Chapter 76 New Challenges, the Responsibilities of a Military Wife
Huo Tingxiao's airtight, Huo-style doting was like a warm and solid fortress, protecting Su Wanqing firmly within it, allowing her to immerse herself in her studies, design, and their increasingly sweet world together. Her smiles grew more frequent, and her eyes grew more confident and bright, as if all the previous haze and pain had completely become a thing of the past.
However, life is more than just romance. Especially in a military compound like this, the identity of "Mrs. Huo" carries more than just the favor of the commander and a comfortable life.
With Huo Tingxiao's undisguised favoritism and her high-profile appearance at the New Year's party, Su Wanqing's status and popularity within the compound skyrocketed. The previous overt or covert exclusion and contempt disappeared, but in its wake came another invisible, yet even heavier, pressure and expectation.
She was no longer just herself—Su Wanqing. She was "Chief Huo's Wife," a highly regarded figure at the pinnacle of this compound. Countless eyes watched her, scrutinizing her every word and action, weighing her worthiness for this position, her ability to bear this honor.
The first thing that was felt was the attitude of other family members.
In the past, Su Wanqing had tried to avoid participating in family activities and social events within the compound, partly because of the rumors and gossip that had previously deterred her, and partly because of her personality. But now, she could no longer stay out of it.
Ladies she had never interacted with before began to visit her, earnestly asking for advice on "how to balance family and career" (even though Su Wanqing didn't really have a career); family members of the military who were struggling found the courage to approach her, cautiously sharing their practical difficulties with the "chief's wife," hoping for some help; even a few young wives of military personnel, whose husbands held lower positions and had little support, would pour out their grievances to her with red eyes, hoping she would "say something"...
The way they looked at her was full of trust, expectation, and even a hint of humble pleading. They regarded her as a symbol of reliance and hope.
This sudden, overwhelming trust and dependence left Su Wanqing feeling overwhelmed and overwhelmed. Accustomed to quiet and solitude, she wasn't adept at handling complex interpersonal relationships and trivial practical matters. But she couldn't resist those sincere, even desperate, looks; behind them lay the real challenges and hopes of each family.
She began to try to listen, to understand, and to offer advice or help to the best of her ability - for example, she helped the family member who reported difficulties in enrolling their child in school to sort out the policy process, accompanied the young military wife who was being bullied by her mother-in-law to communicate with the Women's Federation cadres, and even used the first modest royalties she earned from her designs to anonymously donate to an extremely poor family in the hospital whose father was seriously injured and whose mother was raising twins alone.
These things weren't easy, often requiring a significant amount of time and energy, and sometimes even encountering setbacks or misunderstandings. But she never complained or asked Huo Tingxiao for help. She felt that this was a task she needed to face and shoulder on her own.
Huo Tingxiao was acutely aware of her busy schedule and the occasional hints of fatigue. He didn't interfere, but when she frowned late at night over a hardship subsidy application, he silently offered her a refill of hot milk. When she was struggling to mediate a family dispute, he had Assistant Chen "happen" to pass by and offer several legal and effective solutions. When she smiled a faint, satisfied smile after helping others, his gaze would linger on her face for a few seconds, a subtle tenderness and... approval in his eyes.
He seemed to be silently supporting her in his own way, watching her groping step by step to fulfill the responsibilities of "Mrs. Huo", and watching her gradually become more calm and composed from her initial awkwardness and helplessness.
The greater challenge came from a formal military district consolation activity.
Their superiors arranged for a delegation of family members from the heads of major units to visit a subordinate border defense company facing difficult conditions before the Spring Festival. As Huo Tingxiao's wife, Su Wanqing was the highest-ranking and most closely watched member of the delegation, both publicly and privately.
This was her first time to independently participate in such a formal and symbolic external event as the "chief's wife". She represented not only herself, but also the image of Huo Tingxiao and even the families of senior military officials in the entire military region.
The night before departure, Su Wanqing was a little nervous. She carefully prepared gifts for the soldiers, repeatedly practiced a few short words of comfort, and even practiced her smile and handshake in front of the mirror.
Huo Tingxiao saw it all, but didn't say anything. Before going to bed, he handed her a thick document bag.
"What is this?" Su Wanqing took it in confusion.
