What to Do If I Become the Villain's Daughter

21

Huo Xiaozheng indeed had something to discuss with Huo Yanqin.

After instructing Huo Ning, he went to the reception room.

Huo Ning remained among the group of children, looking somewhat dazed.

This group of children were all girls from the Huo family's extended branches, mostly around 7-8 years old, with only one slightly older at 12.

"Hello, little sister Ning. I'm sister Jiayi," said the slightly older girl.

"Hello," Huo Ning replied obediently.

Huo Jiayi noticed her seemingly not-too-bright expression and the unbranded sweater and woolen pants she wore. Recalling her mother's comments at home about her being an illegitimate child, a hint of contempt flashed in her eyes.

"We're playing hide-and-seek. Ning, why don't you join us?" Huo Jiayi invited enthusiastically.

Remembering how the adults had just been pinching her cheeks, Huo Ning shuddered.

To avoid further torment, Huo Ning immediately agreed with a "Sure."

Huo Jingyi beamed with delight.

At her command, a girl named An Qi covered her eyes and began counting.

The hiding area was limited to the first floor.

Huo Ning felt a bit anxious and looked around for possible hiding spots.

Huo Jingyi made a "shh" gesture towards her and pulled her towards a corner of the hallway.

Huo Jingyi, familiar with the place, found a cabinet. It wasn't large, and with the space already occupied, it could just fit one small child.

"Little sister Ning, hide here."

Huo Ning was surprised: "What about you?"

Huo Jingyi smiled mysteriously: "I have another place. Quick, get in. I'll lock it for you. If An Qi can't find you, I'll come to open it when the game ends."

With that, she pushed Huo Ning into the cabinet.

Huo Ning panicked and quickly reached out to grab her: "Sister Jingyi, I'm afraid of the dark."

As Huo Ning reached out, a smooth Hetian jade bracelet was revealed on her thin arm. Huo Jingyi immediately recognized it as the gift that Eldest Aunt Huo had promised to give her on her birthday, originally meant for her.

Huo Jingyi's smile faded.

She grabbed Huo Ning's wrist and demanded harshly: "Where did you get this bracelet?"

Her tone was fierce, making Huo Ning uncomfortable. She withdrew her hand: "Eldest Aunt Huo gave it to me."

"Impossible!"

Huo Ning shrank her shoulders in fear.

Realizing her tone was too harsh, Huo Jingyi's eyes darted around as she hatched a plan: "Little sister Ning, I really like this bracelet. Can we trade it for my pink floppy-eared rabbit?"

Huo Ning tilted her head: "I can't trade a gift from Eldest Aunt Huo. It would make her sad."

Surprised that the seemingly not-so-bright child could say something so thoughtful, Huo Jingyi was momentarily at a loss.

"9, 8, 7..." An Qi's countdown echoed from afar.

Huo Ning urged: "Sister Jingyi, we're running out of time. Let's quickly find a place to hide."

She tried to crawl out of the cabinet.

Feeling angry, Huo Jingyi quickly pushed Huo Ning back into the cabinet, putting on a kind face: "You stay hidden here. Wait for me to come find you."