Chapter 36: Acting together, tacit understanding begins to emerge
Huo Tingxiao's resounding words, "She is my wife" and "She will never suffer any grievances that she doesn't deserve," were like an invisible barrier, instantly blocking out all the questioning, scrutinizing, and gloating gazes in the restaurant.
The air stagnated for a few seconds.
Huo Meilin and Huo Mingyuan's faces turned pale and blue, as if they had been slapped in public. They looked extremely unpleasant. They obviously hadn't expected Huo Tingxiao, who had always been cold and distant towards Su Wanqing, even acquiescing to their contempt, to suddenly defend her so forcefully, even going so far as to directly contradict his elders.
Several other elders from the side branches also looked surprised, exchanging glances and reassessing the importance of this "substitute" bride in Huo Tingxiao's heart.
A gleam flashed in Mr. Huo's cloudy eyes, and the corners of his mouth curved upwards imperceptibly before he regained his composure. He slammed his teacup down with a dull thud, breaking the silence. "Alright! Tingxiao's right! Family members shouldn't gossip, and we shouldn't believe rumors!"
His majestic gaze swept across the entire audience: "Since Wanqing has entered the Huo family, she is a member of the Huo family. If anyone spreads rumors again in the future, don't blame me, an old man, for being rude!" These words set the tone and also served as a warning.
"Yes, Dad is right." Huo Mingyuan was the first to react, forcing a smile and trying to smooth things over. "We're just worried about Tingxiao's future and the harmony in our family. Since Tingxiao knows what's going on, that's the best."
Huo Meilin also lowered her head awkwardly, not daring to say anything more.
A turbulent undercurrent seemed to be suppressed by Huo Tingxiao's sudden toughness and Mr. Huo's final statement.
The atmosphere at the table was still somewhat awkward, but at least it had regained its composure. The servants began serving the hot dishes.
Su Wanqing lowered her head, her fingertips trembling slightly as she gripped her chopsticks. Her heart was still pounding in her chest, not out of fear, but from an indescribable mixture of shock, sorrow, and a faint sweetness. She quietly turned her gaze to the man beside her.
He still sat upright, his expression stern, as if his shocking statement of defense had been a casual one. However, his tightly pursed lips and slightly tense jaw betrayed that he was not entirely calm.
Why did he do this? Was it to protect the Huo family's reputation? Or was he really... out of a desire to protect her?
She didn't dare to think too much.
At this moment, the eldest aunt Huo Wenhui, who had always been taciturn and gentle, spoke with a smile, trying to ease the atmosphere: "Okay, okay, let's talk it out. The dishes are all served, let's eat them while they are hot. Wanqing, try this steamed sea bass, it's very fresh and tender. You have just recovered from your illness, so this is just right for you." As she spoke, she signaled the servant to pass the fish to Su Wanqing.
Su Wanqing quickly nodded and smiled: "Thank you, aunt." She picked up the serving chopsticks and was about to pick up some food.
Suddenly, a bony hand with thin calluses reached out to the plate of fish before her. It was Huo Tingxiao.
He held the chopsticks in his left hand, and with a slightly clumsy but precise movement, he picked up a large piece of the fattest, boneless fish belly meat, and then placed it on the plate in front of Su Wanqing very naturally.
During the whole process, he did not look at her or speak, his expression remained cold and hard, as if he was just completing an insignificant and convenient action.
The restaurant was quiet again for a moment.
Everyone's eyes were focused on the piece of fish that suddenly appeared on Su Wanqing's plate, their eyes full of disbelief.
Huo Tingxiao...serves food for others?!
Or with his non-dominant left hand? !
The target is Su Wanqing, the one he has always treated coldly? !
This is even more shocking than his words of defense just now!
Su Wanqing was also completely stunned. Looking at the piece of snow-white fish on the plate, her heart felt like it was hit by something, and her cheeks were uncontrollably hot. He...he was...
Huo Meilin's eyes widened instantly, as if she had seen a ghost.
Huo Mingyuan narrowed his eyes, as if thinking about something.
Even Mr. Huo raised his eyebrows, with a hint of surprise and amusement in his eyes.
Huo Tingxiao seemed completely oblivious to the strange atmosphere around him. He picked up a piece of greens with his chopsticks and ate it expressionlessly, but a faint, barely noticeable blush seemed to appear at the base of his ears.
