Huo Ning hadn't expected to overhear such explosive dialogue.
In the original story, Huo Xiaozheng was supposed to be a lovesick fool for Qin Zhiyi. Otherwise, he wouldn't have fallen into Jiang Suyuan's traps time and time again without ever blaming Qin Zhiyi.
Qin Zhiyi, as the person in question, was even more incredulous.
The Huo Xiaozheng of the past had hardly ever spoken a harsh word to her.
And now...
Qin Zhiyi collapsed into a nearby seat as if all her strength had left her.
As expected of the female lead, even her collapsing posture had a delicate, willow-in-the-wind quality that invited sympathy. Huo Ning thought to herself.
Qin Zhiyi only learned about Jiang Suyuan's actions on the day the trial results came out.
Because she had once dated Huo Xiaozheng, and Huo Xiaozheng was in no way inferior to Jiang Suyuan in any aspect.
So, all along, Jiang Suyuan had harbored hostility towards Huo Xiaozheng.
In business affairs, the two were at loggerheads. Huo Xiaozheng often set up obstacles for Jiang Suyuan, and Jiang Suyuan gave as good as he got.
Qin Zhiyi had always believed it was because she hadn't given Jiang Suyuan enough sense of security. She didn't criticize him much for this, only hoping that Jiang Suyuan would show more care and feel her love.
But this incident truly caught Qin Zhiyi off guard.
The framing tactics from five years ago were already despicable, but the exploitation of an innocent child was even more sinister.
Thinking of this, Qin Zhiyi set aside her own sorrow and said earnestly, "Suyuan has made a mistake. To make amends..."
She looked at Huo Ning, who was burying her head in a glass of juice, then glanced questioningly at Huo Xiaozheng.
Huo Xiaozheng ignored her, placing a napkin on Huo Ning's chest.
"To compensate Mr. Huo's daughter, I'm willing to gift her 3% of Qin Corporation's shares. Please, Mr. Huo, show mercy and let Suyuan off the hook."
Qin Corporation had numerous subsidiaries, and 3% of its shares was a sincere offer.
At least, that's what Qin Zhiyi thought.
"Does Miss Qin think that Huo Corporation is in need of your 3% share dividends?" Huo Xiaozheng crossed his long legs, looking coldly at Qin Zhiyi. "I have no grudge against Qin Corporation. The one who should apologize isn't you, Miss Qin."
Qin Zhiyi bit her lip. Jiang Suyuan had always seen Huo Xiaozheng as a thorn in his side; how could he possibly bow his head to him?
"Huo..." She was about to say something more when a loud "bang" interrupted her as the door to the private room was kicked open.
"Mr. Jiang, you can't go in..." The waiter urgently tried to stop him from behind.
Huo Ning was startled, nearly dropping her glass.
Wow! Is this what the male lead should look like? Picturesque eyebrows, delicate features, the very image of a handsome young man!
However, Huo Ning still preferred Huo Xiaozheng's type of looks. With equally handsome features, Huo Xiaozheng had an added air of cool dignity.
"Is this what you call a girls' night out?" Jiang Suyuan stared directly at Qin Zhiyi, his tone sharp.
Huo Xiaozheng added fuel to the fire: "Weren't you calling her 'sister' earlier? How come she's suddenly a 'girl friend' now?"
Huo Ning inwardly raged helplessly: My dear dad, please don't court death! This male lead is surviving in this book with the blessing of heaven's will!
She gently tugged at Huo Xiaozheng's clothes, intending to persuade him not to stoop to the other's level.
However, in Huo Xiaozheng's eyes, this looked like a scared.jpg meme.
Her noble father reached out and ruffled her hair to comfort her.
Rivals in love see each other as enemies, and when two love-brained individuals - one with a personal history and one currently at the peak of their love-brain creativity - meet, it's even more so.
They went back and forth, engaging in a war of words, with Qin Zhiyi caught busy in between.
Huo Ning immediately pictured the scene: In the pouring rain, the female lead crying out — "Stop fighting!"
Thinking of this, Huo Ning quickly lowered her head and clenched her teeth, but a hint of a splitting laugh still escaped.
The scene suddenly fell silent.
Jiang Suyuan finally noticed Huo Ning's presence.
"Bringing your daughter to meet your ex-girlfriend, Mr. Huo, you really are a man of principles."
Perhaps due to the setting of the original story, both Huo Xiaozheng and Jiang Suyuan behaved very childishly when it came to matters concerning Qin Zhiyi.
Huo Xiaozheng's expression turned cold: "Since Mr. Jiang has no sincerity in apologizing, don't use Qin Zhiyi as a shield anymore. I want to see how long Jiang Corporation can hold out."
With that, Huo Xiaozheng picked up Huo Ning and headed for the exit.
Though Huo Ning's body moved forward with him, her little eyes couldn't help but linger on the dishes on the table.
It looked like Cantonese cuisine, and seemed very delicious...
What a pity.
Huo Ning couldn't help but swallow.
However, emotions don't always align between people.
Jiang Suyuan, who was under the same roof, couldn't appreciate the deliciousness of Cantonese cuisine. Instead, he was increasingly angered by Huo Xiaozheng's words.
He glared darkly at Huo Xiaozheng, suddenly sneering and blurting out: "Next week is my and Zhizhi's wedding. Mr. Huo, please make sure to grace us with your presence."
Huo Xiaozheng's steps faltered. He said coldly, "I thought Mr. Jiang's love for Miss Qin was more steadfast. Well then, I'll be looking forward to your grand wedding."
Qin Zhiyi's face fell.
In the original story, the main reason Huo Xiaozheng had been relentlessly pursuing Jiang Suyuan was that Qin Zhiyi didn't want her marriage to Jiang Suyuan to involve any business interests.
Now, Qin Zhiyi agreeing to marry indeed had the intention of helping Jiang Suyuan.
These words were like a sharp spear, piercing through both of them at once.
Huo Ning rested her chin on Huo Xiaozheng's shoulder, looking at Jiang Suyuan and Qin Zhiyi. They were truly a sight to behold, both beautiful even in anger and sorrow.
It was just a pity that her father seemed to be leaving their race track for now.
Jiang Suyuan's punch hit cotton, and the light glance from his rival's daughter further ignited the anger in his heart.
"Huo Xiaozheng, you just wait and see." Jiang Suyuan said through gritted teeth.
This time, Huo Xiaozheng ignored his impotent rage and left the private room without looking back.
"Dad, are we going home to eat?" Huo Ning rubbed her empty little tummy, feeling a bit melancholic.
Huo Xiaozheng changed direction, walking towards another private room.
"Let's eat before we leave."
Huo Ning's eyes lit up!
The food arrived quickly. Almost as soon as the two sat down in the private room, waiters filed in one after another, filling the table with exquisite dishes.
"Wow..."
Huo Ning held her chopsticks, her eyes darting from one dish to another, unable to take it all in. She had the air of an ancient emperor struggling to choose which concubine to summon to his bed.
It was indeed past their usual mealtime. Huo Ning stuffed her cheeks full, watching as Huo Xiaozheng ate with elegant movements but no appetite. She frowned.
"Dad, are you very sad?"
Huo Xiaozheng was slightly taken aback: "Why do you say that?"
"Just now, when you heard about that sister getting married, you squeezed my leg too hard." Huo Ning's delicate brows furrowed, her expression innocent and thoughtful.
