Volume One, Chapter 31: Enemies Meet on a Narrow Road

Su Xiaohui grabbed Su Wan’s arm, still unwilling to let go. She refused to believe that this fool didn’t have feelings for Brother Huo. She only assumed that after falling into the water, Su Wan had become a bit smarter and was no longer as reckless and impulsive as before. "Besides, you’ve already been kissed and hugged by Brother Huo..."

Although Su Xiaohui had managed to get into a technical secondary school, she still held the old-fashioned belief that Su Wan had lost her virtue. She was certain that Su Wan could never return to their hometown; if she wanted to take the college entrance exam, she had to stay in Beiping.

"Then why don't you go tell Brother Huo yourself? I personally feel that Commander Huo only acted that way to save me, and I’m nothing but grateful. Furthermore, I sincerely hope that Commander Huo finds a partner who is his social equal."

Su Wan blinked her dark, gentle eyes, her expression a mix of a smile and mockery. She shook off Su Xiaohui’s hand and walked quickly out of the small grove.

Su Xiaohui stood rooted to the spot in disbelief, her face turning a shade worse than pig’s liver. Her eyes were filled with resentment; this fool actually had the audacity to be gloating and mocking her for not being good enough for Brother Huo.

*Fine, Su Wan, you just wait!* A flash of malice crossed Su Xiaohui’s eyes.

***

"Xiao Wan, why didn't you let your sister come in for a seat and some water? She looks quite young; I don't recall you mentioning her before."

As soon as Su Wan returned to Principal Song’s house, Secretary Yang asked with concern. She assumed that since her sister had been waiting in the heat, she must have encountered some trouble and came to ask for money. Secretary Yang waited for Su Wan to speak up.

"It’s alright, Auntie. My sister is only a year younger than me; she just looks younger than she is." Knowing that Principal Song had to go out of town for a meeting the next day, Su Wan explained, "She just came to talk to me about my school transfer, which requires me to return to the military compound tomorrow."

"Transferring schools between regions is complicated. Perhaps your relatives have invited someone from the school to dinner, and it’s a good opportunity for you to show off your cooking skills," Principal Song said heartily, setting down his newspaper.

"That's right. I have an event at work tomorrow and won’t be back for lunch, so feel free to go," Secretary Yang said. After more than a week together, she had grown increasingly fond of Su Wan, especially after hearing about the incident at the mall earlier that day. She was truly clever and sharp-witted, having left that shop assistant speechless. Secretary Yang even regretted not writing a full page of complaints to the manager before leaving.

"Thank you, Uncle, Auntie," Su Wan said with a sweet voice. "I’ll go prepare lunch now."

"By the way, is your relative’s home far from the Huo family?" Secretary Yang wondered. Ever since Huo had asked Su Wan to cook for them last week, he hadn’t visited the Song household. She didn't know if he was busy at work or if he truly had no interest in Su Wan.

"Why do you ask, Auntie?" Su Wan asked with feigned innocence. The Song family had been so good to her that she felt guilty about deceiving them.

"Oh, it’s nothing. It’s just that Commander Huo is still single. I know a nice girl at my workplace and thought about introducing them. If you run into him at the military compound, it wouldn't hurt to bring it up. Besides, since you’re studying in Beiping, it might be good to stay in touch with him for any future help you might need."

Secretary Yang had intended to play matchmaker. Initially, she thought a girl from the countryside like Su Wan wasn't a good match for Huo, but now she felt Su Wan was quite impressive—diligent, always reading and studying in her spare time. When Principal Song tested her, she answered every question fluently. Such a bright and hardworking child would surely pass the college entrance exam. If her own son weren't already engaged, she would have introduced them herself.

Su Wan nodded obediently, pretending not to grasp the Secretary's intentions. "Alright, if I bump into Commander Huo at the military compound, I’ll mention it."

