Chapter 57 Photo controversy, crisis of trust
Su Wanqing ignored the bait of Lin Weiwei's supposed "internship opportunity." She casually tucked the beautifully designed business card deep into a drawer and continued to focus on her classes and tending to Huo Tingxiao's injuries. Life seemed to have returned to its previous calm, even more so than before, with an indescribable tacit understanding and warmth. Huo Tingxiao's shoulder injury gradually improved under her meticulous care. Though still silent, the coldness in his brow seemed to have melted a little. Occasionally, when she offered him tea or pills, he would glance at her, his gaze no longer the pure scrutiny of the past, but instead held a subtle, complex warmth that was hard to grasp.
Su Wanqing was immersed in this subtle but real progress, and almost forgot Lin Weiwei's "reminder" that day and her hidden "good intentions".
However, the tree wants to be still but the wind does not stop.
That afternoon, Su Wanqing was sorting through her notes in her study when the landline phone in the living room rang sharply. She walked over to pick it up. It was Xia Xiaoran, whose tone was extremely anxious, even tearful:
"Qingqing! Oh no! Something happened! Hurry up and read the latest issue of 'Fashion' magazine! Even the electronic version will do! Quick!"
Su Wanqing's heart sank suddenly, and an ominous premonition instantly grabbed her: "Xiao Ran, what's wrong? Tell me slowly, what magazine?"
"Fashion! It's that famous fashion magazine! They did a special feature on 'Military Wives' this issue, and in it... you're in it!" Xia Xiaoran's voice trembled with anger. "I don't know where they got those photos from! There's also a nonsense article! They say you're using the Huo family's resources and connections to actively expand your fashion career, and they even imply that you... you're using Commander Huo's name to do things outside... Oh, I can't say it! Anyway, it's very unpleasant! Take a look!"
Su Wanqing's head buzzed, and her face paled instantly! Fashion magazine? When had she ever been interviewed by them?! What was with the photo?!
She immediately rushed back to her study, turned on her computer, and with trembling fingers, she searched the electronic version of "Fashion." Sure enough, the homepage displayed a prominent feature: "Delicate shoulders bear heavy responsibilities, and red makeup lives up to the beauty of youth: Entering the diverse lives of military wives in the new era."
She clicked on it, scrolling through the pages quickly, her heart pounding.
Sure enough, her name and photo appeared in the middle and back part of the special feature!
It was a candid shot of her in the library building, concentrating on selecting design books! The angle was tricky, only her profile was captured and she was holding a few professional books with eye-catching covers. The background was blurred, but it was clear that she was in a high-end shopping mall. The caption next to the photo was very suggestive:
"...The woman in the picture, quietly browsing the latest design trends, is none other than Ms. Su, the wife of a high-ranking general. Reportedly, after marriage, Ms. Su hasn't settled for the traditional life of caring for her husband and children, but has actively pursued her own career and personal fulfillment. She is currently immersed in the study of high-end clothing and jewelry design. She possesses a unique vision and lofty ambitions, and is reportedly in contact with several industry veterans to develop her own brand (Note: This information has not been confirmed by her). Military wives in the new era are no longer simply silent supporters of their soldiers; they too have the opportunity to shine and pursue their dreams..."
While the article may appear complimentary, its wording is full of traps! "Not content with tradition," "actively pursuing a career," "planning a personal brand," "engaging with senior figures"—every word implies she's "restless" and "using her position for personal gain." Especially the phrase "This information has not been confirmed by her"—it maliciously shifts unsubstantiated speculation onto her, misleading readers.
What chilled Su Wanqing even more was the small, seemingly unintentional "data photo" that accompanied the article—a picture of Huo Tingxiao's black sedan with a distinctive military license plate parked downstairs from a renowned designer's studio! The photo was clearly taken in the evening, with dim lighting, making it even more suggestive! The caption was a simple one: "Still pursuing your dreams late at night?"
"boom--!"
Su Wanqing felt dizzy and her vision went dark, and she almost fainted!
Despicable! Shameless!
This is a complete fabrication and slander! That photo in the library building was clearly a candid shot! She doesn't even know any "senior people," let alone "planning a personal brand"! Huo Tingxiao's car was parked there, and it was clearly there once when he went there for a meeting and stopped by to buy her something! It wasn't late at night at all!
This is a carefully planned conspiracy! It's Lin Weiwei! It must be her!
That "chance encounter" at the library building that day, those "kind" reminders and "opportunities," all led up to this moment! She had already arranged the candid photos, then used her connections to combine these carefully edited "evidence" with misleading text, concocting this seemingly glamorous but actually extremely vicious article!
"Qingqing? Qingqing, did you see that? Say something!" Xia Xiaoran shouted anxiously on the other end of the phone.
Su Wanqing snapped back to her senses, her whole body cold, her fingers trembling so much that she could barely hold the mouse. Her voice was hoarse, "I... I saw it... It was Lin Weiwei... She was the one who harmed me..."
"This vicious woman!" Xia Xiaoran cursed angrily, "I knew she had bad intentions! What should I do now? This magazine has a lot of influence, and many people must have seen it! As for Chief Huo..."
