Early the next morning, Huo Ning awoke in the dawn light.
The morning sun filtered through the gaps in the white gauze curtains, spilling onto her small bed.
On the larger bed, Huo Xiaozheng was still asleep.
Huo Ning stretched lazily, then tiptoed out of bed and quietly left the room.
"Ning Ning?" Huo Yueze's groggy voice came from downstairs.
Huo Ning was a bit confused: "Good morning, big brother. Why are you at my house?"
She held onto the railing, taking the stairs one step at a time.
Seeing her little legs moving so cautiously, Huo Yueze took a few big strides forward and scooped her up.
"I came over with grandpa and grandma to see you last night. It got too late, so we stayed over." He set Huo Ning down and replied gently: "Why are you up so early?"
Huo Ning looked up at him: "I'm hungry."
It was just six in the morning, and Aunt Xu hadn't arrived yet.
Huo Yueze took her hand and walked to the refrigerator, then picked her up: "What do you want to eat? Big brother will make it for you."
Knowing Huo Yueze's status as a young master from a wealthy family, Huo Ning chose something simple: "Tomato and egg noodles."
Huo Yueze confidently replied: "That's easy!"
He heated up a cup of milk for Huo Ning to drink, then got busy in the kitchen.
The kitchen was open-plan, so Huo Ning sat on a stool at the island, slurping down half the cup of milk and swinging her feet as she watched Huo Yueze cook.
The young man was tall and lanky, his natural brown curls tousled from sleep. His fair face still showed traces of drowsiness, and he yawned repeatedly, but it didn't detract from his handsomeness at all.
For Huo Yueze's first time cooking, to show his affection for his little sister, he cut up six large tomatoes and six eggs.
"Big brother, do you not know how to do this?" Huo Ning asked, finding it strange that he stood there dazed after finishing the chopping.
Huo Yueze's ears turned red: "Of course I do. Just wait patiently for your meal."
After saying this, he turned his back to Huo Ning and secretly took out his phone to search for a recipe for tomato and egg noodles.
After quickly reading through it, Huo Yueze regained his confidence.
He lit the gas stove, took out a wok, poured in some oil, threw in a bit of minced garlic, and then poured in the eggs. Instantly, hot oil splattered, catching Huo Yueze off guard. Several red spots appeared on his arm where he was scalded.
He cried out in surprise.
Huo Ning grew anxious and tried to climb down from her stool.
"Big brother, are you okay?"
Huo Yueze quickly tried to save face: "I'm fine! This is normal when cooking. Don't come over here, just keep drinking your milk."
Seeing that his tone was normal, Huo Ning relaxed a bit: "Be careful, big brother. Don't hurt yourself."
Inwardly, she felt a bit regretful: Tomato and egg noodles – was it too complicated after all?
Seeing that the eggs had taken shape, Huo Yueze lifted his hand and poured in the tomatoes. The small wok instantly became so full it was nearly overflowing.
"Wow, it smells so good!" Huo Ning praised sincerely as she caught the aroma.
This praise boosted Huo Yueze's confidence, which had been wavering. He poured in a bowl of water with the air of a king ascending his throne.
The wok couldn't handle the load, and soup spilled out immediately.
Huo Yueze scrambled to scoop it up with a ladle. For a moment, the kitchen was in chaos.
After fifteen minutes, Huo Yueze finally managed to produce a bowl of tomato and egg noodles.
"Eat up, little sister."
Afraid of letting her go hungry, Huo Yueze fanned her noodles to cool them down while urging her to eat.
She lowered her head and took a bite, immediately giving a thumbs up: "Big brother, you're amazing! This tastes so good!"
Huo Yueze's eyes sparkled: "Really?"
Huo Ning nodded emphatically.
"Huo Yueze, what mischief are you up to now? Making such a racket that one can't even sleep peacefully."
Huo Jing, wearing dark blue pajamas and looking half-asleep, walked over with a frown, looking at the two at the table.
Huo Yueze retorted defiantly: "I'm not causing trouble. Ning Ning was hungry, so I'm making her breakfast."
Huo Ning looked at the newcomer.
