Huo Corporation issued a statement that day.
The statement claimed that there was no improper relationship between Huo Xiaozheng and Ms. Huo Jing, and that they would hold those spreading rumors accountable. It also advised netizens that the internet is not a lawless place and hoped everyone would be cautious with their words and actions.
Huo Jing's management company quickly reposted Huo Corporation's statement, also attaching a lawyer's letter, suing several of the most popular marketing accounts spreading rumors.
Meanwhile, Xi Chuan contacted Huo Siyuan, inviting him to the headquarters.
Huo Siyuan arrived quickly, and seeing Xi Chuan waiting for him in the lobby, he became even more arrogant, feeling that he had Huo Xiaozheng cornered at this crucial moment.
When Huo Xiaozheng saw him, he got straight to the point, directly asking him to persuade the protest leader to cooperate with the company's investigation.
Huo Siyuan was stunned for a moment.
He sauntered to the sofa and sat down without a sideways glance.
Suddenly, he felt something soft poking him.
He reached under his bottom and pulled out a gray petal rabbit plush toy, which he tossed to the other end with disgust before settling back down, crossing his legs and resting his hands on the sofa, looking every bit the owner.
"Nephew, by rights, if you ask for this favor, I must help," Huo Siyuan said, playing hard to get. "But I've been busy with my transfer lately, and I'm afraid I just don't have the capacity."
Huo Xiaozheng leaned on his desk, elegantly holding a cup of coffee, taking a small sip without responding.
Huo Siyuan wasn't annoyed and ordered Xi Chuan, "Get me a coffee."
Xi Chuan glanced at Huo Xiaozheng before having the secretary bring him a cup of coffee.
Huo Siyuan mimicked Huo Xiaozheng's manner, stirring his coffee and was about to taste it when...
"So what exactly are you suggesting?" Huo Xiaozheng suddenly spoke.
Huo Siyuan immediately took a sip of coffee but burned his throat, grimacing for a while before recovering.
"What I mean is..." Without time to scold Xi Chuan, Huo Siyuan quickly replied, "It's simple, nephew. If you transfer me to headquarters and put me in charge of this matter, I'll handle it perfectly for you!"
Huo Xiaozheng smiled, thinking his appetite was quite large.
"Oh? You're that confident?"
Seeing that Huo Xiaozheng didn't immediately refuse, Huo Siyuan's confidence soared. "Of course! He was laid off because he wasn't good enough at his job. What's there to make a fuss about?
"Besides, dealing with these common folk is very simple. Middle-aged people, no matter how much dignity they have, can't stand up to having children and elderly at home..."
Huo Siyuan went on and on, clearly not his first time doing this kind of thing.
In the past, this sort of thing wouldn't have stirred much emotion in Huo Xiaozheng, but now he had a daughter.
Although they hadn't been together long, remembering what the psychologist had told him today, listening to Huo Siyuan's boasting made his blood boil.
Huo Xiaozheng's eyes were cold, but his tone remained level: "Since you're so experienced, why don't you take full responsibility for this matter?"
Huo Siyuan was overjoyed.
He thought he'd have to do more convincing, but Huo Xiaozheng agreed so readily!
However...
"Nephew, you agreed so quickly, you're not planning to use me as a scapegoat, are you?" Huo Siyuan's eyes darted as he raised an eyebrow and asked, "This is all talk. You wouldn't go back on your word after I've taken care of things, would you?"
Huo Xiaozheng smiled and immediately had Xi Chuan draft a personnel transfer order, which he signed and stamped before handing it to Huo Siyuan.
Huo Siyuan read it word by word, making sure to verify Huo Xiaozheng's signature before finally putting his mind at ease.
Huo Xiaozheng said calmly, "The transfer date depends on your efforts."
Huo Siyuan agreed enthusiastically and quickly left the office.
"Xi Chuan, have someone keep an eye on him."
Xi Chuan nodded and followed him out.
After things settled down, Huo Xiaozheng got up and walked into the rest area.
