Huo Rou opened the door, and Qin Ningyi flashed into the room, holding her carefully in his arms.
Huo Rou opened the window, the chill seeping into her heart. Amidst the whistling wind, only this place was warm.
"What's wrong?" she asked softly.
Qin Ningyi just held her without speaking. After a while, he whispered in her ear, "Want to have a late-night snack?"
"Huh?" Huo Rou hadn't expected him to wake up in the middle of the night and barge into her room like a spoiled child, only to hold her for so long and ask if she wanted a snack.
Without waiting for her answer, Qin Ningyi pulled her to the kitchen and quickly cooked a small bowl of noodles. Huo Rou wasn't hungry originally, but smelling the aroma, she couldn't resist.
After finishing the noodles, Qin Ningyi held Huo Rou again and sat on the sofa. The wind and rain outside continued.
"It was the same weather when my parents died."
Huo Rou sensed that Qin Ningyi's unusual behavior tonight might be because of her. The warmth in her stomach made her want to talk.
Qin Ningyi was extremely grateful that Shen Feng had called him up.
"From now on, whenever you can't sleep, I'll be here with you, making you snacks."
Qin Ningyi's gentle kisses fell upon her, and Huo Rou gradually became drowsy.
He softly hummed a tune, patting her back like coaxing a child. In his arms, Huo Rou slept soundly for the first time without medication.
Qin Ningyi leaned down and kissed her lovingly, then gently carried her back to the bedroom. His mind was filled with many thoughts.
However, Huo Rou had been worried about Old Man Wang recently, and the weather was so bad tonight. He couldn't bear to wake her again.
Forget it.
Qin Ningyi finished humming the tune honestly before quietly leaving the bedroom.
The next morning, Old Man Wang was ready to go out early.
"Where are you going?" Huo Rou asked casually.
Old Man Wang chuckled, "A calligraphy event, many old friends will be there."
Huo Rou frowned slightly, disapproving. After the storm last night, the weather was cold today, and his health couldn't afford any more accidents.
Seeing her disagreement, Old Man Wang sighed, "I don't know when I'll be gone. If I don't see my old friends now, I might never see them again."
The usually playful old man's sigh was moving. Huo Rou called An An to get him a thick coat and accompanied him out.
Old Man Wang lowered his head to hide his triumphant smile.
The event was held at a hotel belonging to the Ren family. As soon as Old Man Wang appeared, he was met with exclamations.
"You're actually willing to come out?"
"You wouldn't budge before, what made you decide to come out this time?"
His old friends teased him, and Old Man Wang happily pulled Huo Rou forward, "Bringing my friend of many years to broaden your horizons."
Everyone looked at Old Man Wang with suspicion. She could easily be his granddaughter. A friend of many years?
Huo Rou hadn't expected Old Man Wang to suddenly pull her forward. She looked at him helplessly.
Before everyone could ask, a sharp female voice rang out.
"Huo Rou, what are you doing here?" Wang Wanrou let go of Wang Rong's arm, which she had been holding, and strode forward.
It was all because of her; now she had nothing. Everyone online was mocking her, and she didn't even dare to go online.
Today was the day she would attend the event as Wang Rong's daughter. Wang Rong had intended to introduce her to everyone. With her years of practicing calligraphy under Wang Rong, she was sure to gain recognition and salvage some dignity. However, here she saw the person she least wanted to see.
Huo Rou didn't want to say much. This was a gathering for Old Man Wang to meet his old friends. She didn't want to cause trouble and took two steps back.
This retreat only emboldened Wang Wanrou. She looked at Huo Rou smugly, "You know you shouldn't be here, so leave quickly, or I'll have my dad call security to escort you out."
"People should know their place," she said, clenching her fists, "Do you think you'll always be lucky? I will take back everything you've snatched from me, one by one."
Huo Rou felt as if she had heard a huge joke. What had she snatched?
"Who are you, and when did such a person appear?" Old Man Wang, hearing her words, became displeased. He turned to his old friend and asked, his face darkening.
The others hadn't seen Wang Wanrou before and looked at each other, not knowing what to say.
At this moment, Wang Rong was ushered onto the stage. He didn't notice Old Man Wang, who had his back to the stage, and took the microphone with pride.
"Since the host has so earnestly invited me, I'll say a few words."
As his voice rang out, Wang Wanrou snorted and left Huo Rou with a "Just you wait," before turning her attention to the stage.
Today was the day for her to turn things around. She had practiced desperately all night. As long as she performed well today, she would be able to establish a foothold in the Calligraphy Association, and no one could say anything bad about her.
"I know everyone attending this event also wants to see my master, Wang Ximo. Unfortunately, he is still unable to come."
Upon hearing this news, the newly joined members of the association sighed. The old friends of Wang Ximo looked at Old Man Wang before them, then at Wang Rong, who was speaking eloquently on stage.
"What's going on? You old rascal, didn't he tell you you were coming?"
Old Man Wang remained silent, looking meaningfully at Wang Rong on stage.
"However, I will humbly present a piece of calligraphy for everyone to appraise!" With that, he gestured for the etiquette lady to unfurl the scroll he had brought.
The scroll was unrolled, revealing three characters: Wang Wanrou.
"Good calligraphy. The characters of the Great and Lesser Wangs are indeed among the best in our calligraphy world."
"I think it's mediocre. This calligraphy hasn't improved compared to before; in fact, it looks like a step backward."
"How can you say that? He's Master Wang Ximo's disciple, after all!"
"Regardless of whose disciple he is, if it's mediocre, it's mediocre. Look at the brushstrokes; there's no spirit, only a resemblance to form, entirely lacking in essence. It can only be considered average."
The opinions were divided. Wang Rong smiled as if he hadn't heard them, but as his eyes swept across the crowd, he took note of those people.
He mused that it was time to rectify the atmosphere of the Calligraphy Association.
Composing himself, he smiled again and said, "These three characters are my daughter's name. My daughter's calligraphy is also quite good. The Calligraphy Association hasn't had a calligraphy duel in recent years. Shall we liven things up today?"
He looked at Wang Wanrou and gently beckoned her.
Wang Wanrou cleared her throat, held her head high, and walked onto the stage. She said with a soft smile, "My name is Wang Wanrou. Is there anyone here willing to duel me in calligraphy?"
Those who had joined the Calligraphy Association in recent years had never personally participated in the association's traditional event—the calligraphy duel. Hearing about this format, they were eager to try.
"How do we duel?"
Wang Rong explained, "Calligraphy styles vary, but form, intent, and spirit can be ranked high or low. We will write the same content simultaneously, and everyone present will judge the outcome."
"I'll do it!"
"Then I will too."
The elders of the association hadn't seen a calligraphy duel in a long time. They were happy to be spectators as the newcomers got excited.
Old Man Wang brought Huo Rou to a corner and watched Wang Rong's so-called disciple from afar, narrowing his eyes.