But the sound still didn't escape Huo Jinning's ears, making her burst out laughing.
The crisp laughter immediately caught Xu Xiaoran's attention.
She looked in the direction of the sound and saw a girl in a bright red dress, with a beautiful face and a gentle and graceful demeanor standing there.
"Grandma, is this the girlfriend you just mentioned for Brother Nian?" Xu Xiaoran asked in surprise, pointing at Huo Jinning.
“That’s right, this is Ningning. Hurry up and say hello to her!” Feng Ruolan urged with a smile.
"Hello, sister-in-law!" Xu Xiaoran greeted her warmly.
"Ahem... um..." Huo Jinning was startled by the sudden address of "sister-in-law" and couldn't help but cough.
"Here, have some water," Feng Ruolan said softly, handing the water glass to Huo Jinning.
She gently patted Huo Jinning's back, hoping it would help her catch her breath.
Upon hearing the word "sister-in-law," Fu Qinian's expression became somewhat unnatural.
He glanced at Huo Jinning subconsciously, only to see that the other was drinking water with his head down, seemingly unaware of his strange behavior.
However, at that moment, Fu Qinian suddenly noticed that his ears were slightly red. He quickly turned his head away, afraid that someone would see them.
"I...I'm alright now, Grandma Feng." After a while, Huo Jinning finally calmed down and said gratefully to Feng Ruolan.
"It's alright, it's alright."
"Um, I didn't..." Huo Jinxin saw this and wanted to explain what had just happened.
But before she could finish speaking, she was interrupted by a voice.
"Is that Xiao Ran here? I could hear her talking from far away."
It turned out that Xu Jinzhi had come out of the house.
His appearance stopped Huo Jinning from finishing her sentence.
"Grandpa, did you miss me? I missed you so much!" Xu Xiaoran ran up to Xu Jinzhi as soon as she saw him and said in a coquettish tone.
"Haha, you miss the food I cook, don't you! You still miss this old man." Xu Jinzhi smiled affectionately, making a joke about his granddaughter.
"Hehe, Grandpa understands me best." Xu Xiaoran playfully stuck out her tongue, then hugged Xu Jinzhi's arm tightly.
"You little rascal..." Xu Jinzhi shook his head helplessly, but his eyes were full of doting affection for his granddaughter.
"She's already in her twenties, but she still acts like she hasn't grown up," Feng Ruolan complained helplessly.
"I'm only in my twenties, not in my two hundreds. Besides, in the eyes of you elders, I'm just a little kid!" Xu Xiaoran winked playfully at Feng Ruolan and replied with a grin.
"You're so quick-witted, yet you're such a grown woman, don't you know any shame?" Feng Ruolan gently tapped Xu Xiaoran's forehead, expressing her reproach.
Looking at this heartwarming scene, Huo Jinning couldn't help but feel a deep sense of envy.
Looking back on her past life, she was an orphan with no one to rely on, growing up in an orphanage with great difficulty, never experiencing the warmth and care from a family.
Now that she has been reborn, although the Huo family treats her like family, she has long been accustomed to facing all kinds of difficulties and challenges in life alone.
Although she occasionally acts cute and charming towards her family, it never feels as natural and innocent as Xu Xiaoran's.
At this moment, Fu Qinian's gaze remained fixed on Huo Jinning, and he noticed the hint of envy in her eyes.
This made him involuntarily think of the investigation he had conducted into her background, and he guessed that perhaps it was because she recalled not receiving the love and pampering she deserved in her original home during her childhood that she was so envious.
"Why shouldn't I be ashamed? You're not outsiders, you're all my closest family!" Xu Xiaoran retorted confidently.
"Haha, Xiao Ran is right!" Xu Jinzhi's face was beaming with a bright smile, her eyes narrowing into slits.
"You just spoil her!" Feng Ruolan was both annoyed and amused.
His tone carried a hint of helplessness, but more than anything, it reflected his doting affection and love for his granddaughter.
She gently shook her head, her eyes filled with tenderness and love.
Several people sat together, chatting and laughing, enjoying themselves immensely.
Huo Jinning and Fu Qinian occasionally chimed in with a few words, making the atmosphere at the scene even more harmonious and pleasant.
Time flies, and before you know it, night falls, and the surrounding environment is gradually enveloped in darkness.
"Grandpa Xu, Grandma Feng, it's getting late, we should leave now so as not to disturb your rest." Fu Qinian glanced at his watch.
"Oh dear, it's getting dark so quickly! You should hurry and take Ningning home. Be careful on the road," Xu Jinzhi said with a smile.
"Ningning, remember to come visit Grandpa and Grandma more often when you have time, and ask Grandpa Xu to make you some delicious food." Feng Ruolan looked at Huo Jinning with affection, her eyes full of love.
"Okay, thank you Grandpa Xu and Grandma Feng!" Huo Jinning nodded obediently, her face beaming with a smile.
At this moment, Xu Xiaoran suddenly spoke up: "Sister-in-law, why don't we add each other on WeChat? That way, I can contact you anytime I want to hang out."
"Okay! Actually, I get quite bored staying at home alone." Huo Jinning readily agreed.
Now, she's gotten used to Xu Xiaoran calling her "sister-in-law" without any reaction, and she's even too lazy to correct her.
"Grandpa Xu, Grandma Feng, Xiao Ran really doesn't need to see me off anymore. I'll come visit you again next time. Bye-bye~" Huo Jinning stepped out the door, smiling and waving goodbye.
"Little New Year, remember to bring Ningning over to play when you have time," Feng Ruolan said affectionately.
"Okay, Grandma Feng, Grandpa Xu, goodbye!"
"Young Master, Miss Huo, please get in the car." Wang Kun respectfully opened the car door and used his hand to protect the top of the car frame to prevent the owners from bumping their heads.
"Thank you, Uncle Wang." Huo Jinning thanked him politely and got into the car gracefully.
When the two were in the same enclosed space, the originally spacious carriage suddenly became somewhat cramped, and even their breathing seemed to be clearly audible.
"Mr. Fu, thank you for your hospitality today." As she was about to get out of the car, Huo Jinning turned around and sincerely thanked Fu Qinian.
"You're welcome. I should be thanking you. If it weren't for you, I definitely wouldn't have had the chance to treat you to a meal."
"Well then... goodbye." Huo Jinning pushed open the car door and got out gracefully.
Her figure gradually receded into the distance until she disappeared from sight, at which point Fu Qinian signaled Wang Kun to drive away.
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