Su Wanqing's heart was beating rapidly. She instantly understood—he was using his actions to prove his words! He was continuing to "protect" her, even using this almost "intimate" action, something he would never normally do, to declare his attitude to everyone!
Is this... a show for the family?
A feeling of loss or realization washed over her, but she quickly suppressed it. Regardless, he was helping her out, supporting her.
She quickly adjusted her expression, raised her head, and gave Huo Tingxiao a gentle and slightly shy smile, saying softly, "Thank you, Chief."
Then, she lowered her head and began to eat the fish in small bites. Her movements were graceful and natural, as if she had long been accustomed to his "care".
Huo Tingxiao's action of picking up the food paused almost imperceptibly, as if he had not expected her to respond so naturally. He then returned to normal and just said "hmm" in a low voice.
This seemingly simple yet extremely unusual interaction between the two people has a profound meaning in the eyes of everyone.
How could this be a disagreement? This clearly shows a deep affection! He even remembered to do something as trivial as picking up food, and even awkwardly used his left hand to do it! Chief Huo, the cold-faced devil, actually had such a considerate side? It seemed they had misjudged him before!
Huo Meilin's face became even uglier, and she could hardly keep a smile on her face.
Huo Mingyuan laughed dryly, trying to lighten the mood: "Tingxiao and Wanqing have such a great relationship, it's really enviable!"
Huo Wenhui also smiled and tried to smooth things over: "Yes, it's a good thing for the young couple to take care of each other."
The atmosphere of the following dinner became subtle and interesting.
Huo Tingxiao seemed determined to play the "protecting his wife" role to the end. Although he remained quiet, he would occasionally move a dish on the turntable that Su Wanqing had glanced at for a moment to her side, and when the tea in her cup was running low, he would naturally push the teapot closer. Although his movements still had a military-like toughness and a hint of discomfort, his silent "care" was flawless.
Su Wanqing also fully cooperated. When he "took care" of her, she would respond with a gentle, grateful smile. When others tried to steer the conversation to a sensitive point, she would skillfully change the subject. She even took the initiative to take the lead when Mr. Huo asked about Huo Tingxiao's injury, her tone tinged with just the right amount of concern and heartache. "I'm recovering well, but I still feel a little sore on rainy days. The military doctor told me to rest." She spoke with such sincerity, as if she had been worried about him day and night.
Although Huo Tingxiao didn't look at her when she spoke, he didn't refute her either. He even frowned slightly when she mentioned "soreness", as if he agreed with her statement.
The two of them sang in unison, one cold and one warm, and they cooperated with each other surprisingly tacitly, turning a family dinner originally full of swords and swords into a performance that conveyed a sense of "deep love between husband and wife" and "sharing weal and woe".
Although Su Wanqing knew in her heart that this was most likely just an act, a performance for various complex purposes (maintaining the Huo family's reputation, fulfilling his promise, and perhaps even a hint of pity for her frailty), her heart would still skip a beat when she received his clumsy yet persistent signals of "care" and when she saw his occasional glances filled with indescribable complex emotions.
As the scene went on, even she herself seemed a little dazed.
The family dinner finally ended in an atmosphere that seemed harmonious but actually everyone had their own thoughts.
Before leaving the old house, Mr. Huo specifically said to Huo Tingxiao, "Tingxiao, take good care of your injuries and don't worry about things at home." He then looked at Su Wanqing and said in a much softer tone, "Wanqing, Tingxiao has a tough personality. You need to take good care of him."
"Yes, Grandpa, I will." Su Wanqing bowed slightly with a respectful attitude.
On the way back, there was still silence.
But the silence this time was completely different from the cold, oppressive silence of the previous visit. The air was filled with a subtle, unspoken awkwardness and... a faint tension.
Su Wanqing looked at the night scene rapidly receding outside the window, and her fingertips seemed to still have a slight tremor from acting just now.
She couldn't help but secretly glance sideways at the man who was resting with his eyes closed beside her.
His cold and hard profile appeared obscure in the flowing light and shadow.
When they acted together, their tacit understanding began to show.
Is this drama going to end here, or... will there be a sequel?
She found that, shamefully, she actually had a hint of anticipation.
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