Huo Xiaozheng's thoughts aligned with Huo Guining's without prior discussion.
The timing wasn't right yet, and Huo Xiaozheng didn't want Huo Guining to join collective life too early.
Moreover...
He also didn't have time to accompany her 24 hours a day.
Huo Xiaozheng made a sound of agreement, his furrowed brow relaxing.
A glint flashed in Huo Guining's eyes.
"Have you felt unwell these past couple of days?" Huo Xiaozheng asked again.
This time, Huo Guining shook her head even more enthusiastically: "Not at all!"
Huo Xiaozheng was puzzled. Based on this development, Ning's chest pain seemed to be psychosomatic.
In other words, it was physical discomfort caused by psychological factors.
If Huo Yueze could alleviate her chest pain, did it mean that as long as she established trust with those around her...
Then, in the future, she wouldn't need to cling to him so much.
Thinking this way, Huo Xiaozheng felt both relieved and disappointed.
Huo Xiaozheng sighed.
Huo Guining leaned against the window, staring at the scenery outside with an indescribable expression.
Seeing her lost in thought, Huo Xiaozheng didn't disturb her.
He took out his phone and saw a message from Huo Yueze.
"Uncle, you must take Ning to test her IQ. I suspect Ning is a genius!"
From just this short line, Huo Xiaozheng could already imagine Huo Yueze's expression.
Before Huo Xiaozheng could reply, a long voice message quickly came through.
Huo Xiaozheng played it, his expression gradually becoming serious.
Huo Guining seemed to sense something and turned back, startled by his expression: "Dad, did something happen?"
Huo Xiaozheng's face was grave: "Aze says you're a genius."
Huo Guining's heart had been on a rollercoaster all day, never settling down.
Hearing this, she hurriedly explained: "Brother is just joking."
Huo Xiaozheng's expression didn't improve.
"I've already told him, those are just my..."
Huo Xiaozheng interrupted: "It doesn't matter whether it's true or not. I just hope you live according to your own wishes."
Huo Guining was stunned.
Originally, she was worried that Huo Xiaozheng would become suspicious of her, but unexpectedly, he was concerned about the pressure that came with being labeled a "genius."
Huo Guining smiled.
Huo Xiaozheng patted her head, thinking that the greater the ability, the heavier the burden.
He hoped his daughter wouldn't have to be so tired anymore.
Huo Guining didn't know what Huo Xiaozheng was thinking, only feeling that she had dodged another bullet.
When they got home, Aunt Xu had already prepared lunch.
After eating her fill, Huo Guining lay down on her little bed for a nap.
Seeing her sleeping soundly, Huo Xiaozheng gently closed the door and headed to his study.
"Sir, Miss Ning's white pills have run out. Do we need to buy more?" Aunt Xu approached quietly, holding Huo Guining's small backpack.
Huo Xiaozheng frowned: "What medicine?"
"The medicine Miss Ning took to your brother's house."
Huo Xiaozheng suddenly realized she must be referring to the multivitamins.
"Yes, if they're gone, have the housekeeper buy some more for her."
With that, Huo Xiaozheng turned and entered his study.
Aunt Xu was a bit confused: "This medicine... can it be taken long-term?"
Aunt Xu wasn't highly educated, and considering Huo Guining's previous hospitalization, she couldn't quite understand.
But since Mr. Huo said so, she decided to buy a box when she went grocery shopping.
After all, Mr. Huo wouldn't harm Miss Ning.
...
When Zuo Qinfang learned that Huo Xiaozheng had brought Ning home, she immediately contacted him.
She mentioned Ning's talent for painting again.
"If Ning isn't going to kindergarten, why don't you hire a teacher to teach her painting at home?"
"Ning is very interested and can sit still despite her young age."
Huo Xiaozheng made a sound of agreement, then asked, "Sister-in-law, don't you think Ning's paintings are a bit depressing?"
There was a pause on the other end of the phone, and Zuo Qinfang sighed, "One's appearance reflects one's heart, and it's the same with painting."
"But this doesn't diminish Ning's talent."
"I know that with you raising Ning, she certainly won't want for food or clothing in the future."
"But I'm a parent too. I can see that Ning's state isn't good."
"Suggesting you find her a teacher is also with this intention. I hope she can paint what's in her heart and no longer keep it bottled up inside."
Huo Xiaozheng was somewhat surprised that Zuo Qinfang could say these things.
"That's what I was thinking too," Huo Xiaozheng inquired further, "Do you have any good teachers you can recommend?"
Zuo Qinfang had been worried that given Huo Xiaozheng's own experiences, he might not like these ideas.
Hearing him ask this, she immediately responded, "Yes, I have a junior from school who is excellent. I'll recommend her to you."
Huo Xiaozheng said softly, "Thank you for your trouble."
After hanging up, Huo Xiaozheng worked in his study until sunset.
The online issues had been mostly resolved, with the amusement park's upper management personally coming forward to refute the rumors.
They also issued a statement condemning behavior that was detrimental to children's physical and mental health development.
Combined with the Huo Corporation's actions, Huo Guining and Huo Yueze's reputations instantly turned around.
To be cautious, Huo Xiaozheng immediately had the PR department pixelate the images of the two.
So, Huo Guining and Huo Yueze hadn't yet become widely recognized.
When Huo Guining woke up from her nap, she happened to run into Huo Xiaozheng coming out of his study.
"Did you sleep well?"
Huo Guining nodded.
Huo Xiaozheng picked her up, and they headed to the dining room together.
He told her about hiring a tutor and asked for her opinion.
Huo Guining was naturally willing.
But...
"Won't this be troublesome for you, Dad?"
Huo Guining was referring to her inability to be away from Huo Xiaozheng.
Huo Xiaozheng thought for a moment: "I can clear out an office for you at the company."
Huo Guining smiled happily.
As they were going downstairs, Aunt Xu approached with a small bag and handed it to Huo Xiaozheng: "Sir, these are Miss Ning's pills."
Huo Guining suddenly remembered that on the day she went to Huo Yueze's house, she had secretly called Aunt Xu.
On the phone, she had told Aunt Xu that she had run out of the medicine she usually took.
She had asked Aunt Xu to put the medicine from her bedside into her small backpack before the housekeeper left.
But she didn't know why this time, Aunt Xu had gone to buy new ones for her...
Huo Guining's scalp tingled.
She held her breath, her eyes fixed intently on the bag...
Just as Huo Xiaozheng was about to reach for it.
Huo Guining beat him to it, quickly grabbing the bag and hugging Aunt Xu's arm, her voice sweet: "Thank you, Aunt Xu!"
"Oh, no need to thank me, it's such a small matter. You need to eat well and take care of your health, that's what's most important!"
Huo Guining nodded repeatedly.
Huo Xiaozheng frowned: "What's the rush? I don't remember you being so eager to take medicine before."
Huo Guining said in a proud tone: "I should take care of my own things!"
Huo Xiaozheng chuckled: "Now that you've done that, it's time to eat."
Huo Guining nodded.
Fortunately, Zuo Qinfang had dressed her in overalls today, and the pockets were big enough for her to hide the medicine securely.
Seeing her expression of having narrowly escaped disaster, a hint of doubt flashed in Huo Xiaozheng's eyes.
