Chapter 12 Military District Ball, Stunning the Audience
As autumn deepens, the ginkgo trees in the military compound are bathed in golden light, adding a touch of color to the solemn atmosphere of the military region. The annual military region social dance was grandly held this Friday evening in the banquet hall of the military region guesthouse. This is not only a platform for military men and women of marriageable age to meet and socialize, but also an important social occasion for senior officers to bring their families and showcase their family harmony and demeanor.
The invitation had been solemnly delivered by Assistant Chen a few days earlier. The gold-stamped cardboard was printed with a solemn military emblem.
"The chief has instructed that you must be present on time." Assistant Chen said so at the time, his tone unquestionable.
Su Wanqing knew this was another tough battle that required her to be extremely vigilant. As the new "Mrs. Huo," her first public appearance would undoubtedly attract all eyes and be subject to the most rigorous scrutiny. Especially after Lin Weiwei's "reminder," she could better anticipate the potential undercurrents at the ball.
She eschewed overly glamorous or sexy gowns, opting instead for a simple, elegant, champagne-colored knee-length dress. Made of subtly pearlescent satin, the dress was impeccably tailored, perfectly framing her slender waist and graceful neckline, evoking both elegance and femininity. Her makeup was minimal and elegant, her long hair loosely tied up, revealing her smooth forehead and swan neck. She wore only a pair of pearl earrings that matched the color of her dress.
When she finished packing and walked down the stairs, Huo Tingxiao just came out of the study.
Today, he had changed into a perfectly tailored officer's uniform, a rare sight. Made of dark blue wool, with a gold ribbon and epaulettes, and a chest covered with medals symbolizing honor, it made his figure appear even taller and more majestic. His stern face, against the backdrop of the uniform, lost some of its usual sharpness, becoming more solemn and dignified, his handsomeness breathtaking.
His gaze fell on Su Wanqing, and his deep eyes seemed to freeze for a moment, as if something had caught his attention inadvertently, but he quickly returned to his usual cold and indifferent state, without any emotion visible.
The two looked at each other, and no one spoke.
Assistant Chen had already prepared the car and was waiting downstairs.
They were silent all the way. The car was cramped, and the fresh scent of his body and the unique aroma of his suit's fabric lingered faintly at the tip of her nose, silently intensifying a certain indescribable tension.
When we arrived at the banquet hall, it was already ablaze with lights and bustling with people. Soothing military music flowed through the air, and people in a variety of formal attire and crisp uniforms chatted quietly, creating a warm and solemn atmosphere.
When Huo Tingxiao and Su Wanqing appeared at the door, the originally noisy banquet hall fell into an extremely obvious and instantaneous silence.
Almost everyone's eyes focused on him at the same time.
Needless to say, Huo Tingxiao was a prominent figure in the military, a leader of the younger generation, and a true focal point wherever he appeared. But tonight, even more eye-catching was the newly minted and much-rumored "Mrs. Huo" beside him.
In those eyes, there is curiosity, inquiry, amazement, as well as undisguised scrutiny and comparison.
Su Wanqing could feel countless gazes falling on her like searchlights. She took a deep breath, straightened her back, and raised the corner of her mouth in a proper, slightly distant smile. Her arm naturally and gently wrapped around Huo Tingxiao's arm.
She could feel the muscles in his arms tense for a moment, but he didn't push her away, nor did he even turn his head to look at her. He just led her into the center of the banquet hall with an expressionless face.
Wherever he went, people came forward to salute and greet him.
"Hello, Chief!"
"Commander Huo, Madam, good evening."
"Is this Mrs. Huo? What a perfect match!"
Huo Tingxiao only nodded slightly, occasionally responding with a word or two, his attitude as cold as ever. Su Wanqing, on the other hand, kept smiling, nodding in response to everyone's greetings, saying nothing, and maintaining a graceful demeanor.
She could sense that many people had a flicker of surprise in their eyes when they saw her. It seemed that her appearance and demeanor were far different from the image they had imagined of a "substitute bride" or someone who was "not valued."
Old Master Huo and several of the Huo family elders had also arrived. Seeing them, their expressions were relatively calm. Huo Meilin and Zhou Ting were also there. When they saw Su Wanqing, their eyes were complicated, with obvious displeasure and criticism. Lin Weiwei, dressed in a light blue dress, was graceful and charming, chatting happily with several of the leaders' wives. Upon seeing them enter, and especially seeing Su Wanqing holding Huo Tingxiao's arm, her smile remained flawless, but her eyes dimmed for a moment, almost imperceptibly.
After a brief opening speech, the dance officially began.
The first dance was a slow waltz. According to tradition, the highest-ranking official and his wife should lead the dance.
Everyone's attention was focused on Huo Tingxiao and Su Wanqing again.
Huo Tingxiao lowered his head and finally glanced at Su Wanqing. His eyes were still cold, and he just extended a hand towards her in a very formal manner.
Su Wanqing placed her hand gently in his palm.
