Although Huo Xiaozheng was extremely busy, he was somewhat aware of the current popular trend of "check-in" activities.
At various internet-famous spots, whether scenic views or local snacks, Huo Xiaozheng would stop to take a couple of photos for her.
At first, Huo Guining would cooperate by making a peace sign, but gradually, her socially anxious nature began to show.
Internet-famous spots, as the name suggests, are places where many people come to take commemorative photos.
Huo Xiaozheng's photography style was completely different from before.
Previously, he'd take one photo per second and move on to the next spot.
Now, Huo Xiaozheng seemed determined to capture her from all 360 degrees.
"Face that way, smile, good, now look here..."
Some onlookers, seeing this heartwarming scene, secretly took pictures.
In the photos, the 6'3" tall Huo Xiaozheng was crouching on the ground, earnestly taking pictures of the little girl standing about three feet away.
Some onlookers waited patiently, while impatient tourists couldn't help but urge, "Are you done yet...?"
An ill-tempered Auntie walked right up to Guining and rudely bumped her aside.
Huo Xiaozheng quickly pulled her away, his expression darkening.
Huo Guining swiftly took hold of the leash and led Huo Xiaozheng in another direction: "Oh, what's that over there? It looks so delicious!"
Huo Xiaozheng gave the Auntie a cold look before following Huo Guining.
The snacks in Yun City tasted completely different from those in South City. Huo Guining had a good appetite and could accept all flavors, enjoying everything with gusto.
"Dad, do you want to try some?"
Huo Xiaozheng looked at the small insects in Huo Guining's hand and frowned, "No need, Dad doesn't like that."
Although Huo's ancestors were from Yun City, Huo Xiaozheng was born and raised in South City.
His dietary habits were completely different from those of Yun City.
Plus, the appearance of these insects was terrifying, and Huo Xiaozheng had no desire to try them.
Seeing he wasn't interested, Huo Guining didn't insist. She ate them one by one, crunching the insects with relish.
Huo Xiaozheng crouched down to brush off the food debris from her clothes.
A strong aroma of roasted food wafted into his nostrils.
Could they really be that delicious?
Huo Xiaozheng wondered.
Huo Guining quickly finished the small box of fried insects. Huo Xiaozheng took out a tissue from her small backpack and wiped her hands.
"That's enough street food for today. We'll go somewhere else for dinner later."
Huo Xiaozheng noticed that the hygiene conditions of the street stalls were not ideal and worried that Guining might get an upset stomach later.
Fortunately, Guining was obedient and simply nodded in response.
Seeing that it was getting dark, Huo Xiaozheng led Guining back towards their hotel.
Passing by a rural-style restaurant, Huo Guining's attention was drawn to a small dog at the entrance, and she kept looking back.
Huo Xiaozheng followed her gaze.
It was a local restaurant that looked relatively clean.
Huo Xiaozheng asked, "Do you want to eat dinner here?"
Huo Guining's eyes lit up, and she nodded immediately.
As they entered the restaurant, they realized that business was quite slow.
Even though it was dinner time, the place was nearly empty.
Huo Guining didn't mind. After entering, Huo Xiaozheng sat down at a nearby table, looking at the menu and ordering from the staff.
Huo Guining left Huo Xiaozheng's side and walked towards the dog.
The dog was curled up near the main entrance, lying on a straw mat.
The dog was snow-white all over, with a black spot on one ear.
Its black eyes were watery and bright. Seeing Huo Guining approach, it raised its upper body and wagged its fluffy tail, looking utterly adorable.
Huo Guining crouched down, calling the dog good while trying to pet it.
Unexpectedly, the seemingly docile dog suddenly started barking at her loudly, startling Huo Guining.
"Niuniu isn't familiar with you yet, so you shouldn't pet her randomly."
A soft female voice came from behind.
A girl wearing a blue and white school uniform, carrying a large basket of vegetables, walked in from outside.
She looked about 10 years old, with a frail build, but her large eyes sparkled brightly.
Seeing Huo Guining look over, she smiled slightly, "But don't worry, Niuniu doesn't bite."
Huo Guining smiled back, "Is Niuniu yours? She's so cute."
The girl beamed with pride at the compliment, "Yes! Niuniu isn't just cute, she's very smart too!"
Huo Guining's eyes lit up, "Really?"
Finding a willing audience, the girl immediately put down her vegetable basket and picked up Niuniu.
"Yes, look, Niuniu can shake hands..." she said, putting Niuniu down. "Niuniu, sit..."
Niuniu immediately sat down, obediently looking at the girl.
The girl raised an eyebrow proudly and gave another command: "Niuniu, shake hands!"
Niuniu raised her front paw and placed it in the girl's palm.
Huo Guining's mouth fell open in amazement, "Wow..."
The girl's expression grew even brighter: "Niuniu..."
"Hurry up and bring those vegetables over, all you do is play with that dog all day!"
An angry shout interrupted the girl's show.
The speaker was the Landlady, who was also the girl's mother.
She stood with her hands on her hips, holding a spatula, and berated the girl: "You're useless at school, and all you care about is that dog, dog, dog."
The girl lowered her head under her mother's scolding. She picked up the vegetable basket and walked towards the kitchen, accompanied by her mother's angry words.
Huo Guining was stunned.
Huo Xiaozheng, who had witnessed everything, frowned and walked over to Huo Guining: "Do you still want to eat here?"
Huo Guining pressed her lips together and shook her head.
The Landlady, overhearing their conversation, protested: "I've already started cooking your food, you can't just say you don't want it anymore."
Huo Xiaozheng took out his wallet, pulled out several bills, and placed them on the table.
Then he picked up Huo Guining and left.
Around the corner of the kitchen, the scolded Little Girl stared wistfully at their retreating figures, lost in thought.
"That Landlady was so fierce, no wonder this restaurant doesn't have many customers," Huo Guining sighed, resting her chin on Huo Xiaozheng's shoulder, sounding like a little adult.
Huo Xiaozheng chuckled at her world-weary tone, "Everything happens for a reason."
Huo Guining sighed again, "Yeah."
Neither of them dwelled on this incident for long.
Huo Xiaozheng had the Hotel Manager make a reservation at a nearby restaurant with a nice ambiance and authentic local cuisine.
After dinner, Huo Xiaozheng took Huo Guining back to the hotel.
On the way to the parking lot, they passed by the rural restaurant again.
The little dog at the entrance stretched its neck and barked.
Inside, the Landlady was scolding loudly, her face stern.
The frail Little Girl was silently sweeping the floor with her head down.
Huo Guining felt a twinge of discomfort.
"Do you want to help her?" Huo Xiaozheng asked.
Huo Guining nodded, "It's not right for the Landlady to treat a child like that, is it?"
Huo Xiaozheng had wanted to say that things aren't always what they seem on the surface.
But from Huo Guining's perspective, he said, "You're right, that's not how parents should behave."