After the Xia Qing incident, the Huo couple became more convinced than ever that Huo Jinning could foresee the future.
The little bit of doubt they had in their hearts had now completely vanished.
They were increasingly certain that Huo Jinning was a little fairy sent by the heavens to save their family.
As a result, Huo Shan decisively ordered his subordinates to keep a close eye on Huo Chengyu’s assistant, Xiao Zhang, to prevent any unexpected incidents.
Meanwhile, Huo Nanchu returned from his business trip after about a week.
The trip had gone exceptionally smoothly. Not only did he accomplish his tasks, but he also brought back many exquisite gifts for Huo Jinning and Huo Jinxin.
However, the day after Huo Nanchu came back, Ye Lan contacted him on her own initiative.
“Big Brother, are you heading out?” Huo Jinning asked with feigned innocence.
In truth, she already knew what was going on—she had just finished gossiping about Huo Nanchu.
“Yeah, that’s right. I have a few things to take care of,” Huo Nanchu replied softly.
“Wait at home. When I get back, I’ll bring you something tasty!” he said gently.
[Just watch, this trip might be a trap for my big brother.]
[Hehehe, I might get a free nephew soon.]
[Unbelievable, that Ye Lan’s already pregnant and still won’t behave.]
[Qian Xiangfeng isn’t any better.]
[The two of them are teaming up against my brother.]
[Their plan is practically flawless.]
[Ye Lan fakes an illness to lure my brother over, and once he gets there, he falls into their trap.]
[Who would expect the water he drinks to be drugged, and then Ye Lan will show up later claiming she’s pregnant.]
[Since the plan with my mom and sister didn’t work, they switched strategies.]
[Sigh, my poor big brother…]
Huo Nanchu was visibly surprised when he heard Qian Xiangfeng’s name. The two had grown up together and were close friends. He never imagined the Qian family’s first target would be him.
As for Ye Lan, they had once been a couple. He believed he had treated her well. The breakup was her idea, and he felt he had done nothing to wrong her.
He never expected these two to join forces against him. Even someone as calm and composed as Huo Nanchu couldn’t help but show a change in expression.
[I have to think of a way to stop my brother.]
[How can I keep him from going out? Maybe I can pretend to have a stomachache and ask him to take me to the hospital?]
[Yes, that’s the plan!]
Looking at his little sister, her face scrunched up like a dumpling, Huo Nanchu couldn’t help but smile faintly. She was really putting on a convincing act!
However, Huo Jinning was too caught up in her own thoughts to notice the faint smile on her brother’s face.
“Ow! Big Brother, my stomach suddenly hurts so much! You have to take me to the hospital…” Huo Jinning groaned in pain, clutching her abdomen as if she were in unbearable agony.
“Ouch, I really can’t take it anymore—it hurts so bad I could die!” Her brows were tightly knit, her face as pale as a sheet, and beads of sweat dotted her forehead—all thanks to her pinching herself to sell the performance.
If he hadn’t heard her true inner voice with his own ears, even Huo Nanchu might have believed her—after all, she truly was an Oscar-level master of performance!
“Does it really hurt that much?” Seeing this, Huo Nanchu immediately stepped toward Huo Jinning, his eyes full of concern.
Though his acting skills were nowhere near as brilliant as his sister’s, Huo Nanchu quickly wiped the smile off his face and asked with feigned anxiety, “How are you feeling? Any better?”
“Mm-hmm… Big Brother, it hurts so much I feel like I’m dying…” Huo Jinning looked at Huo Nanchu with teary eyes, her pitiful expression so heart-wrenching it made people want to grant her every wish.
She sobbed softly while grabbing tightly onto his sleeve, as if afraid he’d disappear if she let go.
“Come on, I’ll carry you there.” Knowing full well that his sister was faking illness to gain sympathy and attention, Huo Nanchu didn’t expose her little trick. Instead, he cooperatively squatted down and gestured for her to climb on his back.
“Thank you, Big Brother…” Huo Jinning was secretly overjoyed, thinking this move of hers was absolute genius.
[Hehehe, thank goodness I’m clever—otherwise I’d have fallen right into those people’s trap!]
[As long as I’m here to protect my brother, no one can touch him.]
[With such a good brother, of course I have to keep him safe.]
[I’ll even find him the most beautiful sister-in-law ever.]
[Let those jerks stew in their jealousy.]
When she mentioned finding him the most beautiful wife, Huo Nanchu almost dropped her.
This little sister of his…
Huo Nanchu brought her to a hospital owned by their family to get a full-body checkup—even though she had already had one in Spring City.
