Chapter 3: The Cold-Faced Leader, the Return of Thunder
Three days.
Su Wanqing spent three unusually peaceful days in this deserted house that was almost devoid of any life.
There were no bombarding phone calls, no sudden "caring" visits, and even the Su family's parents disappeared, as if they had completed their mission. Assistant Chen would call on time every day, asking in a formal tone if there was anything he needed, and then hang up when he got a negative answer.
She enjoyed the quiet.
For three days, she was like a silent ghost in the solemn military compound, slowly getting acquainted with the surroundings. She put away the few pieces of luggage she had brought with her, filled a vacant shelf in the study with her own books and notebooks, and even used the cooking skills she had honed from a young age to make some simple use of the brand new but cold kitchen.
In her own way, she was gradually eroding the territory that belonged entirely to Huo Tingxiao, trying to leave her own insignificant trace.
Late at night on the fourth day.
Suddenly, a loud roar came from the window, shattering the usual tranquility of the compound. It was no ordinary car engine, but the deep, powerful, and majestic sound of helicopter rotors.
Su Wanqing was leaning against the head of the bed reading a book, and paused when she heard the sound.
The sound of the rotor circled overhead for a moment, as if searching for a landing spot, and finally gradually lowered and disappeared towards the dedicated helipad deep in the compound.
A few minutes later, a burst of hurried and steady footsteps came from downstairs. Stepping on the cold, hard marble floor, each step was clear and powerful, carrying an unquestionable sense of authority and a chill of travel.
Insert the key into the lock and turn it.
The door was pushed open.
Su Wanqing put down the book and subconsciously held her breath. What was supposed to come finally came.
She heard the dull thud of luggage being haphazardly placed in the hallway, and then the sound of military boots clacking the ground, heading straight towards the bedroom.
The bedroom door did not lock.
The next moment, the door handle was unscrewed.
A tall figure appeared at the door, almost blocking out all the light outside.
Huo Tingxiao.
He wore a neatly tailored dark green uniform, the golden stars on his epaulettes gleaming coldly under the corridor lights. His posture was as straight as a pine tree, imbued with the sharpness and majesty tempered by a long military career.
He seemed to have just returned from a mission, with a trace of fatigue that was difficult to conceal between his brows, but his deep eyes were as sharp as an eagle, and at this moment they were precisely locked on Su Wanqing who was sitting on the bed.
His eyes were cold and scrutinizing, without a trace of warmth, nor any apology or curiosity towards his new wife.
It was as if he was just looking at a strange object that suddenly appeared in his territory.
Su Wanqing's heart skipped a beat involuntarily. It wasn't due to shock or excitement, but rather a biological instinctive reaction to the overwhelming pressure.
He was even more striking than he appeared in photos or news reports. His face was cold and sharp, his nose was high, his lips were tightly pursed, and his whole body was like a sword drawn from its sheath, wrapped in the smoke and cold iron smell of the battlefield.
Their eyes met.
The air suddenly stagnated and the temperature dropped sharply.
Su Wanqing forced herself to remain calm, even straightening her back slightly to meet his gaze, which could freeze a person. She didn't speak. In this situation, speaking first would seem to put her at a disadvantage.
Huo Tingxiao's gaze lingered on her face for about three seconds, then he looked away indifferently, as if any longer glance would be a waste. He strode into the room, ignoring her presence, and headed straight for the cloakroom.
"Pack up and go to the second bedroom." His voice sounded low and cold, like ice beads hitting a jade plate, without any emotional ups and downs, not even a trace of ripples. "I'm used to being alone here."
The tone was imperative and left no room for doubt.
Su Wanqing's fingers gripping the pages of the book tightened slightly.
She looked at his indifferent back, and watched him as he asked her, the nominal hostess, to leave the master bedroom as a matter of course. The subtle embarrassment in her heart because of the substitute marriage and the slightest understanding of his absence from the wedding disappeared without a trace in an instant.
It turned out that he was not only indifferent, but also arrogant and rude.
She took a deep breath, suppressed the flames in her heart, and spoke in a calm voice: "Chief Huo, I think we need to talk."
Huo Tingxiao paused as he was unbuttoning the top button of his military uniform, as if he hadn't expected her to speak, and in such a calm and peaceful tone.
He slowly turned around and looked at her again, this time with a look of clear scrutiny and a hint of imperfection.
"What are we talking about?" He said indifferently, "You and I both know the nature of this marriage. We just need to fulfill the necessary obligations and maintain a semblance of respectability. Nothing else is necessary."
His words were direct and cruel, tearing away any possibility of tenderness and laying bare the coldest essence of this marriage before her.
Obligation. Decency. No need.
Su Wanqing clearly heard the sound of a corner of her heart completely cooling and solidifying.
She threw off the quilt and got out of bed, stepping barefoot on the slightly cool floor. She walked in front of him, having to tilt her head slightly to look him in the eye.
"Commander Huo," she repeated the distant address, her eyes clear and unflinching, "I understand the nature of this marriage. But even cooperation requires basic respect."
Her eyes swept across the master bedroom, and her tone was neither humble nor arrogant: "This house has many rooms. If you are used to living alone, you can go to the second bedroom. This is my room now."
Huo Tingxiao narrowed his deep eyes, and the air pressure around him seemed to drop even lower.
He obviously did not expect that the second daughter of the Su family, who according to the information was sent away at a young age and should have a gentle or even cowardly personality, would dare to refute him so directly and even make demands.
A silent contest filled the air.
He looked at her, and she looked back at him frankly.
A few seconds later, the corners of Huo Tingxiao's lips seemed to curl up ever so slightly, but there was no smile in that curve, only cold sarcasm.
"Very good." He spit out two words, no longer looking at her, turned around and strode out of the master bedroom without any reluctance, slamming the door shut.
The huge noise echoed in the silent night, making people tremble.
Su Wanqing stood there and could clearly hear the sound of the door of the second bedroom next door being opened and closed.
She slowly exhaled a breath and realized that her fingertips were a little cold.
This is her husband.
Huo Tingxiao.
His return was accompanied by no apology, no greetings, not even a single unnecessary word, only cold orders and undisguised alienation.
Like a sudden thunder, strong, cold, and enough to destroy all unrealistic fantasies.
From this moment on, her married life truly began.
And in the first round, regarding the ownership of the room, she seemed to have temporarily held on.
But Su Wanqing knew very well that this was just the beginning. Facing a strong and cold man like Huo Tingxiao, the road ahead was destined to be full of fear and excitement.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
