Chapter 6 Moving into the compound, the title of First Lady
After returning from the Huo family's old house, life seemed to have returned to its previous almost frozen calm.
Huo Tingxiao disappeared again. There was no goodbye, no explanation, as if his brief appearance at the family dinner that night and that elusive look at the end were just an illusion on Su Wanqing's part.
The master bedroom was still her territory alone. The door to the second bedroom next door was always closed, cold and empty, silently announcing the absence of the male owner.
Assistant Chen still made the routine phone call every day, his tone respectful but distant.
Su Wanqing was happy to be alone. She spent a few days taking a closer look at the house that belonged to Huo Tingxiao and now temporarily belonged to her.
The house was large, decorated in a thoroughly cold, military style. Black, white, and gray dominated the palette, with clean lines and dark furniture. It was practical yet devoid of warmth. Beyond the essentials, there were few items of personal touch or interest. The books in the study were mostly tomes on military affairs, politics, and history, meticulously arranged like soldiers awaiting inspection.
Like a cautious explorer, she explored this unfamiliar territory bit by bit, trying to get a glimpse of the true face of her nominal husband, but found nothing. This place was more like a temporary dormitory for senior officers than a home.
It wasn't until that afternoon that Assistant Chen's phone rang again, but the content was different.
"Madam, as is customary now that you've checked in, you'll need to visit the families of several important officials and familiarize yourself with the compound's main amenities." Assistant Chen's voice came through the earpiece, still steady and composed. "I'll accompany you at a convenient time."
Su Wanqing's fingers gripping the phone tightened slightly.
What is coming has finally come.
The title of "First Lady" is not just a title, it also means the attention, responsibility and ubiquitous social pressure that comes with it. She can't hide in this deserted house forever.
"Okay, Assistant Chen." She said calmly, "I'm available anytime. I'll take your orders."
"Then I'll drive downstairs to pick you up in half an hour."
Half an hour later, Su Wanqing changed into a modest yet gentle lotus pink knitted suit, put on light makeup, and tied up her long hair, looking dignified and approachable. She practiced the arc of her smile in front of the mirror, then took a deep breath and walked out of the room.
Assistant Chen's car was already waiting downstairs.
The car slowly drove through the heavily guarded compound. It felt like a world away from the outside world. The landscaping was abundant, the roads were wide and clean, and the individual buildings were spaced far apart, offering a perfect sense of privacy. Occasionally, someone in military uniform would pass by on foot or in a car, all in an orderly and quiet manner.
"The compound has several main living areas. Over there are the office buildings, and over there is the training ground... Family members don't usually go there," Assistant Chen explained briefly as he drove. "We're heading to the Life Service Center now, which has a supermarket, post office, bank, military service center, and the rest home activity center."
The car stopped beside a bustling street. The architectural style was still the same, but the bustle of people brought a sense of life.
Assistant Chen led Su Wanqing through the supermarket, where they began their tour. It wasn't large, but it had a wide selection of goods, especially the specialized military supplies rarely seen elsewhere. Many family members in civilian clothes were shopping, and upon seeing Assistant Chen and her, they cast curious yet restrained glances, chatting in hushed tones.
"Is that Chief Huo's new wife?"
"She looks really young and pretty."
"I heard that Chief Huo didn't come back on the wedding day..."
"Shh, keep your voice down..."
Those whispers were like a gentle breeze, reaching Su Wanqing's ears. Her expression remained unchanged, as if she was completely unaware. She only nodded slightly when Assistant Chen introduced her, her attitude gentle and polite.
Then they went to the post office and the bank. The staff all knew Assistant Chen and were particularly polite and considerate to her, a new face, even with a subtle scrutiny.
Finally, they arrived at the activity center of the retirement home, where mostly retired cadres and their families played chess, cards, read books, and chatted, creating a relatively relaxed atmosphere.
Assistant Chen took Su Wanqing to an old man with gray hair and elegant temperament who was reading a newspaper by the window.
"Hello, Minister Li." Assistant Chen greeted respectfully.
The old man raised his head, pushed his reading glasses, saw Assistant Chen, then looked at Su Wanqing beside her, and a kind smile appeared on his face: "It's Xiao Chen. Who is this?"
"Minister Li, this is Chief Huo Tingxiao's wife, Ms. Su Wanqing," Assistant Chen introduced. "Madam, this is the retired Vice Minister Li, formerly Chief Tingxiao's senior supervisor."
Su Wanqing bowed slightly and greeted politely, "Hello, Minister Li."
Minister Li looked at her, his eyes kind yet sharp, and said with a smile, "Well, well, Tingxiao has finally gotten married. The girl looks virtuous and sensible. Come and talk to us old folks often."
"Thank you for the compliment. I will learn more from my predecessors in the future." Su Wanqing responded appropriately.
After a few more pleasantries, Minister Li casually asked, "Where's Tingxiao? Is he busy again and nowhere to be seen?"
"Yes, the chief has a mission." Su Wanqing answered with a smile, her tone natural, without any trace of grievance or complaint.
Minister Li nodded and didn't ask any more questions, but a hint of understanding flashed in his eyes.
After leaving the activity center, Assistant Chen drove her around the main roads of the compound and pointed out several important locations.
Throughout the entire process, Su Wanqing remained quiet, obedient, and courteous. She listened carefully to Assistant Chen's introduction, silently memorizing the route and location, ignoring the glances and whispers from all sides, and always maintained a perfectly balanced, gentle, and slightly distant smile on her face.
She knew full well that from the moment she left the house, her every word and action would be magnified and interpreted by countless eyes, then quickly spread throughout the compound. She, the airborne, "substitute" First Lady whose husband paid no attention to her, was at the center of the storm.
Any slight loss of composure, grievance or cowardice would become a topic of conversation for others and might even affect Huo Tingxiao's reputation - even though he might not care at all.
So, she must be steady.
You can't make mistakes, you can't show your weakness, and you can't give anyone anything to talk about.
It was almost dusk when I returned to the still deserted house.
Assistant Chen said goodbye and left.
Su Wanqing closed the door, leaned against the cold panel, and slowly breathed a sigh of relief. The polite smile she had maintained all afternoon slowly faded, revealing a hint of fatigue.
She walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window in the living room and looked out at the yard dyed golden red by the setting sun.
"First Lady"...
This title is like an invisible shackle and also like a lonely peak.
Trapped in this heavily guarded compound, bearing this glorious yet burdensome title, she lived like a transparent person. Her husband was as cold as ice, and the gazes around her were as sharp as torches.
She lowered her head and looked at her slender but bony hands.
Then, slowly tighten your grip.
Since you can't avoid it, just face it.
A title is a shackle, but also a weapon. It is the pinnacle, but also a stage.
She, Su Wanqing, would never let herself live forever under the shadow of this substitutionary marriage and the gossip of others.
She wanted everyone, including the iceberg, to slowly see clearly—
She deserves this title not only because she is "Huo Tingxiao's wife", but also because she is Su Wanqing.
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