HPDBC Chapter 76
Chapter 76
Despite saying this, it was still a family matter.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.0
"Because the boss lady 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.0
Huo Xiaozheng was stunned for a moment, and could only reluctantly agree.0
Huo Guining returned to the hotel with Huo Xiaozheng, feeling a bit gloomy.0
The next day.0
Huo Xiaozheng planned to take Huo Guining mountain climbing.0
After a simple breakfast, Huo Xiaozheng drove to one of the local scenic spots.0
The sun shone brightly in a cloudless sky.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.0
The mountain wasn't tall, but Huo Guining's small frame was too weak.0
Before long, she was panting heavily.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."0
Huo Guining looked back at the path they'd come: the starting point seemed just a stone's throw away.0
Huo Xiaozheng didn't mind, "You're already doing wonderfully."0
As time passed, Huo Guining trudged upwards with determined huffs and puffs.0
Along the way, Huo Xiaozheng wanted to call for a stop, to let Huo Guining pause and enjoy the scenery.0
She mercilessly refused.0
"I want to climb to the top in one go!"0
Seeing her still in good spirits, Huo Xiaozheng let her be.0
Halfway up the mountain, there was a temple bustling with a steady stream of worshippers, its incense burning prosperously.0
Huo Xiaozheng wasn't superstitious about these things.0
But looking at the little girl in front of him, puffing and panting, something stirred in his heart.0
"Ningning, let's go pay our respects."0
Due to the exercise, Huo Guining's cheeks were flushed red.0
Her cool princess-cut bangs were now damp with sweat, sticking to her face in strands.0
Huo Guining hastily wiped her face, shaking the bangs clinging to her face: "Okay!"0
With that, she rushed headlong towards the temple.0
Seeing she was about to collide with tourists ahead, Huo Xiaozheng stepped forward, grabbed her arm, and lifted her up.0
"Be careful, it's a bit crowded here."0
Huo Guining belatedly realized she had almost bumped into someone.0
Huo Xiaozheng carried her like this, walked into the main hall, and then set her down.0
The deity's statue in the center of the hall was majestic and imposing, high above, looking down upon all living beings.0
Huo Xiaozheng disliked this appearance and turned to leave.0
"Dad, Niuniu wants you to follow her."0
Huo Xiaozheng understood.0
The edge of the bushes had many branches, and the terrain was a bit complex.0
"Dad, I'll wait here for you. Can you follow Niuniu and take a look?"0
Huo Guining had a feeling something was wrong. Dogs are very intuitive animals, especially smart dogs like Niuniu.0
She must have encountered something to be so anxious.0
She even overcame her wariness of strangers.0
However, Huo Xiaozheng was hesitant.0
The downstream area was far from the crowd. If he left Ningning alone here and something happened...0
"Niu...Niu."0
A faint call came through.0
Instantly, Niuniu barked even more excitedly.0
"Dad, it's that big sister!"0
Huo Xiaozheng's expression turned serious: "Ningning, be good and wait here for dad."0
Huo Guining nodded eagerly.0
"Dad, hurry and save the big sister," she said, then added, "But be careful too!"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.0
Most of the surrounding shrubs were thorny. Huo Xiaozheng swung the stick, clearing a path through the thorny thicket.0
Huo Guining stood in place, watching as Huo Xiaozheng and Niuniu disappeared from view.0
She stretched her neck, constantly looking around.0
All around was silent, even Niuniu's barks had scattered in the wind.0
Huo Guining was anxious. She lifted her leg to walk towards the thorny bushes.0
A pair of long legs appeared in her line of sight.0
"Dad!"0
She saw Huo Xiaozheng carrying the young woman in his arms, with Niuniu happily running circles around his feet.0
Huo Xiaozheng placed the young girl on a large rock by the stream.0
"Big sister, are you okay?" Huo Guining asked.0
"Call me Lingling," the young girl smiled shyly. "I'm fine, I just got pricked by a thorn while picking mushrooms."0
Huo Guining immediately wanted to take a look.0
Huo Xiaozheng stopped her with an arm around her neck.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?"0
Huo Guining was startled by his seriousness, and stammered, "You said to stay in place."0
Huo Xiaozheng looked at where she was standing now, his meaning clear without words.0
A warmth flowed through Huo Guining's heart.0
So, dad was worried about her.0