Volume 1, Chapter 40: Retaliation

Old Mrs. Huo turned her head slightly, rolling her eyes as she cast a cold, scanning glance at Su Wan, clearly disbelieving her words.

"Regimental Commander Huo and Xiaohui can both bear witness to this for me," Su Wan said, calm and composed.

Huo Jianguo turned his stern gaze toward Su Xiaohui.

Though reluctant, Su Xiaohui had no choice but to step forward and testify for Su Wan. "Yes, Grandma Huo, Uncle Huo. That day, when I went to Principal Song’s house to find my sister, the Principal did not know that we were staying at Uncle Huo’s residence."

"Old Madame, Chief Huo, it is the truth. At the time, I wanted to tell Auntie Wang, but Wan wouldn't let me. She said that if people knew about her connection to the Huo family yet still saw her working as a nanny, it would invite malicious gossip. She didn't want to cause any misunderstandings or trouble for you all," Nurse Wu added, stepping forward to support Su Wan’s account.

Upon hearing this, Old Mrs. Huo looked directly at Su Wan for the first time, her expression showing a hint of surprise.

Huo Jianguo had not expected Su Wan to be so thoughtful and considerate. When he had agreed to let her work as a nanny, he had simply thought it would be good for her to gain some experience; he had never considered that there might be any impropriety. He had assumed that Principal Song kept Su Wan on because of Huo Xiaohan, never imagining that she had secured the position entirely through her own efforts.

"Grandma Huo, Uncle Huo, the person who made my grades public in this way did so specifically to prevent me from using back-door connections to enter Lizhi High School. However, Uncle Huo has consulted many people regarding my transfer, as has Auntie Hong. If these people see the newspaper, they will likely guess the relationship between me and Uncle Huo."

Su Wan moistened her dry lips and voiced her thoughts: "The school was originally going to decide on my admission based on my placement test scores. If I choose not to take the exam because of this 'lost and found' notice, it would only give people something to talk about, making it seem as if Uncle Huo was indeed trying to pull strings to get me in."

"This would damage Uncle Huo's image of integrity and selflessness, and might even lead to other rumors being fabricated by those with ulterior motives."

Old Mrs. Huo and Huo Jianguo listened, finding her analysis highly logical. Huo Jianguo trusted his old comrades and subordinates, so he figured the leak must have occurred through Huo Hong. He had given the transfer documents to her, and she had taken them to the principal. Who could guarantee that other teachers or bystanders hadn't seen the documents or overheard their conversation during that time?

"Su Wan, you and I are of the same mind. The more the enemy tries to undermine us from within, the more we must face the challenge head-on," Huo Jianguo said, a trace of an appreciative smile touching his lips. "Once the enemy gets a taste of success, there will be a second time. We must never let their schemes succeed."

"So, Su Wan, focus on your revision and prepare for the placement test before the term begins. Whether you perform well or poorly, just give it your best."

"Yes, Uncle Huo. I will strive to rank in the top two hundred and prove with my own strength that I am capable of attending Lizhi High School, causing the enemy’s schemes to collapse on their own. If I am not admitted, I will return to my hometown in Nanling Province, which will only further prove your integrity, Uncle, in that you did not give me any special treatment." Encouraged and supported by Huo Jianguo, Su Wan curved her lips slightly, her soft tone firm, her clear, dark eyes filled with resilience.

Old Mrs. Huo did not object. Since no one knew of the connection between Su Wan and the Huo family, she could take the exam; if she passed, they would support her, and if she failed, she would return to her hometown. Her sharp, cold eyes swept over Su Wan once more, indifferent and warning: "Just make sure it doesn't involve Xiaohan." She then turned to Nurse Wu and said, "If dinner is ready, let’s eat."

Su Xiaohui felt a surge of regret; if she had known, she should have told Grandma Huo that Big Brother Huo was there that day and that Principal Song and Secretary Yang were trying to set them up.

"Very well," Nurse Wu replied, relieved that the matter had been resolved.

"Su Wan, why don't you stay for dinner before you go? Don't put too much pressure on yourself," Huo Jianguo said. He guessed that Su Wan might have overheard something outside the door, but he greatly admired her composed and resilient character.

