Throughout the event, Xi Chuan carefully followed the boss's instructions, keeping within 5 meters of Huo Xiaozheng at all times.
However, Ningning was already a 5-year-old child, and holding her for a long time inevitably made his arms ache.
Fortunately, not long after someone else took over carrying her, Huo Guining woke up.
"Ningning, are you awake?"
Huo Guining nodded, indicating for him to put her down.
Although Huo Xiaozheng had brought her out, to avoid being photographed by paparazzi, he had put a mask on her when they got out of the car.
As a result, Huo Guining's voice sounded a bit muffled when she spoke.
"Where's Dad?"
Xi Chuan hurriedly put her down, discreetly flexing his sore shoulders, and pointed towards the main stage: "The Chairman is over there."
Huo Guining looked in the direction he was pointing.
Huo Xiaozheng stood there with a cold expression, his elegant figure commanding and exuding the aura of a person in power.
Huo Guining couldn't help but exclaim: "My dad is so handsome."
Huo Xiaozheng had always maintained the habit of working out. Often, by the time Huo Guining was just waking up, Huo Xiaozheng had already finished exercising.
As a result, Huo Xiaozheng was in great shape.
There was absolutely no sign of the middle-age spread that often comes with getting older.
Xi Chuan choked a bit: "Yes... he is."
Noticing Huo Guining's gaze, Huo Xiaozheng glanced in her direction.
Huo Guining's eyes lit up, and she immediately waved at him.
Huo Xiaozheng nodded at her with an expressionless face, but there was a glimmer of laughter in his eyes.
The entire ceremony didn't last long. After taking photos with the media, Huo Xiaozheng returned.
Some media representatives noticed Huo Guining's appearance and followed, sensing a story.
"This must be Chairman Huo's daughter. She's so pretty."
"She looks very well-behaved."
"Chairman Huo, would it be alright if we took a photo of you together?"
Huo Guining was very cold towards the reporters. She clutched Huo Xiaozheng's clothes and lowered her eyes, not looking at them.
The media reporters all knew about the situation with Huo Xiaozheng's daughter, and seeing her attitude, they all felt a bit awkward.
Huo Xiaozheng directly picked up Huo Guining and said coldly: "If there's nothing else, you can all leave now."
The reporters left sheepishly.
Huo Guining's attitude also effectively rejected Huo Jing's earlier suggestion.
There was absolutely no need for a parent-child reality show.
As for future matters, when Ningning grows up, he would face them with her together.
Not relying on netizens, not relying on reporters, not bowing to public opinion.
Huo Xiaozheng checked his watch; it was almost quitting time.
He carried Huo Guining towards the car: "We'll have dinner at the old house tonight."
Huo Guining asked: "Will brother be there too?"
Huo Xiaozheng: "Yes, Uncle and his family will all be there."
Huo Guining: "What about Auntie?"
Huo Xiaozheng: "Auntie will be there too."
Huo Guining: "Then we can play Monopoly together."
Huo Xiaozheng: "Auntie might not have time."
Huo Guining: "Do you have time then?"
Huo Xiaozheng didn't answer immediately. After pondering for a moment, he said: "I should, probably."
Xi Chuan listened to their conversation and felt somewhat moved.
The Chairman's patience has improved so much.
On the way, Huo Xiaozheng asked about the Yun City project.
Xi Chuan answered: "Someone from inside the Jiang family said that Chairman Jiang doesn't intend to use that piece of land in Yun City for commercial purposes."
Huo Xiaozheng's tone was puzzled: "Not for commercial use?"
Xi Chuan nodded: "That's right."
The Jiang family had been in South City for generations. If they bought that piece of land but not for commercial use, it was very likely, just like himself, that it was for private use.
If that was the case, then his only purpose would be Qin Zhiyi.
Like the Huo family, the Qin family's ancestral home was also in Yun City.
It was very possible that Jiang Suyuan bought this piece of land to give to Qin Zhiyi.
