Huo Xiaozheng''s sudden question left Huo Guining bewildered.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Noticing his unusual expression, she cautiously asked, "Dad, what''s wrong?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Xiaozheng repeated himself.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Guining widened her eyes and replied sincerely, "If you weren''t pressing so hard, it wouldn''t hurt."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Xiaozheng felt a bit agitated. He didn''t respond further, silently finished applying the medicine, and then got up to go to the bathroom.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Guining, still caught up in their cross-purposes conversation, looked slightly dazed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Zheng Jinxiu cast a meaningful nce at Huo Xiaozheng''s retreating figure. She wanted to say something but swallowed her words. Instead, she chose to sit down beside Huo Guining''s bed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    She began pulling items out of therge and small packages the steward had brought:<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Abalone porridge, shrimp dumplings, steamed chicken feet, pea pudding, Buddha''s hand pastries, brown sugar cake, egg rolls, Chinese herbal bone broth, walnut and almond milk, cherries, sliced mangoes, strawberries...<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The table was soon filled to overflowing.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "You must be starving, Ning-ning. Eat up!" Zheng Jinxiu urged.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Guining''s mouth formed an O shape. "This is amazing!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    She shed Zheng Jinxiu a sugar-sweet smile and immediately dug in, almost burying herself in the food.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Old Master Huo, seeing the child eat so voraciously for the first time, grew a bit anxious. He kept mumbling, "Slow down, eat slowly..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Zheng Jinxiu watched her with a benevolent expression, asionally wiping her mouth.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    By the time Huo Xiaozheng hadposed himself and emerged from the bathroom, Huo Guining''s stomach was already round and full.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Xiaozheng said with resignation, "You shouldn''t eat any more. Be careful not to get indigestion."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Guining looked down at her belly nkly, realizing he was right.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    She gave a shy smile and obeyed Huo Xiaozheng, stopping her feast.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The steward came forward with a smile to clear away the leftovers.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Do the police have any results yet?" Old Master Huo inquired.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Xiaozheng nodded.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The police had interrogated through the night, and their findings were simr to the initial investigation.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Years ago, after Xu Jin was fired from hispany, he had intended to join the Huo Corporation.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Xiaozheng had rebuffed him with a curt "We don''t take Jiang Corporation''s discarded trash."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    In the midst of his dejection, Xu Jin''s wife died in a car ident.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Under the weight of thesepounded pressures, Xu Jin broke down.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    One day, he identally learned that Huo Xiaozheng had a daughter. Blinded by hatred, he couldn''t bear the fact that while he had lost his job and his wife had left him, Huo Xiaozheng still had a daughter to dote on.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Thus, he decided to take revenge on Huo Xiaozheng.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    And the most heart-wrenching way to do so was to make Huo Xiaozheng experience the pain of losing a daughter.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "It''s easier to dodge a spear than a hidden arrow," Old Master Huo sighed. "It seems not only I, but you too have security issues."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Xiaozheng didn''t argue.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    He had always believed in trusting those he employed without suspicion.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    This time, although it was partly due to the negligence of the person in charge, he couldn''t shirk his own responsibility.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Moreover, ultimately, Ning-ning''s ordeal was because of him.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Although legal measures had been taken to ensure Xu Jin received due punishment, Huo Xiaozheng still couldn''t find peace.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    He looked at Huo Guining on the hospital bed, showing her drawings on a tablet to Zheng Jinxiu, his expression inscrutable.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Bang!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    With a loud noise, Huo Yueze, his head wrapped in white gauze, came rushing in, pushing an IV stand.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Sister! I''m so d you''re okay!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Guining''s eyes lit up. "Brother!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    She flew into Huo Yueze''s arms like a bird returning to its nest.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Xiaozheng separated them with a dark face, saying pompously, "Don''t touch your brother''s wounds."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Yueze replied innocently, "It''s fine, these little wounds don''t hurt at all!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Xiaozheng was at a loss for words.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Seeing Huo Yueze in this state, Zheng Jinxiu''s eyes reddened again. "Poor child, how did you get so injured?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Yueze was wearing a hospital gown, with bandages not only on his head but also various scrapes on his face, neck, and hands.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Grandma, I''m fine!" he assured her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "That''s my Huo family''s good boy!" Old Master Huo said proudly. "This is how you should protect your sister!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Yueze straightened his back. "Of course! No one can bully my sister!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Elder Madam Huo pushed open the door, hurriedly saying, "Look at you! The doctor said not to run around! Go back and lie down!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Yueze''s eyes drooped. He scratched his head, "Yesterday, sister was tied up alone in the basement for so long, I was worried about her and wanted toe see her."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    He sat down on Huo Guining''s bed. "Sister, you''re not scared anymore, right?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Guining shook her head.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The usually carefree Huo Yueze promised her solemnly, "See, I didn''t lie to you. I''ll always protect you in the future, I promise!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Guining felt a lump in her throat.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    She threw herself into Huo Yueze''s arms, hugging him tightly. "Thank you, bro— Ah!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Yueze, whose concussion hadn''t fully healed, was hit by Huo Guining''s sudden embrace. His stomach churned, and with a "Wah!", he threw up.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Xiaozheng, who had been watching the two closely, quickly pulled Huo Guining away, saving her from the mess.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Zheng Jinxiu wasn''t so lucky.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Her dark red jacket was now covered in vomit.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Elder Madam Huo''s eyes darted around, not daring to look directly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    For a moment, the hospital room was filled with an unpleasant odor.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Yueze was pushed back to his room in a wheelchair by Elder Madam Huo.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After examining Huo Yueze, the doctor stated that the patient was not in serious condition.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "But please follow my instructions. Don''t get up on your own, avoid emotional excitement, and refrain from strenuous activities."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Yuezey obediently on the hospital bed, blinking rapidly to show he wouldn''t dare disobey again.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Worried about Huo Yueze, Huo Guining kept running to his room.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    By now, Huo Yueze had been given a simple wash and changed into fresh clothes.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Guining sat on his hospital bed, propping up her tabletputer so they could watch her favorite anime together.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Xiaozheng thought to himself: This looks rather irritating.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Seeing that both children were not in serious condition, Old Master Huo and Zheng Jinxiu returned to the family mansion at Elder Madam Huo''s urging.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    As for Huo Xiaozheng...<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Uncle, you can go to work. I can take care of Ning-ning," Huo Yueze suggested, thinking he was being considerate.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Ever since entering the hospital room, Huo Xiaozheng''s phone had been ringing non-stop.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Xiaozheng took a deep breath and closed his eyes: This big fool saved Ning-ning, he saved Ning-ning.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Opening his eyes again, Huo Xiaozheng smiled, "You''re still a patient yourself, how can you take care of your sister? Come on, Ning-ning, let''s go to the office with Dad."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Guining, already tired of her work life, felt conflicted.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    She didn''t want to go, preferring to stay with her savior. But if she didn''t go, her chest would hurt.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Suddenly, Huo Guining remembered that when she was locked in the basement yesterday, her chest had hurt too.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Butter, it seemed that with Huo Yueze''s arrival, the chest pain hadn''t been as severe as usual.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Guining''s eyes brightened. She got up, walked to the foot of the bed, and gestured for Huo Xiaozheng to bend down.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Xiaozhengplied.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Guining whispered, "Dad, I''ve noticed that when brother is with me, my chest doesn''t hurt."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0