His palms were large and warm, his fingertips calloused with gunshot wounds, a little rough, yet incredibly strong. His other hand gently supported her waist. Through the thin fabric, she could feel the scorching warmth and unquestionable control of his fingertips.
"Can you dance?" he asked in a low voice, so that only the two of them could hear.
"I know a little bit," Su Wanqing replied softly. Her grandmother had been a military arts soldier in her youth, a very good ballroom dancer, and she had learned some from her when she was little.
Huo Tingxiao said no more and took her to the dance floor.
His dance moves were like him, with the sharpness and precision of a soldier, leading with force and irresistibility. Su Wanqing was a little nervous at first, but soon adapted to his rhythm, following his steps, spinning and twirling, her skirt swinging in a graceful arc.
The champagne-colored skirt and the dark blue dress intertwined and swirled, one was cold and majestic, the other was elegant and refined. Under the bright lights, they were unexpectedly harmonious and pleasing to the eye, like a moving painting.
The crowd, which had been whispering, gradually quieted down, and everyone's eyes followed the most eye-catching couple on the dance floor.
There was no excessive eye contact, let alone sweet interactions, but only a nearly mechanical yet tacit cooperation. However, it was this harmony within austerity, this combination of strength and tenderness, that created a unique and eye-catching aura.
Lin Weiwei stood at the edge of the crowd, her fingers tightening slightly around her wine glass, the smile on her face barely holding. She had never seen Huo Tingxiao dance so cooperatively with a woman, even though it seemed devoid of any warmth.
Huo Meilin and Zhou Ting's expressions also looked unhappy.
The song ended and applause broke out.
Huo Tingxiao immediately let go of his hand, took a step back, and restored that sense of distance that kept strangers away.
But this dance alone was enough to change many people's views of "Mrs. Huo." She wasn't as timid or unpresentable as imagined, but rather calm and composed, standing side by side with the austere Chief Huo, and she was not inferior in the slightest.
After that, people kept asking Su Wanqing to dance, some out of courtesy, some out of curiosity, and some just wanting to strike up a conversation and find out more.
Su Wanqing never refused anyone, accepting the invitation with a smile, as long as it was appropriate. Her dancing was graceful and natural, her responses were well-mannered, and her conversation was both humble and appropriate, leaving no room for criticism or speculation.
She even danced with a retired general, who praised her highly, and even Mr. Huo's expression seemed to soften slightly.
Huo Tingxiao was surrounded by several high-ranking generals, discussing military affairs, but his gaze would occasionally slip through the crowd and settle on the champagne-colored figure. Watching her navigate the crowd with ease and composure, a subtle, complex glint, even he himself hadn't noticed, flashed across his deep eyes.
During the intermission, Su Wanqing felt a little tired and went to the rest area to drink some water. Just as she picked up a glass of juice, a gentle voice came from behind her:
"Sister Su, you really amazed the whole audience tonight."
Lin Weiwei walked over with a glass of wine in her hand, smiling, and looked her up and down. "This dress suits you very well. Where did you buy it? It doesn't look like a new model from the store." Her tone was intimate, but she hinted that her dress was not a famous brand and looked a little shabby.
Su Wanqing turned around, smiled slightly, and said calmly, "Thank you, Miss Lin, for the compliment. As long as the clothes fit well and are comfortable, I don't really care whether they are new or not." She gently shook the juice in her hand, "Just like this juice, freshly squeezed, it's very good and may not be inferior to famous wine."
She used a little effort to easily resolve Lin Weiwei's implicit criticism, making her seem deliberate and superficial.
A hint of annoyance flashed in Lin Weiwei's eyes, and she was about to say something else.
Suddenly, a tall figure walked over.
Huo Tingxiao ended the conversation without knowing when, and walked straight to Su Wanqing. He didn't look at Lin Weiwei, but his eyes fell on Su Wanqing's half-empty cup. His voice was still flat, but with a natural attitude: "Tired?"
Su Wanqing was slightly startled and looked up at him.
The smile on Lin Weiwei's face completely froze.
Huo Tingxiao reached out his hand very naturally, took the glass of juice from her, and placed it on the waiter's tray beside him. Then he said to Su Wanqing, "Let's go, it's time to toast the old leaders."
After saying that, he naturally supported her back and led her towards the main seat.
During the whole process, he didn't even look at Lin Weiwei, as if she didn't exist at all.
Su Wanqing followed his footsteps, feeling the unmistakable strength and warmth of his palm through the fabric of his clothes. She tilted her head slightly and caught a glimpse of Lin Weiwei standing there, her face a pale tinge, her knuckles white from the force of her grip on the wine glass.
At that moment, Su Wanqing's heart skipped a beat uncontrollably.
Was this...an unintentional rescue on his part?
Or is he simply fulfilling his necessary etiquette and responsibilities as a "husband"?
She couldn't tell.
But no matter what, she managed to stand firm at this ball in the public eye, and was even... stunning.
And that iceberg doesn't seem to be completely solid.
The night is still long, and the dance music is still melodious.
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