"No thank you, Uncle Huo. I prepared dinner for Principal Song and Secretary Yang earlier, so I have already eaten." Su Wan hadn't expected things to go so smoothly. She knew she might still face strange looks and questioning during this transition period, but once her placement test scores were released, those rumors would be crushed. She just couldn't figure out who was behind this. Someone hated her so much that they were willing to spend the equivalent of one or two months' wages for an ordinary person just to ruin her reputation in Beiping. It was, she had to admit, akin to modern-day cyberbullying.

With that, she prepared to say goodbye and leave.

Huo Hong strode in, holding a document folder and wearing plastic sandals, looking hurried. She picked up a glass of warm water from in front of Huo Jianguo and drank it in one go.

Then, she tossed the folder to Huo Jianguo: "Big Brother, there’s no chance for Su Wan’s schooling anymore."

As soon as Huo Hong entered, she felt the atmosphere in the living room. Seeing Su Wan there, she realized everyone already knew. "The newspaper came out this morning, and the school held an emergency meeting this afternoon. Now, every teacher at Lizhi High School knows about Su Wan’s potential transfer. Considering the impact this has had on the school’s reputation, the principal has decided not to allow Su Wan to take the senior year placement exam."

Huo Jianguo’s brow, which had just smoothed out, furrowed again, and he sat up straight. Su Wan was stunned, never expecting the situation to escalate so severely.

Old Mrs. Huo adjusted her reading glasses, her expression darkening. "It seems this has truly blown up."

"Little Hong, isn't this all following the school’s regulations and normal procedures? As long as Su Wan places in the top two hundred..." Huo Jianguo began, but Huo Hong interrupted him.

"Yes, it follows the regulations, but I have been handling Su Wan’s transfer paperwork, and I am the grade director for the senior year. Even if Su Wan places in the top two hundred, and even if those are her true scores, anyone who has seen her transcripts with single-digit grades will assume I leaked the test questions or answers in advance."

Huo Hong wiped the sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief, speaking with a grave expression. It was clear the matter was set in stone with no room for maneuver. "The Education Bureau is paying close attention to this now. To avoid suspicion and protect the school’s reputation, they have no choice but to refuse Su Wan’s admission."

Neither Huo Jianguo nor Su Wan had considered this aspect. With the preconceived notion already planted, the better Su Wan performed, the more it would "prove" she had a powerful background and that a grade director was helping her cheat, with the key school colluding in the process. Ironically, only if Su Wan performed poorly and was rejected could the Huo family’s innocence be proven.

"Auntie Hong, I am truly sorry for involving you in this," Su Wan said, bowing her head in self-reproach. She hadn't expected that wanting to attend high school in Beiping and eventually getting into college would be harder than the eighty-one trials faced by the monk Tang Sanzang.

Huo Hong had always been known for her integrity and strictness at school; she couldn't tolerate any wrongdoing. Her colleagues and superiors knew her character, so it wouldn't affect her personally.

"This has nothing to do with you. Your Uncle Huo and I never intended to pull strings for you. I don't know what the motive of the person who posted that notice was." Huo Hong looked at Su Wan, feeling quite baffled. Helping Su Wan transfer to Lizhi High School through normal channels wasn't the same as guaranteeing her a spot at a prestigious university; it didn't touch anyone's interests or benefits. Even with jealousy, it shouldn't have reached the point of spending dozens of yuan to post a newspaper notice.

Huo Jianguo opened the folder and saw that Su Wan’s transfer documents were still safely inside the brown paper bag. It was clear that the person behind this wanted to destroy Su Wan in this specific way so that she could not stay in Beiping. Whoever could think of publishing her single-digit grades in the newspaper under the guise of a "lost and found" notice to attract public attention was clearly not an ordinary person.

"Little Hong, do you know who has seen Su Wan’s transfer documents?" Huo Jianguo asked in a low voice. This was the only place they could start an investigation.

Huo Hong thought for a moment. "I handed these documents directly to the principal’s office, and they have been kept there for the past two days. I really don't know who might have seen them."

It seemed the only way forward was to investigate the newspaper office.

"Su Wan, go back and continue your studies as usual. Even if you can't go to Lizhi High School, there are other schools. As long as you can pass the school's tests, you can attend as an auditing student. Keep a level head and don't let your imagination run wild," Huo Jianguo said firmly and steadily after a moment of reflection.