Her primary concern was her education. If no school accepted her and she couldn't take the entrance exam in Beiping due to residency and registration issues, she would be left with only a middle school diploma, making it difficult to find a stable, well-paying job.

The next day, after tidying up the house, she headed to the Huo residence.

It was Sunday, and Huo Jianguo was home for a rare day off. He hadn't originally planned to arrange such a formal meeting between Huo Xiao-han and the teacher, Fang, but Su Xiaohui’s recent behavior—acting as if she were already the future daughter-in-law of the Huo family—had forced his hand. Both he and Grandma Huo had hinted that they weren't a good match, but Xiaohui seemed stubbornly convinced that bringing her to Beiping meant she was meant to marry into the family. Unable to change her mindset, Huo Jianguo made this decision to prevent Xiaohui from getting even more deeply involved.

***

Just then, Auntie Wu’s voice came from outside: "Commander Huo, Wan is here."

"Good morning, Uncle Huo. Principal Song and Secretary Yang are out today, so I came over."

Su Wan entered the living room, her head wrapped in a towel. Her face was flushed from the sun, and sweat trickled down her cheeks, showing she had walked the entire way, not wanting to spend money on the bus.

Huo Jianguo felt a pang of sympathy and told her to have some water before coming to the study to discuss her schooling.

"Since they aren't home for lunch, you can just eat here before heading back," Huo Jianguo said, sitting on a wooden chair. He paused, then asked with a warm smile, "Xiao Wan, what are your feelings toward Xiao-han now?"

He knew about her previous suicide attempt to marry Huo Xiao-han, and he wanted to provide a preemptive warning.

Su Wan followed him in and understood his intent. "Uncle Huo, I was indeed reckless before, but I’m someone who loses interest quickly. Now, I feel that Brother Huo is more like an elder brother to me."

"My main focus now is to finish high school in Beiping and cherish this hard-won opportunity to study."

Huo Jianguo nodded, relieved. Since no school was willing to accept her, he had spent the last week exhausting every option. He decided that if she couldn't get into school, he would find her a good job, introduce her to a decent partner, and ensure the Huo family looked after her as she put down roots in Beiping.

"Xiao Wan, your job as a helper ends at the end of August, doesn't it?" Huo Jianguo asked, crossing his hands on the desk. "How about I arrange a better job for you in August? Any preferences? A film projectionist or a position at the grain station?"

So, it was true—no school would take her. While those jobs were popular now, they would be common in twenty or thirty years.

"Uncle Huo, is it because of my academic grades that no school in Beiping is willing to take me?" Su Wan asked earnestly.

"Xiao Wan, your mother sent you to Beiping hoping you’d find a husband soon. I intended to secure a job for you first to make that easier." Huo Jianguo didn't want to hurt her self-esteem by being too blunt.

"Uncle Huo, I still want to go to school. My final grades were affected by illness, but my middle school exam scores were solid. I am confident that once I’m in, my ranking won't be poor." Su Wan’s eyes were firm. She had practiced with some of Song Wenbo’s old high school exams and knew she could score well.

"Are you truly confident?" Huo Jianguo asked seriously.

"Uncle Huo, how about this? If my grades lag or are too poor, I will drop out on my own so I don't cause you any trouble."

Huo Jianguo liked her attitude—not just empty words, but a commitment to action. "Very well. When Auntie Hong arrives, I’ll speak to her. If the school sees that your grades are up to par, they should agree to admit you."

"Thank you, Uncle Huo, for all your trouble." Su Wan stood and bowed slightly. "I’ll go help in the kitchen. I heard from Xiaohui that Brother Huo’s date is coming today. I’ll prepare some refreshing dishes to help them cool off."

"No need, Auntie Wu can handle it," Huo Jianguo said, waving his hand, his eyes crinkling with warmth. He found it hard to believe that the girl currently standing before him was the same person people had described in Qiantang Village.

