Huo Guining''s momentary softness of heart had turned her into a joke.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    As soon as Song Tianbai finished speaking, Huo Guining stood up and walked away.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Song Tianbai hurriedly got up, his tone pleading: "Please, as long as your father cuts off my mother''s hopes, I promise that my mother and I will never appear in your world again."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Guining paused: "What do you mean?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Seeing that she was willing to listen, Song Tianbai dared not hide anymore: "My mother is clearly obsessed now. Thepany can''t be sustained anyway, whether it''s acquisition or something else, please ask your father to act quickly and never give my mother hope."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After a few seconds of silence, he added: "Please ask your father not to consider any past affection."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Guining finally understood: "So, whether it''s seeking sponsorship from my father or trying to be my stepmother, your mother..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Song Tianbai lowered his head: "It''s all to save herpany."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Guining''s expression became indescribable.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Even if you say that, I won''t make you any promises," Huo Guining said bluntly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Song Tianbai clenched his palms tightly: "I know, I know all of that..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Youing to find me today waspletely unnecessary," Huo Guining thought for a moment and said, "My father... never intended to give your mother any chance at all."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Song Tianbai said dejectedly: "That''s why I wanted to ask your father for help, to be thest straw that breaks the camel''s back."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Destroy before rebuilding.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Guining understood this principle, but it seemed a bit extreme.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After leaving the hall, Huo Guining stared at the rising numbers on the elevator, lost in thought.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


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


    The elevator doors opened.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Xiaozheng, surrounded by a group of people, ran into Huo Guining head-on.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Ning Ning?" Huo Xiaozheng asked, puzzled. "Where did you go?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Guining obediently replied: "I met someone."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Seeing that there was more to her words, Huo Xiaozheng dismissed the others, and the father and daughter walked towards the office.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Yueze was out on field work.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    In the spacious office, the sunlight was faint, and the room was quiet.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "That''s about it," Huo Guining took a sip of fruit juice and told Huo Xiaozheng everything that had just happened. "Although hearing it like this, Song Tianbai seems quite pitiful too."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Xiaozheng grunted in agreement: "This kid is so young, but quite daring."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "However, not very likable."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Guining nodded in agreement: "Yes, too gloomy and overly extreme."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Xiaozheng wasn''t interested in the affairs of Song''s mother and son: "Why are you suddenly concerned about his matters?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Guining pouted: "I can''t quite exin it..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    She just felt that, to some extent, her former self and Song Tianbai had some simrities.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    For the sake of her only support, she kept brainwashing herself, believing that her mother loved her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Until the day of her death, she realized the truth wasn''t as she had imagined.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


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


    A moment of softness.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Having raised Huo Guining for so long, Huo Xiaozheng hadpletely figured out Huo Guining''s thoughts.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Although she didn''t say it, he had guessed most of it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "That boy''s request isn''t actually difficult," Huo Xiaozheng said.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Guining hesitated a bit: "But we don''t need to do them this favor, right..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "After all, his mother was at fault first. You''re already being kind enough by not pursuing her responsibility. To help her further..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    At this point, Huo Guining suddenly felt a bit angry.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Angry at herself for sympathizing with an old enemy.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Xiaozheng casually stroked her head.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Just now, a friend contacted me, wanting to disy your paintings in his gallery."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Guining''s eyes lit up, immediately putting Song Tianbai''s matter out of her mind: "Really?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Xiaozheng nodded: "You might have heard of this friend. I''ll give you his contact informationter. If you''re interested, you can add him."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After a pause, Huo Xiaozheng added: "He doesn''t know your identity."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The implication was that the other party was contacting her solely because of Huo Guining''s paintings, not because she was Huo Xiaozheng''s daughter.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Guining was so excited that she wanted to rush home immediately to take good photos of her paintings and see which ones could be sent for exhibition.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Dad, are you done with your work?" Huo Guining suddenly remembered his health and her tone became serious: "You promised to only have one meeting, you''re not going back on your word, are you?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Xiaozheng pressed his brow wearily and said helplessly: "I''m not. I''ll just sign a few documents and then we''ll leave."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    True to his word, Huo Xiaozheng soon left thepany with Huo Guining and returned to Panlong Bay.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Yueze, returning from field work, excitedly pushed open the office door, only to be greeted by an empty room.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Yueze: Just very annoying.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After returning home, Huo Guining acted like a little adult, taking care of Huo Xiaozheng by measuring his temperature and supervising him as he took medicine and rested.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After making sure he was lying down properly, she immediately pattered off to her studio.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    She stayed there for two hours.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    It wasn''t until Huo Xiaozheng woke up and came to the studio to fetch her that she reluctantly left.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Dad, that friend of yours is actually Lion!" Huo Guining''s eyes sparkled with excitement: "I love his paintings so much!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Xiaozheng smiled faintly: "It''s his honor to be liked by you."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Guining giggled: "He''s currently the hottest abstract painter internationally, to be noticed by him..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    She paused, then proudly echoed Huo Xiaozheng''s previous words: "He''s got good taste!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    When Huo Guining talked about things she liked, her dark eyes seemed to be filled with starlight from the Milky Way.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Her whole person was radiant.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Seeing this, Huo Xiaozheng''s entire demeanor softened: "Do you like painting that much?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Guining couldn''t express the longing from her previous life, so she just said: "I like it super, super, super much!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "That''s very good," Huo Xiaozheng''s words were soft, carrying an indescribable sense of satisfaction.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Guining was too excited to pay much attention.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After dinner, Huo Guining wanted to go to the studio again.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    This time, Huo Xiaozheng limited her to a maximum of two hours.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Guining agreed faster than anything.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Okay. By the way, Dad, I''m sleeping in my own room tonight. Could you help me move my toiletries? Thanks!" With that, she dashed into the studio without looking back.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Xiaozheng stood there, stunned for a good while before epting this fact.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    He returned to his room.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    In just four short years, the once cold and minimalist bedroom hadpletely changed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The curtains were nowce, and the wallpaper had been changed to beige.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Even Huo Xiaozheng''s bedding had been changed to match Ning Ning''s anime-style set.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    This was Ning Ning''s wish when she was 7 years old, and Huo Xiaozheng had no room to refuse.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The walk-in closet, bathroom, carpet - everywhere bore traces of Ning Ning''s life.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Huo Xiaozheng sighed, suddenly realizing that time truly flies like an arrow.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    In the blink of an eye, his daughter had already grown to the age where she wanted to separate from him.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0