I can handle Chapter 22 myself.
The banquet began. The long table was full of people. Huo Zheng sat to the left of the old man, and Huo Yanli to the right. The conversation ranged from international affairs to family matters, and the atmosphere was harmonious.
Huo Yanli occasionally glanced at Huo Zheng opposite him. His uncle was discussing a border situation with his elder brother, his expression focused and his analysis sharp, showing no trace of the remark he had just made.
But those words were like a thorn stuck in Huo Yanli's heart.
He refused.
More than anything, it's a feeling of being offended.
Why? Why should his wife, whom he has only seen a few times in the past two years, a woman he barely knows, be evaluated in this way by his uncle-in-law—the arrogant and rarely complimenting Huo Zheng?
Just because she went to the battlefield? Because she's a good negotiator? Because she remembered the illness of a certain militant's mother?
In Huo Yanli's view, these were nothing more than professional qualities, nothing more than... a job.
Halfway through dinner, Huo Zheng suddenly put down his chopsticks and looked at the old man: "Dad, how is Song Zhiyi doing lately?"
The whole table fell silent for a moment.
Huo's mother's expression changed slightly, and her eldest and second aunts exchanged a glance. Huo Yanli tightened his grip on his chopsticks.
The old man was quite pleased that someone had brought up the topic: "Zhiyi, she should be back from her overseas assignment next month. This child has suffered a lot these past two years, but she has also achieved great things."
Huo Zheng nodded: "She performed very well over there. There was also an internal report in our system saying that she handled several crises very well."
"Really?" The old man was even more pleased. "Tell me more about it?"
Huo Zheng briefly recounted two matters—not the one he had just mentioned to Huo Yanli, but two other instances: one involving coordinating the distribution of medical supplies, and the other involving finding a delicate balance in multi-party negotiations. He spoke objectively, yet his words conveyed a sense of approval.
Huo's mother couldn't help but interject, "It's not good for a girl to keep running to such dangerous places. Now that you're back, you should settle down and work in Beijing."
Huo Zheng glanced at his sister-in-law without saying anything, but the disapproval in his eyes was obvious.
The old man waved his hand: "It's a good thing that young people have ideals and drive. Zhiyi, that kid, has important things on his mind."
Huo Zheng nodded again, then suddenly looked at Huo Yanli: "Where will she stay when she comes back?"
This is a very direct and practical question.
Everyone looked at Huo Yanli.
Huo Yanli put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and said calmly, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has dormitories. She said it would be convenient for her to stay there."
"The dormitory?" Mrs. Huo frowned. "The conditions there..."
“She made her own choice,” Huo Yanli interrupted his mother. “I respect her decision.”
He was stunned for a moment after saying those words. Respect? When had he ever thought of respecting her choices?
Huo Zheng gave him a deep look, but said nothing more.
The dinner continued, but the atmosphere was somewhat awkward.
After the banquet, Huo Yanli smoked in the courtyard. The winter night air was cold, and his exhaled breath quickly dissipated into the darkness. Huo Zheng walked over and lit a cigarette as well.
The two of them silently took a few puffs.
“I’m not trying to belittle you,” Huo Zheng suddenly said, his voice somewhat muffled in the night. “You are very capable, first-rate in business and management.”
Huo Yanli didn't respond, waiting for what was to come.
“But Song Zhiyi… she’s different.” Huo Zheng exhaled a smoke ring. “I’ve met many people, and in extreme circumstances, both the brilliance and darkness of humanity are magnified. The courage, wisdom, and empathy she showed in that situation… are rare.”
He paused. "I know you got married because of an agreement made by your elders. But if you look down on her because she comes from an ordinary family or because she seems to have 'no background'—then you're wrong. You're terribly wrong."
Huo Yanli stubbed out his cigarette in the stone jar next to him, making a soft hissing sound.
“Uncle,” he said, his voice cold, “I will handle my own marriage.”
Huo Zheng looked at him for a long time, then nodded: "Okay."
Then he turned and left.
Huo Yanli was alone in the courtyard again. He looked up at the night sky. There were no stars tonight, only thick clouds, heavy and pressing down on the city.
Not good enough?
He recalled the day they got their marriage certificate two years ago, and how calmly she signed the papers.
Thinking back to that bank account that has never been touched in the past two years.
I recalled the woman my uncle had described earlier, the one who calmly negotiated amidst the flames of war.
The thorn in my heart has sunk even deeper.
Huo Yanli took a deep breath, the cold air filling his lungs.
He doesn't need anyone to judge his marriage, nor does he need anyone to tell him whether he is good enough for anyone.
But that thought, like an undercurrent in the night, quietly stirred within:
If... if she really is that kind of person, as my uncle said.
So, over the past two years, his indifference and estrangement towards her, could it be considered... a betrayal?
Huo Yanli shook his head violently, banishing the thought.
No, it's just a five-year agreement. When the time comes, we'll go our separate ways.
He turned and went back into the house, his steps firm.
But the figure in the lamplight of the winter night seemed inexplicably...lonely.
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