Chapter 43: Making an exception for her, first date?
Huo Tingxiao's weighty promise, like a solid, warm light, dispelled the gloom and chill that had enveloped Su Wanqing's heart for days. Although life remained peaceful, and the vague distance between them remained, Su Wanqing's state of mind had quietly shifted. She no longer felt the same cautious fear of loss and anxiety as before, but instead gained a strange sense of confidence and stability.
She knew that no matter what the future held, at least at this moment, she wasn't fighting alone. That cold, hard man, in his own unique way, had drawn an inviolable boundary for her.
The days continued on their regular track. Huo Tingxiao was still leaving early and returning late, so busy that he was almost invisible. Su Wanqing continued with her studies, housework, and occasional necessary social activities. However, the atmosphere in the compound had clearly changed. The malicious glances and whispers had almost completely disappeared, replaced by polite, even awe-inspiring greetings. Assistant Chen's attitude had also become more respectful and considerate, and he would occasionally even ask if she needed a car or help with shopping.
All these changes were caused by Huo Tingxiao's thunderous decision and that heavy promise.
That afternoon, Su Wanqing was in her study, sorting through her study notes, when the phone in the living room rang. She went over to answer it; it was Assistant Chen.
"Ma'am, good afternoon." Assistant Chen's voice sounded a little different than usual, with a subtle hint of... hesitation?
"Assistant Chen, is there anything wrong?" Su Wanqing asked.
"The chief has instructed you... to get ready. He will be back to pick you up for dinner at six in the evening." Assistant Chen's tone was official and rigid, yet it also revealed an indescribable weirdness.
Dining out? Su Wanqing was stunned. This was completely unprecedented! Huo Tingxiao almost never attended unnecessary social events, let alone took her out to eat. Even when necessary, it was usually a banquet within the military region or a family dinner. This kind of pure "dining out" had never happened before.
"Dinner? Is it some official banquet?" Su Wanqing asked subconsciously, trying to understand this sudden arrangement.
There was silence on the other end of the line for a few seconds, and Assistant Chen's voice seemed even stiffer: "...The chief only instructed to take you out for dinner, but didn't specify the specific reason."
Su Wanqing's heart skipped a beat. It wasn't official business? Then... could it be...
An absurd thought that made her heart beat faster came to her mind - could this be... a date?
She was startled by her own thought and quickly shook it off. How could it be possible! How could someone like Huo Tingxiao do something as romantic and impractical as a "date"? There must be some special reason that she didn't know about.
"Okay, I understand. Thank you, Assistant Chen." She suppressed her doubts and responded calmly.
After hanging up the phone, Su Wanqing stood there, unable to calm down. She checked the time; it was almost four o'clock. She took a deep breath and decided not to let her thoughts run wild. She would just prepare according to his instructions.
She returned to her bedroom and opened her closet. She hesitated, seeing the mostly simple, subdued-color dresses inside. Finally, she settled on a well-cut, smoky pink knit dress in a subdued hue. It wasn't too formal, yet still gave her a more dressed-up vibe than her usual home clothes. She wore minimal makeup, tied her hair loosely, and added a pair of small pearl earrings.
Looking at the slightly different self in the mirror, her heart beat faster involuntarily.
At exactly six o'clock, the familiar sound of a car engine was heard downstairs.
Su Wanqing took a deep breath, picked up her handbag, and walked down the stairs.
Huo Tingxiao was already standing at the entrance. He had changed out of his military uniform and was now wearing a dark grey cashmere sweater, matching trousers, and a black casual jacket. His attire remained cold, but it lacked the harshness of the uniform and instead had a rare touch of casualness... though his face remained expressionless.
Seeing Su Wanqing coming down, his eyes swept over her very quickly, seemingly staying on her slightly different skirt for less than half a second, then moved away, his voice calm and calm: "Let's go."
"Yes." Su Wanqing followed him and got into the car.
The car remained silent. Huo Tingxiao drove intently, his profile hard and expressionless. Su Wanqing didn't speak either, simply watching the rapidly receding street scene outside the window.
The car did not drive towards any of the high-end hotels or famous restaurants she had imagined. Instead, it passed through the bustling city, turned into a relatively quiet, tree-lined road, and finally stopped in front of an unremarkable private restaurant with a quaint facade.
"We're here." Huo Tingxiao parked the car and unbuckled his seat belt.
Su Wanqing followed him out of the car. A small wooden plaque hung above the restaurant's door, with the words "Jinglu" written in cursive script, exuding a sense of tranquility and elegance, akin to a retreat hidden in the city.
Pushing the door open, the space inside is small, decorated in an elegant Chinese style. There are only a few tables, and the environment is quiet, with the faint aroma of food and tea in the air. There is no hustle and bustle of the lobby, only the privacy of the private room.
