CH 21

Chapter 21: An Apology (1)

Huo Xiaoxiao was angry.

‘Why do adults nowadays like to lie with their eyes open?’

She had finally plucked up her courage and racked her brains to find a way to please her father, yet in the end, he wasn’t moved. Forget it! Since he didn’t want to admit that he was in the drawing, just leave it!

But why was her father like this?

Couldn’t he just show some love to his daughter?

What a nuisance!

Even if the emperor came today, she would still draw her daddy instead of her grandpa!

“Draw daddy!” Huo Xiaoxiao pointed to the person in the drawing and explained in the right words, “Today at the seaside, Daddy, I…. I am sorry to Daddy. So… Xiaoxiao draw Daddy.”

The explanation was choppy, but her logic was clear.

She had done something wrong at the beach earlier, so she drew him to express her apology.

Huo Suicheng looked at the painting with his eyebrows furrowed. Under Huo Xiaoxiao’s hopeful eyes, he said, “I forgave you for what happened this afternoon when you said sorry.”

Huo Xiaoxiao deeply felt that her father’s words meant: I forgave you; you don’t have to apologize for this drawing.

All said and done, he disliked her painting.

‘Even though it’s a little ugly, it’s still painted by your daughter. Blood is thicker than water! Can’t you just compliment me?’

‘Where’s your honesty at ordinary times?!’

After thinking about it, Huo Xiaoxiao went back to the room with her drawing, climbed up the stool, lay prone on the table, and continued drawing on the paper.

She drew another person. He had a flat head like a pumpkin and a large body like a watermelon. His eyes were wider than his mouth, his hands were bigger than his feet, and his hair was thick.

Wow, ugly.

After finishing, she rushed to the room and handed her drawing to Huo Suicheng again.

“This is Daddy, this is grandfather, and this is me!”

A family of three, all in one place.

Huo Suicheng looked at the most abstract person in the drawing. After a few seconds of silence, he praised it against his will, “Well, it’s great.”

Huo Xiaoxiao’s eyes lit up at the compliment. “Then Dad likes it! Don’t be angry!”

“Dad already forgave you, so I’m not angry. If you show this to Grandpa, he will be happy.”

Huo Xiaoxiao hurried to nod. She then said with a face full of excitement and expectation, “I’ll go… go… show it to Grandpa!”

Afterward, she took the drawing with her and couldn’t wait to go to Old Master Huo’s room.

Old master Huo was preparing to sleep when there was a small knock on the door.

He opened the door and looked down to see the toddler standing on her toes, skipping around with her small legs, and struggling to show him the picture with both hands.

“Grandpa, Grandpa! Draw!”

The moment he saw the drawing, Old master Huo was amazed. He took it with one hand and hugged Xiaoxiao with the other one.

“Did Xiaoxiao draw it?”

Huo Xiaoxiao nodded and pointed at the drawing. “This is Grandpa, this is Dad, and this is me!”

Old Master Huo was not as picky as Huo Suicheng. From the bottom of his heart, he felt that his granddaughter had done well, and he wasn’t stingy with his praise. “Xiaoxiao’s drawing is so awesome. You are so talented. Have you shown it to Dad?”

“Yes! Dad likes it!”

Old Master Huo appreciated the drawing with satisfaction. He felt that it was the first painting in the child’s life, and such a moment should be collected properly.

“Grandpa will find a frame later and hang Xiaoxiao’s painting on the wall, OK?”

“…” ‘Grandpa, you don’t have to go to so much trouble.’

She was clear on what her painting was like. She would never become so self-conceited that she would lose herself from just a few words of praise.

Framed and hung on the wall?

Seeing it so frequently that she would imagine it even with her head down?

She could bear the embarrassment, but her drawing was too ugly.

Huo Xiaoxiao shook his head like a rattle drum. “No… Yes, it’s for Daddy!”

“For Daddy?”

“This afternoon, Daddy angry. Draw for Daddy.”

Old Master Huo realized instantly. “So this drawing is our Xiaoxiao’s apology to Daddy? OK, we’ll frame it up for Daddy and put it in Daddy’s room. Your daddy will be pleased.”

Huo Xiaoxiao recalled the look on Huo Suicheng’s face when he saw the painting.

Perhaps… he wouldn’t be happy?

With a smile on his face, Old Master Huo held Huo Xiaoxiao and took the drawing to find Uncle Chen. He asked him to find a frame and hang it carefully.

Looking at the painting, Uncle Chen also praised it repeatedly and was not stingy. “Did Xiaoxiao draw this? It’s perfect. Uncle Chen will definitely frame it properly.”

