Chapter 40 His trust, the first clear statement
The news that Mr. Huo might have heard the rumors was like a bucket of ice water, pouring over Su Wanqing from head to toe, leaving her cold and nearly suffocating. She sat alone in the empty, dimly lit restaurant, feeling like she was nailed to a pillar of shame. Silent yet vicious whispers and contemptuous looks flooded in from all directions.
What should she do? Go to the old house and explain to Grandpa? What explanation could she offer? Confront everyone who spread the rumors? That would only make things even more ridiculous and unbearable. She couldn't even imagine how furious and disappointed Grandpa Huo, a lifelong soldier who valued his reputation, would be when he heard such a dirty accusation against his grandson's wife.
A profound sense of powerlessness and humiliation washed over her like a tide. She huddled in her chair, her face buried in her palms, her shoulders shaking uncontrollably. This time, she truly felt a sense of near-despair. The enemy's viciousness far exceeded her imagination, and her only weapon seemed to be pale and powerless silence.
After an unknown amount of time, steady footsteps were heard on the stairs.
Su Wanqing suddenly raised her head, hurriedly wiped away the moisture from the corners of her eyes, and sat up straight with forced composure.
Huo Tingxiao came down. He had changed into a neatly ironed suit, as if he was about to go out. His face remained cold and hard, a trace of fatigue and irritation lingering between his brows. His eyes swept across the restaurant, and when they landed on her, he paused for a barely perceptible moment.
Su Wanqing's heart instantly rose to her throat, and she subconsciously held her breath. What would he say? Would he question her? Would he look at her with suspicion and disdain like everyone else?
However, Huo Tingxiao only glanced at her briefly. His eyes were dark and difficult to discern, seemingly even more profound than usual, but they didn't contain the suspicion or disgust she had expected. He said nothing, walked straight to the entrance, changed his shoes, opened the door, and left.
The whole process was filled with unsettling silence.
As the car engine roared away, Su Wanqing's tense nerves suddenly relaxed, only to be followed by a deeper sense of loss and coldness. He asked nothing, said nothing. Was he simply too disdainful to care? Or... had he already believed the rumors and felt there was nothing left to say?
This cold silence made her more uncomfortable than direct reprimand.
Su Wanqing lay awake all night, tormented by all sorts of horrible thoughts swirling in her mind.
The next day, she forced herself to act calm and collected. But the atmosphere in the compound had become noticeably more eerie. The contempt and inquiry in those who cast their gazes at her were barely concealed. Some even raised their voices as she passed by, saying things like, "You can't tell a person's heart from their appearance" or "She looks innocent."
Assistant Chen called, his tone even more distant, confirming whether she really wanted to attend the afternoon flower arranging event, as if it was an extremely unwise decision. Su Wanqing gritted her teeth and still insisted, "I'll go."
She couldn't back down. Backing down would be tantamount to consenting. Even if she had to face everyone's criticism, she had to go.
In the afternoon, she changed into the most simple and elegant clothes, tried her best to look calm and indifferent, and arrived at the activity room early.
When she arrived, a number of ladies and young ladies were already seated inside. The lively chatter and laughter suddenly died down the moment she stepped in, and everyone's eyes were fixed on her with undisguised scrutiny, contempt, and a sense of anticipation.
Lin Weiwei was there, indeed. She was wearing a soft, goose-yellow suit and chatting cheerfully with a few other ladies. When she saw Su Wanqing come in, she immediately flashed a flawless, friendly smile and came forward. "Sister Su, are you here? Come and sit over here."
She enthusiastically pulled Su Wanqing to sit in an empty seat, which happened to be next to a lady who was usually a bit harsh. When the lady saw Su Wanqing, she immediately covered her nose with a handkerchief exaggeratedly, as if she smelled something unclean, and said sarcastically, "Oh, Mrs. Huo, you don't look very good today? After all, who can be in a good mood after encountering such a bad thing?"
The surroundings instantly became quiet, and everyone looked over with excitement and curiosity.
Lin Weiwei immediately frowned and interrupted with a look of displeasure: "Auntie Wang! What are you talking about?" She turned to Su Wanqing and smiled apologetically, "Sister Su, don't take it to heart. Auntie Wang is just speaking her mind and doesn't mean any harm."
This is like adding fuel to the fire.
Mrs. Wang immediately raised her voice, "Why am I so outspoken? Everyone in the compound knows this. Some people look clean, but who knows what shameful things they did in those small places in the past? If they hadn't been caught, would the Su family be willing to hide their beautiful eldest daughter and rush to push their second daughter, who has a questionable record, out to marry her off? They think we're all fools!"
These words were so vicious and straightforward that they almost tore apart all disguises!
