When Huo Guining woke up, Huo Yueze and Huo Jing had already left.
A small night light was still on in the bedroom, casting a soft, gentle glow.
Huo Guining got up and put on her little dinosaur pajamas before leaving the room.
The clock showed 7 PM.
Aunt Xu happened to be coming out of the kitchen. Upon seeing Huo Guining, she immediately went over to button up her clothes completely.
"Young miss, you need to wear your clothes properly. Don't catch a cold again."
Huo Guining remembered lying to Aunt Xu, using a cold as an excuse to get her to buy medicine.
A twinge of guilt rose in her heart.
"Thank you, Aunt Xu."
Aunt Xu knew this child was often sick and frail, which made her particularly sympathetic.
Seeing how well-behaved she was, Aunt Xu gently took her hand and led her to the dining room. "You must be hungry. I've made your favorite..."
The afternoon's activities had given Huo Guining quite an appetite.
Even after finishing dinner, Huo Guining hadn't seen Huo Xiaozheng.
"Aunt Xu, where's Dad?"
Aunt Xu answered while tidying up the kitchen, "Mr. Huo is in the study."
After finishing the cleanup, Aunt Xu was ready to leave.
After saying goodbye to Aunt Xu, Huo Guining went straight to the study.
Hearing the familiar voice from inside, Huo Guining felt relieved. She picked up her tablet and lay down on the sofa, looking like a lazy fish.
The online gossip about her had almost died down.
Only when searching for specific keywords could one still find some "CP" fans.
As for Huo Jing, however...
Previously plagued by rumors of being a kept woman, she was now being gossiped about having a child out of wedlock.
Entertainment reporters were grasping at straws, spinning wild tales from a single photo.
With the year-end approaching, various award ceremonies and celebration galas were inviting celebrities.
Huo Jing, entangled in rumors, would inevitably find her work affected.
Huo Guining's little hands tapped away at the screen, looking very busy.
Huo Xiaozheng came down to find her like this.
"What are you playing?"
Seeing Huo Xiaozheng, Huo Guining's eyes lit up. She answered, "Looking at news about Auntie. Poor Auntie."
Huo Xiaozheng sat down beside her and glanced at the screen.
Various unsavory comments, full of hostility.
Of course, there were also true fans defending her, but faced with the "truth," these defenses seemed weak and ineffective.
Huo Xiaozheng grunted in agreement, "Indeed, quite unfortunate."
Huo Guining waited for him to continue.
Huo Xiaozheng asked, "What's the matter?"
Huo Guining stared at him intently and said, "Why doesn't Auntie just tell the truth? If she revealed her identity, wouldn't all this be solved?"
Huo Xiaozheng explained, "Back when your aunt insisted on entering the entertainment industry against your grandfather's wishes..."
"She vowed never to rely on the Huo family for anything."
Huo Guining understood.
It was a matter of pride.
"Ah."
Huo Xiaozheng was amused by her sigh. "Why the sigh? It's not the first time your aunt has faced this kind of situation."
Huo Guining rested her chin on her hands, looking wise beyond her years. "No matter how many times you face it, it still hurts, doesn't it?"
Huo Xiaozheng was a bit taken aback.
He changed the subject, "Guining, if you were your aunt, with so many strangers criticizing you, would you be upset?"
Huo Guining nodded, "I would. Just like last time..."
Huo Guining quickly stopped, sneaking a glance at Huo Xiaozheng.
Huo Xiaozheng patted her head, "So last time, you fainted because you were too upset, right?"
Huo Guining nodded.
If given a choice, everyone would prefer to live a clean, respectable life rather than being the subject of gossip.
Huo Xiaozheng seemed lost in thought.
Seeing him silent, Huo Guining found Huo Jing's WeChat and opened it.
"Auntie, you need to stay strong. Don't let the bad people affect you, okay?"
Huo Guining's voice was still a bit babyish, with a heavy nasal tone.
It sounded incredibly childish.
Huo Jing immediately replied with a voice message.
"Thank you for the encouragement, Guining. Auntie feels full of strength now."
She also attached a 'Powerful Kitten' sticker.
Huo Guining couldn't help but laugh.
"Guining, would you like to go on a trip?" Huo Xiaozheng asked tentatively.
"A trip?" Huo Guining asked, puzzled. "Where to?"
Huo Xiaozheng thought for a moment, then asked, "Where would you like to go?"
Huo Guining didn't know much about this world, and given her age, she couldn't name specific places accurately.
"I want to see the sea."
In her previous life, Huo Guining's last wish was for her parents to scatter her ashes in the sea, letting her be free with the blue sky and clear waters.
Huo Xiaozheng asked with interest, "Is there anywhere else you'd like to go?"
Huo Guining put down her phone and thought like a little adult, "Hmm, I want to see any place I haven't been before."
That way, she'd have more subjects to paint.
Huo Xiaozheng nodded seriously.
Huo Guining asked curiously, "Dad, are we going on a trip?"
Huo Xiaozheng stroked her head, "Yes."
"But aren't you very busy?"
The hair under his hand felt soft, like a cat's. Huo Xiaozheng couldn't help but smile, "I'll make time."
Huo Guining's eyes slowly widened.
Huo Xiaozheng patted her head, "Want to go see your art studio?"
Huo Guining's eyes lit up, and she immediately jumped off the sofa. "Yes! Where is it?"
She was about to run off.
Huo Xiaozheng followed leisurely behind her, "On the third floor, first room on the right."
Huo Guining climbed the stairs with her short legs.
This was the art studio she had dreamed of in her previous life. In front of the huge floor-to-ceiling windows were neatly arranged natural wood shelves, holding various brushes and paints.
On the table by the window sat a turtle-back bamboo, a weeping jasmine, a Boston fern, and a sunflower.
The easel and chair were custom-made to fit Huo Guining's height, allowing her to paint comfortably.
"This afternoon, based on your art teacher's requirements, we added some more things. If you need anything else, just tell the housekeeper directly."
The morning's art class had been held in the guest room.
At the time, workers were coming in and out, but Huo Guining was so focused on painting that she didn't pay attention.
She never imagined that in the blink of an eye, she would have such an amazing studio!
Huo Guining's eyes sparkled as she turned to thank Huo Xiaozheng, "Thank you, Dad! I love it so much!"
"I'm glad you like it."
Huo Guining couldn't wait to paint something in her new studio.
Considering her unusual painting style, Huo Xiaozheng didn't linger long and went straight back to his study.
After leaving the studio, Huo Xiaozheng's relaxed expression disappeared.
With less than two weeks until Spring Festival, most of the work had been wrapped up, but...
Looking at the reports on his computer, Huo Xiaozheng felt a vague unease.
"How's the land auction project in Yun City progressing?"
From the other end of the phone came Xi Chuan's voice: "We've reached the qualification review stage."
Xi Chuan paused for a moment, then continued, "Jiang Group has also entered the bidding. After the qualification review, the auction will probably be held after Spring Festival."
Huo Xiaozheng's expression grew serious.
