During the New Year's holiday, Huo Guining and Huo Yueze spent a full seven days in the hospital.
Originally, Huo Guining could have been discharged, but she was worried Huo Yueze would be lonely by himself, so she chose to stay in the hospital to keep him company.
Coincidentally, Huo Xiaozheng was quite busy with work during this time, so he let her have her way.
However, he would return to the hospital in the evenings to accompany her.
Finally, the day of discharge arrived.
Huo Xiaozheng was called away early in the morning by Xi Chuan, so Mr. and Mrs. Huo Yanqin took Huo Guining back to their home.
This was Huo Guining's first time visiting her uncle's house.
The Huo Yanqin residence was a large single-story apartment, combining Chinese-style decor with modern technology. Thanks to the mistress's attentiveness, the home was both cozy and immaculate.
"Ningning, come here, these are the slippers Aunt-in-law bought especially for you," said Elder Madam Huo, whose maiden name was Zuo Qinfang. She held a pair of purple bunny ear slippers and placed them at Huo Guining's feet.
Huo Guining sweetly thanked her.
Huo Yueze chimed in, "These slippers have been waiting for you for a long time. I've been begging Young Uncle to bring you to play at our house, but he always said he was busy."
Huo Yanqin glared at him, "Is your skin itching for a beating?"
Huo Yueze stuck out his tongue, quickly grabbed Huo Guining's hand, and ran towards his room.
"Little sister, I've kept the sculpture you sent last time safe and sound. Let me show you!"
Huo Guining followed him in a daze.
Sculpture? What sculpture?
At the Huo Group.
Xi Chuan said with some difficulty, "Mr. Huo, for this case, the person in charge on the other side insists on meeting with you face-to-face. They said if they can't see you, everything is off the table."
Huo Xiaozheng wore a white shirt and gray vest, with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing the black watch on his wrist. His long fingers and the visible veins on the back of his hand were clearly visible.
He tapped the desk, "Then we'll make the trip. Book two plane tickets. Ningning's passport is still at home, you..."
He suddenly paused, "Wait a moment."
Saying this, he took out his phone.
Meanwhile, Huo Guining was still immersed in the exquisite beauty of the sculpture. She hadn't expected Huo Yueze to like her snowman so much.
Otherwise, Huo Xiaozheng wouldn't have had her snowman made into a sculpture and sent to Huo Yueze.
Huo Guining's fondness for Huo Yueze grew even more.
When she received Huo Xiaozheng's call, Huo Yueze was rummaging through something in his bedroom, telling Huo Guining to wait.
"Dad? I'm at brother's house."
"Business trip? Abroad?"
Huo Yueze immediately rushed to Huo Guining's side, making faces at her.
Huo Guining couldn't understand his gesticulations and just thought he looked silly.
Zuo Qinfang happened to enter with a tray of fruit. Seeing the situation, she gave Huo Yueze a questioning look.
Huo Yueze then explained in a low voice.
Meanwhile, Huo Guining was still conflicted.
If she went abroad with Huo Xiaozheng, she would surely become a corporate slave 2.0 version, but if she didn't go, would she have an episode?
Huo Yueze's big face suddenly appeared in front of her, mouthing something silently.
Huo Guining's eyes lit up.
"I can stay with brother, can't I?"
"Hello?" There was no response from the other end of the phone. Huo Guining thought her watch had malfunctioned, so she hung up directly.
"Aunt-in-law, could you call my dad? I think my watch might be broken."
Zuo Qinfang certainly didn't refuse. While taking out her phone, she said, "Is dad going on a business trip abroad? Ningning, you shouldn't go, it's too tiring."
The call connected quickly, and Zuo Qinfang put it on speakerphone. Huo Xiaozheng's voice filled the room: "Sister-in-law."
Zuo Qinfang: "Oh, Ningning said you're going on a business trip?"
"Yes."
"You can focus on your work, I'll take care of Ningning for you."