But since the hospitals in Beijing were better, another checkup wouldn’t hurt.
[For my big brother’s sake, I’ll endure this.]
While having her blood drawn, Huo Jinning felt like she was hoisting a rock only to drop it on her own foot.
After going through countless tests:
[If I’d known, I would’ve come up with a different excuse.]
[Sigh!]
While waiting for Huo Jinning’s results, Huo Nanchu picked up his phone and dialed Qian Chengfeng’s number.
“Ah-Nan, what made you suddenly call me?” came Qian Chengfeng’s voice from the other end.
“Ah-Feng, are you free to talk right now? I need a favor,” Huo Nanchu said with a hint of urgency.
“I’m not busy right now—go ahead,” Qian Chengfeng replied, motioning for his assistant to step away.
“It’s like this—Ye Lan just got back and called to say she sprained her ankle. She hoped I could go see her.”
“But just as I was about to leave, my sister suddenly started having intense stomach pain, so I had to bring her to the hospital.”
“Could you go check on Ye Lan for me? I’ve already sent you the address.”
Huo Nanchu deliberately made up this excuse. He knew very well about the relationship between Qian Chengfeng and Ye Lan, but he had no intention of exposing their scheme—he just wanted to disgust them a little.
Hearing Huo Nanchu’s words, Qian Chengfeng was momentarily surprised and didn’t know how to respond.
But he quickly recovered and said hurriedly, “…Ah, oh, alright. No problem, I’ll head over right away.”
“Xiao Lan’s return was quite sudden—I didn’t even know she was back. Well then, it’s a good opportunity for me to go see her too,” Qian Chengfeng tried to sound casual.
“Hmph, she came back and only thought of calling you. Looks like we friends don’t matter to her at all!” Qian Chengfeng joked lightly.
If Huo Jinning hadn’t heard her thoughts in advance, she might really have been fooled by him.
“Alright then, you go check on her. I’ll see how my sister’s doing. Let’s catch up for a drink sometime.” Huo Nanchu didn’t want to continue with this phony exchange any longer.
“Mm-hmm, sure.”
As soon as Qian Chengfeng hung up, his face darkened, and he muttered, “Of all times to fall sick, it had to be now.”
After quite a bit of coaxing, Qian Chengfeng finally managed to calm Ye Lan down.
Once Huo Jinning and Huo Nanchu finished their checkups, they left the hospital. The remaining reports would be delivered to their home later.
“Big Brother, how about we eat out today?” Huo Jinning’s big eyes sparkled with excitement.
“You just got over a stomachache. Don’t go eating carelessly now. Let’s go home and have Aunt Wang make some porridge for you,” Huo Nanchu teased, though he had already made a reservation at a restaurant.
“Big Brother, I’m really fine now. It was just a sudden pain earlier—it’s all better now. It won’t affect my appetite…”
[I’ll never use a stomachache as an excuse again. Next time I’ll say it’s a headache, leg pain… anything but a stomachache.]
“Big Brother, really, I’m fine now. Let’s eat out.” Huo Jinning looked at Huo Nanchu with pleading eyes, tugging on his sleeve.
How could anyone say no to that?
“Alright, fine,” Huo Nanchu replied helplessly.
He had planned to tease her a bit more, but with her acting so sweet, he couldn’t resist.
“Really?” At his words, Huo Jinning instantly perked up, full of energy again.
“If you change your mind, we can always go home.”
“No way! Of course I want to go! Let’s hurry, get in the car!” she said, pulling Huo Nanchu toward the garage.
The two arrived at a quiet, uniquely styled private dining restaurant.
The place featured traditional Chinese architecture, exuding a sense of classical elegance.
They were led into a private room called “Peony,” which was decorated with lush, vivid peony flowers, giving it a luxurious and graceful atmosphere.
Their server was a beautiful woman in an exquisite qipao. Her figure was elegant, and her demeanor graceful.
[Dining in such an atmosphere is pure bliss.]
[This young lady is so beautiful—her figure fits the qipao perfectly, complementing each other.]
[Even the tea is a visual delight.]
“Ningning, try this tea,” Huo Nanchu said, noticing that his sister was staring too intently at the tea server.
“Okay.” Huo Jinning turned her gaze to the tea.
After about two cups of tea, the dishes began to arrive one after another.
[Delicious, delicious—this one’s great, that one too.]
[I should pack some for Dad, Mom, and Sister later.]
[This is just so tasty.]
Soon enough, Huo Jinning stopped thinking altogether—the food had completely taken over her attention.
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