What to Do If I Become the Villain’s Daughter - Chapter 78

Under Lingling’s guidance, Huo Guining quickly ordered a table full of dishes.

The waiters entered in a line, carrying the food.

After the meal, Huo Xiaozheng leisurely wiped his hands and said, “This afternoon, you and Lingling can play by yourselves. Dad has some business to attend to.”

Huo Guining nodded, “Dad, are you going to another meeting?”

Huo Xiaozheng replied, “Not a meeting, just inspecting the hotel.”

Lingling was shocked once again, “Guining, does your family own this hotel?”

Huo Guining nodded, “Lingling, shall we go sing karaoke later?”

Lingling’s eyes lit up, “Sure!”

The suite had everything, including a KTV room.

Huo Xiaozheng had the Manager escort the two children back to their room, while he went off to work.

After teaching the two kids how to use the KTV facilities, the Manager left.

The songs in this world weren’t much different from those in her previous life. Huo Guining wasn’t a good singer, but she was enthusiastic nonetheless.

After finishing a song, Huo Guining was happy, but Lingling’s smile seemed a bit forced.

“Lingling, you should sing too!”

It was Lingling’s first time using such equipment. She took a deep breath and started singing along with the music.

At first, Huo Guining could only hear the original singer.

But soon, Lingling’s voice completely overpowered the original, her voice clear and powerful.

As the last note faded, Huo Guining couldn’t help but clap like a little seal, exclaiming, “You sang so well! Have you had professional training?”

Lingling smiled shyly, “I just like singing, so I practice by imitating singers on my phone. I’ve never had formal lessons.”

Huo Guining was excited; this child was clearly a natural talent.

“Lingling, you should study music.”

In her previous life, Huo Guining had been an art student and was familiar with vocal majors.

But in art, those with innate talent always stood out more than those who relied on hard work alone.

Lingling shouldn’t be overlooked.

Lingling continued smiling, “That’s not possible. My little brother is still young, and our family business isn’t doing well. If it weren’t for the fact that school is free now, my mom would want me to stay home and help out.”

Huo Guining was shocked.

“But you’re so young, how could you help?”

Lingling just smiled. Not everyone was as fortunate as Guining, born into a wealthy family with a doting father.

“By the way, Guining, where’s your mom?”

Huo Guining smiled without answering, “Mom didn’t come.”

Sensing that they were both deliberately avoiding certain topics, they stopped chatting. Lingling happily sang for the rest of the afternoon.

Until the Manager came knocking.

“Miss Guining, I’m here to take Lingling home.”

Huo Guining looked disappointed, “Does she have to leave already?”

Huo Xiaozheng, who had just finished work, walked into the room.

Hearing this, he comforted her, “If Lingling doesn’t go home, her parents will worry.”

Huo Guining couldn’t argue with that.

Huo Xiaozheng picked her up, “Let’s see Lingling off together.”

“Lingling, can I come play with you again?”

“Of course you can.”

Despite her words, Lingling fell silent after saying this.

It wasn’t until the Manager returned Niuniu to her that a flicker of emotion appeared in her eyes.

Seeing how reluctant Guining was to part, Huo Xiaozheng decided to drive Lingling home himself.

The two little friends, with a five-year age gap, chattered away in the back seat, playing with Niuniu, talking about singing and their upcoming separation.

Upon reaching their destination, Huo Xiaozheng took Lingling’s small basket from the trunk and handed it to her.

Lingling took the basket, finding it surprisingly heavy.

“This is…”

Huo Xiaozheng explained, “I had the doctor tell your parents you were resting in the infirmary this afternoon. All the mushrooms you picked this morning are in there.”

In reality, Huo Xiaozheng, worried about Lingling’s explanation at home, had asked the Manager to buy some mushrooms from local villagers and put them in her basket.

Lingling softly said thank you and turned to walk home.

Huo Guining remembered something, “Dad, Lingling is very talented at singing. Can you sponsor her?”

Huo Xiaozheng was a bit surprised, “I could, but how can you tell Lingling has talent?”

Huo Guining recounted their afternoon of singing, and Huo Xiaozheng was intrigued.

“I’ll have Uncle Xichuan contact her parents about this later.”

What Huo Xiaozheng didn’t say was that since this family could run a farmhouse inn, their financial situation shouldn’t be too bad.

But Lingling’s clothes and demeanor didn’t seem like those of a child raised in a well-off, loving family.

Before Huo Guining could finish speaking, they saw Lingling’s mom slap her hard across the face as soon as she approached, limping and carrying the dog.

Huo Guining couldn’t help but cry out, “How can you hit her like that!”

Huo Xiaozheng strode over, but it was too late.

Half of Lingling’s face was already swollen.

Huo Guining, a few steps behind, saw the injury and couldn’t help but scold, “Lingling is already hurt, how can you hit her?!”

Lingling’s mom, holding a little boy in her arms, spat in response, “What injury? Where have you been all afternoon? I told you to come back and watch your brother, and you come up with all these excuses!”

“You even got a doctor to lie for you!”

“As a woman myself, I know all about her little tricks.”

A man wearing a black jacket stepped forward, halfheartedly trying to stop Lingling’s mom, “Stop scolding, stop scolding. The child is back, that’s what matters!”

“Hmph! Neither of you wants to do any work, leaving me to be the nanny all by myself.”

With that, she turned and left.

The man, with his scruffy beard and drooping eyes, noticed Huo Xiaozheng and Huo Guining’s fine clothes and remembered them as the big spenders from yesterday.

A glint appeared in his eyes. Instead of addressing Huo Xiaozheng, he asked Huo Guining:

“Are you Lingling’s friend?”

Huo Xiaozheng shook his head.

Huo Guining also saw the calculation in the man’s eyes.

Lingling tightly clenched her fingers, saying nothing.

Huo Guining pressed her lips together and said, “We’re not friends. My dad and I were just passing by.”

Huo Xiaozheng was stunned for a moment, then said, “That’s not how children should be taught.”

He then picked up Huo Guining and turned to leave.

Huo Guining, resting on Huo Xiaozheng’s shoulder, kept her eyes fixed on Lingling behind the man.

Lingling timidly glanced at her once, then lowered her head in disappointment.

Huo Guining felt a pang in her heart, followed by a helpless sigh.

Huo Xiaozheng placed her in the back seat and asked, “Aren’t you and Lingling friends?”

Huo Guining shook her head, “I think we are friends.”

“Then why did you deny it just now? Aren’t you afraid of hurting Lingling’s feelings?”

Huo Guining met Huo Xiaozheng’s gaze directly, “If I had admitted it, Lingling might have faced more than just hurt feelings.”

Huo Xiaozheng’s interest was piqued, “Oh?”

Huo Guining sighed again, “Lingling’s parents don’t treat her well. Her father’s eyes lit up when he saw you.”

“He could tell you’re very wealthy.”

Huo Guining added seriously, “It’s also because Dad gave him too much money yesterday.”

Those few bills were more than enough for three meals.

Huo Xiaozheng, having been lectured, wasn’t annoyed.

“It’s Dad’s fault. I was too extravagant.”

“Were you worried that they might start targeting Dad, so you gave up your friend?”