"Click"
The sudden sound of the door opening interrupted Huo Guining's thoughts. She looked towards the source of the noise.
She saw Huo Xiaozheng walking in quietly, holding a small strawberry-flavored cake in one hand.
Noticing that Huo Guining was still awake, Huo Xiaozheng relaxed his body and asked, "Are you hungry?"
Huo Guining felt her stomach was very empty and nodded blankly.
"Dad, are you not angry anymore?"
Huo Xiaozheng, who was helping her set up the bed tray, paused when he heard this.
"Do you think I'm angry?"
Huo Guining nodded matter-of-factly. When he left earlier, he was walking so fast it created a breeze.
He nearly slammed the door.
"Then tell me, why do you think I'm angry?"
Huo Xiaozheng finished setting up the tray, opened the cake packaging, and handed her a fork, indicating that she should eat while thinking.
Huo Guining didn't hesitate, especially since she hadn't eaten much at dinner due to not feeling well. Now she was starving.
She scooped a large spoonful of cake into her mouth. The sweet taste spread across her tongue, and Huo Guining's mood improved considerably.
Feeling less empty in her stomach, Huo Guining put down her fork and formally answered Huo Xiaozheng's question.
"Because I lied to you, so you're very angry."
Huo Guining's tone was confident.
Huo Xiaozheng shook his head, "No, that's not it, Ningning."
Huo Guining was stunned, "It's not?"
Huo Xiaozheng spoke earnestly, "My work is indeed important, but compared to your health, work is insignificant."
Huo Guining was a bit dazed, "Am I more important than your work?"
"Of course," Huo Xiaozheng gave her a definitive answer. "The reason I sometimes don't want to take you to work isn't because I'm worried you'll hold me back."
"On the contrary, I'm worried that if you come with me, you'll get tired or bored."
Huo Guining was stunned.
Huo Xiaozheng patiently explained, "But Ningning, you never tell me what you want."
"So I don't know what you want or don't want."
"I've said before that I'll learn to be a father. But this requires your cooperation."
Huo Xiaozheng softened his voice, "I'm not upset that you lied to me. I'm upset that you don't take your own health seriously."
"Do you understand?"
Huo Guining's eyes reddened. At this moment, she realized that Huo Xiaozheng was different from her father in her previous life.
Perhaps, not only Shi Ning, but she too was unloved in her previous life.
Huo Guining felt a lump in her throat.
"I was just afraid of becoming a burden to you, that you would dislike me..."
Like in her previous life, she was afraid of being rejected.
Huo Xiaozheng stroked her head, "Ningning, taking care of one's child is the responsibility of parents."
"You don't need to feel any burden, understand?"
Huo Guining nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.
Huo Xiaozheng's tone became a bit more serious, "Look me in the eyes when you answer."
Huo Guining looked up, meeting Huo Xiaozheng's gaze.
His expression was serious, not seeming to be feigned.
Huo Guining composed herself and nodded just as seriously.
"I understand."
Huo Xiaozheng wasn't sure if she truly understood, but for now, he chose to believe her.
Future matters could be dealt with later.
Thinking this, Huo Xiaozheng felt the weight lift from his heart.
He stopped pressuring Huo Guining, put away the small tray, and brought a warm towel to wipe her face.
"It's late, go brush your teeth and get to bed early."
Huo Guining obediently did as told.
As she reached the bathroom door, Huo Guining turned back, "Dad, will you stay and keep me company tonight?"
Huo Xiaozheng smiled gently, "Of course."
Huo Guining's lips curved into a smile.
After washing up, Huo Guining lay in the hospital bed.
The night deepened.
The surrounding noise gradually faded away. The moon peeked out from behind the clouds, casting a patch of cool moonlight.
The surroundings were very quiet. The only sound was the occasional footsteps of nurses passing by, steady and rhythmic in the silent night, bringing a sense of peace.
Huo Guining felt she had narrowly escaped disaster and gained Huo Xiaozheng's promise not to reject her.
That night, she slept exceptionally soundly.
The next morning.
She woke up to a commotion.
As soon as she opened her eyes, she met a pair of sorrowful eyes.
Huo Guining was startled and shrunk back into her blanket.
"Brother?"
Huo Yueze sat down on the chair by the bed, crossing one leg over the other and resting his hands on his knee.
He stared at her in this position.
As he stared, Huo Guining began to feel guilty, "Brother, what's wrong?"
Huo Yueze snorted.
"You didn't tell me you weren't feeling well, and you're asking what's wrong?"
Huo Yueze said haughtily, "I'm angry!"
Huo Guining quickly sat up and eagerly moved closer, "I'm sorry, brother. I didn't mean to."
Seeing her submission, Huo Yueze couldn't bring himself to stay angry.
He gently pinched her cheek to vent his frustration, "Don't do it again, okay? Being sick is so uncomfortable. You're so young, what if something serious happened?"
Huo Guining sweetly replied, "I know, I know."
Huo Xiaozheng pushed open the door, walking in on this scene of sibling harmony.
"Last time you and your brother didn't fully enjoy the amusement park. How about I take you again today?"
Huo Guining hesitated. Although the previous incident had been resolved, she still didn't want to cause any more trouble.
Thinking of this, she shook her head in refusal, "I have an appointment with my art teacher today. We're going to paint."
Huo Xiaozheng didn't insist, "Alright, we'll have class at home today."
Huo Yueze interjected, "After you finish your class, I'll take you to play tennis."
Huo Guining pointed at herself, her eyes disbelieving, "Me?"
Huo Yueze glanced at Huo Xiaozheng and said with certainty, "Yes, you!"
Before leaving, Huo Yueze had already prepared sports clothes for her under the guidance of a professional coach.
With Aunt Xu's help, Huo Guining changed into the clothes and added a sports down jacket on top.
Huo Xiaozheng came forward and knelt down, adjusting her collar, "The sports center is right next door. If you start feeling unwell, call me immediately."
Huo Guining was about to say she wouldn't feel unwell, but Huo Xiaozheng's next words stopped her.
"Can I trust you?"
The words she was about to say were swallowed back.
Huo Guining nodded solemnly.
Only then did Huo Xiaozheng stand up and gently push her towards Huo Yueze, "Go on then. Dad will be working at home, waiting for you to come back for dinner."
After Huo Guining finished her art class, it was two in the afternoon.
On this bright winter day, the sky was a deep blue, with white clouds lazily floating in the air.
The pine trees planted along both sides of the road remained evergreen, swaying gently in the wind.
"Brother, why are you suddenly taking me to play tennis?"
Huo Yueze smiled, "Uncle said your constitution is a bit weak, so he asked me to help you exercise and build up your strength."
Huo Guining let out an "Oh."
Upon reaching the tennis court, Huo Guining saw the coach holding a racket and exclaimed in surprise, "Eh?"
