Chapter 14 Rumors spread and she became the center of attention

The military district ball was like a stone dropped into a calm lake, sending ripples that lingered for a long time. In particular, Huo Tingxiao's striking and powerful dance with Su Wanqing, and his subsequent, almost abrupt, removal of her from Lin Weiwei, became the focus of many people's private discussions.

Su Wanqing could clearly feel that the gazes and atmosphere around her had subtly changed.

Before, those glances were mostly filled with curiosity, scrutiny, even a hint of contempt. But now, it's much more complex. There's the aftermath of astonishment, the inquiry, the envy, but more often than not, there's an indescribable level of speculation and the quietly growing...rumors.

That day, she went to the service center to buy daily necessities. As soon as she reached the grain, oil and seasoning section, she heard several low but clear female voices coming from behind the next shelf.

"...You dance really well. I didn't expect that you look so quiet, but you can dance so seductively." A voice with a hint of sourness came out.

"That's right. How could you possibly take down Chief Huo without any skills? I heard Chief Huo didn't even show up on the wedding day. And now, just a few days later, they're already hugging and dancing in front of so many people?"

"Tsk, who knows what means he used. Didn't you see the way Chief Huo looked at her that day? It was so cold, and he left immediately after the dance. I don't think he liked her that much, he just wanted to give her face."

"Exactly. I guess it's Mr. Huo who's putting pressure on me. After all, she's under the name of Mrs. Huo, so she can't look too bad."

"I heard that her family isn't doing well, and she married in on behalf of her sister... I wonder how Chief Huo feels about this..."

"Is this true? A replacement marriage?"

"Shh...keep your voice down...but having said that, he's really good-looking, not any worse than those in the art troupe. He's a man after all..."

The voice gradually lowered and turned into an ambiguous sneer.

Su Wanqing stood there, clutching a bottle of olive oil, her knuckles slightly white. Those words were like fine needles, silently piercing her eardrums. She had known people would talk, but she hadn't imagined it would be so unpleasant, misinterpreting her efforts and caution as "seduction" and "maneuvering."

She put down the oil bottle expressionlessly, turned and walked in another direction, as if she hadn't heard anything.

However, the rumors did not stop behind the service center shelves.

A few days later, she went to the activity center of the retirement home to return a book and happened to meet a few elderly ladies who were drinking tea and chatting.

An auntie warmly invited her to sit down. After chatting for a few minutes, she asked with concern, "Wanqing, are you getting along well with Tingxiao? He has a cold personality and is busy with work, so you should be more patient with him."

Another aunt chimed in, her tone somewhat meaningful, "Yes, it takes time for a couple to adjust. But Tingxiao is a man of loyalty and righteousness. Even if he doesn't say it, he knows it in his heart. Look, he was there to protect you at the dance, worried you'd get tired, so he took you away to rest."

These words sounded comforting, but in fact they subtly brought up the suggestive scene at the dance.

Su Wanqing could only smile and nod, and replied vaguely: "Thank you for your concern, Auntie. The leader is... doing well."

As soon as she left, she heard a faint whisper behind her:

"...He looks quite well behaved, not like someone who would take advantage of others..."

"You can only judge a person by their appearance, but not by their true heart. She didn't act shy at the dance..."

"I heard that Chief Huo went on another business trip early the next morning? This newlywed..."

Rumors spread like an invisible wind, sweeping through every corner of the compound. There were more and more versions, and the content became increasingly outrageous.

Some say that Su Wanqing is very skilled and used her beauty and scheming to control Huo Tingxiao;

Some said Huo Tingxiao didn't like her at all, and that he was just putting on an act at the dance. After returning home, they slept in separate rooms and became strangers.

What's more, they dug up her old story of being a substitute bride, speculating that the Huo family was unhappy about it and that her position was in jeopardy;

They even dug up the old story between Lin Weiwei and Huo Tingxiao, implying that Su Wanqing was a latecomer who had interfered...

Even if Su Wanqing tried to ignore it, the whispers and strange looks permeated her life. She felt like she was standing on the cusp of an invisible storm, her every move magnified and interpreted.

When Assistant Chen came to pick her up to go out, there seemed to be a subtle complexity in the look in his eyes when he looked at her.

Even when she met the orderly Xiao Li in the yard, the other party's eyes flickered when he saluted and greeted her, and he didn't dare to look her in the eye.

The pressure is like an invisible net, tightening quietly.

In the evening, she was alone in the kitchen preparing dinner, the sunset outside the window was as red as blood. Her phone rang, it was a WeChat message from Xia Xiaoran.

"Qingqing! I'm so pissed! I heard from a friend in my compound that there are all sorts of rumors going around over there right now. They're saying all sorts of things! It's completely nonsense! Are you okay? Do you want me to come over and join you in the swearing?"

Looking at her bestie's indignant words, Su Wanqing's tense heartstrings suddenly ached, and her eyes felt a little hot. She took a deep breath and replied, "It's okay, Xiaoran. It's just a rumor. It can't hurt me."

Having said that, the feeling of being isolated, misunderstood, and being roasted on the spot was not pleasant. She slowed down her chopping of vegetables, watching the setting sun outside the window, her heart chilled.

She couldn't help but think of Huo Tingxiao. Did he know about these rumors? If he did, how would he react? Would he react out of responsibility and respect, like he had at the ball? Or would he find her a nuisance and become even more annoyed?

That man's mind was as deep as the sea, and she could never guess it.

Just as she was distracted, she suddenly felt a familiar tingling sensation at her fingertips - she had cut her hand again.

This time the wound was on the side of the thumb. The wound was not deep, but blood immediately gushed out.

She looked at the bright red and suddenly felt a little ridiculous. Rumors were like swords, hurting people invisibly, but this visible wound seemed straightforward and simple.

She silently turned on the faucet to rinse, then found the gauze and clumsily wrapped it around the wound.

This time, no one would suddenly appear and use warm, calloused fingers to treat her wounds without any explanation.

She can only do it by herself.

After bandaging the wound, she continued to prepare dinner, her movements slow but steady.

Rumors are like knives, and she is at the center of the storm.

Back off?

No.

She, Su Wanqing, has never been someone who would be easily defeated by rumors.

The more this happens, the more she must stand firm and walk the straight path.

She wanted to see what these empty rumors could do to her.

However, in a certain corner of my heart, I still inevitably feel a slight...bitterness because of the silence and distance of that iceberg.