Chapter 35 Family Call, Face It Together
Su Wanqing's illness came suddenly and passed just as quickly. With the military doctor's follow-up visit and medication, her fever quickly subsided, but she remained weak and needed a few days of rest. Huo Tingxiao's vigil that night and the brief yet thrilling "medicine feeding" episode the following morning replayed in her mind like an unreal dream, bringing a flushed flush to her cheeks and a sense of unease every time she recalled it.
However, since then, Huo Tingxiao seemed to have returned to his old self, even busier than before and spending less time at home. The two of them barely had the chance to see each other. That brief, seemingly "tender" illusion was like a stone dropped into an icy lake, stirring up a ripple before being quickly swallowed by the deeper cold, leaving no trace.
Su Wanqing quietly suppressed her throbbing and confusion deep in her heart, no longer trying to fathom his elusive thoughts. She focused on recuperating while continuing with her studies. Occasionally, she spoke with Xia Xiaoran on the phone, trying to gather more fragmentary information about the "Thunder" mission and Chen Feng, attempting to piece together a more complete picture.
That afternoon, she was leaning on the sofa reading a book when the landline phone in the living room suddenly rang.
She stood up and picked up the phone: "Hello."
A slightly serious middle-aged female voice came from the other end of the phone. It was the housekeeper of the Huo family mansion: "Young Madam, the old man asked to inform you and the young master to come back to the old house in the evening for a family dinner."
Su Wanqing's heart tightened slightly. A family dinner personally summoned by Old Master Huo? Such formalities were usually reserved for important holidays or events. What could it be?
"Okay, I understand. Thank you." She responded calmly.
After hanging up the phone, she immediately called Assistant Chen to inform him of the incident. Assistant Chen said he would pass it on to the head of the department.
In the evening, Huo Tingxiao's car stopped downstairs on time. Su Wanqing changed into a dress that was decent yet calm, and applied light makeup to cover up the paleness of her illness.
When she came downstairs, Huo Tingxiao was already waiting in the car. He was dressed in a neatly tailored suit, his profile cold and expressionless. When he saw her get in the car, he simply glanced at her, nodded slightly, and signaled the driver to drive.
There was no conversation along the way. The atmosphere in the car was so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.
Su Wanqing watched the rapidly receding street scene outside the window, feeling uneasy. This family dinner was probably going to be something special.
It was already dark when they arrived at the Huo family's old house. The house was brightly lit, yet exuded a solemn atmosphere unlike any before. The butler led them into the dining room, where quite a few people were already seated.
Old Master Huo sat at the head of the table, his expression calm and composed, a commanding presence. Sitting below him were Huo Mingyuan, Huo Meilin and her husband, Huo Wenhui and her husband, and several elders from the Huo family's lesser branches, members of the Huo family whom Su Wanqing was less familiar with. Even the seldom-seen Huo's aunt was present. Among the younger generations, only Zhou Ting was present; no other young faces were to be seen.
The atmosphere was solemn, unlike an ordinary family dinner.
Seeing them come in, everyone's eyes focused on them, with all kinds of complicated meanings.
"Grandpa, uncles and aunts." Huo Tingxiao bowed slightly, his voice steady and calm.
Su Wanqing followed behind him and also bowed and greeted him.
Mr. Huo hummed, his gaze lingering on Huo Tingxiao for a moment, then glanced at Su Wanqing and said calmly, "Sit down."
The two sat down in the reserved seat, right opposite Huo Mingyuan and his wife.
The table was filled with exquisite dishes, but no one touched their chopsticks. The silence lasted for a moment, oppressive and unsettling.
Finally, Mr. Huo put down his teacup, his eyes slowly swept across the room, finally landing on Huo Tingxiao. He spoke in a low voice, yet with undeniable weight: "I called everyone here today because I have something to discuss."
Everyone held their breath.
"The mission Tingxiao sent out a while ago has already been concluded." Mr. Huo's tone was indistinct from emotion. "The mission was accomplished, but at a high cost. An outstanding comrade was sacrificed, and Tingxiao was injured."
Su Wanqing's heart suddenly sank, and she subconsciously glanced at Huo Tingxiao beside her. He was still sitting upright, expressionless, with only a hint of tension revealed by his tightly pursed lips.
"The one who sacrificed was the kid Chen Feng." Old Master Huo slowly uttered the name, with a barely perceptible heaviness and regret in his voice.
A few suppressed gasps echoed around the table. Several elders looked pained, and Huo Meilin even took a handkerchief and pressed against her eyes.
Su Wanqing's heart felt like it was being tightly gripped, her nails digging into her palms. It was indeed him... the young officer with the sunny smile in the photo.
