Chapter Four: Taking Huo Gently to a Restaurant

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Huo Qingqing was still just a child. Having just experienced being trafficked, the moment she heard a familiar voice, tears welled up uncontrollably. Holding the phone with both small hands, she suddenly burst into heart-wrenching sobs.

The man was startled by the sound. “Qingqing?”

Ruan Tang’s eyelids twitched. Fearing that Huo Yanshou might misunderstand, she quickly stepped forward to explain, “Yanshou, Qingqing misses you. Please comfort her.”

Huo Yanshou relaxed a bit upon hearing Ruan Tang’s voice, his tone softening slightly. “Is that so, Qingqing? Daddy will be home in a few days. When I come back, I’ll bring you your favorite Barbie doll, okay?”

Huo Qingqing sobbed quietly for a long moment before responding in a childish voice, “Okay, I’ll wait for Daddy to come back.”

Ruan Tang glanced at Huo Qingqing in surprise. She hadn’t expected Qingqing to keep this from Huo Yanshou, and she felt a touch of warmth in her heart.

The father and daughter exchanged some affectionate words, with Ruan Tang occasionally chiming in. After about half an hour, the village chief whispered with a pained expression, “The phone bill, the phone bill.”

Ruan Tang snapped back to reality and softly told Huo Yanshou, “I’m borrowing the village chief’s phone. Yanshou, say goodbye to Qingqing.”

Huo Yanshou paused, then said to Huo Qingqing, “Qingqing, go home with Mom. Daddy will listen to you when he comes back.”

Huo Qingqing fiddled with the phone cord, reluctant but obediently nodded. “Mm, I’ll wait for Daddy to come back.”

With that, the call ended. Huo Qingqing stepped down from Aunt Huang’s arms, her round, rosy face clouded with melancholy. She glanced at Ruan Tang; though there was still a trace of resentment in her eyes, she no longer rejected her.

Ruan Tang exhaled in relief and held Huo Qingqing’s hand as they bid farewell to the village chief, walking towards the neighboring village.

Back home, Ruan Tang glanced at Huo Qingqing, who had her lips drooped, seemingly noticing Ruan Tang’s gaze. Qingqing quickly turned away, unwilling to let her see her unhappy expression.

Ruan Tang’s heart softened. She knelt down and gently asked, “What would you like to eat?”

Huo Qingqing remained silent.

Soon, a faint rumble of hunger broke the quiet atmosphere.

Embarrassed, Huo Qingqing rubbed her belly, unsure of what to say.

Ruan Tang smiled softly, her gentle brows arching. “Then let’s go eat out!”

She then took Huo Qingqing by the hand and rode the bicycle toward the town.

From afar, the Huo family watched Ruan Tang leave with a sneer before turning back to their own home.

* * *

Upon arriving in town, Ruan Tang chose a busy restaurant and led Huo Qingqing inside to sit in a corner.

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The combination of a beauty and an adorable child always caught people’s attention; many noticed the pair.

Ruan Tang warned Huo Qingqing, “Don’t talk to strangers. I’ll go order.”

Qingqing nodded.

After getting up to order, Ruan Tang glanced back anxiously at where Huo Qingqing sat.

After ordering two dishes that children usually loved, the receptionist joked, “Bringing a child out to eat at a restaurant—you’re doing a good job as a mom!”

Ruan Tang smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Kids want fresh things. I may not be capable of much, but I can definitely fulfill that.”

The receptionist admired her, praising how well-behaved her child must be.

Ruan Tang felt indifferent to the compliments, humbly replied a few words, then returned to her seat.

When the food arrived, Ruan Tang used communal chopsticks to serve Huo Qingqing.

Though very young, Qingqing already knew how to use chopsticks, which was rather amusing to watch.

Gazing at Qingqing’s obedient and delicate appearance, especially her puffed cheeks like a little hamster while eating, Ruan Tang’s heart melted utterly.

She had long wished for a daughter, and now this wish had unexpectedly come true—her smile was unrestrained.

Of course, she also gained a convenient husband on the side.

Thinking of Huo Yanshou, all she remembered was his pleasant voice; everything else was a blur.

They married just before the new year, during cold weather, with his coat and felt hat obscuring his figure and face, making it impossible to tell if he was handsome or not.

The storyline never mentioned what would become of Huo Yanshou, and even Ruan Tang’s death was briefly glossed over.

She sighed, finishing her meal and wiping her mouth. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a fleeting shadow and felt a twinge of suspicion—it seemed that person had been spying on them.

Ruan Tang furrowed her elegant brow, pondering briefly before hearing Huo Qingqing’s voice from across the table.

“I’m full.”

She snapped back to the present, dismissing her thoughts with a faint smile. “Good, let’s head home.”

It seemed that without a man at home, everyone was eager to take advantage of the situation—

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Ruan Tang lowered her gaze, her eyes dimming as she took Huo Qingqing’s hand, paid the bill, and mounted the bicycle.

[Spend two hundred yuan within one hour. Failure to complete the task will result in punishment.]

Suddenly, the system popped up, issuing the task before vanishing without a trace. Ruan Tang barely had time to react.

She was stunned—was this really how it was supposed to spend money?

Two hundred yuan in one hour—

She steeled herself and thought hard but came up with nothing, so she decided to go on a shopping spree.

At that moment, they passed a luxury watch store. Ruan Tang’s eyes lit up. She quickly parked the bike and locked it, then led Huo Qingqing inside.

The clerk immediately approached with a bright smile. “Hello, please take a look at our newest watches!”

Ruan Tang waved her off. “Just browsing.”

She stroked her chin and scanned the counter. Her gaze immediately fixed on a men’s watch. Pointing at it, she asked Huo Qingqing, “Do you think this watch would look good on your dad?”

The Rolex diamond watch was priced at 18,000 yuan, leaving just 2,000 for daily necessities.

Huo Qingqing looked up but couldn’t see over the high counter, pouting. “I can’t see it.”

Ruan Tang chuckled, gently lifted her up, and pointed to the watch. “Can you see it now?”

Though initially reluctant, Qingqing’s attention was immediately captured by the beautiful watch.

Lost in thought while looking at it, Qingqing looked irresistibly adorable to Ruan Tang, who felt an itch to spoil her.

Soon, Qingqing nodded, thoroughly satisfied. “Daddy wearing this would look good! Qingqing likes it!”

Ruan Tang smiled and turned to the clerk. “Please wrap it up for me.”

The clerk’s expression became complicated. She immediately noticed that Ruan Tang wore no valuable items and doubted whether she could afford the watch.

After hesitation, she reluctantly wrapped the watch. Another clerk who had been watching for a while couldn’t stand it any longer, snatched the watch away, returned it to its place, and sneered at Ruan Tang. “Miss, don’t waste our time, please.”