Despite saying this, it was still a family matter.<span>0
Huo Xiaozheng could only gently tell Huo Guining that no matter how capable he was, his hands couldn''t reach into other people''s homes.<span>0
"Because the bossdy only scolded her and didn''t hit her, it doesn''t count as domestic violence, right?" Huo Guining asked, looking up with her little face.<span>0
Huo Xiaozheng was stunned for a moment, and could only reluctantly agree.<span>0
Huo Guining returned to the hotel with Huo Xiaozheng, feeling a bit gloomy.<span>0
The next day.<span>0
Huo Xiaozheng nned to take Huo Guining mountain climbing.<span>0
After a simple breakfast, Huo Xiaozheng drove to one of the local scenic spots.<span>0
The sun shone brightly in a cloudless sky.<span>0
Both Huo Xiaozheng and Huo Guining were dressed in sportswear, each properly equipped with a hiking stick as they set foot on the stone steps.<span>0
The mountain wasn''t tall, but Huo Guining''s small frame was too weak.<span>0
Before long, she was panting heavily.<span>0
Huo Xiaozheng resisted the urge to carry her, instead giving her some water and encouraging her, "You''re doing great, you''ve already climbed so high. Keep it up."<span>0
Huo Guining looked back at the path they''de: the starting point seemed just a stone''s throw away.<span>0
Huo Xiaozheng didn''t mind, "You''re already doing wonderfully."<span>0
As time passed, Huo Guining trudged upwards with determined huffs and puffs.<span>0
Along the way, Huo Xiaozheng wanted to call for a stop, to let Huo Guining pause and enjoy the scenery.<span>0
She mercilessly refused.<span>0
"I want to climb to the top in one go!"<span>0
Seeing her still in good spirits, Huo Xiaozheng let her be.<span>0
Halfway up the mountain, there was a temple bustling with a steady stream of worshippers, its incense burning prosperously.<span>0
Huo Xiaozheng wasn''t superstitious about these things.<span>0
But looking at the little girl in front of him, puffing and panting, something stirred in his heart.<span>0
"Ningning, let''s go pay our respects."<span>0
Due to the exercise, Huo Guining''s cheeks were flushed red.<span>0
Her cool princess-cut bangs were now damp with sweat, sticking to her face in strands.<span>0
Huo Guining hastily wiped her face, shaking the bangs clinging to her face: "Okay!"<span>0
With that, she rushed headlong towards the temple.<span>0
Seeing she was about to collide with tourists ahead, Huo Xiaozheng stepped forward, grabbed her arm, and lifted her up.<span>0
"Be careful, it''s a bit crowded here."<span>0
Huo Guining btedly realized she had almost bumped into someone.<span>0
Huo Xiaozheng carried her like this, walked into the main hall, and then set her down.<span>0
The deity''s statue in the center of the hall was majestic and imposing, high above, looking down upon all living beings.<span>0
Huo Xiaozheng disliked this appearance and turned to leave.<span>0
But Huo Guining suddenly imitated the worshippers, bending her knees and kneeling on the prayer mat.<span>0
She sped her hands together, her little mouth muttering, eyes closed, praying devoutly.<span>0
After a moment of surprise, Huo Xiaozheng also knelt down.<span>0
"If the gods are listening, bless my daughter with health and longevity," Huo Xiaozheng prayed silently.<span>0
Beside him, Huo Guining''s wish wasn''t much different from his.<span>0
"Great God of Plot, please spare Huo Xiaozheng. Huo Guining promises you, Huo Xiaozheng will never again threaten the happiness of the main characters."<span>0
"Dong!"<span>0
A deep and solemn bell rang, the sounding from afar.<span>0
Huo Guining opened her eyes, looked up at the statue seriously, and thought to herself: I''ll take this bell as your agreement.<span>0
After finishing, she stood up.<span>0
Only then did she remember Huo Xiaozheng beside her.<span>0
Huo Xiaozheng had just stood up when he heard Huo Guining ask, "Dad, do you also have wishes that only the gods can help fulfill?"<span>0
Huo Xiaozheng said softly, "I do."<span>0
Huo Guining didn''t understand.<span>0