Su Wanqing's face turned pale instantly. She pinched her fingers into her palms tightly, barely suppressing the urge to tremble all over. She raised her eyes and looked at Madam Wang with a cold gaze. She was about to speak -
The door of the activity room was suddenly pushed open!
A tall and stern figure appeared at the door, bringing with him a biting chill that instantly suppressed all the noise and malice in the room.
It’s Huo Tingxiao!
He was dressed in a neat military uniform, his face icy, his eyes sharp as a hawk, and he exuded an oppressive, low-pressure aura. His gaze, like an icy blade, quickly swept across the room, finally settling on the pale, helpless Su Wanqing.
Everyone was stunned by his sudden appearance and fell into silence for a moment.
Lin Weiwei was the first to react. A surprised and gentle smile immediately appeared on her face as she walked over to him. "Brother Tingxiao? Why are you here? Are you here to see Aunt Sun?" She tried to attribute his arrival to official business.
Huo Tingxiao didn't even glance at her, but strode straight towards Su Wanqing. His steps were steady and powerful, and every step seemed to touch everyone's heart.
He stood in front of Su Wanqing, looked down at her pale face and slightly red eyes, his brows furrowed, his eyes frighteningly deep.
"Chief..." Su Wanqing stood up subconsciously, her voice trembling slightly. She didn't know why he came, and her heart was filled with uneasiness.
Huo Tingxiao didn't answer her. Instead, he turned around abruptly, his icy gaze fixed on Madam Wang, who had just spoken harshly. His voice was low and cold, carrying an unquestionable authority. "Madam Wang, what did you just say? I didn't hear you clearly. Please say it again."
Madam Wang shuddered at his gaze, her face instantly turning pale, her lips trembling, unable to utter a single word: "Huo... Commander Huo... I... I didn't say anything..."
"Nothing?" Huo Tingxiao's voice suddenly rose, carrying a terrifying sense of oppression. "I seem to hear someone discussing my family affairs and slandering my wife?!"
He bit the word "slander" very hard, and it hit everyone's heart like hail.
The entire activity room was dead silent; even the sound of breathing could be heard clearly.
Lin Weiwei's expression turned extremely ugly. She forced a smile and tried to smooth things over, "Brother Tingxiao, you misunderstood. Aunt Wang was just joking. We were just chatting..."
"A joke?" Huo Tingxiao turned his head abruptly and looked at her. His eyes were icy cold and filled with undisguised disgust. "Lin Weiwei, do you think destroying someone's reputation and defaming their innocence is a joke?"
Lin Weiwei's face lost all color when he questioned her so harshly in public. Her body swayed and she almost couldn't stand.
Huo Tingxiao stopped looking at her and swept his gaze across the entire room. Everyone caught in his gaze lowered their heads involuntarily, not daring to meet his gaze.
His voice was as cold as iron, reaching everyone's ears clearly. "I know what kind of person my wife, Huo Tingxiao, is better than anyone else. No one should be allowed to comment on her past! Her innocence must not be tarnished by anyone!"
He paused, his gaze finally landing on Su Wanqing. His eyes were still deep, but they held an unprecedented, clear sense of protection and affirmation. "Anyone who dares to gossip and slander me from behind will be an enemy of me, Huo Tingxiao! And an enemy of the Huo family! You will bear the consequences at your own risk!"
Every word is powerful!
Like a thunderclap, it exploded in the silent activity room, shocking everyone and making them tremble with fear!
Su Wanqing suddenly raised her head and looked at Huo Tingxiao's cold and hard profile in disbelief. Her heart seemed to be hit hard by something. Bitterness, shock, grievance, and a huge warm current that almost drowned her instantly intertwined, making her eyes hot and her vision quickly blurred.
He...believes her?
Not only did he believe her, but he also defended her so fiercely and unreservedly?!
When everyone was doubting and despising her, he stood up and protected her behind him in the most direct and domineering way, declaring his trust and position to everyone!
This is not silent protection, nor an implicit hint, but the first time that such a clear and strong statement has been made!
Huo Tingxiao finished speaking, no longer looking at anyone. He reached out and naturally grasped Su Wanqing's cold, trembling hand. His palm was warm and strong, covered with thin calluses, and it tightly wrapped around her trembling fingers.
"Go home." He spat out two words, his voice still cold and hard, but with unquestionable determination.
Then, he ignored the shocked, embarrassed and awkward faces behind him, took her hand, and strode out of the activity room.
Su Wanqing followed him passively, looking at his tall and straight back that seemed to be able to block all the wind and rain for her, feeling the firm and burning temperature coming from his palm, and tears finally burst out uncontrollably.
This time, they were not tears of grievance, but tears of...peace of mind.
The rumors are still vicious and the road ahead is still difficult.
But at least at this moment, she knew that she was not fighting alone.
This iceberg finally revealed to her in his own way the trust and protection beneath the ice, which might be clumsy but extremely solid.
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