Lin Xiaowan did not have anything to say in response. Suddenly, she recalled her birthday wish in her previous life. She suddenly blurted out without thinking, “When you’re done with your work, can we visit the North Pole? I want to see the northern lights!”

Huo Zheng was delighted when he heard her request. He quickly said, “Alright. I’ll bring you there when I’m done with my work.”

In his opinion, since Lin Xiaowan was willing to go on a holiday with him, it meant that she no longer wanted to break up.

At this moment, Lin Xiaowan’s eyes fell on the various bags on the ground and asked, “Why did you bring so many things over?”

“It’s your birthday today.”

Lin Xiaowan was stunned. When she returned to her senses, she brought her phone out to check the date. It was indeed her birthday. She had been muddle-headed these days and had lost track of the days. She had completely forgotten about her birthday.

Sensing that something was amiss, Huo Zheng asked, “Qingqing, what’s wrong?”

Huo Zheng wanted to test the water so he quickly reached out to hug her. It would be best if he could kiss her as well. Alas, the moment his hand touched her, she shivered in fear and dodged to the side.

Confused, Huo Zheng leaned over to comfort her as he asked worriedly, “What’s wrong, Qingqing? Can I hug you?”

He spoke softly, afraid of further frightening her.

Lin Xiaowan felt extremely jittery at this moment. In fact, she had instinctively dodged him. When she saw his open arms, she asked without thinking, “Do you also hug Song Zhiyi like this?”

“Let’s not talk about her, okay?” Huo Zheng said with a sigh as he withdrew his hands.

It seemed as though Lin Xiaowan did not hear his words as she continued to press on. She asked, “Did you meet Song Zhiyi again during this period of time?”

Huo Zheng nodded with great difficulty. “Yes. I’m sorry, Qingqing. I have no choice but to see her.”

Then, he asked again, “Let’s not talk about her anymore, okay?”

Lin Xiaowan lowered her head silently.

Huo Zheng slowly pulled her into his embrace and held her hands. Her hands were small, and her fingers were short and chubby. He found them very cute. After a moment, he asked worriedly, “Why are your hands so cold?”

Although Lin Xiaowan did not respond to him, he continued to ask gently, “What do you want to eat tonight? Pork ribs with preserved plums? Snowflake Beef Tenderloin? You have to eat more vegetables. You can’t be picky.”

Lin Xiaowan felt that this was not right. How could they behave intimately like a couple when they had broken up? How could she live in his house when they had broken up?

Finally, she mustered up her courage and said, “I want to go home.”

Huo Zheng did not know why she brought this topic up again. He paused for a moment before he said anxiously, “Qingqing, this is your home. You promised me you wouldn’t leave. Wait for me a little longer. After this matter is settled, Song Zhiyi will never appear in our lives again. At that time, if you still want to break up, I’ll pursue you again, okay?”

Lin Xiaowan shook her head and said, “You always want me to wait for you. I want to go home.”

“Didn’t we just talk about going to the North Pole to see the northern lights? Don’t you want to go?” Huo Zheng asked, coaxing her as though he was coaxing a child. His eyes could not hide his anxiety, but his voice was gentle.

Lin Xiaowan had not been sleeping well recently and was in low spirits. Huo Zheng’s gentle voice made her feel a little dazed. She muttered, “I keep feeling like someone’s watching me. Wherever I go, I feel like someone’s secretly watching me.”

The invisible gaze made her hair stand on end, and it almost drove her crazy.

Huo Zheng sighed in relief when he realized this was the reason she wanted to go home. He quickly said, “Don’t be afraid. They’re not bad people. They’re here to protect you.”

Upon hearing these words, Lin Xiaowan sobered up immediately. She suddenly pushed Huo Zheng away and looked at him in disbelief as she asked, “Are they your people?”

Huo Zheng nodded calmly. Clearly, he did not think he had done anything wrong. He said, “It’s to ensure your safety.”

‘To ensure my safety?’

Lin Xiaowan almost laughed out loud.

Due to the constant surveillance, she lived on tenterhooks every day. She was paranoid and uneasy, constantly tense. The eyes that stared terrified her. Now that she found out Huo Zheng was responsible for this matter, how could she not be angry?

“Ensure my safety? Why didn’t you say anything if you wanted to protect me? Why right do you have to keep me under surveillance or monitor me? Are you crazy, Huo Zheng? Why did you send people to keep an eye on me without telling me anything? Why didn’t you tell me?!”

Nearing the end of her words, Lin Xiaowan screamed hysterically.

Huo Zheng did not understand Lin Xiaowan’s anger at all. He said, “I’m not keeping you under surveillance or monitoring you. I’m protecting you.”

Lin Xiaowan felt as though she was going to go crazy from anger. She did not understand how Huo Zheng could be so calm. She was so angry that her hands shook. When she saw the bags, she pushed them over and shouted, “Why do I need protection? Why? Is it to stop me from going out or is it to stop me from sneaking away? I don’t need this kind of protection!”

Huo Zheng’s so-called protection made her afraid to go out, afraid to sleep, and afraid of life.

Lin Xiaowan’s hair was disheveled, and her face was ashen at this moment.

Huo Zheng did not understand Lin Xiaowan’s feelings at all. He had a headache from her overreaction, but he kept coaxing her like he did in the past. “Alright, alright, calm down, okay? When this matter is over, I’ll send those people away.”

Lin Xiaowan looked at Huo Zheng in disbelief. “I said I don’t need the protection. Do you understand what I’m saying, Huo Zheng?”

“Be good, okay? I’m really trying to protect you,” Huo Zheng said as he leaned over to tidy her hair.

Lin Xiaowan swatted his hand away, not holding back her strength as she did so. She said angrily, “Get lost! Don’t touch me!”

Huo Zheng felt a little angry at this moment. He was doing all these for her good, after all. This was an important time, and enemies of the Huo family were looking for an opportunity to make a move. He was truly worried they would target Lin Xiaowan. However, she did not seem to understand him at all. He said darkly, “There’s no room for discussion regarding this matter. Someone has to keep an eye on you.”

Huo Zheng realized he sounded a little harsh so he quickly softened his tone and said, “Xiaowan, can you please listen to me?”

Seeing that Huo Zheng did not listen to her at all, she stood up angrily, intending to scold him again. Perhaps she had stood up too quickly, her vision turned black, and she fainted.

Huo Zheng was shocked and quickly reached out to catch her.

Lin Xiaowan was only unconscious for a few seconds. When she regained her senses, she did not even know she had fainted; she only thought it was a bout of dizziness. When she realized she was in Huo Zheng’s arms, she immediately struggled to free herself from him.

“Qingqing, Qingqing, listen to me… I promise that once this matter is over, no one will keep an eye on you,” Huo Zheng said. He was worried she would faint again so he did not dare to hold her too tightly. He could only watch helplessly as she huddled on the other side of the couch.

Lin Xiaowan did not want to listen to him anymore. She only said, “I want to leave tomorrow.”