In the living room.
"This is the dress I designed for Aunt," Huo Ning sat on the sofa, her small hand pointing at the tablet screen.
Old Master Huo sat on her left, wearing reading glasses, eagerly following her finger, admiring her masterpiece.
"This dress..." Old Master Huo's eyes looked a bit dazed, "Why does it look a bit creepy?"
Zheng Jinxiu sat on Huo Ning's right side.
Hearing her husband's dangerous comment, Zheng Jinxiu hurriedly tried to smooth things over: "What do you mean creepy! This is art, it's stylish!"
Huo Ning tilted her head in a thoughtful pose, and after a moment, she stated firmly: "I think Grandma is right!"
Saying this, she turned her back and leaned towards Zheng Jinxiu, pointing at the model in the picture and continuing to introduce: "This dress is called 'Blood-Colored Bride', these red parts are the color of blood splattered on it..."
Zheng Jinxiu's face froze.
Huo Ning continued to enthusiastically explain her design concept: "It symbolizes new life."
Huo Xiaozheng came out of the reception room to see his parents looking dumbfounded and his daughter talking non-stop.
Her little mouth was still chattering: "There's also a set of veils, also in white and red... Aunt will look so cool wearing it..."
Huo Xiaozheng walked over, took one glance at the iPad, and felt his heart age several years instantly.
He calmly said: "Is this your new work?"
Huo Ning nodded, holding up the screen for him to see, with an expression seeking praise.
Huo Jing walked over as well. She had vaguely heard that Ning Ning had designed clothes for her, and driven by curiosity, she also looked at the screen.
She had thought it would be a child's doodle, but unexpectedly, the screen showed a proper model, with features similar to hers, wearing an avant-garde dress.
It was both bloody and romantic.
She let out a "Wow!" exclamation: "This is so cool!"
It truly resonated with her.
Huo Ning's eyes sparkled: "Does Aunt like it?"
Huo Jing gave a 100% affirmation: "I love it so much!"
Huo Jing's words were sincere, without a hint of perfunctoriness.
Huo Ning smiled even more happily.
"Did you draw this?"
Huo Ning nodded heavily: "I drew it for Aunt on the day of her magazine photoshoot!"
The amazement in Huo Jing's eyes hadn't faded.
She crouched down, her eyes level with Huo Ning on the sofa.
"Ning Ning, Aunt hasn't been doing well before. Aunt wants to apologize to you."
Huo Ning looked confused: "Aunt hasn't done anything wrong."
Huo Jing said self-deprecatingly: "If it wasn't for me not taking good care of you, you wouldn't have been photographed by someone. You're already weak, and I still..."
Huo Jing couldn't continue speaking.
Huo Ning jumped off the sofa and stretched out her arms to hug her: "Aunt, it's not your fault. Let's get along well from now on."
The innocent words made Huo Jing's eyes well up with tears.
She buried her head in Huo Ning's neck, her voice a bit choked: "I'm so glad to meet you, my little niece."
Huo Ning gently patted her back, speaking softly: "I'm glad to meet you too, my beautiful aunt."
This loving scene, in Old Master Huo's eyes, was very eye-catching.
He wondered what nickname his little granddaughter had given him.
On the way back, Huo Ning remained in an excited state.
Huo Xiaozheng said amusedly: "Do you like your aunt that much?"
Huo Ning nodded: "Aunt is beautiful."
Huo Xiaozheng, as if possessed, continued: "Then what about Dad?"
Huo Ning was stunned.
Huo Xiaozheng's features were rather cold and hard, he usually wore his hair slicked back, always in formal attire, giving off an unapproachable aura.
"Dad is handsome and cool!" Huo Ning evaluated sincerely.
Perhaps it was the perfect night, or perhaps Huo Ning seemed very talkative tonight.
Huo Xiaozheng continued: "Then do you like Dad or Aunt more?"
Huo Ning replied without hesitation: "I like Dad."
She gave her answer almost instantly, without any time for thought.
Her tone was very natural.
Huo Ning's thinking was simple. She came into this world with a thousand ties to Huo Xiaozheng.
In fact, her very life safety depended on Huo Xiaozheng.
So, for Huo Ning, let alone Huo Jing, no one was as important as Huo Xiaozheng.
But Huo Xiaozheng clearly misunderstood.
In the dim car, Huo Xiaozheng's lips curved up uncontrollably.
The following days, Huo Ning spent her time working, swimming, shopping, and attending psychological counseling.
As Huo Xiaozheng had said, following the nutritionist's diet plan, Huo Ning visibly rounded up.
On New Year's Day, Huo Xiaozheng finally took a break from being a workaholic.
Huo Ning slept until noon and was dug out of her blankets by Huo Xiaozheng for lunch.
This day was New Year's Day.
In the evening, they would return to the old mansion to have dinner and celebrate the New Year with the Huo family.
Huo Yueze sent her a message saying he had prepared lots of fireworks to set off for her to watch that night.
Huo Ning was looking forward to this.
After lunch, accompanied by Huo Xiaozheng, she swam in the pool for a while. After returning, she started to show signs of restlessness.
She even put aside her tablet, neither looking at it nor drawing.
Huo Xiaozheng found it amusing.
"Tonight we'll meet Grandpa and Grandma's good friends, so stylists will come over later to help you get ready," Huo Xiaozheng explained, seeing her fidgeting on the sofa. "Once you're styled, we'll head to the old mansion, okay?"
Huo Ning nodded eagerly.
Soon after, the stylists arrived.
The butler led everyone to a room on the second floor.
The room was directly opposite Huo Xiaozheng's bedroom, prepared as Huo Ning's future bedroom, and was fully decorated.
The bedroom was spacious, with a huge walk-in closet and bathroom. The decor leaned towards warm tones, looking very comfortable.
This was also Huo Ning's first time entering this room. Learning that this room was prepared for her, Huo Ning was already eager to move in immediately.
Once Huo Ning was seated, the stylists began their work.
Huo Ning's face had gained some flesh, looking fair and tender, with a hint of pampered luxury.
The hairstylist trimmed her long black hair slightly, leaving her with straight bangs.
He took out an electric curling iron, intending to curl her hair, but was stopped by Huo Ning.
"Uncle, I want this hairstyle," Huo Ning pointed at a picture on the tablet, her voice soft.
The model in the photo had a princess cut hairstyle.
The hairstylist looked a bit troubled.
It wasn't that the hairstyle wasn't pretty, but this kind of hairstyle paired with a princess dress...
The makeup artist, hearing her voice, also peeked at the picture, showing the same troubled look in her eyes.
Huo Ning didn't mind.
She hopped off the chair, pitter-pattered to the bedroom, and with Huo Xiaozheng's help, brought out her purple long dress.
"I want to match it with this dress!" Huo Ning announced to everyone.
They all looked at each other, at a loss for what to do.
This was a bit contrary to Mr. Huo's instructions.
Huo Ning looked anxiously at Huo Xiaozheng, her big eyes drooping.
Huo Xiaozheng smiled, patted her head, and signaled everyone to do as she said.