"Chen Feng is a martyr. It's his glory, and it's our Huo family's loss." Old Master Huo's voice rose a little, with a soldier's sonorous tone. "He sacrificed himself to save Tingxiao."
These words were like a bombshell, dropped suddenly!
Su Wanqing turned her head abruptly, looking at Huo Tingxiao in disbelief. He saved him...?!
Huo Tingxiao's body stiffened imperceptibly, his jawline tensed, his face paled instantly, and intense pain welled up in his eyes, but he suppressed it firmly and remained silent.
"There are some rumors out there about this matter." Old Master Huo's eyes grew sharp as he swept over the crowd. "I don't want to hear any comments that are detrimental to unity or Ting Xiao. Chen Feng's sacrifice was glorious, and it was Ting Xiao's duty and mission to survive and continue the mission. If anyone dares to gossip about this, don't blame me, Huo Yuanzheng, for being ruthless!"
His voice carried a thunderous pressure, which made everyone present feel a chill in their hearts and nodded in agreement.
Su Wanqing finally understood the purpose of this family dinner. It was Old Master Huo's way of unifying the narrative, stabilizing the troops' morale, and also... a disguised way of protecting Huo Tingxiao, shielding him from the doubts and pressure that might arise from the sacrifice of his comrades.
Her heart ached and swelled, for Chen Feng's sacrifice and for the immense pain and pressure Huo Tingxiao had endured.
However, at this moment, a discordant voice rang out.
It was Third Uncle Huo Mingyuan. He sighed, his tone smooth with a businessman's tact and a subtle ulterior motive. "Dad, you're right. Chen Feng is a hero, and Tingxiao had it tough too. It's just... there were casualties on this mission after all. I heard that while the higher-ups approved of the outcome, they still have some... complaints about the process. I'm afraid this will have some impact on Tingxiao's future promotion..."
These words seemed to be concerned, but in fact they were reminding everyone that Huo Tingxiao might face career setbacks, and they had the subtle meaning of adding insult to injury.
Huo Meilin immediately chimed in, her tone tinged with worry and complaint, "Yes, Dad! Tingxiao is the pillar of our Huo family this generation, with a bright future! He got injured like this during the mission, and... he almost... If this affects his future again, what will happen?" As she spoke, her eyes seemed to glance at Su Wanqing unintentionally, and she said meaningfully, "And I heard there's been some bad rumors in the compound lately, with all sorts of rumors. Wanqing has also suffered some grievances... This is really..."
She cleverly turned the topic to Su Wanqing, implying that her "substitute bride" status and the fact that she was not loved by her husband were also one of the sources of the rumors, which brought trouble to the Huo family.
Upon hearing this, several elders from other branches also cast scrutinizing glances at him.
Su Wanqing's heart sank, and she clenched her fingers. Sure enough, the spearhead was still pointed at her.
Just as she was about to open her mouth to defend herself, Huo Tingxiao, who had been silent beside her, suddenly moved.
He raised his eyes, his gaze as cold as a knife, shooting straight at Huo Meilin. His voice was not loud, but it was filled with unquestionable chill: "Third Aunt, I don't need you to worry about my affairs."
He paused, glanced at Huo Mingyuan and the others, and said in a firm tone: "There was no problem with the mission. The responsibility for Chen Feng's sacrifice is mine. It has nothing to do with anyone else." He deliberately emphasized the three words "anyone".
Finally, his gaze fell on Su Wanqing. Although there was still no warmth in his eyes, he was clearly protective of her. "She is my wife. I will deal with the rumors in the compound. She will never suffer any grievances that she doesn't deserve."
These words were powerful and clearly drew a line in the sand, shutting everyone up.
Huo Meilin and Huo Mingyuan's expressions instantly turned extremely ugly.
A gleam of light flashed in Mr. Huo's cloudy eyes. He looked at Huo Tingxiao and nodded slightly, seeming to be quite satisfied with his statement.
Su Wanqing was completely stunned. She stared at Huo Tingxiao's cold, hard profile in disbelief. He... he actually defended her so clearly in front of the family? Acknowledged her identity? Even... took the blame for Chen Feng's sacrifice on himself?
A huge, complex warm current suddenly rushed into her heart, making her nose sore and her eyes hot.
She suddenly realized that this family dinner was more than just a family call.
It was also the first time that they faced it together in the true sense.
He was no longer the isolated iceberg. Instead, he reached out his hand and pulled her behind him, and together with her, he resisted the undercurrents and storms from within the family.
Although his posture was still cold and his words were still concise.
But this silent action shocked and...excited her more than any sweet words.
This family dinner seemed... different.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