"Auntie?" Huo Ning called tentatively.
Huo Jing reached out and pinched her little cheek, smiling and making an affirmative sound.
Huo Yueze, who was about to introduce Huo Jing, asked in surprise: "You know Auntie?"
Huo Ning shook her head, then nodded: "I've seen photos on Dad's phone."
Huo Jing looked over the little girl before her. She seemed a bit frail, but her complexion was good. Her big eyes were bright and sparkling, making her quite endearing.
Such an adorable child, how could that good-for-nothing mother of hers be so heartless?
But still...
"Are you even five years old?" Huo Jing asked sincerely.
The little girl wasn't just frail, she also seemed quite short. She could easily pass for a three-year-old.
Huo Ning nodded: "Yes, I'm almost five years old."
Huo Jing felt a bit displeased, though not with Huo Ning, but with Shi Lili.
She poured herself a glass of water and sat down across from Huo Ning: "What did Yueze make for you?"
Huo Ning proudly pushed her bowl towards her: "It's tomato and egg noodles. Would you like some, Auntie?"
The bowl of tomato and egg "noodles" before her, piled up like a small mountain, looked thoroughly unappetizing.
But it was hard to refuse such a sincere offer. Huo Jing picked up Ning Ning's chopsticks, intending to find a bit of noodle to taste, but...
"There are no noodles in this tomato and egg noodle dish?" Huo Jing had never been so speechless in her life: "Huo Yueze, since when does tomato and egg stir-fry use whole fried eggs?"
It was only then that Huo Ning realized that in this mountain of a breakfast, Huo Yueze seemed to have, possibly, perhaps, forgotten to add the noodles.
Feeling embarrassed, Huo Yueze mumbled: "Oh, I forgot. I was a bit nervous since it's my first time cooking."
Huo Jing clicked her tongue, reaching out to take the bowl away: "Where's the housekeeper? Let him make a proper bowl."
A soft little hand pressed on her wrist, stopping her action. Huo Ning said with an obedient face: "There's no need. I think it's very delicious. It's big brother's first time cooking, and he's already done a great job!"
Huo Jing's face clearly said 'Did you hit your head or something?': "?"
Ignoring her, Huo Ning picked up her chopsticks and continued eating.
Huo Yueze was so touched he almost burst into tears: "Waaah, little sister loves me so much!"
Huo Jing raised her hand and smacked the back of his head.
Huo Xiaozheng, who had witnessed this scene from the stairs, allowed a smile to curve his lips as he slowly descended.
He walked to Huo Ning's side, reached out to smooth down the messy hair on top of her head, and asked gently: "There's some strawberry cake that Aunt Xu made last night in the fridge. Would you like some?"
Huo Ning looked at Huo Yueze with a conflicted expression.
Such a small child, yet so considerate of the older child's feelings.
Huo Xiaozheng glanced at Huo Yueze.
"You're still growing, and you need a balanced diet. Just tomatoes and eggs aren't enough. Why don't you share the rest with your brother?"
Huo Xiaozheng effortlessly provided her with an excuse.
Huo Jing rolled her eyes. This man's ability to lie through his teeth was truly first-rate.
Huo Yueze, still overwhelmed with emotion, naturally went along with whatever his little sister wanted.
"Uncle is right. You should eat something else too. That way you'll grow up big and strong!"
Huo Ning flashed a sweet smile: "Okay! Big brother, let's eat together. We'll both grow tall! You need to grow as tall as Dad!"
Huo Yueze nodded happily.
Huo Jing moved her seat a bit further away, looking somewhat disgusted.
"When are you going back to the main house?" Huo Xiaozheng took a sip of water.
Huo Jing was a bit surprised: "Is it really necessary? Are you actually kicking me out?"
Huo Xiaozheng glanced at Huo Ning, who was tilting her head back as she waited for Huo Yueze to cut the cake.
"Ning Ning is very sensitive."
"So, until you learn to control your temperament, I don't want Ning Ning to suffer even the slightest harm from you," Huo Xiaozheng met Huo Jing's gaze seriously, with a hint of warning. "Do you understand?"
Huo Jing's expression became a bit uncomfortable.