What to Do If I Become the Villain’s Daughter

Chapter 77

Because Lingling's leg was injured, Huo Xiaozheng made a phone call to have someone come and take her down the mountain.

Huo Guining was worried about Lingling's injury and begged Huo Xiaozheng to return with them.

In the medical room at the foot of the mountain, the doctor quickly treated Lingling's wound.

"It's nothing serious. Just be careful not to get it wet for the next couple of days."

Lingling nodded obediently.

Huo Guining felt relieved and squatted nearby to play with Niuniu.

Seeing her constantly using her hand to tease Niuniu, Huo Xiaozheng's face showed disapproval: "Ning Ning, don't use your hands to tease the dog. Be careful, it might bite you."

He didn't say out loud that he wasn't sure if the little dog had been vaccinated.

He stepped forward, loosely embracing Huo Guining and holding her protectively.

Lingling noticed this and her eyes revealed a hint of envy.

Seeing this, Huo Guining initiated a conversation: "Lingling, why did you go into the mountains alone to pick mushrooms?"

Although there were tourists in the mountains, the mushroom picking spot seemed a bit remote.

Lingling said: "Recently, customers have been asking about mushrooms at our shop. My mom saw that business wasn't good, and since I'm on holiday with nothing to do, she sent me to the mountains."

"But how old are you?"

Huo Xiaozheng let out a short laugh.

He thought it funny to ask someone's age when the young girl clearly looked older than Ning Ning.

However, as an adult, he felt it wasn't his place to interrupt the children's conversation.

Lingling pressed her lips together and said: "I'm 10 years old. Before, my dad used to come mushroom picking with me..."

Huo Guining asked curiously: "Then why didn't he come with you today?"

Lingling smiled sheepishly: "My little brother isn't well, so my parents couldn't get away."

Huo Guining's smile faded.

Huo Xiaozheng interrupted their conversation: "It's getting late, let's go down the mountain."

As he spoke, he picked up Huo Guining.

"What would you like for lunch?"

Huo Guining mumbled: "What about Lingling?"

Huo Xiaozheng thought for a moment and asked Lingling: "Would you like to have lunch with us? Afterwards, I can arrange for someone to take you home."

Lingling's eyes lit up, but suddenly remembering her mother's words, the light in her eyes instantly extinguished.

"No need, I didn't find any mushrooms and I've hurt my leg. I need to hurry back to help my mom with some work..." Lingling's voice grew quieter: "Otherwise, mom will be angry."

Huo Guining didn't know if Lingling's mom would be angry.

But Huo Guining was already angry.

Huo Guining turned to whisper in Huo Xiaozheng's ear: "Dad, can't we help her today?"

Faced with Huo Guining's hopeful eyes, Huo Xiaozheng couldn't refuse: "I'll think of something."

Huo Xiaozheng asked Lingling: "Do you remember your parents' phone number?"

Lingling nodded, not understanding why he asked.

Huo Xiaozheng had the doctor call Lingling's parents.

After it was done, he turned to Lingling: "Can you walk by yourself?"

Lingling stood up from the chair and took a few steps.

"I can manage."

Huo Xiaozheng said: "Would you like to join us for lunch?"

Huo Guining excitedly said: "After lunch, we can take Niuniu and go swimming in the hotel. Do you know how to swim? I can teach you!"

Then, Huo Guining asked Huo Xiaozheng: "Dad, is that okay?"

Seeing her so enthusiastic was rare, so naturally, Huo Xiaozheng agreed to whatever she said.

Huo Guining struggled not to be carried by Huo Xiaozheng and walked over to Lingling's side, supporting her like a little adult.

"Besides the little bugs, what else is good to eat in Yun City?"

"There's a lot!"

Huo Guining recalled the day they arrived in Yun City when she had tried many local snacks.

She chattered on about them all.

Lingling was taken aback by her enthusiasm.

When Huo Guining wasn't speaking, her beautiful face seemed somewhat distant.

As if keeping people a thousand miles away.

In this aspect, she was exactly like the tall uncle beside her.

But when Ning Ning smiled, that sense of distance completely vanished.

It was contradictory and a bit intoxicating.

Lingling couldn't help but feel at ease.

They looked like rich people and probably wouldn't do anything bad to her.

Even the medical fees just now.

Ning Ning's dad didn't even frown, he just paid without haggling.

Huo Xiaozheng drove, while Huo Guining, Lingling, and Niuniu sat in the back seat.

Lingling curiously stared at Huo Guining's safety seat: "What's this?"

Huo Guining explained: "It's a child safety seat, to protect kids when they're in the car."

Lingling felt like a whole new world had opened up to her: "That's so cool."

Huo Guining thought for a moment: "It's not that cool. I always feel like I'm a grasshopper tied to a tree."

The corners of Huo Xiaozheng's mouth lifted slightly.

Lingling was also caught off guard by her sudden comment. After processing it, she couldn't help but smile.

Niuniu obediently curled up in Lingling's arms, quietly watching them chat.

When they arrived at the hotel, the clock had just struck 11:30.

Huo Xiaozheng unbuckled Huo Guining's safety seat, teasing: "You're free now, little trapped grasshopper."

Huo Guining giggled.

The side door opened, and a man who looked like a manager appeared in front of Lingling.

He reached out, grasped Lingling's waist, and lifted her out.

The manager asked: "Mr. Huo, would you like to have lunch in the restaurant or have it sent to your room?"

Huo Xiaozheng handed the car keys to a nearby doorman and looked at Huo Guining.

Huo Guining thought for a moment and asked: "Can Niuniu come in?"

The manager looked a bit troubled: "Well..."

Huo Xiaozheng gave him a look and said to Huo Guining: "Niuniu can't go in, but Uncle Manager will find someone to take good care of her. When Lingling goes home, we'll pick Niuniu up again."

Huo Guining looked at Lingling: "What do you think?"

Lingling nodded awkwardly.

The manager had someone bring a leash and put it on Niuniu.

Seeing this familiar object, Huo Guining couldn't help but glance back at Huo Xiaozheng.

Huo Xiaozheng cleared his throat lightly, bent down to pick up Huo Guining, and changed the subject: "Are you hungry? Let's go eat."

Lingling followed the manager into the hotel.

It was Lingling's first time seeing such a high-end hotel. She looked around and couldn't help but exclaim: "It's so beautiful."

The manager handed the dog over to a nearby staff member.

Seeing their gentle attitude, Lingling felt reassured and followed the manager's steps.

The group walked into a private room on the second floor of the restaurant.

Huo Xiaozheng put Huo Guining down: "Go wash your hands."

Huo Guining nodded and pulled Lingling towards the washbasin in the room.

"Lingling, can we order food together later?"

Lingling was a bit confused: "Is that okay? Your dad is here."

Huo Guining turned to call out to Huo Xiaozheng: "Dad, can Lingling and I order the food today?"

Huo Xiaozheng nodded indifferently.

Remembering something, he added: "But don't waste any food."

Huo Guining patted her chest, looking as if she was saying 'leave it to me, don't worry'.

Lingling watched their interaction, her eyes revealing a sense of longing.