Huo Ning cried as if the entire world was collapsing around her. No matter how Huo Xiaozheng tried to comfort her, she couldn't stop, showing signs of an impending breakdown.
Seeing her struggle to breathe, Shen Shiyan immediately took the medical kit from Xi Chuan's hands, extracted the prepared medication, and with Huo Xiaozheng's help, injected her with a sedative.
The drug took effect quickly. Soon, she collapsed into Huo Xiaozheng's arms, falling into a deep sleep.
"Will she be alright?" Huo Xiaozheng asked.
Shen Shiyan said, "Don't worry, it shouldn't be a big problem. Make sure someone stays with her at all times for the next few days. Don't let her be alone."
"Mm..." Huo Xiaozheng looked at her with a complex expression, his throat tightening. "Did I do the wrong thing?"
Shen Shiyan was very surprised.
For someone as proud as Huo Xiaozheng, he had rarely, if ever, admitted to being wrong. More often, he would make others kneel before him to apologize.
He patted his friend's shoulder, speaking earnestly, "It's not entirely your fault."
Xi Chuan had already discreetly stepped away from this conversation. At this moment, only Huo Xiaozheng, Shen Shiyan, and the sleeping Huo Ning remained in the car.
"She's always seemed to be doing well. I didn't realize in time how fixated she was on Shi Lili," Huo Xiaozheng rarely showed such remorse. "I've always treated her like a mature adult, so I didn't make thorough plans for her. When she asked to see Shi Lili, I chose to respect her wishes."
"But she's only 5 years old."
"What decision-making ability can a 5-year-old have?"
"I could have handled today's events much better."
"Instead, I chose the easiest way, thinking it was respect."
He blamed Jiang Suyuan, blamed Shi Lili, blamed everyone who caused this tragedy.
But to be fair, wasn't Huo Ning's initial impression of her father also rooted in hurt?
When Huo Ning revealed her identity, his first reaction was to worry that she would become a burden, which was why he was relieved that Huo Ning only asked him to raise her until she turned eighteen.
He was no different from them.
Huo Xiaozheng's throat felt like it was stuffed with cotton, unable to say more.
This was clearly his fault.
As Shen Shiyan listened to his friend's confession, he felt both sympathy and a hint of schadenfreude. He remembered how Huo Xiaozheng had once left Ning Ning far away in the suburbs, not even picking her up from the hospital.
One could only call it karmic retribution.
He cleared his throat, "Now is not the time for self-blame. Ning Ning's condition requires treatment."
Huo Xiaozheng pulled himself out of his emotions and said seriously, "Have you found the doctor I asked you to look for?"
Shen Shiyan nodded, "My college classmate. She went abroad to study psychology after graduation. I contacted her a few days ago, and she happens to be back in the country."
"Good, let's set up an appointment as soon as possible."
"Mm, don't be too hard on yourself," Shen Shiyan pondered for a moment. "Today's situation might not be a bad thing for Ning Ning. Now that everything is out in the open, it allows the sun to shine in."
"However, we need to be careful about guiding Ning Ning's behavior from now on. Otherwise, she might become extreme."
Huo Xiaozheng grunted in agreement.
This was something Huo Xiaozheng understood.
That's why he had always allowed Huo Ning to draw, hoping it would help her release her emotions.
The car fell into silence. Shen Shiyan waved Xi Chuan over, and they drove away.
While Huo Ning's body was in deep sleep, her consciousness remained awake.
After the intense crying, the original soul seemed to have found release, its consciousness seemingly dissipating without a trace.
Huo Ning had originally wanted to try and return the body to its original owner, but it seemed the original soul had no attachment to this world whatsoever.
This was for the best.
For Huo Ning, this world was a book, a new life. But for the original soul, it was no different from purgatory.
If that was the case, she would live on in place of the original soul.
If there was a next life, she hoped the original soul would be reborn into a happy family and have a joyful life.
With these thoughts, Huo Ning drifted off to sleep.
Xi Chuan drove the car back to the villa, with Shen Shiyan getting out as well.
"I'll be staying nearby for the next few days," Shen Shiyan pointed towards his family's direction, as the Shen Family's Old Residence was right next to Huo Xiaozheng's home. "If anything happens, call me anytime."
Huo Xiaozheng nodded at him and carried Huo Ning towards the house.
Shen Shiyan clicked his tongue, "The Huo Xiaozheng from just now was more personable."
Xi Chuan in the driver's seat kept his eyes straight ahead and his mouth shut, pretending he hadn't heard anything.
Meanwhile, as soon as Huo Xiaozheng entered the house, he saw Huo Yueze, Zheng Jinxiu, and Old Master Huo sitting in his living room.
The wall clock pointed to 7 PM.
Huo Xiaozheng held Huo Ning with one arm while helping her change shoes, and asked, "Mom, Dad, why are you here?"
Huo Yueze rushed over in a few steps, "Uncle, reporters caught you hurriedly leaving the wedding venue with Ning Ning in your arms. Is Ning Ning okay?"
"Did they capture Ning Ning's face?" Huo Xiaozheng's eyes suddenly turned cold.
Huo Yueze felt a chill run down his spine, involuntarily taking a step back, shaking his head frantically, "No. The reporters only caught the back view. I recognized Ning Ning's shoes, so..."
Huo Xiaozheng handed Huo Ning to Aunt Xu, who was waiting nearby, instructing, "Put her to bed upstairs and keep an eye on her."
Aunt Xu responded with an "Alright" and took Huo Ning upstairs.
After this, Huo Xiaozheng walked towards the living room and explained, "Ning Ning... is fine. I can handle it."
Zheng Jinxiu stood up, her voice filled with concern, "The previous news reports said that Ning Ning had been abused. Now that we've met Ning Ning, we're family. Tell Mom the truth, what exactly happened to Ning Ning?"
"Didn't you say earlier that she's also my granddaughter?" Old Master Huo chimed in.
Huo Xiaozheng thought for a moment, sat down opposite them, and briefly explained the day's events.
"That's roughly what happened. Shen Shiyan says that with gradual care, there shouldn't be any major issues."
Huo Yueze was so angry his curly hair seemed about to explode, "How can there be such a mother in this world! From now on, I'll protect Ning Ning. I'd like to see who dares to bully her!"
Old Master Huo hit him on the arm with his cane, "Protect what? Are you some kind of hoodlum?!"
Huo Yueze wanted to say something, but noticing Huo Xiaozheng's displeased expression, he could only mutter, "What's wrong with wanting to protect my sister..."
Zheng Jinxiu sighed, "In the end, it's all because of your misdeeds. It's my poor granddaughter who suffers..."
Old Master Huo said, "I was wondering. That Jiang boy has always been at odds with you, stubbornly refusing to back down before. Today, he announced at the wedding that he's gifting 5% of the Jiang Family's shares to Ning Ning. He and Qin Zhiyi even apologized to Ning Ning at the wedding venue."
"So that's the reason behind it."
At this point, Old Master Huo scoffed, "What's 5% of shares? There's nothing our Huo Family can't provide."
Huo Yueze interrupted with clear eyes, "I also have many things to give Ning Ning. Grandpa, when will my sister be adopted into our family?"