After warming up, Huo Ning nervously entered the water under Coach Lin's guidance.
She wore a pale yellow swimsuit, its lace skirt blooming like a flower as it touched the water.
Around her waist was a pink candy-colored swim ring, and she wore a matching swim cap and goggles.
The goggles felt a bit tight, and Huo Ning, not quite used to them, kept adjusting them with her hand.
Coach Lin supported her with both hands as he led her into the water.
The swimming pool was temperature-controlled, so the water wasn't cold.
But being unfamiliar with swimming, Huo Ning remained nervous, holding onto the swim ring with one hand and the pool edge with the other.
Coach Lin explained what they'd be learning today – simply put, holding breath underwater.
Huo Ning understood; holding breath wasn't too complicated, and she felt somewhat eager to try.
But in the next moment, the coach removed her swim ring.
Startled, Huo Ning shuddered and scrambled onto the coach like a monkey, using both hands and feet.
Coach Lin was both amused and exasperated. He supported her bottom with one hand to ensure her safety, while grabbing a small kickboard with the other, instructing her to hold it against her back.
"Now, take a deep breath and hold it."
"Tilt your head down, keeping your body in a straight line. Let the water slowly lift you up."
"I'll keep supporting you. If you're scared, just raise your hand, and I'll lift you out."
Huo Ning could feel the coach's hand constantly supporting her waist, which made her feel a bit more at ease.
She obediently took a deep breath, tilted her head down, and relaxed her body.
As she felt herself slowly floating up, Huo Ning experienced a sense of novelty.
The pool water was crystal clear, and with her head submerged, the world seemed separated from her by a barrier.
The warm water enveloped her body, and her mind was filled with tranquility.
Huo Ning loved this feeling.
Coach Lin's voice, seemingly from another world, brought her back to reality: "Lift your head when you can't hold your breath anymore."
Huo Ning stared at the pool bottom for a while, only lifting her head when she really couldn't hold her breath any longer.
By the end of the lesson, Huo Ning had not only learned to hold her breath, but seeing her quick comprehension, Coach Lin had even taught her some breaststroke movements.
As the class ended, Huo Ning's eyes sparkled, eager to master swimming and do ten laps in this big pool right away.
"How was it?" Huo Xiaozheng took the towel from Lin Yutong's hand and draped it over Huo Ning.
Huo Ning had been so engrossed in playing in the water that she thought Huo Xiaozheng had returned to his office. She hadn't expected him to keep his word and stay with her the whole time.
Huo Ning's eyes brightened even more, and she said with a beaming smile: "Swimming is so much fun!"
A hint of a smile appeared in Huo Xiaozheng's eyes: "I'm glad you enjoy it."
After arranging the time for the next lesson, Huo Ning waved goodbye to Coach Lin.
After freshening up, Yin Su took her to the break room.
The small table in the break room was laden with various snacks.
Fried chicken, juice, pastries, fruits – a feast for the eyes.
Huo Ning let out an excited yelp and rushed over first.
Only after entering did she realize there was someone else inside.
She stopped in her tracks immediately.
"Qianqian, why are you here?" Yin Su was also a bit surprised to see the girl in the break room.
Qianqian was the assistant to the HR department's general manager and rarely appeared on this floor except to deliver documents.
Upon seeing Huo Ning, Qianqian's eyes lit up with excitement, but noticing Huo Ning's shyness, she suppressed her inner fangirl scream.
While glancing at Huo Ning, she replied to Yin Su: "I just came to deliver some documents. Then, colleagues on the 12th floor treated us to afternoon tea, and I couldn't finish it all, so I brought some up here."
"I thought I'd see if you wanted some, Yin Su."
Qianqian was the hardcore CP fan who had been arguing with haters online.
Seeing her behavior, Yin Su understood immediately but still seriously advised: "Miss Ning can't eat food from unknown sources, so please take it back."
Huo Ning's excited expression fell, ah, her once round but now paper-thin stomach...
The duck that was almost in her grasp had flown away.
What a pity.
Yin Su's words also reminded Qianqian, who immediately retrieved the food she had brought, agreeing with Yin Su's decision.
"Yin Su is right!"
With that, she quickly ran out carrying the food.
Halfway out, she suddenly turned back, standing about a meter away from Huo Ning, and cheered: "Ning Ning, keep it up! You're really amazing!"
Huo Ning was stunned for a moment, then broke into a grin.
She raised both hands, forming a heart shape above her head: "Thank you, auntie!"
Qianqian couldn't help but let out a squeal, then quickly silenced herself, realizing this was the CEO's office.
Her hands moved as if wound up, waving at Ning Ning repeatedly as she backed away.
Until she disappeared around the corner, no longer visible.
Yin Su smiled helplessly, then took out a food box containing some delicate pastries.
"You must be hungry, have these."
Huo Ning's face lit up even more.
After the afternoon tea, Yin Su took Huo Ning to the adjacent shopping mall.
Huo Xiaozheng had originally wanted to accompany them personally but was held up by company matters.
"Will Ning Ning be upset that Dad's not coming?" Yin Su, having spent some time with her, had grown closer to her.
Huo Ning shook her head: "No, it's better for Dad to earn more money."
The more money earned, the less of a burden it would be to raise her, Huo Ning thought silently.
At this moment, she and Yin Su were sitting in C Brand's VIP room. Yin Su crouched beside her, holding an iPad, letting her choose the gown she liked.
Huo Ning asked curiously:
"Yin Su, why do we need to buy a gown?"
Since Huo Xiaozheng had changed his attitude, half of the walk-in closet in the master bedroom had been occupied by her clothes and personal items.
Winter hadn't passed yet, so there shouldn't be a rush to replenish, right?
Yin Su smiled: "Mr. Huo was worried you might get bored staying in the office all day, so he asked me to take you out shopping."
Huo Ning seemed to understand but not quite. She wanted to ask more, but Yin Su changed the subject.
"Do you like this white one?"
It was an intricate princess-style dress with embroidered badges on the chest.
A bit boring, Huo Ning thought.
She flipped through a few more pages, then suddenly stopped.
On the screen was a U-neck spaghetti strap A-line long dress, adorned with large roses of the same color at the collarbone. The entire dress shimmered under the light, looking both noble and enchanting.
The sales assistant, sensing an opportunity, immediately had someone bring out this dress.
The actual dress was just as beautiful. After trying it on, Huo Ning expressed her satisfaction.
Huo Ning also chose a pair of black leather shoes with a slight heel.
Yin Su asked the sales assistant to package everything Huo Ning wanted and have it sent back to the company.
On their way back, passing by an ice cream shop, Huo Ning clung to Yin Su's leg, pleading adorably.
Yin Su said firmly: "You've had quite a few snacks today, you can't have ice cream now."
Five minutes later, Huo Ning was happily eating ice cream, one hand holding Yin Su's, the other holding the ice cream cone.
When they returned to the office, Huo Ning had just enough time to destroy the evidence.
Huo Xiaozheng pretended not to notice, discreetly wiping away the ice cream from the corner of her mouth: "Did you have fun?"
Huo Ning nodded.
After a moment's thought, she said with a slight frown: "But I think I've gotten a bit skinny, it doesn't look good."
Huo Xiaozheng was somewhat surprised.
This was the first time Huo Ning had voluntarily expressed her concerns to him, instead of trying to deal with them on her own.
Huo Xiaozheng thought for a moment, then made a phone call to Shen Shiyan.