Thinking of this, Huo Xiaozheng's face gradually darkened.
Hearing "Chairman Jiang," Huo Guining asked curiously: "Dad, what are you talking about?"
Huo Xiaozheng concealed his expression: "Nothing, just work stuff."
Hearing him say this, Huo Guining felt a bit anxious.
Although Jiang Suyuan and Qin Zhiyi were already married, Huo Xiaozheng, as the villain in the book, wasn't following the plot.
But she couldn't show too much curiosity about Jiang Suyuan.
Otherwise, it would arouse Huo Xiaozheng's suspicion.
Huo Guining felt like she was itching to scratch her ears and cheeks.
Seeing her thirst for knowledge was so strong, Huo Xiaozheng took the initiative to ask: "What's wrong?"
Huo Guining opened her mouth, not knowing how to start.
Until Xi Chuan got out of the car.
"Chairman Huo, do we need to investigate further into the Jiang corporation?"
Huo Xiaozheng: "Go ahead. Since they've also entered the qualification review stage, we should scout out the competition."
After Xi Chuan left, Huo Guining finally found an opening to ask: "Dad, are the Jiang family targeting you again?"
Huo Xiaozheng smirked: "As if they're capable of that."
Huo Guining: ...
The confidence of a villain was truly strong enough to make one want to cry.
Not only was Jiang Suyuan capable, he might even bring you down.
Thinking back on recent events, with the constant scandals surrounding the Huo family, she wondered...
"Dad, will we go bankrupt?"
Huo Guining's words were shocking.
Huo Xiaozheng was stunned: "Why would you ask that?"
Huo Guining thought for a moment: "When I first came home, didn't Grandpa worry that Aunt Qin marrying Uncle Jiang would affect your company?"
Huo Xiaozheng hadn't expected that she would remember such a thing at her young age.
"Don't worry, I can handle it."
Huo Xiaozheng patted her head, cutting off the topic without further discussion.
Huo Guining fell into deep thought.
According to the original setting, as long as she gained Huo Xiaozheng's trust and prevented him from taking action against Qin Zhiyi and Jiang Suyuan again,
She would be able to break free from the plot's constraints on her and no longer need to rely on Huo Xiaozheng to survive.
But the facts proved that even though her relationship with Huo Xiaozheng had improved, her condition hadn't completely alleviated.
She still needed to depend on Huo Xiaozheng to maintain her health.
Huo Guining began to feel uneasy inside.
That day, all the Huo family members were present.
Huo Jing complained that recently it felt like she had been cursed, constantly being picked on and haunted by troubles.
Old Master Huo snorted coldly: "When you chose that line of work, you should have known this day would come."
Zheng Jinxiu raised her hand to pat him: "Our daughter is in a bad mood, and you're still saying such cold words."
Old Master Huo pressed his lips into a straight line and said no more.
Huo Guining felt increasingly anxious.
"Oh right, the director of that parent-child reality show asked me again. Brother, do you want to take Ningning to participate?" Huo Jing asked Huo Xiaozheng.
Old Master Huo's anger, which had just subsided, nearly flared up again.
Huo Guining was confused: "Parent-child reality show?"
She looked at Huo Xiaozheng, her eyes seeming to say, 'Dad didn't tell me about this.'
Huo Xiaozheng patted her head: "I didn't plan on taking Ningning."
Huo Jing pressed her lips together: "Actually, this is a great opportunity. The recent news has made the stock market look not so good, so at this time..."
Huo Xiaozheng interrupted: "It's not necessary."
Huo Guining became anxious. She tugged at Huo Xiaozheng's clothes and asked: "What does Auntie mean?"
Huo Xiaozheng thought for a moment and explained: "Auntie wants me to take you on a show to gain some goodwill for the company and increase its visibility."
"Why do we need to gain goodwill?" Huo Guining didn't understand: "Is it because of the news about me before?"
The atmosphere suddenly cooled.