The flight time from South City to Yun City is two hours.
Winter in Yun City differs from that in South City.
This season, the temperature in Yun City is quite comfortable, with a gentle breeze that has completely lost its bone-chilling coldness.
Upon arriving in Yun City, Huo Xiaozheng and Huo Guining disembarked from their flight and immediately boarded a black business vehicle.
Once inside the car, Huo Xiaozheng removed Huo Guining's thick coat and replaced it with a lighter one.
Yun City's climate is favorable, capable of nurturing all forms of life.
Along the way, they saw sunflowers and daisies everywhere, with various small flowers competing in their beauty.
A warm breeze carrying the essence of spring caressed their faces.
Huo Guining lowered the car window and stretched her hand outside, trying to capture the presence of the wind.
This was the first time Huo Xiaozheng and Huo Guining were truly alone together.
Seeing her relaxed posture, Huo Xiaozheng unconsciously eased up as well.
The two checked into a five-star hotel owned by the Huo Group.
The hotel manager was waiting at the entrance. Upon seeing the black business car arrive, he immediately came forward to greet them and escort them inside.
The magnificent lobby, with its marble floors and walls, reflected a dazzling scene under the enormous crystal chandelier.
The hotel's elevator was swift and silent.
The group went directly to the presidential suite on the top floor, which boasted huge floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the stunning landscape.
The manager respectfully inquired, "Mr. Huo, the room staff will be here shortly to arrange your luggage. Is there anything else you need?"
Huo Xiaozheng took off his coat and hung it on a nearby coat rack.
He glanced at Huo Guining, who was wandering around, taking everything in. "Send up some local snacks and drinks, please."
The manager nodded, closed the door, and left.
"Are you tired? Do you want to rest for a while?" Huo Xiaozheng asked Huo Guining.
Huo Guining was still marveling at the luxurious presidential suite.
She came to her senses and shook her head: although Huo Xiaozheng was here for work, she was here to travel.
"I'm not tired. Dad, when will your work be finished?"
Huo Guining looked expectant.
The view outside was so beautiful; it would be nice to go out for a walk and take a look around.
Huo Xiaozheng glanced at his watch, which showed half past one in the afternoon.
"I have a meeting in half an hour," Huo Xiaozheng said. "After the meeting ends, I'll take you out for a walk."
Huo Guining's eyes lit up!
Soon after, staff members filed in.
The meeting was to be held in the reception room.
While Huo Xiaozheng and the staff were in the meeting room, Huo Guining stayed in the bedroom, happily enjoying her afternoon tea.
The customer service staff was arranging their luggage nearby.
"Miss, shall I put this easel in the living room for you?"
Huo Guining hadn't expected that Huo Xiaozheng would bring her easel along.
She put down her snack and said, "No need, bring it over here."
Under her instruction, the staff set up the easel by the floor-to-ceiling window.
Huo Guining checked the time, took out her brushes, and began to paint.
This time, the canvas wasn't filled with her fantasies.
Instead, it captured the beautiful view outside.
When Huo Xiaozheng finished his meeting and came in, he saw her intensely focused on her canvas.
He walked over and saw that she was painting the view outside the window.
Huo Xiaozheng smiled.
This might be a good start.
He didn't interrupt Huo Guining but went to the living room, opened his laptop, and continued with his work.
Although the auction in Yun City wouldn't take place until after the New Year, it didn't prevent Huo Xiaozheng from conducting an early on-site inspection.
According to the reports submitted by his subordinates, the location of that plot of land wasn't particularly ideal.
Geographically, the land wasn't near mountains or water and was located in the suburbs.
Yun City had a well-developed tourism industry, but due to its rich cultural heritage, it wasn't suitable for overly commercialized districts.
For tourism development, it was truly a dilemma—neither appetizing nor easily discarded.
But recently, the economy had been poor, and the real estate market was not doing well.
The local government intended to auction off the land to obtain funds for cash flow.
However, the price was clearly higher than the market value.
Huo Xiaozheng sent a message to Xi Chuan, asking about his inquiries into the Jiang family.
Xi Chuan reported no progress.
Huo Xiaozheng wasn't worried that the Jiang family would want to use this plot for commercial purposes, but rather that their ideas might be similar to his own.
"Dad, is your meeting over?"
Huo Guining's voice interrupted Huo Xiaozheng's contemplation.
Huo Xiaozheng relaxed his furrowed brow: "Yes, it's over. Have you finished your painting?"
Huo Guining nodded: "When are we going out?"
Huo Xiaozheng quickly tidied up his desk: "Now."
Given the warmer temperature here, Huo Xiaozheng changed into a beige long-sleeved shirt and light-colored casual suit, paired with khaki casual trousers.
He had Huo Guining change into a pink-apricot cardigan sweater and light-colored trousers.
Before leaving, Huo Xiaozheng also grabbed a medium-thick beige coat for her to carry.
Huo Xiaozheng drove himself.
Huo Guining sat in the back seat, her words tinged with the joy of sightseeing: "Dad, where are we going now?"
Huo Xiaozheng said: "There's a famous attraction nearby, let's go take a look."
Although it was the off-season, there were still quite a few tourists along the way.
Upon reaching their destination.
The sun was still a bit harsh.
Huo Xiaozheng produced a pair of sunglasses from somewhere and put them on Huo Guining.
He then took out a small backpack and helped her put it on.
Finally, he pulled out a rope and with a 'click' attached it to Huo Guining's small backpack.
Huo Guining: "Dad, is this a dog leash?"
Huo Xiaozheng replied calmly: "No, it's a child leash."
Huo Guining felt there was little difference between the two.
"If I were to carry you all the time, you wouldn't be free," Huo Xiaozheng explained. "Besides, there are so many people, it would be terrible if you got lost."
Huo Guining reluctantly accepted this explanation.
Huo Xiaozheng 'led' Huo Guining as they strolled along the quaint street.
Huo Xiaozheng's physique and appearance were too eye-catching. They hadn't walked far when they encountered bold young women approaching them.
"Handsome, could you help us take a photo?"
Huo Xiaozheng initially didn't want to respond, but considering he wanted to set a good example of approachability for Guining.
He nodded slightly and took the camera from the girl's hand.
"Click."
He returned the phone to the girl.
Seeing how amiable Huo Xiaozheng was, some young men, learning from the girls' example, mustered up the courage to approach.
Huo Xiaozheng took their phones and photographed them one by one.
Huo Guining marveled: "Dad, you're so good-tempered."
Has he changed? She didn't voice this question.
Huo Xiaozheng noticed her expression and felt his teaching demonstration had been effective.
For the rest of the time, he obliged everyone who came forward requesting help with photos.
Until...
"Handsome, could I take a picture with you two?"
Huo Xiaozheng flatly refused, took Huo Guining's hand, and walked away without looking back.
The girl felt disappointed, thinking that even letting the handsome man take a photo for them would have been an honor.
Meanwhile, those boys and girls who had been granted this honor stared at the photos in their phone albums in collective silence.