A manager wearing a cheongsam and with a gentle temperament seemed to know Huo Tingxiao and came up to him with a smile: "Mr. Huo, you are here. The box is ready for you." Her eyes politely swept over Su Wanqing with a subtle inquiry, but she did not ask any further questions.
Huo Tingxiao nodded slightly and followed the manager to the innermost private room.
The private room is not big, but it is elegantly decorated. Outside the window is a small courtyard with swaying bamboo shadows.
The two of them sat down. The manager handed over the menu, but Huo Tingxiao didn't even glance at it, simply naming a few dishes: "Bird's Nest in Clear Soup, Braised Shark's Fin, Blanched Chinese Cabbage, and an order of almond tea." They were all light and nourishing dishes, and even... they seemed to be beneficial for her post-illness health.
Su Wanqing's heart moved slightly. Did he... consider her health?
The manager took note and bowed before leaving. They were the only two left in the room.
The atmosphere was subtly awkward for a moment. Neither of them was good at small talk, especially not in this kind of purely private, non-official setting.
Su Wanqing picked up the teacup and took small sips, hiding her inner discomfort.
Huo Tingxiao was also silent, his fingers tapping the table unconsciously, his eyes fixed on the bamboo shadows outside the window, not knowing what he was thinking.
After a long while, he seemed to remember something, turned his head, looked at her, and said in a calm tone, "The chef's cooking here is quite good. Try it and see if it suits your taste."
"...Okay, thank you, Chief." Su Wanqing responded softly.
There was another silence.
The dishes arrived quickly. As Huo Tingxiao had said, the cooking was superb, light yet bland, fresh yet not greasy, and cooked to perfection.
The two of them ate in silence. Huo Tingxiao ate quickly, but his movements were still graceful and smooth. Su Wanqing ate in small bites, her mind completely unconcerned with the food.
She secretly observed the man across from her. He remained expressionless, but the usual cold and stern aura around him seemed to have subsided considerably. There was even a faint, barely perceptible hint of…relaxation between his brows?
This is really... so unlike him.
"Not to your liking?" He seemed to notice her gaze and raised his head to ask.
"No, it's delicious." Su Wanqing shook her head quickly.
"Yeah." He responded, and stopped talking. Instead, he reached out and used his serving chopsticks to pick up a piece of shark fin and put it into her bowl. "This is nutritious."
Su Wanqing looked at the extra food in the bowl, her heart skipped a beat, and her cheeks felt slightly hot: "...Thank you."
He was...picking up food for her again? Although his movements were still soldierly direct and a little stiff.
The meal was carried out in this strange atmosphere of sometimes silence and sometimes his brief and blunt words of "try this" and "eat more".
There was no conversation, no eye contact, and certainly none of the warmth and affection that would accompany a normal date. But for some reason, Su Wanqing felt an unprecedented, strange... peace and security.
It was as if the thick ice wall between them was quietly melting a little in this silent and clumsy interaction.
After dinner, Huo Tingxiao didn't get up immediately, but instead ordered a pot of tea. They sat opposite each other, sipping tea. Outside the window, the moonlight was hazy, the shadows of bamboo swayed, and the atmosphere was so quiet it felt... unreal.
"Has anyone... given you any trouble lately?" He suddenly spoke, breaking the silence, his voice sounding particularly low in the quiet private room.
Su Wanqing shook her head: "No more. Thank you, Chief."
"Hmm." He picked up the teacup, took a sip, and looked at the tea leaves floating in the cup. He said casually, "If you encounter any problems in the future, you can tell me directly."
Su Wanqing's heart trembled again. She raised her head, looked at his cold and hard profile, and nodded gently: "...Okay."
On the way back, the silence remained, but the air inside the car seemed no longer so cold and suffocating.
The car drove back to the compound and stopped downstairs.
Huo Tingxiao got out of the car first, and Su Wanqing followed behind him.
At the door of his apartment, he suddenly stopped and turned around. In the moonlight, his face was a little blurry, but his eyes were deep and difficult to discern.
"Today..." he began, his voice low and hesitant, "...is everything okay?"
Su Wanqing was stunned for a moment before realizing he was asking about tonight's "dinner." Her heartbeat inexplicably quickened, and she nodded, "...very good. The food is delicious."
"Yeah." He responded, seeming relieved, yet also a little unsure of how to proceed. He was silent for a few seconds before saying, "Go up."
"Good night, Chief." Su Wanqing bowed slightly, turned and walked into the unit door.
Behind her, Huo Tingxiao didn't leave immediately. He stood there, watching her disappear behind the door, his eyes deep and motionless for a long time.
Su Wanqing leaned against the elevator wall, listening to her own somewhat disordered heartbeat. Thinking back to tonight's extremely "Huo Tingxiao-style", silent and awkward "dinner", the corners of her lips involuntarily curved up into a very shallow but genuine smile.
Make an exception for her first "date"?
Although the process was weird and the atmosphere was awkward.
But it seems... not bad.
At least, there is a glimmer of light beneath the iceberg.
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