After a moment of silence on the other end: "Is Ningning there?"
Huo Guining immediately replied, "I'm here."
"Dad will be gone for three days. During this time, you'll stay at your uncle's house, and let Yueze take care of you, okay?"
Huo Guining nodded, then realizing Huo Xiaozheng couldn't see her, she said, "I can do that, but brother Yueze has to go to school..."
Zuo Qinfang was a bit confused. Huo Xiaozheng usually liked peace and quiet, and her own son was always boisterous, so Huo Xiaozheng often had a cold face when seeing him.
How come now he was constantly entrusting Ningning to him?
"It's fine if Yueze goes to school, I have free time."
Zuo Qinfang was a high school teacher at the same school as Huo Yueze.
Even if she brought a child to class, it shouldn't be a big problem.
Huo Yueze's eyes lit up: "Young Uncle, you can rest assured. Before you come back, I absolutely won't let Ningning leave my 10-meter radius."
A dark gleam flashed in Huo Guining's eyes, and her heart skipped a beat. The way Huo Yueze said that...
Huo Yueze himself was oblivious, cheerfully giving her a determined look when she glanced his way.
Considering that for the past week, Ningning had spent her days with Huo Yueze without any issues, Huo Xiaozheng had no reason to refuse.
"Then I'll have the housekeeper send over your daily necessities. Have a good time at your aunt's house, and call me if anything comes up."
Huo Guining made a sound of agreement, then added, "But I think my watch might be broken. I couldn't hear your voice just now."
There was a moment of silence on the other end.
"I'll have someone get you a new phone."
"Okay."
After saying this, Huo Guining returned the phone to Zuo Qinfang.
"Sister-in-law, I'll trouble you to take care of Ningning these few days."
Zuo Qinfang was more than happy to, her face beaming as she said, "We're family, don't be so formal! Is there anything we need to pay attention to for Ningning?"
"She tends to eat without limits, so keep an eye on that. Don't let her eat too much."
"When she's using the tablet, set an alarm for her. She shouldn't stare at the screen for more than an hour continuously."
"Set it up for her, Ningning won't cancel it herself. She's very obedient in this regard."
"She tends to kick off her blanket at night, so please check on her, or simply turn up the temperature a bit."
After a pause, he added, "But if you raise the temperature, turn up the humidifier as well. If it's too dry, she won't sleep well."
The formerly aloof Mr. Huo now seemed more down-to-earth, his words carrying the air of a father.
Zuo Qinfang's expression softened, "Alright, I've noted all of that down."
After hanging up, Huo Yueze excitedly said, "Little sister, will you sleep with me tonight? You can take the bed, and I'll sleep on the couch."
Zuo Qinfang chided, "It's not like we don't have enough rooms, why do you need to squeeze together? Come, Ningning, how about you sleep in the room next to your brother's?"
As she spoke, she took Huo Guining's hand and led her to the adjacent room.
Huo Yueze grinned foolishly, not objecting.
Meanwhile, on the other side.
After hanging up the phone, Huo Xiaozheng felt somewhat powerless.
Xi Chuan, waiting nearby, didn't rush him, quietly allowing him to process his emotions.
After a long while, Huo Xiaozheng spoke, "Go ahead and book the flight tickets."
Xi Chuan smiled, "Do we still need to book one for Miss Ningning?"
Huo Xiaozheng slumped, "No need."
Not long after, the housekeeper delivered Huo Guining's daily necessities and clothes.
A total of three large suitcases.
"This suitcase contains bedding and toiletries."
"This one is for clothes."
"And this one has Miss Ningning's favorite snacks and some vitamins."
The housekeeper explained with a smile, "There are also two personal bodyguards on standby nearby. If Miss Ningning leaves the compound, please call on them to accompany her."
Saying this, the housekeeper handed over a piece of paper, "These are the bodyguards' contact details."
Zuo Qinfang was dumbfounded.