Coming out of the dispute investigation office, Jiang Ning didn’t speak the whole time, all the way back to the independent courtyard in Area B. 

No emotion could be seen on her face, but even Coke noticed that she was in a strange mood, not to mention Huo Yishen and his sister. 

They were perceptive enough to realize that when they learned Song Yaling was the chief’s wife, Jiang Ning’s background was finally revealed. 

Especially since Song Yaling cooperated with Chen Yanfei to cause chaos and have Jiang Ning killed by military bullets. 

Being abandoned at birth could be considered as selfish and cold-blooded behavior from her parents. 

Without emotional ties, they simply never interacted again. 

But when she allowed Chen Yanfei to kill Jiang Ning, and even secretly cooperated at the critical moment, this is still selfish and cold-blooded —it was truly inhumane. 

Even though Jiang Ning did not recognize Song Yaling, it did not mean she was an emotionless machine. 

She is a human, a living person, who laughs when happy and cries when sad. 

The coldness and abuse from Doudou’s uncle’s family still leave a psychological scar that hasn’t fully healed.

But Jiang Ning’s biological mother wanted to kill her. There was no blood feud between the two. Song Yaling did this just to maintain her lies and self-interest. 

At this moment, the only thing they could do was to accompany and protect her. 

Back home, Jiang Ning went to the bedroom bathroom to take a shower, and the sound of water kept running. 

She didn’t eat lunch, and it was already evening. Huo Yishen told Doudou to cook and not to let the dog starve. 

He followed into the room and closed the door behind him. 

Huo Yishen took his pajamas, opened the bathroom door, and walked in. 

He embraced Jiang Ning from behind and softly said, “Are you very upset?” 

“No.” 

Not upset, but she did feel something—neither anger nor pain, but a suppressed emotion that stirred an inexplicable urge within her.

Huo Yishen could sense her depression, and his warm lips pressed tightly against her fair neck. “Do it?” 

Jiang Ning did not hesitate. “Yes.” 

Huo Yishen lowered his head to kiss her but was pushed away by Jiang Ning. “Take a shower first.” 

The bathroom door was closed, but there was no one inside. 

After an unknown amount of time, Jiang Ning, with a flushed face, came out of the space. Her rapid breathing took a while to calm down, and she soon fell asleep from exhaustion. She had no emotions now. Even if the sky fell, she would not have the strength to open her eyes and get up. 

Huo Yishen, on the other hand, was very energetic. He leaned over and kissed her forehead and whispered to comfort her, “Have a good sleep, and everything will be over when you wake up.” 

“No matter what happens, I will be with you to face it together.” 

After covering her with the blanket, he opened the door to eat dinner. 

The food made by Doudou had already cooled down, and Huo Yishen took it to the kitchen to heat it up again. 

Coke came over and looked up at him. 

Huo Yishen stroked the dog’s head and said with a smile, “Don’t worry, Anning is fine now.” 

Only then did the dog feel relieved and return to its spot to continue sleeping. 

It was already nine in the morning when Jiang Ning woke up naturally. She stretched her body and still felt sore and uncomfortable but had an indescribable sense of relief. 

Huo Yishen came in and asked, “Are you hungry? I made you some rice noodles.” 

Jiang Ning turned over and continued to sleep. “I don’t want to move.” 

Huo Yishen sat down beside the bed. “Secretary He is waiting downstairs. If you don’t want to see him, I will refuse him.” 

Gu Tinglin’s secretary? 

Jiang Ning thought about it and sat up. She felt soft and didn’t want to move and fell directly on Huo Yishen. 

Huo Yishen caught her in his arms. “Anning, no matter what the outcome is, no matter what decision you make, I will support you unconditionally. 

But I hope that your decision will make you happy and comfortable, rather than being angry or impulsive.” 

He didn’t say it clearly, but Jiang Ning knew what he meant. 

She looked up and glanced at him. “Don’t you trust me so much?” 

“No.” Huo Yishen kissed her forehead. “I just hope that your decision is well-thought-out and that you won’t regret or feel sorry for it in the future.” 

“So nagging,” Jiang Ning shot him a glance, “Mr. Huo, are you getting old?” 

Huo Yishen didn’t argue with her. “Didn’t I satisfy you last night?” 

Ugh, men are really something. They look serious all the time, but when it comes to speaking up, they go wild. 

Hiss, uncomfortable! 

Jiang Ning pushed him, but he didn’t budge. 

“Or should we do it again?” 

Jiang Ning kicked him twice. “You wish.” He almost killed her last night. 

She got up, brushed her teeth, and had a simple breakfast. 

Jiang Ning changed her clothes and asked Secretary He to wait downstairs for more than an hour before going downstairs slowly. 

Secretary He looked calm. “Ms. Jiang, the matter from yesterday has been resolved. The chief wants to talk to you.” 

Jiang Ning was mentally prepared and opened the car door to get in. 

Huo Yishen, along with his sister and Coke, accompanied her. 

When they arrived at the military office area, leaders from other departments came to see the chief. After waiting for more than half an hour, they finally came out. 

The secretary was about to invite Jiang Ning in, but someone else rushed to cut in line. As soon as the person went in, someone else came over. “Secretary He, is the chief free now? There’s a problem at the arsenal, and we need his instructions.” 

Knowing that the matter was urgent, Secretary He arranged to let them cut in line again. 

Looking at the situation, it was estimated that it would not be her turn for a while. Jiang Ning frowned slightly. “Shall we reschedule?” 

“Sorry, this is normal.” Secretary He was polite and tactful. “The chief is really too busy; please wait.” 

After going back and forth several times, it took more than an hour to arrange her. 

During the break, Gu Tinglin took the opportunity to take his medication. 

It would be better if he didn’t go to the hospital. The examination found a lot of problems, and the medical records were three pages long, not to mention the countless medications. 

There was an interval between taking medicine, but he was often busy and forgot, so Secretary He could only set several alarms to remind him. 

When Jiang Ning entered, Gu Tinglin had just put his medication in his mouth and was momentarily distracted by seeing her, he almost forgot to swallow the medicine. 

Secretary He quickly handed over the warm water. “Chief, don’t choke.” 

Gu Tinglin came back to his senses, took the medicine, and stood up from the desk. 

There was a meeting room in the office; Secretary He quickly arranged it and then considerately closed the door.  

The father and daughter faced each other across the conference table, unsure of what to say. 

It was Jiang Ning who broke the silence and said calmly, “Hello, Chief.” 

Gu Tinglin nodded and smiled, “Jiang Ning, please sit.” 

They sat facing each other across the table. 

Reflecting on the past, Gu Tinglin calmed his restless emotions and spoke with heaviness and guilt, “I’m sorry I wasn’t there to watch you grow up.” 

He didn’t talk about the past, and Jiang Ning was not interested in knowing. She said calmly, “It doesn’t matter. You didn’t fulfill your parental duties, and I don’t need to bear the responsibility of supporting you. Let’s call it even; you don’t need to feel sorry.” 

Though he had only known the truth for a short time, Gu Tinglin had already investigated her character. 

So he was not surprised at all when Jiang Ning said this. 

“I’m sorry; I was absent from your growth when you needed the company of your family the most.” 

Gu Tinglin could do nothing else except apologize, but he was very glad that his daughter’s mind not only did not go astray but also met a partner to share her life with. 

He was truly gratified that she was independent and strong. 

He pushed the paternity test report over, “Jiang Ning, even now, what I owe you still cannot be made up for, as I have more important things to do. No matter what difficulties or storms come in the future, I may not be able to shield you from them…”