He did what he said.

Uncle Chen immediately found someone to get a frame of A4 paper size. He then carefully wiped its glass clean until it was spotless. Only then did he show it to Huo Xiaoxiao.

Huo Xiaoxiao’s terrible art was treated as a famous masterpiece, turning her face red.

It was kind of embarrassing.

“Give her drawing to me.” Old Master Huo took the frame from Uncle Chen and headed upstairs to Huo Suicheng’s room.

After entering the room, Old Mater Huo first looked around and then, under Huo Suicheng’s confused gaze, pointed to the wall facing the bed. He asked Huo Xiaoxiao, “Xiaoxiao, would you mind hanging your drawing here?”

Only then did Huo Suicheng notice the frame in his father’s hand, and his heart thumped.

“What are you… talking about?”

Old Master Hua smiled and showed him the frame. “This is Xiaoxiao’s first drawing. I think it’s very meaningful, so I asked Uncle Chen to frame it. Xiaoxiao made it especially for you; of course, it has to be hung in your room.”

“…” Huo Suicheng wanted to refute, but Huo Xiaoxiao took the opportunity to say, “Great!”

In the end, Old Master Huo turned to Huo Suicheng and said, “Look at how good Xiaoxiao is. She knows how to draw a picture to appease your anger.”

Aside, Huo Xiaoxiao nodded in agreement.

Huo Suicheng sighed and accepted his daughter’s drawing.

Anyway, they seldom came to this vacation villa.

“I understand.”

“I’ll leave the painting with you. I’ll have the workers come over later to hang it up.”

Huo Suicheng looked down at the frame on his hand. “It’s really well-drawn. Quite talented.”

Huo Xiaoxiao was shocked.

“Please bring the art teacher back in a couple of days. Xiaoxiao’s talent can’t be wasted.”

“OK, let’s do that.”

Huo Xiaoxiao: “…”

It didn’t take long for a servant to come upstairs and hang the painting on the wall in Huo Suicheng’s room, which could be regarded as “cute art”.

The worker couldn’t help but laugh twice when he saw the painting.

Huo Suicheng followed the sound and looked over. “What are you laughing at?”

Seeing Huo Suicheng’s cold expression, the servant hurriedly explained, “You’ve misunderstood. I just think this drawing by your daughter is adorable.”

Huo Suicheng coldly withdrew his gaze. “Get out.”

The servant hastily packed up and left.

Although this was just a vacation villa, there was still no slacking in the decoration. A designer had designed every inch of it.

From the overall frame layout down to the vases’ arrangement, it was all well thought out.

The paintings hanging on the walls were not exactly famous, but they were worth a lot of money.

But suddenly, a picture drawn by an innocent child was hung on the wall, which looked misplaced and awkward.

Apart from Huo Xiaoxiao, there was no one in the whole family who could draw like this and have it framed.

Huo Suicheng stood in front of his daughter’s drawing and looked at it for a while. The man with thick hair in the painting looked like him except for his hair.

It was said that a daughter would be her father’s beloved. But why did Huo Suicheng feel that this child was sent by God to torture him?

Every day, she would think of new antics.

The frame’s mirror seemed to be stained with the dust caused by hammering just now. Huo Suicheng stretched out his hand and wiped it clean.

————

The next morning, Huo Xiaoxiao opened her eyes in high spirits.

After giving away her drawing last night, Huo Xiaoxiao believed she had made peace with her father, and they would no longer hurt each other. Hence, she had no psychological burden and even had a good sleep.

The only thing that bothered her was that she wanted to play in the water, but her grandfather wouldn’t let her.

What was the point of coming to the beach if not to play in the water?

So boring.

Throughout the day, Huo Xiaoxiao’s red bow swimsuit did not play a role at all. Carrying a plastic bucket, she held hands with her grandfather, who pestered her not to leave his side. In the end, she came back after picking a few shells on the beach.

Still, it was better than the leash that her daddy had put on her yesterday.

There was a swimming pool in the backyard of the villa. When she went upstairs, she vaguely heard the sound of water and ran to the pool with her short legs.

The pool was quite large, with recliners and barbecue stands on the side. She saw someone swimming in the pool.

“Daddy!”

Huo Suicheng was swimming laps in the pool when he vaguely saw a child standing by the pool. He headed out of the water, rested on the pool’s side, and smoothened his wet hair back to reveal his broad forehead. The water drops slid down from his forehead along the high nose bridge and into the swimming pool.

Who wore clothes for swimming?

Huo Xiaoxiao looked at her father’s eight packs. The muscle lines were distinct, and the arms were well-proportioned, exuding an aura of strength.

