Volume 1, Chapter 27: Grades Too Poor for Any School to Accept

Huo Xiaohan watched her tender red lips part and close, the chill in his eyes deepening.

How could she conflate those two matters? He had only taken her to the small woods because it was inconvenient to speak downstairs. But had she really not seen Meng Xinhao when she entered the restroom? She had clearly taken a fancy to Meng Xinhao, aiming to climb the social ladder through him.

"Finish your cake. While it is still light, I will see you back to Principal Song’s house," Huo Xiaohan said, his brow furrowed, offering no further words.

"There is no need. I can walk back myself. Before I go, I still need to ask Uncle Huo about my schooling." Su Wan turned sideways, attempting to walk past him once more.

"Since I promised to help you transfer to Beijing, I will ensure you get into high school," Huo Xiaohan stated firmly.

"Alright, then I will trouble you, Commander Huo." Hearing that she could continue her studies, Su Wan felt relieved. Since she still relied on his help, she offered him a slight smile.

She tried to walk past him again, but Huo Xiaohan remained motionless. She looked up at him. His expression was heavy and oppressive, filled with such intensity that it felt as if she were some heinous criminal, making her heart tremble. Finally, Huo Xiaohan cleared a path, and Su Wan hurried past him.

Once outside in the courtyard, Su Wan greeted everyone politely and said she was heading back to Principal Song’s.

"That is true, it is not dark yet; it is the perfect time to leave," Huo Jianguo nodded. He asked Auntie Wu to pack a piece of sliced cake in an aluminum lunchbox for her to take to the principal’s house.

"Grandma, Dad, after I drop off Comrade Su Wan, I will head straight back to my unit," Huo Xiaohan said, following her out of the room.

"There is no need to trouble yourself, Commander Huo. I can take the bus back to Principal Song's," Su Wan politely declined.

"Then let Xinhao take Su Wan to the bus stop. Xiaohan, I have something to discuss with you," Huo Hong interjected. She was, of course, referring to the blind date. With Teacher Fang Yu just graduated, there would surely be more people introducing her once school started, and even now, during the summer break, many were acting as matchmakers. She, along with her older brother and mother, felt that Teacher Fang Yu was a perfect match in both family background and profession, so she needed to arrange a meeting between the two quickly. Even if Huo Xiaohan was busy, he had to make time; she would even take the girl to his unit if necessary.

"Mom, let my cousin go," Meng Xinhao pleaded, not daring to take the task. He had accidentally been trapped in a restroom with Su Wan, and his cousin had been so fierce about it; if he were to take her to the bus stop now, wouldn't he end up doing a hundred hanging leg raises as punishment?

"Go when I tell you to. How did you learn to be so lazy?" Huo Hong scolded.

"I will take her," Huo Xiaohan declared, brooking no argument. He began walking toward the gate, and Su Wan had no choice but to take the aluminum lunchbox and follow.

Huo Hong was puzzled. Since returning to Beijing, hadn't Xiaohan been quite proactive about marriage, hoping to bring Xinyi to live in the military compound after they wed? Why was he avoiding this blind date now?

"Commander Huo, you can go back. I can find the stop myself," Su Wan said to his back once they were outside the military compound. She did not actually intend to take the bus; she wanted to save money where she could. Now that she knew the way, she could jog back and reach the principal’s house before dark.

Huo Xiaohan did not speak. He walked her all the way to the bus stop and did not leave. Instead, he took a one-yuan bill from his pocket. "This is your payment."

"Cooking for Grandma Huo was the right thing to do; you don't need to pay me," Su Wan said, surprised.

"Take it," Huo Xiaohan insisted, his tone cold and unyielding as he stared straight ahead. Su Wan had no choice but to accept the bill. Huo Xiaohan then stood a distance away from her, looking like a total stranger.

Soon, the bus to the school residential area arrived, stopping right in front of him. As the doors opened, Huo Xiaohan stepped on, bought a ticket from the conductor, and then stepped back down, handing the ticket to Su Wan before walking away with a stiff, cold posture.

Though the man was a bit fierce and cold, he was certainly reliable when it came to getting things done.

When Su Wan returned to Principal Song’s house, the family had not been back long. They were sitting in the living room, eating watermelon and discussing the details of the upcoming wedding. The date had been set, and now they were preparing the dowry according to the bride’s customs, purchasing the "three rounds and one sound" (a watch, a bicycle, a sewing machine, and a radio), booking the banquet, writing invitations, and decorating the new home.

Seeing Su Wan return, Secretary Yang looked out the window and asked with a smile, "Back so soon? Did Commander Huo bring you back?"

"No, Auntie. I took the bus. Commander Huo gave me the money for the fare." Su Wan opened the lunchbox. "This is a piece of birthday cake Uncle Huo gave me. Please, have some."

The child was truly thoughtful. Secretary Yang pushed the box back to her. "We’ve already eaten our fill. You keep it and enjoy it." She wondered why Huo hadn't brought her back himself and had only given her the bus fare. Could it be that she had overthought it and he had no interest in Su Wan? But if he had no interest, why would he have eaten the fatty meat a stranger had touched? Secretary Yang was confused, but she was not in a hurry; if Huo was interested, he would surely find another reason to visit their home.

After leaving the bus stop, Huo Xiaohan did not return to his unit. Instead, he went back to the Huo house to ask his aunt about Su Wan’s transfer.

"Inspirational High School is one of the top five key high schools in the city. There are so many people breaking down the doors to get in. With Su Wan’s single-digit scores in several subjects, she couldn't even enter the gate. If she had at least passed every subject, I could go and plead with the principal," Huo Hong said, waving her hand to indicate it was impossible. She couldn't understand how such a beautiful, bright girl could have such abysmal grades—even if she had guessed randomly on the math multiple-choice questions, she shouldn't have scored that low. "She’s only here in Beijing to find a husband anyway, so it doesn't matter if she attends school. We should just find her a suitor and get her married off quickly. She’s pretty and a good cook; she won't have trouble finding a match." As she spoke, she began searching her mind for potential candidates: "My colleague’s sister’s son, a worker at the textile factory, he’s five years older than Su Wan..."

"Aunt, since I promised her parents I would help her transfer to Beijing, I cannot go back on my word," Huo Xiaohan said, sitting bolt upright, his tone stern.

Huo Hong had heard from the elder Mrs. Huo about how Su Wan had threatened to jump into a river to force a marriage with Xiaohan, only to change her mind and demand to study in Beijing after waking up. "Xiaohan, in her situation, even if your father stepped in, there’s no way to pull strings. With grades this poor, if other parents found out and reported it, it would be a scandal. If it reaches the superiors, do you want your father to receive a formal reprimand?"