***

Su Xiaohui, who had been trying to eavesdrop, heard the study door open and immediately rushed to the dining table, pretending to slice apples. "Sister, what did Uncle Huo say? Can you continue your studies in Beiping?"

"Nothing much," Su Wan replied calmly, her expression unreadable.

If Xiaohui knew that getting good grades was the key, who knew what kind of trouble she might cause? Su Wan then walked to the shaded area of the courtyard to help Auntie Wu prepare the vegetables and fish.

Seeing Su Wan head to the kitchen, Su Xiaohui followed, surreptitiously pouring out half the salt from the jar and replacing it with a similar-looking white powder before mixing them together. She then walked out to the courtyard, acting as if nothing had happened, and helped wash the kelp.

Because Huo Xiao-han could only return to the compound during his lunch break, it wasn't until after ten o'clock that Auntie Hong arrived with the guests.

After Fang Yu ruined the zipper on her pale yellow dress and was forced to buy it, Li Sumei took her to browse the entire women’s clothing department again. They finally selected a blue-and-white checkered *buraqi* (dress), which looked both youthful and dignified—perfect for a teacher. She wore crystal sandals, and her ear-length hair was pinned back with a beautiful butterfly clip.

Led by Auntie Hong, they entered the Huo family courtyard.

They immediately saw two young girls washing kelp, clearly dressed in rural attire. One wore new clothes, while the other had a large, thick patch on her knee—just like the "bumpkin" they had met at the mall yesterday.

"Old Lady, Commander Huo, the guests are here," Auntie Wu announced, greeting them with a smile.

"Section Chief Li, this is the helper from my brother’s house, Auntie Wu," Auntie Hong introduced.

Li Sumei and Fang Yu nodded, satisfied. Once Fang Yu married into the Huo family, she wouldn't have to cook, wash, or raise children; she could just focus on her teaching.

When Su Wan looked up to greet them, their eyes met. Both sides froze. They hadn't expected to see the same "bumpkin" from the mall—the one who had caused such a scene and forced Fang Yu to spend 75 yuan on a dress she couldn't even wear.

"Are these two... also helpers?" Li Sumei asked, her smile unchanging but her tone sharp.

Su Wan remained unfazed, but Su Xiaohui felt deeply humiliated. She gripped the kelp tight, though she quickly forced a sweet, obedient smile onto her face.

"Section Chief Li, these two sisters are staying with us while they attend school. Their father saved my brother’s life," Auntie Hong said, pointing at Su Xiaohui. "Xiaohui’s grades are excellent; she got into the same technical school as Teacher Fang."

"Hello, Section Chief Li, Teacher Fang," Su Xiaohui greeted them brightly.

"Section Chief Li, Teacher Fang," Su Wan added coolly before turning to head into the kitchen with the vegetables.

She hadn't expected Huo Xiao-han’s date to be this arrogant "people’s teacher" who looked down on everyone. It seemed Huo Xiao-han’s path to marriage was quite rocky; including the original Su Wan, all three of his potential matches had been far from kind-hearted.

Upon hearing that the girls' father had saved Commander Huo’s life, Li Sumei and Fang Yu felt incredibly awkward. They wondered if the middle-aged woman who had been with the "bumpkin" yesterday was Commander Huo’s mother. The situation was tense; they wanted to leave, but couldn't, and the unpleasantness from yesterday still hung in the air. This blind date was clearly doomed.

Huo Jianguo stepped out of the living room at that moment, politely inviting them inside. "Section Chief Li, my sister-in-law is currently out of town for training, so she isn't here yet."

Hearing this, Li Sumei and Fang Yu breathed a sigh of relief—the woman from yesterday wasn't the Commander’s mother after all. They regained their composure, and Fang Yu greeted him politely. However, they remained worried that if the "auntie" from yesterday appeared, the truth would come out, making things even more embarrassing. Li Sumei decided they would leave as soon as possible.

Behind them, Su Xiaohui’s eyes scanned Fang Yu with cold, sharp disdain.