Chapter 91 Honeymoon trip, special mission included

The serious issue of "eugenics and good parenting" served as a catalyst, ushering in a more nuanced and intimate relationship between Huo Tingxiao and Su Wanqing. He maintained his characteristic Huo-style, almost military-like rigor and pragmatism. The unwavering commitment to nutritious meals, the regular and quantitative exercises, and the proliferation of pregnancy guidebooks densely marked in red ink on his bookshelf all demonstrated his utmost importance and meticulous approach to this "new mission."

Su Wanqing, initially shy and slightly unsure, gradually became open and even relishing the moment. She could clearly sense that beneath his cold exterior and clumsy movements lay his deep and earnest expectations for her and their future. This realization, like the warmest sunshine, nourished the quietly budding vision of a complete "home" within her heart.

However, just as Su Wanqing was gradually accustomed to this tightly controlled life preparing for pregnancy, Huo Tingxiao seemed to have fallen into a new round of busyness. He came home even later, and the light in his study was often on late into the night. Occasionally, when she brought him a midnight snack, she could see him contemplating the complex strategic maps and personnel deployment diagrams on his computer screen, a subtle solemnity between his brows.

Su Wanqing didn't ask any more questions. She knew his job was special and involved confidential information, so she never took the initiative to pry. She just quietly took better care of his health.

That evening, Huo Tingxiao returned home early, a rare occasion. During dinner, he seemed a little absent-minded, fiddling with his chopsticks in the bowl for a few seconds. Suddenly, he looked up at Su Wanqing and asked casually, "Is the studio busy lately?"

Su Wanqing was stunned for a moment and put down the spoon. "It's okay. I'm working on the design of the public space for the military resettlement community. I can submit the first draft next weekend. What's wrong?"

Huo Tingxiao was silent for a few seconds, as if he was considering his words. Then he slowly spoke, his tone still calm, but with an unquestionable tone: "Starting next Wednesday, set aside a week. I'll have Assistant Chen book your flight."

"Book a plane ticket?" Su Wanqing was even more confused. "Where to? What's the matter?" She subconsciously wondered if there was any family activity or condolence mission that required her cooperation.

Huo Tingxiao looked at her puzzled expression, then averted his gaze almost imperceptibly. He picked up the water cup, took a sip, and uttered two words in a low voice: "Jiangnan."

"Jiangnan?" Su Wanqing's heart skipped a beat! Jiangnan?! She'd only mentioned it casually before, saying that when he wasn't busy anymore, she wanted to go sketching in the Jiangnan water towns for inspiration... He... he actually remembered?

"There's a cross-regional joint exercise summary meeting in Hangzhou." Huo Tingxiao's tone returned to his usual businesslike manner, as if he was simply stating the itinerary. "The meeting will last three days. There are no urgent tasks for the remaining four days. You can stop by and take a look."

He said it very casually, even with a hint of "in passing" and "not wasting resources." But Su Wanqing instantly understood the clumsy, cautious...surprise arrangement behind his words!

He wasn't going on vacation, he was going to a meeting. But he deliberately adjusted his schedule and squeezed out four days just to... "drop by" to take her to the places she wanted to see!

A huge, indescribable warmth instantly surged through her body, making her nose sore and her eyes hot. She stared at him blankly, at his ears, which were slightly red despite pretending to be calm, at his lips, which were tightly pursed as if he was laying out a battle plan, and her heart softened.

"Okay." She nodded vigorously, her voice choked with a barely perceptible sob, but the corners of her lips lifted high, "I'll go get ready!"

Huo Tingxiao seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, his tense jawline softening slightly. He hummed softly and picked up his chopsticks again, as if he had just finalized an ordinary work schedule.

Over the next few days, Su Wanqing quietly packed her luggage, filled with a hidden excitement and anticipation. As she packed her painting supplies, a smile curled her lips. She even secretly researched the weather and attractions in Hangzhou and the surrounding water towns, her heart filled with anticipation for this "special mission-related" trip.

On the day of their departure, Assistant Chen drove them to the airport. Along the way, Huo Tingxiao continued to check emails on his phone, his expression stern, as if it were just an ordinary business trip. Su Wan sat quietly beside him, watching the scenery rapidly recede outside the window, her heart aching with joy.

The plane landed in Hangzhou, where military vehicles were already waiting. For the next three days, Huo Tingxiao was indeed caught up in intense meetings. Su Wanqing didn't bother him, staying in the guesthouse room she'd been assigned, revising her designs or strolling around West Lake with her sketchbook, drawing and enjoying her rare leisure time.

Occasionally, she would send him a message, telling him that the lotus flowers at West Lake were blooming, or which small shop had delicious dim sum. He was slow to respond, usually with a brief "Yeah," "I see," or a more direct "In a meeting." But Su Wanqing didn't mind. She knew he wasn't far away, and after the meeting, they would have their own time.

On the morning of the fourth day, the meeting finally ended. Su Wanqing got up early and excitedly packed her small backpack, which contained a sketchbook, paintbrushes, and some personal belongings.

When Huo Tingxiao returned, he had changed out of his neatly tailored uniform for a casual dark green jacket and trousers. He lost some of his usual dignity and instead looked more capable and...inconspicuously relaxed. He glanced at the small backpack Su Wanqing had prepared and nodded, "Let's go."

Without any unnecessary nonsense, he drove the car himself and took her out of Hangzhou city.

As the car drove along the road to the surrounding water town, the scenery outside the car window gradually changed from the city's skyscrapers to small bridges, flowing water, white walls and black tiles. Su Wanqing leaned against the car window, looking at the picturesque scenery outside, her mood as bright as the bright sunshine outside the window.

