So, she didn't mean to do it."
Huo Guining was stunned.
"After dad died, mom got sick, but she refuses to see a doctor," Song Tianbai said, enunciating each word. "She loves me, she's just... temporarily forgotten."
This was unexpected for Huo Guining. Her throat felt like it was stuffed with cotton, unable to breathe in or out.
After a long while, she finally spoke: "How long has it been since your father passed away?"
Song Tianbai: "Three years."
"Has your mother been like this for all three years?"
Song Tianbai shook his head: "Not entirely. Sometimes mom... forgets that dad is... dead."
Huo Guining was alarmed. This was clearly a serious problem.
"Then you need to get your mom to see a doctor quickly. What use is it coming to me?"
Song Tianbai said dejectedly: "I've tried, but..."
"But you get beaten every time?"
Song Tianbai nodded.
Huo Guining sensed something was off: "From what you're saying, your mom shouldn't have the energy to cling to my dad, right?"
Song Tianbai hesitated: "My mom has a friend who gave her bad advice, telling her to fall in love with someone else to forget about my dad..."
Huo Guining was speechless. That was truly terrible advice.
"Your mom and her friend are something else. One dares to suggest it, the other dares to do it."
Song Tianbai shook his head seriously: "It's not like that. My mom is just... too hurt."
Huo Guining suddenly understood: "No wonder you've been helping her all along. It's because you feel sorry for your mom."
Before Song Tianbai could nod, Huo Guining scolded lightly: "Your mom's life is valuable, but isn't my dad's life valuable too?"
Song Tianbai pressed his lips together and lowered his head to apologize.
Without his mask of maturity, Song Tianbai's childish nature was exposed.
Huo Guining felt inexplicably irritated: "Tell me, what do you want me to help you with?"
Song Tianbai spoke with certainty: "Help me deal with your dad."
Huo Guining: ?
