Volume One, Chapter 15: Are You Here to Deliver a Wedding Invitation?

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Huo Xiaohan stood at the doorway, carrying some things, and immediately noticed a bowl of vividly colored braised pork on the dining table in the living room. The meat was evenly coated with a glossy layer of sugar sauce; the fatty parts glistened translucent, while the lean meat was ruddy and shiny. It looked even more enticing than the dishes made by chefs at state-run restaurants—just looking at it made one’s mouth water. Beside it lay a plate of fresh and crisp cucumber salad, along with two other homestyle dishes, and a bowl of refreshing, sweet-and-sour tomato egg soup sprinkled with fragrant chopped scallions. The entire spread was a feast for the eyes, aroma, and taste—worthy of a master chef’s skill.

Could all of this have been prepared by Su Wan?

Huo Xiaohan found it hard to believe. He wondered if Su Wan had already returned to the Huo family and this was the work of a newly hired housekeeper.

“Uncle, Aunt hasn’t come back yet?” Su Wan appeared wearing a blue woven apron, a towel hanging around her slender neck to wipe away sweat. Two jet-black braids rested behind her head, and her youthful face was fresh and tender. She stepped out of the kitchen carrying two bowls of white rice, dimples softly appearing on her cheeks.

Catching sight of Huo Xiaohan’s neat military cap and his cold, stern face, his dark eyes like mist-shrouded distant mountains, heavy with an imposing presence, Su Wan quietly averted her gaze as though she didn’t recognize him and returned to the kitchen.

“Principal, I was transferred back to Beiping half a year ago and haven’t had time to visit you until now. Yesterday, fresh lychees were sent from the south, so I brought some for you and the madam to try,” Huo Xiaohan said, his eyes slightly narrowed. He respectfully bowed and handed over a bag of lychees and a pouch of peaches.

Although his arrival had been hurried, Huo Xiaohan hadn’t forgotten proper etiquette—partly to apologize and make amends, and partly because he genuinely wished to visit the military academy’s principal.

Principal Song pushed the lychees back with a serious expression.

Those lychees were quite rare; even the wealthy couldn’t easily buy them. They cost thirty to forty yuan per pound, equal to a regular worker’s monthly wage.

“Xiao Huo, I’m glad you thought to visit me. I accept your kindness, but take these lychees back and give them to your mother. Next time, call ahead so I can ask Xiao Wan to prepare more dishes,” Principal Song said, pulling Huo Xiaohan inside. When speaking of Su Wan, his face bore pride, as if he had found a treasure.

When the braised pork was just made, he couldn’t resist trying a piece—it was tender, flavorful, rich but not greasy. He had already decided that when his son got married, Su Wan would be the chef to cook the braised pork.

“Principal, I did call you before coming, but couldn’t get through. I’m sorry to disturb you and madam at mealtime, but mainly…” Huo Xiaohan’s expression grew complicated as he glanced at the fragrant dishes and then at the kitchen.

Besides Principal Song and Su Wan, there didn’t seem to be anyone else in the house.

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So it had to be Su Wan who cooked everything.

Perhaps he had been overthinking.

Hesitating, unsure how to broach his real reason for coming.

“Our home phone is broken and hasn’t been fixed yet. You’re here to deliver a wedding invitation, right?” Principal Song chuckled, motioning to the chair before him for Huo Xiaohan to sit. He also asked Su Wan, busy in the kitchen, to pour a glass of water.

“I heard from Wenbo that after you transferred back to Beiping, your father introduced you to a match, and you’ve been corresponding for over half a year. A few days ago, you went on a mission and brought her back with you. She’s still studying, right? Settling the date so soon? Well, it’s good—you’re not young anymore and it’s time to start a family.”

The news of Huo Xiaohan bringing back his match had spread throughout the troops, becoming an open secret. Song Wenbo’s fiancée was a doctor at the military clinic, so he also knew. Being an outstanding military academy student with multiple honors, Principal Song paid special attention.

“No, Principal, you misunderstood. I’m here today…” Huo Xiaohan sat up straight, his back as upright as a pine tree. Just as he was about to explain, Su Wan brought a cup of warm water and placed it before him.

Huo Xiaohan looked up at her. Su Wan lowered her long lashes, avoiding his gaze, set down the glass, and turned back to the kitchen.

Clearly, she didn’t want Principal Song to know they knew each other.

But overall, they weren’t very familiar. From Qiantang Village until now, the times they spoke could be counted on two fingers. And currently, there was no relationship between them; if anything, it was only a debt of gratitude between his father and the Su family. He was just responsible for bringing her to Beiping.

Principal Song watched Huo Xiaohan’s reaction and asked curiously, “So you’re waiting for the girl to graduate high school before filing for marriage?”

“Xiao Huo, since she’s already living at your place, it would be better to hold the wedding soon. Otherwise, living at the groom’s house before marriage will spark gossip and isn’t good for your reputation.”

“Principal, it’s not what you think. My father is grateful for the life-saving kindness from their family. I only see her as a younger sister, bringing her to Beiping to study for convenience and to care for her—not a romantic relationship,” Huo Xiaohan explained.

When the Su family arranged for him to correspond with Su Xiaohui, he treated her solely as a sister. Their letters were filled with encouragement for her to study hard.

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“A younger sister? But how come I heard your father introduced her as a match? When you first transferred back to Beiping, many tried to set you up, but your father rejected them all,” Principal Song was puzzled.

“Hmm, none were suitable,” Huo Xiaohan’s lips tightened, voice steady without a hint of emotion.

“Oh, I see,” Principal Song nodded thoughtfully, a trace of regret in his tone. “So, you’re not seeing anyone now?”

“Yes,” Huo Xiaohan sat upright, nodding.

His dark eyes glanced toward the kitchen, then back at the appetizing dishes before him. Perhaps since then, Su Wan had learned to cook as well.

He found a reason to explain his sudden visit: “Principal, the weather is hot, and lychees don’t keep well. I intended to visit you this morning, but an emergency meeting delayed me.”

He then rose to leave. “Principal, I have duties to attend to, so I’ll take my leave.”

Just as Huo Xiaohan finished speaking, Principal Song’s wife, Secretary Yang, returned from work. Impressed by this outstanding military academy student who became a regiment commander at only twenty-six, the couple insisted he stay for a meal.

“Xiao Wan, stop busying yourself and come eat with us,” Secretary Yang said, knowing rural girls were shy. She gently pulled Su Wan from the kitchen to the square table.

“Aunt, I’m not hungry yet. You all eat first—I’ll wash the pots,” Su Wan insisted, but Secretary Yang firmly kept her seated.

“You’ve been working since early morning, your back is still damp. How can you not be hungry?” Secretary Yang chided, refusing to let Su Wan get up.

“Oh, Xiao Wan is also a high school student. The relatives she’s staying with in Beiping live in your military district compound,” Principal Song suddenly recalled and thought it quite a coincidence, so he introduced them.

“Xiao Wan, this is Regiment Commander Huo. Maybe your relatives know him.”

“Good day, Commander Huo,” Su Wan greeted politely with clear, bright eyes and a slight smile, just as when they first met.

“Hello,” Huo Xiaohan lifted his gaze, replying with a cool, faint tone.