Huo Xiaozheng didn''t want to say more, only asking, "Ningning prayed so earnestly, what wish did you make to the gods?"<span>0
Huo Guining covered her mouth.<span>0
Huo Xiaozheng smiled.<span>0
Leaving the temple, the two continued towards the mountain peak.<span>0
On the way, they passed a stream, its clear water gurgling towards the distance.<span>0
Huo Guining was feeling hot, and seeing the stream made her eyes light up.<span>0
"Dad, can we go wash our hands by the stream?"<span>0
Huo Xiaozheng nodded.<span>0
There were many pebbles by the stream, and worried Huo Guining might fall, Huo Xiaozheng simply carried her and let her sit on hisp to wash.<span>0
The stream water was cool, instantly relieving Huo Guining''s heat.<span>0
"Woof woof woof..."<span>0
A series of urgent dog barks came.<span>0
Huo Guining looked towards the sound and saw a small white dog downstream, barking at some bushes and running in circles.<span>0
Huo Guining called out, "Niuniu!"<span>0
The white dog immediately looked at her and wagged its tail.<span>0
Huo Guining excitedly tugged at Huo Xiaozheng''s sleeve, "Dad, it''s Niuniu!"<span>0
Huo Xiaozheng didn''t know who Niuniu was.<span>0
Huo Guining exined, "Niuniu is the white dog we saw at the restaurant yesterday!"<span>0
Huo Xiaozheng picked her up, and they both walked towards where Niuniu was downstream.<span>0
Seeing people approaching, Niuniu barked even more enthusiastically!<span>0
She ran to Huo Xiaozheng''s side, grabbed his pant leg with her mouth, trying to lead him into the bushes.<span>0
"Dad, Niuniu wants you to follow her."<span>0
Huo Xiaozheng understood.<span>0
The edge of the bushes had many branches, and the terrain was a bitplex.<span>0
"Dad, I''ll wait here for you. Can you follow Niuniu and take a look?"<span>0
Huo Guining had a feeling something was wrong. Dogs are very intuitive animals, especially smart dogs like Niuniu.<span>0
She must have encountered something to be so anxious.<span>0
She even overcame her wariness of strangers.<span>0
However, Huo Xiaozheng was hesitant.<span>0
The downstream area was far from the crowd. If he left Ningning alone here and something happened...<span>0
"Niu...Niu."<span>0
A faint call came through.<span>0
Instantly, Niuniu barked even more excitedly.<span>0
"Dad, it''s that big sister!"<span>0
Huo Xiaozheng''s expression turned serious: "Ningning, be good and wait here for dad."<span>0
Huo Guining nodded eagerly.<span>0
"Dad, hurry and save the big sister," she said, then added, "But be careful too!"<span>0
Huo Xiaozheng hesitated no longer. He looked around, found a stick about as thick as a cup''s mouth, and followed the call into the bushes.<span>0
Most of the surrounding shrubs were thorny. Huo Xiaozheng swung the stick, clearing a path through the thorny thicket.<span>0
Huo Guining stood in ce, watching as Huo Xiaozheng and Niuniu disappeared from view.<span>0
She stretched her neck, constantly looking around.<span>0
All around was silent, even Niuniu''s barks had scattered in the wind.<span>0
Huo Guining was anxious. She lifted her leg to walk towards the thorny bushes.<span>0
A pair of long legs appeared in her line of sight.<span>0
"Dad!"<span>0
She saw Huo Xiaozheng carrying the young woman in his arms, with Niuniu happily running circles around his feet.<span>0
Huo Xiaozheng ced the young girl on arge rock by the stream.<span>0
"Big sister, are you okay?" Huo Guining asked.<span>0
"Call me Lingling," the young girl smiled shyly. "I''m fine, I just got pricked by a thorn while picking mushrooms."<span>0
Huo Guining immediately wanted to take a look.<span>0
Huo Xiaozheng stopped her with an arm around her neck.<span>0
Huo Xiaozheng crouched down in front of Huo Guining, face to face. His expression was displeased: "What did dad just tell you to do?"<span>0
Huo Guining was startled by his seriousness, and stammered, "You said to stay in ce."<span>0
Huo Xiaozheng looked at where she was standing now, his meaning clear without words.<span>0
A warmth flowed through Huo Guining''s heart.<span>0
So, dad was worried about her.<span>0