Volume One, Chapter 29: Professor Huo Receives Praise

“Dad.” Huo Mingting lowered his head, and Huo Cong handed him a piece of chocolate. “This is for you.”

It was rare for his son to be so thoughtful and filial. Mingting's expression softened, and he didn't refuse. In a gentle voice, he asked, “Who gave this to you?”

“My deskmate.”

Mingting was genuinely surprised. “You have a deskmate now?”

He knew his son was introverted and resistant to outsiders, disliking closeness. The teachers had tried pairing him with several classmates before, but each time he had driven them to tears. Mingting had already made several trips to the school because of this.

So, for him to accept a new classmate so quickly was truly gratifying for Mingting.

He really was growing up, becoming more sensible.

“Yes. He’s really annoying. I didn’t want it, but he insisted I take it.”

Watching his son’s contradictory little face, Mingting smiled but didn’t expose him. He stroked Huo Cong’s head. “If he gives you something, just accept it. Next time, you can give him a small gift in return.”

Huo Cong said nothing, but tacitly agreed.

When Mingting looked up again, the pair from before had already disappeared.

He set aside his thoughts, took the backpack, and held his son’s hand as they walked toward the car. “Aunt Minshu has reserved a table at a Western restaurant. Tonight, we’re having pizza.”

Huo Cong hesitated. “I don’t want to go.”

“What’s wrong? Don’t want pizza anymore?” Mingting looked at him.

Huo Cong’s little face grew sullen and he didn’t speak, sulking on his own.

“Alright, don’t be upset. Aunt Minshu specifically reserved this restaurant for you. It wouldn’t be right or polite not to go. Come on.”

—

Huo Lindong didn’t even need to ask his son anything. As soon as they got in the car, Huo Xiaobei started chattering about all the amusing things that had happened at school.

“Dad, I shared all the chocolate you gave me with my classmates. Everyone was so happy and they really like me!”

“Is that so? You’re quite popular,” Lindong said, fastening his seatbelt and tapping his little nose.

“Of course!” Xiaobei grinned. “Teacher Cheng takes good care of me and made me deskmates with Huo Cong. We’re good friends!”

Lindong handed him a bottle of yogurt, smiling without saying much.

Children’s friendships are always simple—if they hit it off, they’re friends.

“Dad, what are we having for dinner tonight?”

“What would you like?”

“Pizza!” Xiaobei’s eyes sparkled.

Lindong scrolled through his phone, searching for highly rated restaurants. “Daddy still has work to finish tonight, so I don’t have time to cook. Is it alright if we eat out?”

“Sure!” Xiaobei had no objections. He knew his father worked hard and was always understanding.

Lindong found a restaurant not far from Haici Hospital and said to Xiaobei, “Shall we invite Shengsheng to join us?”

Xiaobei readily agreed. “Yes!”

“Then ask if she’s free.”

Lindong dialed the number and handed the phone to his son.

Ye Sheng was just about to get off work when she received Lindong’s call. She paused for a moment before answering, only to hear Xiaobei’s sweet, bright voice through the receiver. “Shengsheng, are you off work?”

Ye Sheng laughed. “Yes, I am. What are your orders, boss?”

“Dad and I want to have pizza. Are you free? Come with us!”

That cheerful voice was like a shot of adrenaline straight to Ye Sheng’s heart—so soothing and comforting that she couldn’t possibly refuse. “Of course!”

Hearing her agree so readily, Lindong took the phone back. His deep voice carried a hint of warmth. “The restaurant is close to Haici Hospital. We’ll come pick you up. We’ll be there in about five minutes.”

“Alright,” Ye Sheng replied cheerfully.

—

Ye Sheng hadn’t been back in the country long and was unfamiliar with the area, so she had no idea that the Western restaurant they were headed to was the same one Qin Minshu had mentioned on the phone.

When they arrived, she found the place bustling, with barely a free table. By chance, a table opened up just as they arrived, so they went straight in without waiting.

The food came quickly, but the taste was only average—not as good as she had imagined. Perhaps years of eating pizza and burgers abroad had dulled her enthusiasm for it.

“What’s wrong? Not to your liking?” Lindong asked considerately. “Shall we order something else?”

“No need, it’s fine. I can eat it,” Ye Sheng replied after swallowing a bite of pizza. “But it’s really not as good as what you make.”

Her words were pure, heartfelt praise, without a trace of flattery. Lindong wasn’t one to be easily flattered, but her sincerity made him soften, a gentle ease spreading across his face.