“Uncle, isn’t that so?”
Huo Mingyue nearly dropped her chopsticks. She wanted to clamp a hand over Tangtang’s mouth but feared drawing too much attention so she froze in place darting glances between Su Xingci and Huo Chenzhou.
She wanted to know too!
Oh my goodness if the old man found out he’d drag himself over here through the night!
Su Yuanshan looked from Huo Chenzhou to his own daughter. Her face was burning red her head bowed so low she was nearly burying it in her bowl. Opposite her Huo Chenzhou still wore his usual icy demeanor yet the bright flush creeping up his ears had already given him away.
As someone who’d seen it all Su Yuanshan understood everything instantly.
These two there was something there! It seemed the loss of her late boyfriend hadn’t weighed on her as heavily as he’d feared. Even so the thought of his precious daughter being swept up by this man stung they’d been apart five years and he still hadn’t gotten enough of having her home!
Just then Huo Chenzhou finally moved. He neither denied nor confirmed it instead he reached out and ruffled Tangtang’s hair his voice low as ever but laced with a quiet unreadable warmth.
“Eat.”
Two simple words silenced whatever Tangtang had been about to add. She puffed out her cheeks then obediently ducked her head and focused on the rabbit shaped dumplings in her bowl.
The awkward moment had passed but Su Xingci found the meal agonizing she couldn’t taste a thing. When everyone finally set down their chopsticks she was the first to rise.
“I I’ll wash up.”
“Now sit yourself down!” Huo Mingyue stopped her at once. “Guests don’t do dishes!”
Su Yuanshan stood too smiling and waving a hand. “Let her Mingyue she’s always helped out at home. You keep me company let the young folks clear up.” He spoke as he followed her into the kitchen closing the door gently behind them.
Father and daughter stood alone. Su Xingci turned on the tap letting the rushing water drown out her turmoil as she set the bowls in the sink. Su Yuanshan said nothing just stood beside her and slowly dried a plate.
“Xingci.”
“Yes?” She didn’t look up.
“Have you and Yuanhang been having trouble lately?” he asked gently tentatively.
Her scrubbing paused. Her chest tightened aching and raw. How could she tell him? That his most trusted sworn brother had played his daughter for a fool for three years? That the promising young officer he admired was nothing but a hypocrite? She couldn’t her father cherished honor and loyalty above all and his health was fragile. Exposing the truth would humiliate Gu Yuanhang but it would break her father too.
“No” she said keeping her head low so the water would mask the tremor in her voice. “He’s just busy with work.”
“Busy?” Su Yuanshan set the dried plate aside and picked up another. “No one’s so busy they can’t pick up a phone. I called his unit before we came his comrade answered. He’s on leave today he wasn’t there.”
Her heart sank. Gu Yuanhang was on leave and hadn’t told her. Was he with that woman?
“Maybe maybe he got sent out on an assignment at the last minute.” The excuse sounded hollow even to her own ears.
He gave her a long searching look then let it go. He sighed and rested a hand on her shoulder. “Enough. I won’t press you. You’ll sort things out your own way. But remember whatever happens your father’s got your back. You don’t have to carry it all alone.” With that he stepped out closing the door.
The moment he was gone Su Xingci slid down the kitchen wall tears spilling over despite all her efforts.
By the time they left the Huo family home night had fallen completely. The village road had no streetlights only moonlight spilling over the dirt track.
“Uncle Su Xingci let me see you off” Huo Mingyue said warmly as they reached the gate. Huo Chenzhou stood there in his army coat appearing as if from nowhere.
“The road’s hard to see after dark” he said his voice carrying clearly through the stillness.
Su Yuanshan nodded vigorously. “Yes yes thank you Captain Huo! This old man would’ve been fretting the whole way!”
Su Xingci wanted to decline her mind was in turmoil and she dreaded being alone with him but her father had already accepted. To object now would only seem petty. The three set out in silence Huo Mingyue turned back at the lane leaving Su Yuanshan walking ahead while Huo Chenzhou and Su Xingci followed.
The evening breeze was cool and she shivered slightly. Before she knew it a warm army greatcoat settled over her shoulders. She spun around in surprise Huo Chenzhou had already turned away gazing straight ahead.
“Don’t catch a chill.”
“I” She started to shrug it off.
“Tangtang’s waiting for you to teach her to read” he added cutting short every protest.
She drew the coat tighter his warmth seeped through steadying her. Up ahead Su Yuanshan glanced back and smiled quietly.
At the guesthouse Su Yuanshan thanked him and headed upstairs. “Captain Huo I’ll leave seeing her the rest of the way to you” he called over his shoulder.
Alone now they walked slowly beneath the moonlight neither speaking until they reached the school gates.
“Thank you Captain Huo.” She handed back the coat. “And thank you for dinner today.”
“You’re welcome.” He took the coat but made no move to leave. The air felt heavy she longed to slip away but just as she turned to go he spoke.
“He isn’t worth it.”
His voice was soft yet the words struck her with full force. She looked up sharply his expression was as cool as ever in the moonlight but his eyes seemed to see right through her. How did he know? Had he seen them at the department store earlier? Embarrassment and hurt welled up stinging her eyes. She lifted her chin fighting back tears her voice trembling.
“I know.”
It took every ounce of strength she had. She couldn’t stay another second turning she fled into the building. Huo Chenzhou stood watching until her shadow vanished at the stairwell remaining long after she’d gone.
At the railway station a green painted locomotive steamed and whistled as it pulled slowly onto the platform. Gu Yuanhang straightened his crisp new uniform at the exit his face bright with anticipation. In his hands he held a bouquet of wildflowers he’d gathered himself scrambling halfway up the hillside to find them.