Her big black eyes darting around, Huo Xiaoxiao smirked at him. She then stepped back with her right foot and bolted towards Huo Suicheng like an arrow.

Huo Xiaoxiao’s bold move startled her father.

His face changed drastically, and he backed up anxiously. His hands and chest firmly caught Huo Xiaoxiao, who had jumped from the edge.

“Huo Xiaoxiao!”

Not feeling that she had done anything wrong, Huo Xiaoxiao hugged Huo Suicheng’s neck, and her two short legs dipped into the water and splashed around.

“Daddy, swim!”

Huo Suicheng stared at his daughter with lingering fear, “Who told you to jump down?”

“Daddy’s here!” Huo Xiaoxiao answered confidently.

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Huo Suicheng now understood how bold she was; there was nothing she dared to do.

He held her in one hand and swam towards the edge. “Go up!”

Huo Xiaoxiao, however, hugged his neck and didn’t let go. “No! Daddy, teach me. I want to swim too.”

What was the result of her findings yesterday?

Always rely on your father.

“Be obedient. Daddy will teach you when you grow up.”

“I want it now.”

“Huo Xiaoxiao, do you have to force me to give a lesson to make you obedient?”

“…” She knew that her father had wanted to beat her for a long time.

Huo Suicheng stood up from the swimming pool with Huo Xiaoxiao in his arms and walked to the edge. He grabbed a bath towel on the recliner, dried her body, and put her on the recliner.

When he was ready to wipe his own body, he heard a sound behind him.

Huo Suicheng turned around and saw Huo Xiaoxiao jump into the water happily. Seeing this, Huo Suicheng was scared and rushed into the water to grab her.

“Ahem… Daddy, I’m fine.” Huo Xiaoxiao was picked up by Huo Suicheng. She clung to his arm and coughed twice.

It was nothing serious.

Huo Suicheng’s hanging heart finally eased. Seeing her laugh so hard that he couldn’t see her eyes, he brushed her wet hair back. “I will settle the score with you later.”

Huo Xiaoxiao was not afraid and even yelled at her dad: “Daddy, go… go to the back!”

Huo Suicheng was helpless. He swam back slowly, letting her grab her arm and kick her two short legs in the water at random.

“Hold your breath before your head goes into the water.”

“Legs!”

“Inhale.”

For a swimmer like Huo Suicheng, swimming was natural, but Huo Xiaoxiao, a dry duck, had never learned to swim in her previous life. After several dives and drinking a few mouthfuls of water, she regretted her decision.

It was too hard to swim!

The taste of water pouring in from the nose was also too uncomfortable.

“Dad-Daddy, no, no, no…” She hurriedly wanted to stop learning, but a few water bubbles formed in her mouth.

“Don’t be afraid; Daddy is here.”

A pair of strong arms hauled up her sinking body. Huo Xiaoxiao felt the upward force and took a deep breath.

With Huo Suicheng’s leadership, Huo Xiaoxiao held her father’s hand for a while and gradually became bolder before letting go of his hand. She excitedly swam on her hands and knees in a doggy paddle style.

As a dry duck, Huo Xiaoxiao had never imagined that swimming could be so easy.

“Daddy, Daddy, look at me. I can also do it!”

Her stingy old father finally showered her with some praise. “Smart.”

After Huo Xiaoxiao was complimented, her tail was about to rise to the sky. She happily swam to Huo Suicheng’s side. “Daddy is smarter!”

Before Huo Suicheng could say anything, an enraged voice came from behind him. “Huo Suicheng, what are you doing!”

As soon as she saw her grandfather coming, Huo Xiaoxiao swam even more happily.

She kept pounding in the water.

“Grandpa, I can swim. Daddy taught me!”

Although she also wanted to show her superb swimming skills to Old Master Huo, she was carried off the pool by Huo Suicheng.

Aunt Zhao and the others were busy bringing in towels to dry Huo Xiaoxiao’s wet body.

It was only then that Huo Xiaoxiao saw three or four maids walking inside with iron or charcoal buckets.

Huo Suicheng wiped her hair with a towel and said, “You didn’t see it. She kept jumping in and wanted to learn swimming. Although she is still young, you can’t blame me for everything.”

“She doesn’t know anything, but you’re an adult! “Old Master Huo then looked towards Huo Xiaoxiao, “Xiaoxiao!”

Huo Xiaoxiao blinked and said nicely, “Grandpa, I’m sorry, I was wrong. I won’t do it again.”

With the assurance, Old Master Huo’s face softened a bit.

