Huo Xiaozheng patted her head gently. "Ning Ning, everyone has their own destiny."
Though he said this, Huo Guining still wanted to change the fate of others.
However, her situation with Huo Xiaozheng wasn't as good as she had imagined, so she didn't dare to act rashly.
She nodded dejectedly.
Seeing her unhappiness, a calculating look flashed in Huo Xiaozheng's eyes.
On stage, the children's play was in full swing, with exquisite stage production.
Huo Guining, however, was too preoccupied to fully appreciate it.
"Are you still thinking about Lingling?"
Huo Guining nodded.
Huo Xiaozheng said, "How about Dad takes you to see Lingling now?"
Huo Guining's eyes lit up. "Can we?"
Huo Xiaozheng readily agreed, "Why not?"
He helped her put on her coat and carried her out. "Besides, Lingling's parents won't be back for a while."
Huo Guining's expression finally brightened.
"Dad, do you think I'm meddling in other people's business?"
Huo Xiaozheng fell silent.
In the past, he would have definitely considered this meddling.
But now it was different. Ning Ning was struggling with her conscience over this matter, so it wasn't simply interference anymore.
"Ning Ning, you have a soft heart," Huo Xiaozheng said sincerely. "Dad isn't troubled by this. In fact, Dad is proud of you."
Before, Huo Xiaozheng had never experienced such tender emotions.
To him, the world was about competition, urgent decision-making, and being constantly on edge like a taut bowstring, with him as the arrow ready to be released.
After having Ning Ning, he experienced a different kind of life through her.
This life was no worse than his day-to-day work.
In fact, it gave meaning to his daily toil.
Huo Guining couldn't grasp such deep thoughts.
Hearing Huo Xiaozheng's words, she immediately cheered up.
The driver, seeing them come out so quickly, hurriedly sat up straight.
"Mr. Huo, are we going home?"
Huo Xiaozheng gave an address, and the black business car drove into the dark night.
Lingling sat on the doorstep, bored, playing with Niuniu.
Niuniu, oblivious to her melancholy, lay at Lingling's feet, enjoying being petted.
Her parents had taken her little brother to see the children's play. She heard there were musical performers who sang beautifully.
Lingling had wanted to go too.
But her parents said someone needed to watch the house.
Lingling and Niuniu were the perfect house-sitting duo.
Lingling wasn't happy about it and argued with her mother, insisting on going.
Her mother had beaten her, pulling her hair.
She touched her cheek, which was hot and still stinging.
A blinding light shone on her face, and Lingling shielded her eyes, looking towards the source.
Huo Guining, wearing little leather shoes, came running up to Lingling, her footsteps echoing.
"Lingling!"
As she approached Lingling, Huo Guining suddenly felt timid and hesitated about a meter away.
The harsh light faded.
After her eyes adjusted, Lingling could finally see clearly who was in front of her.
A big smile spread across her face as she quickly stood up and rushed to Ning Ning.
She lowered her head and asked, "Why did you come?"
Huo Guining said, "I just saw your parents and brother at the children's theater. I was worried you might be bored alone at home, so I came over."
The loneliness on Lingling's face vanished instantly.
Although Huo Guining was only 5 years old, Lingling unconsciously treated her like a peer.
Huo Guining indeed felt a bit unsure: "Lingling, are you mad at me?"
Lingling was a bit confused.
Huo Guining reminded her, "That day, when I said you weren't my friend."
Lingling smiled generously, "Ning Ning, you're so smart. I can't explain why, but I feel like what you said was right."
This time it was Huo Guining's turn to be surprised.
Lingling smiled shyly, "I was worried you might look down on me because of my parents."
Huo Guining shook her head vigorously, "No, never. You are you, and your parents are your parents."
Lingling said, "I went to the hotel to find you this afternoon."
Huo Guining was startled, "Then why didn't I see you?"
Lingling shook her head, "The hotel was too fancy. I didn't dare go in without you. I was afraid you might leave at any time, but there were some things I wanted to tell you."
Huo Guining said seriously, "Tell me, I'm listening."
Lingling pulled Huo Guining to sit down on the doorstep. Niuniu lay flat beside her owner, ready to be petted.
"Thank you and your dad for helping me that day, and thank you for considering me a friend," Lingling asked, "Can I secretly write to you in the future?"
Seeing the hesitation in Huo Guining's eyes, Lingling raised her hand and swore, "I absolutely won't let my parents find out, and if they do, I'll never reveal it was you."
Her words made Huo Guining seem petty.
But thinking of Huo Xiaozheng, Huo Guining still said, "Lingling, my home is in South City."
Huo Guining took out a small bracelet from her backpack. It was a dress-up toy that Huo Xiaozheng had bought for her, with crystal beads that Huo Guining had strung together according to her preference.
"Lingling, study hard and come to South City for school in the future. Then we can be friends again." Huo Guining placed the bracelet in Lingling's hand. "Let's use this bracelet as a token of our promise."
The crystal bracelet emitted a soft glow in the night.
Lingling happily tucked it away, "Okay! Wait for me!"
After a moment's thought, Lingling rushed into the house and came back with a small Mickey Mouse hair clip for Huo Guining.
"This is my token for you."
Huo Guining held Lingling's hand, "Now that you've accepted my token, we must meet in South City, okay?"
Lingling nodded firmly.
In the night sky, stars twinkled, and the cool moonlight illuminated their eyes.
Huo Xiaozheng leaned against the car door, waiting until Huo Guining walked over, looking back every few steps.
"Did you finish talking?"
Huo Guining nodded.
As they were leaving, Huo Guining lowered the car window and called out to Lingling, "Remember our promise, okay?"
Huo Xiaozheng curiously asked about the content of the promise.
Huo Guining kept quiet, only saying, "It's a promise about hope."
Then she asked, "Dad, can we come back to play every year?"
Huo Xiaozheng immediately understood Ning Ning's true intentions.
He gently stroked her head and asked softly, "Ning Ning, if Dad makes a mistake, will you forgive me?"
Huo Guining immediately replied, "I think you're doing an excellent job as a dad. You won't make mistakes."
Her tone was like she was comforting a child, but she sounded very certain.
Huo Xiaozheng sighed, hoping she would always think that way.
The next day, Huo Guining stuffed all the delicious treats and fun things she had collected in Yun City into her suitcase.
Huo Xiaozheng, fully dressed, was putting on his watch while watching Huo Guining huffing and puffing as she packed. He couldn't help but remind her:
"If you want to eat something, I can have someone buy it and send it to you. No need to go to such trouble."
Hearing Huo Xiaozheng's words, Huo Guining looked at him with an expression that said 'you don't understand'.
It wasn't until they arrived in South City and returned to the Huo family's old house that Huo Xiaozheng understood her packing behavior.