Huo Tingxiao drove intently, his profile still hard and stern, but his tense expression seemed to have softened. Occasionally, he would glance at her in the rearview mirror, and seeing her sparkling eyes and the smile that could not be hidden on the corners of her mouth, the corners of his lips would rise slightly, almost imperceptibly.

He hadn't made a detailed travel plan in advance, relying solely on his memory and sense of direction, and drove to a relatively quiet, less commercialized ancient town. After parking the car, he naturally took Su Wanqing's backpack and put it on his back, then reached out and held her hand.

His palms were warm and dry, with thin calluses, but they completely wrapped around her slightly cool fingers with a firm grip.

Su Wanqing's heart skipped a beat and her cheeks felt slightly hot, but she didn't struggle. She let him hold her hand and stroll in the alley paved with bluestone slabs.

The ancient town is built along a river, its canals winding and its stone bridges quaint. Sailboats paddle slowly, creating shimmering waves. The air is filled with moist vapor and the faint fragrance of flowers. Time seems to slow down here.

Huo Tingxiao remained quiet, but he would match her pace, quietly waiting by her side when she paused to paint, or silently stepping forward to pay for a handicraft she took an interest in. He would even frown when she tried to taste a street vendor's qingtuan (a type of glutinous rice dumpling), harshly admonishing her, "It's too sweet, eat less." Then, when she pouted in disappointment, he would reluctantly compromise and buy one, watching her devour it in small, cherished bites, a faint smile flickering in his eyes.

That afternoon, they rented a black-sailed boat. The boatman slowly rowed from the stern, and the boat lurched through the narrow waterway. On both sides of the river were weathered, ancient dwellings. Occasionally, a woman washed clothes by the river, and children ran and laughed along the shore.

Su Wanqing sat at the bow, sketching quickly, her sketchbook in hand, sketching the scenery before her. Her eyes were focused, a smile on her lips. Huo Tingxiao sat beside her, not looking at the scenery, but his gaze rested on her profile, which was softly lit by the sun. His eyes were deep and gentle.

The boat sailed to an open river. The afterglow of the setting sun dyed the water surface a brilliant golden color. Smoke from cooking fires curled up in the distance. It was as quiet as an oil painting.

Su Wanqing put down her paintbrush, sighed with contentment, and subconsciously leaned towards the shoulder of the person next to her.

Huo Tingxiao's body stiffened slightly, then relaxed. He reached out and naturally put his arm around her shoulders, letting her lean against him more comfortably.

Neither of them spoke, quietly enjoying this rare moment of silence. The sound of the water gurgling, the clatter of the oars, it was as if they were the only ones left in the world.

At night, they found a family-run inn by the river to stay in. The room was small, but clean and tidy. When they opened the wooden window, they could see the river and the twinkling lights on the opposite bank.

After a simple farm meal, the two sat side by side on the couch by the window. The night breeze blew in, bringing with it moisture and the fragrance of flowers, a cool and pleasant feeling.

Su Wanqing flipped through the sketches she'd made during the day and pointed them out to Huo Tingxiao with great interest. "Look at this bridge. Its arch and its reflection together look like a full moon... And this stained glass window. The carvings on it are so unique. Maybe I can use it in my next design..."

Huo Tingxiao listened quietly, his eyes fixed on the drawings with smooth lines and full of spirit, and then looked at her cheeks that were flushed with excitement, his eyes gentle.

Suddenly, he stretched out his hand and pointed to a sketch of an ancient albizzia tree by the river. He spoke in a low voice, "Here, a better angle."

Su Wanqing was stunned for a moment, then looked in the direction he pointed, wondering, "Angle? I think this angle is pretty good..."

Huo Tingxiao took the pencil from her hand and quickly and accurately sketched a few strokes on the blank space in the sketchbook. With just a few strokes, a more three-dimensional composition with a greater sense of depth emerged, even noting the direction of light and shadow!

Su Wanqing's eyes widened in surprise! He...he actually understood composition and lighting? And he was so professional?!

"You...how could you do this?" She looked at him in disbelief.

Huo Tingxiao put down his pencil, his expression calm, as if he had just done something insignificant. "Basics of scout warfare. Sketching terrain and interpreting aerial photos are all required."

Su Wanqing: "..." Well, this is very Huo Tingxiao. Even art can be related to military skills!

But she had to admit, those few strokes he'd modified had definitely made the painting instantly more vivid. She looked at those few strokes, and a strange feeling welled up in her heart. It was as if they were from two completely different worlds, yet somehow they could understand and integrate into each other's world in some unexpected way.

She raised her head and looked at his cold and hard profile outlined by the lights outside the window. Her heart was filled with tender feelings. She couldn't help but ask softly, "Commander Huo, are you satisfied with this 'special mission'?"

Huo Tingxiao turned his head, his deep eyes particularly focused in the dim light. He looked at her, was silent for a few seconds, then nodded very slowly and solemnly.

"Yeah." He responded softly, his voice slightly hoarse. "Very good."

After saying that, he reached out and gently held her hand on her knees, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the back of her hand, but his eyes were still firmly locked on her.

Su Wanqing's heartbeat suddenly accelerated, her cheeks became hot, and her eyelashes drooped, but she did not pull her hand back.

Outside the window, the moonlight is like water, sprinkling on the quiet river surface and on the two people snuggling by the window.

There was no grand ceremony, no fancy words.

But these short four days, this leisurely trip to the Jiangnan water town, was like a belated and precious honeymoon, quietly nourishing their hearts and making their relationship increasingly close and profound in their ordinary and real interactions.

The short vacation that came with the special mission became the softest and brightest memory in their lives.