"Uncle Huo, could it be that other schools might also refuse to take my sister because of this?" Su Xiaohui asked, appearing to worry for Su Wan while actually fearing that another school might accept her. If they did, she wanted to find out which one it was so she could tell Fang Yu. She wanted Su Wan to have no school to attend, forcing her to return to her hometown to marry some old bachelor and remain under her thumb forever.

"The country places great importance on education now. As long as Su Wan can pass the school’s entrance test, there is no reason for them to refuse her." Huo Jianguo narrowed his eyes, a sharp glint appearing in his gaze. Previously, based on Su Wan’s transcript alone, most schools would indeed have refused her. But since Su Wan was confident she could pass the entrance exams, the impact of this incident wouldn't be too great—provided, of course, that she actually passed.

"Thank you, Uncle Huo. I will not let you down," Su Wan said, clenching her fists slightly. Since Uncle Huo trusted her so much and wasn't afraid of being implicated, she would study hard and earn a great score. In this predicament, her only way out was through academic excellence.

After Su Wan left, Huo Hong sat at the dining table to eat. "I ran into Section Chief Li today when I returned. She heard about this and offered some ideas, even suggesting that young Teacher Fang tutor Su Wan. She feels it’s such a pity for a young, beautiful girl to miss out on school and end up getting married and having children so early."

"There’s such a thing?" Huo Jianguo asked, surprised as he picked up his chopsticks.

Su Xiaohui, who was helping Old Mrs. Su ladle soup, raised her eyes and let out a cold, internal sneer. This "lost and found" notice had been posted by Fang Yu and her mother. There was no way they sincerely wanted to tutor Su Wan; there must be another motive.

"Isn't it? We gave them food poisoning the first time we invited them over for dinner, and then we turned down a matchmaking attempt the next day. Yet, not only are they not offended, they are so sincere about wanting to help Su Wan. I don't know why Xiaohan can't see their value," Huo Hong said with a headache. Of course, she knew the other party was likely still interested in Huo Xiaohan and wanted to try again.

"I’ve looked into young Teacher Fang myself. She is very compassionate toward children, donates to children in mountain areas every year, and is gentle, quiet, and well-read—she has even published a few articles in *Reader's Digest*. I don't know what Xiaohan is being so picky about." Huo Hong turned to Old Mrs. Huo. "Mom, what do you think of young Teacher Fang?"

Old Mrs. Huo drank her soup expressionlessly. She didn't have a strong impression of Teacher Fang, though she found her mother to be quite shrewd—not someone to be trifled with. "As long as Xiaohan is willing, I have no objections."

"Now that Su Wan has gotten into this mess, we must settle Xiaohan’s personal matters as soon as possible. We can't drag it out any longer." Old Mrs. Huo set down her soup, unable to finish it. She was deeply anxious about Huo Xiaohan’s marriage, fearing Su Wan would ruin it. She glanced at the well-behaved Su Xiaohui, dismissed her with an excuse, and then let out a cold huff. "I suspect that Su Wan must have hooked up with someone she shouldn't have at Principal Song’s place and is now facing someone's retaliation."

"Big Brother, I also think Su Wan must have offended someone; otherwise, why would they go to such lengths to mess with her? It’s clear they don't want her staying in Beiping. Perhaps this incident is a warning," Huo Hong said, having thought it over carefully. Thinking like Old Mrs. Huo, she added for the sake of caution, "We don't know the situation with Su Wan at Principal Song’s place. I think you should have someone look into it, Big Brother, and wait until this blows over before contacting any schools."

Huo Jianguo put his chopsticks down again. He did think the situation was very strange, but he said in a low, firm voice, "Mom, Little Hong, you don't need to worry about this. I will handle it."

Huo Hong returned to the previous topic: "Since Mom has no objections, I’ll find a time to visit Section Chief Li’s house and let Xiaohan and young Teacher Fang spend some time alone? After all, the time was tight that day, and they hardly said a word to each other."

"I doubt Xiaohan will be willing to go, given his temper," Huo Jianguo said. A father knows his son best; he didn't see much hope.

"Then we certainly can't tell Xiaohan directly. Can we find an excuse to trick him into going?" Huo Hong looked at Huo Jianguo, implying that he should find a way. At home, he was Huo Xiaohan’s father, but at the military district, he was his superior officer. Huo Xiaohan might not listen to his father, but he would unconditionally obey the orders of Chief Huo.