The sun was gradually setting, its twilight rays casting a golden veil over the land.
The wind blew, rustling abandoned plastic bags on the rooftop.
Huo Xiaozheng dragged Jiang Suyuan with one hand, strolling casually towards the edge.
Huo Xiaozheng pulled Jiang Suyuan's body, making him stand on the edge of the roof.
Jiang Suyuan glanced down.
At least six stories high, if he fell, there would be absolutely no chance of survival.
Jiang Suyuan tried his best to steady his voice, but a slight tremor still escaped.
"Have you considered your daughter's future in doing this? If you act, she'll forever be known as a murderer's daughter."
Huo Xiaozheng, like him, stood at the edge of the roof, gazing out at the vast fields.
The setting sun had painted half the sky red, unbelievably beautiful.
"Jiang Suyuan, only with your deaths will my daughter have a future."
These words sent chills down Jiang Suyuan's spine.
"Spare Zhi Yi," Jiang Suyuan said, calmer now. "I can write a suicide note, proving I took my own life."
He turned to look at the crazed man beside him: "You wouldn't want other children to suffer the same fate as your daughter, would you?"
Huo Xiaozheng's gaze gradually settled into silence as the sun disappeared.
"Jiang Suyuan, you've got it wrong."
"What do I care about others' lives or deaths?"
As he spoke, his fingers slowly began to loosen...
Jiang Suyuan closed his eyes in despair.
"La la la la la la la..."
A sudden burst of music rang out.
Huo Xiaozheng's brow twitched slightly.
It was Ningning's personalized ringtone.
He pulled out his phone and answered: "Ningning?"
The nearby bodyguard swiftly steadied Jiang Suyuan's body.
"Dad, where are you?"
Hearing Ningning's voice, Huo Xiaozheng's eyes suddenly reddened.
He said hoarsely, "Daddy's out. Are you hungry?"
Hearing this, Huo Guining's nose also began to tingle with emotion.
But hearing the howling wind on the other end of the phone, her unease only grew.
"I'm hungry. Can you buy me some fish porridge from Xiang Ji?"
Ningning's voice sounded a bit dry, her speech slow and somewhat pleading.
Huo Xiaozheng replied gently, "Daddy will go buy it for you now. Wait for daddy, don't fall asleep."
As soon as he finished speaking, Huo Xiaozheng hurriedly headed downstairs.
On the other end of the phone, hearing Huo Xiaozheng's footsteps, Huo Guining hung up with relief.
The nearby bodyguard also breathed a sigh of relief. He had been on edge ever since Huo Xiaozheng had nearly let go.
He weighed in his mind what he should do if the boss really intended to kill someone.
The bodyguard had followed Huo Xiaozheng for many years, and while they had done plenty of bad things, they had never actually broken the law.
That phone call came at just the right time. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to quickly pull Jiang Suyuan back from the brink of death.
Seeing Huo Xiaozheng about to disappear from view, the bodyguard hurriedly asked, "Boss, how should we handle these two?"
Huo Xiaozheng's footsteps paused.
He said something softly, then continued on his way without stopping.
Soon after, the roar of an engine came from below, accompanied by a cloud of dust as it sped away.
...
In the hospital room, Huo Guining put down the phone and weakly fell back onto the bed.
Huo Yueze, who had been applauding nearby, was startled at the sight.
"Sister, how do you feel? You're not going to fall asleep again, are you?"
As he spoke, Huo Yueze was nearly in tears.
Huo Guining forced a smile: "I won't, brother. I'm just a bit tired and want to rest."
This was exactly what Huo Yueze was worried about: "Can you rest with your eyes open then?"
Huo Guining: ...
Shen Shiyan sighed and turned to ask, "Ningning, what did your father say?"
Huo Guining pursed her lips: "It should be fine now. Dad always quickly does what he promises me."
After a moment's thought, she added, "Besides, Dad knows I can't be away from him for too long."
Shen Shiyan and Huo Yueze both breathed sighs of relief.
"Brother, thank you for staying with me all this time," Huo Guining said softly, half-lying down.
Huo Yueze moved closer, picked up the warm water by the bed, and helped her drink a few sips.
"Sister, you being healthy and well is the best thanks you can give me."
Shen Shiyan nodded approvingly. This nephew wasn't so foolish after all; he knew how to say the right things.
But then...
"Yueze, don't feed Ningning cherries. Ningning just woke up, her stomach can't handle it..."
"Put down that cheese-baked lobster..."
"Cake is even worse," Shen Shiyan said, somewhat exasperated. "Do you really have to rush this? Didn't Ningning ask your uncle to bring porridge?"
Huo Yueze replied weakly, "Ningning just woke up. I'm worried she'll faint from hunger if she doesn't eat something."
Huo Guining couldn't help but laugh.
"Brother, I promise you, I won't sleep."
Only then did Huo Yueze relax.
He took out his phone, snapped a photo of Ningning, and spoke into it: "Mom, Ningning's awake. Can you make some nourishing soup and bring it over?"
Shen Shiyan shook his head and walked to Ningning's side. "Ningning, how do you feel?"
Huo Guining pursed her lips: "My head feels a bit fuzzy, but otherwise, I feel okay."
Shen Shiyan performed an examination: "And your chest?"
"No tightness or pain."
Shen Shiyan said gently, "Ningning, people with chest discomfort should avoid strong emotional fluctuations."
Huo Guining lowered her head: "I'm sorry, I..."
Shen Shiyan reached out and patted her head: "No need to apologize, Ningning. You did very well."
Though he didn't know what had happened to Ningning at the Qin family, Huo Yueze immediately affirmed her.
"Sister, don't doubt yourself. You're the best!"
Shen Shiyan: ...
Huo Guining smiled gently.
"Uncle Shen means that no matter what happens, your safety should be your first priority."
"Whether it's your father, your brother, or anyone important you might meet in the future."
"No matter who it is, their importance can't surpass your own."
Huo Guining thought: No, she was bound by rules. To her, Huo Xiaozheng was more important than herself.
But she couldn't say that.
So Huo Guining maintained her smile and nodded obediently: "Mm! I understand!"
Shen Shiyan gave some precautions and then left the room.
Huo Yueze, as usual, sat by her bed, chattering away.
"Sister, you slept for over a week. You really scared me."
"Aunt also came many times, but you were always sleeping. She's mean, she beat me up while you were asleep."
Huo Guining smiled: "Why?"
If he told his sister that he had cried so uncontrollably, it would be too embarrassing.
So, Huo Yueze said: "Because I told Aunt that every time I talk to you, your heartbeat speeds up."
"But when Aunt chats with you, your heartbeat stays steady."
Huo Guining was stunned.
"Did Aunt chat with me?"
Huo Yueze grinned proudly: "See? You really didn't hear."
"Although I don't know what Aunt actually said to you, Uncle Shen said that Aunt always chats with you when I'm not around."
Huo Guining tried hard to remember...
"Bang!"
The door to the hospital room was suddenly pushed open.