“Grandpa, what are they doing?”

Old Master Huo squatted down to wipe her down himself. “They caught a lot of seafood. We’ll steam and roast it in the courtyard at night, but since a certain child won’t listen, Grandpa decided…”

Barbecue?

A picnic?

Huo Xiaoxiao acted spoiled in front of the old man without any psychological pressure, planting a kiss on his face. “Grandpa is the best!”

Old Master Huo was helpless but amused, “Go and change your clothes. Don’t catch a cold.”

“Yes!”

Huo Xiaoxiao happily went upstairs to change clothes.

It was a dusky twilight when she came down, and the sun was slowly sinking into the sea.

Aunt Zhao and others were preparing the barbecue grill. Huo Xiaoxiao couldn’t sit still. She watched them eagerly, constantly wandering around and urging from time to time.

Huo Suicheng and Old Master Huo were seated at a wooden table to one side.

Today, the moonlight was magnificent, and the courtyard was fully lit. Little colored lights were hanging on a few lush trees, illuminating the whole yard.

Huo Suicheng opened a bottle of wine and poured a glass for his father, enjoying this peaceful moment.

Old Master Huo held his waist when he sat down, and his eyebrows were scrunched up, clearly uncomfortable.

Huo Suicheng noticed it and said, “I think your waist has not been so good recently. I will accompany you to the hospital for a check-up.”

Old Master Huo hammered his waist and said with a relaxed tone, “Nothing serious. It’s the same old problem that I had when you were still a kid.”

“When I was young?”

“As a kid, you were more naughty than Xiaoxiao. And just like today, you had to learn swimming. I didn’t let you jump into the pool by yourself. While carrying you, I hurt my waist, and it didn’t get better. Your mother even spanked you twice for this. You ignored her for two days straight.”

Huo Suicheng was silent for a moment.

“I don’t remember Mom… beating me.”

“At that time, you were young. Of course, you don’t remember.”

“Young? How young?”

“Not much older than Xiaoxiao but much heavier than her.”

The waves outside the villa were faintly audible, and there was a breeze blowing, with the salty and wet atmosphere of the ocean.

Huo Suicheng lowered his eyes. “I almost don’t remember what my mother looks like.

“It’s been years…

“She must have been regretful.”

Otherwise, she would not have sent a letter when she was seriously ill, hoping he would visit her.

“Maybe.” Old master Huo looked up at the lush green hills behind him. “When does the project start?”

“The fifth of next month.”

“It’s a good day.”

Huo Suicheng didn’t speak.

Old Master Huo sighed. “It won’t be so quiet later on.”

“Dad, I’m sorry…”

“It’s alright. This place has been empty for more than ten years, and it’s time to develop it. I didn’t agree with you before and forced you to a dead end as your father. Now that you are ready, do it well, and don’t let me down. ”

“Don’t worry, I won’t disappoint you if you leave the company to me.”

If a year ago, Old Master Huo was concerned about handing over his remaining shares to Huo Suicheng, now he was completely relieved.

He lifted his glass and clinked it with Huo Suicheng’s. “The company will be in your hands from now on. I’m at ease.”

The aroma of grilled seafood wafted downwind as he swallowed a mouthful of wine.

Huo Suicheng put down his glass and asked, “When did you and Mom get divorced?”

Old Master Huo’s hand froze for a bit before he said, “”She mentioned divorce to me before she left, and it just so happened that the company had gone bankrupt. I didn’t want to get her involved, so I simply divorced her.”

“Then how come you never told me?”

“You were young. What was the point in talking to you?”

“I didn’t see you talking to me even when I was a grown-up?”

“What’s the point of talking to you when you’re already old enough?”

“If you had told me…”

“You were not that obedient. Look at Xiaoxiao.” Old master Huo glanced at Huo Xiaoxiao, who was messing around by the barbecue. “Like father, like daughter.”

Huo Suicheng gazed over and smiled.

“Yes. Like father, like son.”

Old Master Huo glared at him and scolded him while laughing. “So rude.”

By the barbecue, Huo Xiaoxiao finally got a crispy roasted chicken leg and hurriedly ran over.

“Grandpa, have a chicken leg!”

Old Master Huo smiled and accepted it. “Giving it to Grandpa, what about Daddy?”

Huo Xiaoxiao stared at the oranges on the table and grabbed one while standing on her tiptoes. Her white fingers peeled off the orange bit by bit, then she removed the fibers on the slices, and stuffed it into Huo Suicheng’s mouth.

Huo Suicheng took a bite and tasted the sweetness of orange in the fresh sea breeze.