"Since you're going to be studying here, we need to deal with some things at home. I've contacted someone to come and collect the flowers, and I'll go back after I take you to school tomorrow to sort out our belongings."
Huo Rou answered An An's questions while wiping her wet hair.
"Does that mean Shen Feng can come too?" An An asked excitedly.
"Yes."
"That's great!"
An An's joyful mood carried over to the next day. The next morning, the driver, along with Qin Ningyi, waited downstairs at the apartment complex. An An, with his small backpack on, and Huo Rou, carrying a bag, got into the car.
"Mom, did you buy the tickets?" An An asked when he saw Huo Rou take out her phone.
"I've bought them," Huo Rou pinched his nose. "You're only thinking about your Shen Feng."
"Buy what tickets?" Qin Ningyi asked, turning his head.
"Mom needs to go home for a bit, and I was asking if she'd bought her plane tickets yet," An An answered for Huo Rou.
Qin Ningyi frowned. "Going back? You didn't mention it. I have a meeting this morning and can't accompany you."
"Why would you accompany me?" Huo Rou asked, slightly confused.
Although their communication had become much smoother, Huo Rou still felt a distance between them. Qin Ningyi didn't press the matter. He simply instructed the driver, "You will accompany Miss Huo back."
"Yes," the driver replied steadily and concisely.
Qin Ningyi then instructed Xiao Konglin in the front, "Book a plane ticket for Old Zhang and contact someone in Feigu City to arrange a car for him."
"Understood, President Qin," Xiao Konglin took out his phone and asked Huo Rou, "Miss Huo, which flight are you on?"
"No need, I can go back by myself," Huo Rou refused with a frown.
Qin Ningyi, however, stated imperatively, "Old Zhang will go with you. You'll be packing things, and he can help. The transportation there isn't convenient. Do you plan to go to the station and take public transport back by yourself?"
"You don't know the drivers there. Since you're going to find someone anyway, let Old Zhang go with you. I'll feel more at ease."
"Mom, let Uncle Zhang go with you. The station is so crowded," An An chimed in.
Finally, Huo Rou was persuaded by the father and son and boarded the plane with Old Zhang.
At ten o'clock, the plane landed in Feigu City.
At the parking lot outside the airport, someone was already waiting with a car.
"Uncle Zhang, who is this?" the person asked curiously, leaning towards Old Zhang as they exchanged keys.
"Future Madam. Don't stare," Old Zhang glared at him and then ushered Huo Rou into the car without further explanation.
The morning rush hour had long passed, and the road was sparsely populated. After a two-hour drive on winding mountain roads, they finally arrived at Dao County.
At twelve o'clock, the small county town was bustling with activity.
"Uncle Zhang, let's find a restaurant and have lunch. It's still over half an hour back to the village, and there aren't many restaurants there," Huo Rou suggested, looking at the eateries along the street.
"Alright," Old Zhang found a restaurant with a good rating, and they had a simple lunch.
Old Zhang insisted on paying, and Huo Rou waited for him by the door.
At that moment, a person in slippers slowly approached Huo Rou.
As the person lunged, Huo Rou敏锐ly sensed it and dodged.
"Little beauty!" the person, reeking of alcohol, leered and moved closer.
Huo Rou, frowning, agilely dodged again.
Her evasiveness angered the drunkard. "Damn it! Don't be ungrateful! I'm going to hug you, see if you can run away again!"
The drunkard lunged ferociously. Old Zhang, having just paid, came out and saw exactly this scene.
He rushed over, intending to push the drunkard away, but before he could get close, he saw Huo Rou deliver a swift kick, sending the drunkard staggering back several meters before falling to the ground.
Huo Rou pursed her lips, her expression unreadable. Seeing Old Zhang emerge, she calmly called out, and the two got back into the car to continue their journey.
Following Huo Rou's directions, Old Zhang parked the car at the entrance of Huo Rou's small courtyard.
It was noon, yet several cars were already parked at the entrance. The people inside the cars quickly got out to greet Huo Rou upon seeing her.
"Miss Huo! We meet again." Li Yingdong had personally brought his men, and the large group approaching made Old Zhang a little tense.
"Why did you come in person?" Huo Rou walked to the main gate. Dog barks could be heard from inside.
Hearing the sound, Huo Rou's expression softened considerably.
She walked to the door and knocked three times, then looked at the device on the gate. The lock clicked with a "beep."
The main gate swung open.
Li Yingdong chatted with Huo Rou as they walked inside.
Old Zhang followed on Huo Rou's other side. The men Li Yingdong brought waited neatly at the entrance.
As the main gate opened, a figure moved with lightning speed.
"Woof!"
"Shen Feng, good boy!" Huo Rou crouched down and hugged Shen Feng's large head tightly.
Shen Feng affectionately nuzzled Huo Rou's neck, whimpering.
"Good boy," Huo Rou's eyes were filled with tenderness. After a brief reunion with Shen Feng, she led Li Yingdong further inside.
Shen Feng seemed to remember Li Yingdong too, circling around his feet. Li Yingdong chuckled and said, "It must be three or four years since I was last here. It's kind of you to remember me."
"Shen Feng has a very good memory," Huo Rou said with a smile and a nod.
The three arrived at a room. Huo Rou recognized her iris on a device beside the door, and the door opened.
Inside were rows of potted flowers, each covered with a special casing, connected by tubes, with the bases also attached to tracks on the floor.
"You've really made things effortless, haven't you?" Li Yingdong was seeing these devices for the first time; they weren't there the last time he visited.
"Pretty much," Huo Rou nodded. "Take a look, move them all away. You can handle the contract terms as you see fit."
"So casual?" Li Yingdong raised an eyebrow.
Huo Rou's smile was harmless, and her words were delivered with a light air, "What tricks would you play?"
The seemingly casual question made Li Yingdong acutely sense a hint of a threat.
Indeed, this formidable figure only appeared simple. He truly didn't dare to trifle with her.
Li Yingdong began to count, his eyes growing brighter.
Old Zhang couldn't understand these contraptions. Huo Rou opened the door to the main house and invited him to sit in the living room and enjoy the air conditioning.
"Hey! Who are you people? What are you doing standing at A Rou's doorstep?" a loud voice called from outside the main gate.