No one noticed Huo Chenzhou standing in the shadow of the second-floor corner how long he had been there watching Su Xingci not missing a single detail from start to finish. Not until the girl vanished down the stairs did he step out his expression turning colder.
Outside the cold air revived Su Xingci. She let out a long held breath and laughed leaning against the wall tears mixing with her laughter. Liu Hongyan watched feeling both sympathy and satisfaction pulling her into a quiet alley and planting her hands on her hips.
“Su Xingci Stop right there Explain everything Who was that man All that uncle niece business Is he not your boyfriend I am thoroughly confused.”
Su Xingci felt much lighter having gotten back at Gu Yuanhang. She wiped her eyes and told Liu Hongyan everything from his callous remarks at dinner to the confrontation in the restroom and finding him buying the scarf for his old love.
Liu Hongyan burned with rage. “What is wrong with him” She slammed her fist against the wall. “Who does he think he is Three years treating you as a backup And claiming it is for your own good Disgusting” She rolled up her sleeves heading back inside. “I will not stand by Let me go tear into him”
“Hongyan” Su Xingci held her back. “Not here my father is still in town We cannot make it public yet.”
“Why not” Liu Hongyan fumed. “Your father would be the first to knock him down”
Su Xingci shook her head her voice soft and weary. “If he found out it would break him Gu Yuanhang is his sworn brother He trusted him to look after me and instead he played me like a toy Imagine how that would hurt him.”
Liu Hongyan’s anger cooled. She knew Uncle Su’s temper and what a shock it would be. “Still we cannot let it go”
“It will not go.” Su Xingci glanced at the parcels in her hands and gave a cold smile. “He has already paid dearly has he not”
Liu Hongyan nodded feeling better but still concerned. “That man is dangerous Xingci He put on a good face but he can be cruel You humiliated him and cost him a fortune He may hold a grudge Be careful.”
Su Xingci hesitated. “He is my father’s sworn brother and an officer Surely he would not stoop so low.” She kept the warning in mind all the same.
They ate noodles at a state run restaurant Su Xingci could barely eat while Liu Hongyan finished her meal with gusto and ordered extra buns. She eyed the parcels excitedly. “Come let us go home and try them on Over a hundred yuan worth of dress He will be furious”
Su Xingci shook her head. “I will not wear them.”
“Why waste the money”
“It leaves a bad taste.” She turned back toward the department store.
Liu Hongyan hurried after her. “Where are you going”
“To return them.”
Back at the counter the clerk recognized them. “What is wrong Do they not fit”
“They fit I just want to return them.”
The clerk looked confused. “But your uncle was so generous spending so freely”
Su Xingci gave a faint smile. “They do not feel right.”
The clerk hesitated. “Normally we cannot return goods without a fault It is the rule.”
Su Xingci pleaded. “Please I cannot keep them.”
Just then a low firm voice spoke from nearby. “Let her return them.”
Both turned to see Huo Chenzhou standing there in crisp uniform his face calm. The clerk’s manner changed instantly. “Commander Huo.”
“Process the return.” He repeated simply.
“Yes sir.” She set to work at once.
Su Xingci stood bewildered wondering who he was to command such respect. He met her gaze dark and steady. “If you do not like it choose something else.” His tone was cool yet somehow comforting.
“No thank you Commander Huo Not right now.”
Soon over one hundred and ninety yuan was handed back to her. Su Xingci held the thick stack feeling strange. Liu Hongyan nudged her grinning. “You are rich Treat us to something”
Su Xingci shook her head folding the money carefully. “I will not spend this on myself.”
“What will you do with it”
“I will buy books and stationery for my students.” Her voice was quiet. “He gave it unwillingly and I do not want it weighing on me Whatever remains will be a fund for those who cannot afford fees.”