In August, Huo Yueze's college entrance exam results were released. He was admitted to the most prestigious university in South City, majoring in finance.
For the entire summer vacation, Huo Yueze had been working for Huo Xiaozheng.
Huo Yanqin called it "training" for him.
For convenience, Huo Yueze simply moved to Panlong Bay, working from nine to five every day, commuting with Huo Xiaozheng.
Huo Guining's health had greatly improved, and she no longer accompanied Huo Xiaozheng to work every day.
More often, she devoted herself wholeheartedly to her hobbies.
Occasionally, when she had free time, she would bring nutritious lunches prepared by Aunt Xu to Huo Xiaozheng and Huo Yueze.
In just one month, Huo Yueze's growth was astonishing. Xi Chuan had already started calling him "Young Mr. Huo."
His facial features took after Huo Yanqin, and as he grew older, his eyes lost their youthful innocence, gradually showing some coldness.
When he wasn't speaking, he looked somewhat intimidating.
For daily work, he wore various formal attires.
But unlike Huo Xiaozheng, he didn't like to constrain himself with a tie. He preferred light-colored shirts, always leaving the top button undone, which added a touch of elegance.
When Huo Guining came out of the company elevator, she saw Huo Xiaozheng and Huo Yueze walking side by side, talking in low voices.
Time hadn't left much of a mark on Huo Xiaozheng's face. When he stood next to Huo Yueze, they looked more like brothers than uncle and nephew.
Huo Guining called out, "Dad, Brother."
Both of them turned their gaze towards her simultaneously.
Their serious and cold masks instantly crumbled, their eyes filled with the warmth of midsummer sunshine: "Why are you here?"
They asked in unison.
Huo Guining held up the lunch boxes in her hands, like presenting a treasure: "I've come to deliver lunch!"
The three of them walked towards the pantry as usual.
Huo Guining laid out the meals packed by Aunt Xu, filling the entire table.
"Weren't you supposed to meet Lion today?" Huo Xiaozheng asked, puzzled. "How do you have time to come here?"
Huo Yueze was surprised: "Is it today?"
He quickly took out his phone to check his schedule: "What time? I'll accompany you later."
Huo Xiaozheng said calmly: "No need to check your schedule, you're busy today."
Huo Yueze, known as Young Mr. Huo, didn't look pleased hearing this: "You're not suggesting Ning goes by herself, are you?"
After a pause, he added: "Ning is still so young."
Under the trees were scattered some flowers and plants that Huo Guining couldn't name.
Walking further in, the restaurant came into view, with white outer walls and blue-green glazed tiles. The interior had light tea-colored flooring and decor, exuding a strong Chinese style.
Huo Xiaozheng and Huo Guining were led to a private room by a waiter.
Opening the window of the room, the view of the mountain was in full sight.
Layers of green mountains stretched out, connecting with the clouds at their peaks.
"Dad, this place is so beautiful. Why haven't you brought me here before?" Huo Guining exclaimed.
Huo Xiaozheng asked the waiter to bring a cup of oolong tea for Ning, and took out a wet wipe for her to clean her hands.
"This place was just built recently. If you like it, we can come here often in the future."
Huo Guining nodded.
While waiting, Huo Xiaozheng leisurely ordered some novel desserts for Ning to eat slowly.
When Lion walked into the private room, he saw the scene of a father and daughter, one big and one small, in a playful tug-of-war.
"You can't eat anymore, or you won't be able to eat dinner later."
"Can we take the rest home then?" The girl's eyes darted around. "Brother will definitely like it."
"..."
The waiter's voice interrupted their conversation: "Mr. Huo, your guest has arrived."
The father and daughter both looked towards the door, their big and small faces oddly overlapping.
Lion resisted the urge to play a matching game and greeted them friendly: "Hello, I'm Lion."
Aliali: 6720f54c2bffb2b7bc4c0e56
Huo Guining's small face was tense as she stood up with Huo Xiaozheng to greet him.
Although Lion had been in contact with Huo Guining, he didn't know her age.
At first glance, he thought Huo Xiaozheng was his 'online friend'.
"Huo, we finally meet," Lion extended his hand towards Huo Xiaozheng.
Huo Xiaozheng frowned and shook his hand: "You might have misunderstood. Your friend is Ning. I'm her father."
Saying this, he stepped aside, fully exposing Ning to Lion's view.
Lion was of mixed race but prided himself on his good Chinese.
Hearing Huo Xiaozheng's words, he showed an expression of disbelief: "Ning is a child?"
Huo Guining smiled shyly: "No, I'm a big friend. I'm 10 years old by East Asian age reckoning."
Lion felt dizzy and steadied himself on a chair: "Oh my god!"