Yin Su saw him enter and reported respectfully, "Miss Ning hasn't woken up yet."
Huo Xiaozheng asked, "No nightmares?"
This morning, when she woke up in the hospital, she seemed to have had a nightmare, her forehead damp with sweat.
Yin Su shook her head, "No."
Huo Xiaozheng waved his hand, and Yin Su left.
Huo Ning was curled up in the warm blankets, her fair face flushed, her breathing deep and even. A trace of drool glistened at the corner of her mouth, but her brows were slightly furrowed.
"Ning lacks self-confidence. Although she acts like she doesn't care about others' opinions, deep down she's very concerned about people's strange looks."
"She carries a heavy psychological burden."
Xie Lingluo's words echoed in his ears.
Huo Xiaozheng asked, "What can I do?"
"Believe in her," Xie Lingluo said gently but firmly. "She severely lacks confidence in intimate relationships, causing her to be overly independent and unable to seek help from others."
"Past experiences have often left her feeling helpless. As a father, you should learn to give her a sense of security."
The sound of deep breathing pulled Huo Xiaozheng back to reality. He sat down on the edge of the bed and reached out to smooth Huo Ning's furrowed brow. "Such a small person shouldn't have so many worries."
Though his movement was gentle, it woke Huo Ning.
Her eyelashes fluttered like raven feathers, and she opened her eyes, calling out drowsily, "Dad..."
Seeing her trying to get up, Huo Xiaozheng reached out to help her. "You're awake? Do you want to sleep a bit more?"
Huo Ning shook her head. Though not fully awake, she spoke clearly.
"I'm hungry."
The corners of Huo Xiaozheng's mouth turned up as he took the jacket from the chair and skillfully helped her put it on. "Then I'll take you to eat. Is there anything you'd like?"
Huo Ning thought for a moment. "I want beef noodles with a poached egg and strawberry milk."
"Mm-hmm, anything else?"
Huo Xiaozheng asked while putting on her shoes.
Surprised that she could add more, Huo Ning thought again. "I also want shrimp dumplings."
Huo Xiaozheng picked her up and draped her coat over her. "Then let's go to the cafeteria. You can have whatever you want."
Arriving at the cafeteria, Huo Ning realized that Huo Xiaozheng wasn't exaggerating.
The Huo Group's cafeteria had a rich variety of dishes from all over the country, from street food to the eight major Chinese cuisines, almost everything you could think of.
At this time, it wasn't yet the peak dining hour.
The employees in the cafeteria were surprised to see Huo Xiaozheng arrive, and even more astonished to see Huo Ning.
They had also been following the recent online gossip.
But because Huo Corporation had always been kind to its employees, the Huo Group staff didn't believe the rumors, and many had been arguing against them online.
Now seeing Huo Ning, some even secretly waved at her, complimenting her cuteness.
But at this moment, Huo Ning could only focus on one thing. Perched on Huo Xiaozheng's shoulder, she was overwhelmed by the variety of dishes.
Xi Chuan followed behind, smiling. "Ning, what would you like? I'll get it for you."
Huo Ning's eyes lit up brilliantly. "This pork knuckle, chicken wings, chicken feet, and that fried pork cutlet, and the one next to the pork cutlet too..."
Huo Xiaozheng even thought he saw her secretly swallowing as she listed off dishes.
Xi Chuan got each item for her.
When they passed the pastry section, Huo Ning pointed out a bunch more.
After all the dishes were served, Huo Xiaozheng frowned. "You can't finish all of these. Just try a bit of each."
These portions were normal for adults, but a bit much for a child.
Huo Ning didn't hear a word. Seeing the food, she was like reuniting with long-lost family, completely shutting out the outside world and focusing solely on devouring her meal.
"Mr. Huo." Xi Chuan stepped forward and whispered a few words in his ear.
Huo Xiaozheng wiped the oil from the corner of Huo Ning's mouth and calmly said, "Alright, close the net."
