At the school opening ceremony, Huo Guining was asked to give a speech as an outstanding representative of her grade.
The night before the speech, after dinner, Huo Guining paced back and forth in the living room, repeatedly rehearsing her speech.
Huo Xiaozheng sat on the sofa, listening and offering suggestions for revisions.
After modifying the speech, Huo Guining went through it one more time.
When she finished, she dove straight into her art studio.
Huo Xiaozheng had been concerned that she was too tired and hoped she would rest for a while.
But Huo Guining's passion for art was like an undying flame, never showing signs of burning out.
After several failed attempts to persuade her, and seeing that Guining showed no signs of discomfort, Huo Xiaozheng stopped trying. He only frequently reminded Auntie Xu to prepare more nourishing soups for Guining to drink.
On the day of the opening ceremony, Huo Guining walked onto the stage wearing a deep blue uniform.
"Respected teachers, dear classmates: Hello. I'm honored to stand here as the representative of our grade. I am Huo Guining from Class 3, Grade 10..."
Huo Guining's voice, with its unique girlish sweetness, echoed through the auditorium.
Chen Xi, sitting right in front of the stage, kept waving at Huo Guining.
Huo Guining smiled gently.
At 13, Huo Guining's features had become increasingly delicate. Under the careful nurturing of the Huo family, her skin was fair with a rosy glow. This smile was like adding color to a black and white portrait of a lady, making her unbelievably beautiful.
The boys around her let out a collective "Wow!"
Undisturbed by the outside world, Huo Guining continued: "The time will come when we'll ride the wind and break the waves. We'll set our cloud-like sail to cross the vast sea. In the days to come, let us set sail and embark together. Thank you all!"
The auditorium erupted in enthusiastic applause, mixed with whistles from the boys.
Huo Guining, with her long, graceful neck like an elegant swan, walked off the stage and sat down next to Chen Xi.
"Guining, you were absolutely dazzling!" Chen Xi exclaimed excitedly.
Huo Guining thanked her softly.
Suddenly, her phone vibrated.
Huo Guining took out her phone. It was a message from the family group chat.
"Guining's outstanding grade representative speech."
Followed by a video.
The sender was Huo Xiaozheng.
Huo Guining turned her head to look around.
Finally, she spotted Huo Xiaozheng in the last few rows.
With too many people around, it wasn't convenient to go out.
Huo Guining lowered her head to message Huo Xiaozheng: "Dad, why did you come?"
Huo Xiaozheng: "Of course I had to come for your outstanding representative speech."
Huo Guining replied with smiling eyes: "Thank you, Dad."
"Guining, who are you messaging?" Chen Xi leaned forward curiously.
Huo Guining: "My dad."
Chen Xi said enviously: "You have such a good relationship with your dad. Unlike me, I get annoyed just seeing my old man."
Huo Guining was surprised: "Why annoyed?"
Chen Xi grumbled: "He's always controlling me, forbidding this and that, constantly pushing me to study. My academic ability has its limits, you know, but he keeps pressuring me like a chicken!"
Huo Guining guessed: "Maybe your dad just wants you to succeed."
Chen Xi pouted: "He's not even a dragon, how can I become a phoenix? Sigh..."
Huo Guining was amused by her.
To study at this school, one either had to have excellent grades or come from a wealthy family.
Chen Xi talking like this was obviously just complaining for the sake of it.
Huo Guining smiled and didn't take it seriously.
"Don't you ever find your dad annoying?" Chen Xi continued to ask.
Huo Guining shook her head without hesitation: "My dad is great, not annoying at all."
Chen Xi fell silent and closed her mouth.
Huo Guining returned her attention to her phone. Huo Xiaozheng's message was at the top: "Dad has to go to work now, I'll pick you up after school."
Huo Guining turned her head towards where Huo Xiaozheng was sitting. He was just getting up to leave.
Sensing Huo Guining's gaze, he stopped and waved at her.
Huo Guining happily returned a smile.
...
After becoming the deputy class monitor, Huo Guining's school life became somewhat busy.
Fortunately, Fan Xingzhou was quite easy to get along with and didn't give her too much trouble. So far, they had gotten along quite well.
But Huo Guining gradually began to feel irritated.
Huo Xiaozheng noticed her unease immediately.
That day, as usual, Huo Xiaozheng came to pick up Huo Guining after school.
Huo Guining, who was always punctual, hadn't appeared at the school gate for a long time.
Her phone was also unreachable.
So Huo Xiaozheng went to the classroom to look for her.
The evening glow dyed the entire sky red, and a cool breeze lifted the curtains by the window. Huo Guining was sitting by the window, her brows tightly knitted, facing a boy and arguing about something.
Across the corridor and the entire classroom, Huo Xiaozheng couldn't hear clearly.
Soon, Huo Guining suddenly stood up, picked up her schoolbag, and walked out with her head down, looking as if she was sulking.
She passed by Huo Xiaozheng without even noticing him.
Huo Xiaozheng glanced at the boy, then reached out to grab Huo Guining.
"Guining." Huo Xiaozheng's voice was a bit deep.
Hearing her father's voice, Huo Guining suddenly realized that her classmates had all left, and the entire campus was quiet.
"Dad, I had something to deal with just now. I forgot you were waiting outside for me." Huo Guining said apologetically.
Huo Xiaozheng didn't mind: "It's okay. Were you very busy today?"
As he asked, he held Huo Guining's hand and walked downstairs, taking her schoolbag from her shoulder.
"A little bit."
"Oh? What kept you busy?"
Huo Guining said softly: "The autumn sports meet is coming up soon. The homeroom teacher asked me and the class monitor to organize people to sign up."
"Is that so?" Huo Xiaozheng said casually: "That indeed would keep you busy."
Huo Guining bit her lip.
She actually didn't want to participate in the sports meet at all, let alone motivate her classmates and persuade them to sign up for events.
What's worse, just now, Fan Xingzhou actually suggested that there were no candidates for the girls' 4x400 meter relay race and hoped Huo Guining could fill in.
Huo Guining was furious.
The deputy class monitor duties were already taking up a lot of her energy.
After returning from Country E, she spent several months preparing for the high school entrance exam.
After school started, she was busy with deputy class monitor duties.
Now, she had less and less time to spend in her art studio.
Not only that, but her painting state was also getting worse and worse. Although she was physically in the studio, she found it increasingly difficult to paint what she wanted.
This was also why, during holidays, she frequently went out to sketch, seeking inspiration.
"If you don't like it, just give up the deputy class monitor position," Huo Xiaozheng said calmly.
Huo Guining had thought about doing this, but...
"As the deputy class monitor, you have the obligation to motivate your classmates and set an example," Fan Xingzhou's words still echoed in her ears.
Huo Guining asked: "What if I refuse?"
For the first time, Fan Xingzhou spoke coldly: "Then why did you accept the position of deputy class monitor? When in a position, one should fulfill its duties."
These words left Huo Guining speechless.
If she really did as Huo Xiaozheng suggested, wouldn't that make her irresponsible?
Huo Guining was caught in a dilemma.
"Guining." Huo Xiaozheng interrupted her thoughts: "Anything that makes you anxious, you can either face it or give it up."
Huo Guining was very hesitant: "But..."
It would be so embarrassing.
"It's not shameful," Huo Xiaozheng said gently. "You're already very outstanding."