"The basic situation of that company, and some precautions." Huo Tingxiao's tone was as calm as ever. "You can take a look if you're bored on the way."
Su Wanqing opened the file bag, and found that the contents were not the boring data or official materials she had imagined, but an extremely detailed and...humane "strategy".
It includes a brief introduction to the company's officers and soldiers (even noting the names and details of several veterans with outstanding achievements and soldiers whose families are particularly difficult), local climate characteristics and details that need to be paid attention to for keeping warm, types of books and snacks that soldiers might like, and even a few simple greetings and taboos of the ethnic minorities in the area...
The handwriting was Huo Tingxiao's characteristic sharp stroke, but the content was incredibly detailed and thoughtful.
Su Wanqing raised her head and looked at him in a daze.
Huo Tingxiao avoided her gaze, lay down as usual, and said calmly, "Go to sleep. You have to get up early tomorrow."
A huge warmth instantly surged through her body, dispelling all tension and anxiety. Su Wanqing clutched the heavy document bag tightly, looking at the cold yet reliable profile of the man beside her, her heart filled with indescribable emotion and strength.
The condolence activities on the second day went exceptionally smoothly and were also exceptionally... touching.
When Su Wanqing set foot on the outpost surrounded by wind and snow, and saw those soldiers who were probably younger than her, whose faces were dark and cracked by the ultraviolet rays of the plateau, but whose eyes were bright and resolute; when she handed them the comfort items she had carefully prepared (most of which were based on Huo Tingxiao's "strategy"), and saw their shy and happy smiles; when she listened to an old soldier telling the story of guarding the border in plain words, with a gleam of no regrets in his eyes... her heart was shocked and baptized like never before.
She suddenly understood deeply the tip of the iceberg of the weight that Huo Tingxiao carried on his shoulders, and realized that behind the two words "military wife" were not only glory and halo, but also the responsibility, dedication and sacrifice that resonated with the soldiers.
She is no longer just a protected person. She is also a member of this team, a weak but important force connecting the front and rear and warming the hearts of the soldiers.
At the end of the visit, the soldiers spontaneously formed a line and sang military songs at their highest voices to express their gratitude and respect. At that moment, Su Wanqing's eyes welled up. She straightened her back and, with her most sincere and solemn gesture, bowed deeply to these most beloved people.
On the way back, the other ladies in the delegation were still excitedly discussing what they had seen and heard, but Su Wanqing was silent for a long time, looking at the endless snow-capped mountains and fluttering national flags outside the car window.
When she got home in the evening, Huo Tingxiao was not in the study for the first time, but was sitting in the living room waiting for her.
"Are you back?" He put down the book in his hand and glanced at her face, as if wanting to confirm her condition.
"Yeah." Su Wanqing walked over and sat down beside him, resting her head gently on his shoulder. Her voice was a little hoarse, "Today... I'm deeply touched."
Huo Tingxiao's body stiffened slightly for a moment, then relaxed. He didn't push her away, nor did he speak. He just let her lean on him quietly.
"I used to...seem to be too self-centered," Su Wanqing said softly, as if talking to herself. "I only thought about my own grievances and dreams, but I didn't see...what you were carrying on your shoulders, nor did I see...that I could actually do more."
Huo Tingxiao turned his head and looked at her slightly tired but clear-eyed profile with a deep gaze.
"Are you tired?" he asked.
Su Wanqing was silent for a moment, then slowly shook her head. "I'm not tired. I just feel... a heavy responsibility." She raised her head and looked at him, a firmness in her eyes that hadn't been there before. "But I'm willing to try. I'll try... to be a good wife to you, a good 'Mrs. Huo.'"
Huo Tingxiao looked at her deeply, reached out his hand, held her slightly cold fingers, and squeezed them hard.
"Take your time." His deep voice echoed in the quiet living room, carrying a reassuring power. "I'm here."
There are not too many words, but it is the greatest support and understanding.
New challenges and responsibilities as a military wife.
This road may not be easy, it may be full of trivialities, pressure and difficulties.
But Su Wanqing knew she was no longer alone. Behind her, she had his steady and reliable support, like a mountain. Ahead, she had something more meaningful and worth her efforts.
The small joys and sorrows of individuals are being integrated into the broader world and responsibilities, and are radiating a different kind of brilliance.
And she enjoyed it very much.
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