Huo Tingxiao!
Su Wanqing's heart felt like it was being gripped by an icy hand! Had he seen it? Would he believe it? He had just begun to feel a glimmer of trust and easing his feelings towards her. What would he think of this article filled with insinuations and slander? He was so proud and cautious about keeping his public and private lives separate. What he hated most was his family taking advantage of his status!
A huge fear instantly overwhelmed her!
Just then, the sound of a car engine was heard downstairs!
Huo Tingxiao is back! He came back earlier than usual today!
Su Wanqing's face turned pale as paper in an instant! She hung up Xia Xiaoran's phone abruptly and stood there at a loss, her mind blank.
The sound of steady footsteps ascended the stairs, getting closer and closer.
The door of the study was pushed open.
Huo Tingxiao walked in. He was dressed in a neat suit, but his expression was even gloomier and colder than the weather outside. A frightening frost hung between his brows, and his eyes, sharp as knives, shot straight at Su Wanqing, who was standing in front of the computer with a pale face.
In his hand, he was holding the latest issue of "Fashion" magazine! The eye-catching cover and special title stung Su Wanqing's eyes like the most glaring sarcasm!
Su Wanqing's heart stopped beating instantly, and her blood seemed to freeze. He saw it! He really saw it!
"Chief, Chief..." Her voice trembled and she could hardly make a sound.
Huo Tingxiao said nothing, but walked to the desk with heavy steps, and slammed the magazine onto the table with a loud bang! The loud noise made Su Wanqing tremble all over!
He looked down at her, his eyes cold and devoid of any warmth. His voice was low and hoarse, yet it carried a suppressed, impending storm:
"What's this?"
He tapped heavily on the page of her report in the magazine with his slender fingers, and his fingertips turned slightly white due to the pressure.
Su Wanqing felt a sharp pain in her heart at the undisguised suspicion and coldness in his eyes. She hurriedly explained, "No! Commander, please listen to my explanation! This is a false accusation! It was Lin Weiwei who set me up! I never..."
"Did the design harm you?" Huo Tingxiao interrupted her abruptly. A cold, almost cruel arc appeared on the corner of his mouth, and the chill in his eyes was even more intense. "She forced you to buy these books at knifepoint? Forced you to read those 'latest design trends'? Forced you to contact so-called 'industry veterans'?!"
His voice became higher and higher, colder and colder, filled with thick sarcasm and undisguised anger!
"And this photo!" He stabbed his finger at the photo of the car, his eyes as sharp as a knife, almost wanting to torture her to death. "Why is my car in that place?! Huh?! When did you go there?! Who did you go to see?!"
"I didn't! You were on your way to a meeting that day, and you stopped by to buy me some things! It wasn't late at night, and I didn't see anyone!" Su Wanqing was so anxious that tears came out, her voice tinged with sobs, "Captain, believe me! This really is Lin Weiwei's conspiracy! She 'ran into' me by chance in the library building before, and even pretended to recommend me a job..."
"That's enough!" Huo Tingxiao snapped, his chest heaving with anger, his eyes filled with disappointment and a cold feeling of betrayal. "Su Wanqing, did I ever tell you to behave yourself? Did I ever tell you not to cause me any trouble?!"
"Your so-called pursuit of your dreams means contacting those shabby magazines behind my back?! You're asking them to take photos of my military-plated car and publish them in something sensational?! You still think there aren't enough people watching me, Huo Tingxiao?!"
His roar echoed in the study, and every word was like an icicle, piercing Su Wanqing's heart! He didn't believe her! He didn't believe her at all! He would rather believe the fabricated words and photos in the magazine than her explanation! He even thought she was deliberately provoking the media and causing trouble for him!
A huge sense of grievance and despair instantly overwhelmed Su Wanqing, making her body cold, as if she had fallen into an icy cave! Tears welled up in her eyes, but she bit her lips tightly to prevent herself from crying out loud.
"I didn't... I really didn't..." She shook her head, her voice broken, and all her explanations seemed so pale and powerless under his distrustful gaze.
Huo Tingxiao stared intently at her tear-stained face, his eyes filled with extreme complexity, filled with anger, disappointment, suspicion, and a hint of pain that he himself hadn't even noticed. He turned around abruptly, no longer looking at her, his voice icy cold and unquestionable, with unquestionable determination:
"From today on, you are not allowed to touch anything related to design without my permission! You are not allowed to accept any interviews privately! You are not allowed to associate with those messy people!"
"If you can't do it, move back to the Su family!"
After saying that, he didn't even look at her, slammed the door and left!
"Bang--!"
The loud sound of the door slamming was like a final judgment, hitting Su Wanqing's heart hard.
She stood there alone, looking at the magazine on the table that looked like evidence of a crime, and then at the door where Huo Tingxiao disappeared. Her whole body was cold, and tears silently slid down her face.
The trust and warmth that had just been established collapsed and shattered into pieces at this moment.
The photo incident caused a sudden crisis of trust.
Lin Weiwei's conspiracy finally hit the most vulnerable link accurately.
But this time, he chose to doubt.
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