Volume 1 Chapter 42: Substitution

The thought that after school started, she would be discussed and mocked by over nine hundred faculty and students, and become the laughingstock of teachers during their breaks, made Fang Yu so furious that she pounded her pillow. She took her bamboo mat and scratched it fiercely with her nails, imagining it to be Su Wan’s face.

"She still has to pass the mock exam before the start of the term to enroll. I specifically contacted the Wei County Education Bureau to have someone look into it. Su Wan is a problem student; she has always cheated on exams and has been caught several times. Her real academic level is in the single digits." Li Sumei pulled at Fang Yu, fearing she might hurt the hands she needed for playing the piano. "Now that this matter has blown up so much, even if the Huo family wanted to pull strings for Su Wan, they wouldn't be able to."

She had originally feared that Huo Hong might use her position as the grade director to provide Su Wan with the answers for the placement test, but she couldn't let the Huo family discover her interference. That was why she had her sister use her position to publish Su Wan’s grades. Above all, the most important thing was that she could not let this little harlot hook the son-in-law she had her eye on. As a mature woman, she knew exactly what kind of women men liked. That little harlot’s face and figure were truly designed to captivate a man’s heart. Her face was soft, gentle, and pure, like a pear blossom in the early rain. Her physique was delicate and curvaceous, with a waist as supple as a willow, and every curve in the right place; she was as alluring as a ripe peach on a summer branch. Even though Huo Xiaohan was cold, rigid, and dismissive of women, he might just fall for it.

The Huo family had three generations of military service, maintaining a modest and respectable profile, and Huo Xiaohan was a brilliant young talent with many military exploits. Neither the Huo family nor the organization would ever allow Huo Xiaohan to marry a woman known to have a "blemish" on her record. Who would have thought that this Su Wan could cause so much trouble, not only gaining public sympathy but also implicating her sister in an investigation and reprimand? It wasn't until they found someone to impersonate the person who placed the ad that the matter finally settled.

"Mom, I can't swallow this anger," Fang Yu said through gritted teeth, throwing the pillow on the bed onto the floor with force. "If it weren't for her, would I have suffered this indignity? I finally took a liking to someone, and she ruined it all."

"Fang Yu, the rest of the Huo family doesn't know about this yet. They specifically invited you to the social dance mixer the day after tomorrow, which shows they think highly of you. Spend these next few days practicing this piano piece until you know it perfectly. Put on a good performance at the mixer, and you will surely attract Colonel Huo’s attention."

After confirming that the Huo family didn't know about the incident, Li Sumei immediately approached her. She only had this one precious daughter and was pinning all her hopes on her marrying into a powerful and wealthy family. In particular, both she and her daughter had their hearts set on Colonel Huo. "Colonel Huo has a cold and rigid temperament and doesn't like to talk much. You need to be proactive. Put away your spoiled daughter attitude and take the initiative to admit your mistakes, letting him know that you are a gentle, virtuous, and well-read woman."

Fang Yu frowned, clearly unwilling. She still didn't believe she had done anything wrong; it was clearly their own fault for not bringing enough money. But she had no other choice—she liked Colonel Huo, and he was so outstanding and brilliant. Apart from the older generation, how many people were alive who had received a First-Class Merit?

"Then I must dress up well. I wonder what that little bitch has said about me in front of Colonel Huo." Fang Yu seemed to think of something. "When that little bitch takes her mock exam, I’ll be the one proctoring. If I catch her cheating..." As she said this, she curled her lips into a cruel, sinister smile. She would never let her have an easy time.

Li Sumei, of course, would not let Su Wan off the hook so easily, but the most important thing right now was Fang Yu’s blind date with Colonel Huo. After bending down to pick up the pillow, she turned on the semiconductor radio and accompanied Fang Yu to practice her dance steps. Afterward, they practiced the piano, playing the same piece repeatedly until it could be performed without a single mistake.

Song Family
"Su Wan, these are peaches picked from my parents' home in the countryside yesterday. Take them and eat."
"Su Wan, these two outfits are what my daughter wore before she got married. They are still very new and haven't been worn many times. Take them and wear them."
"And these shoes, size 37, they should fit you just right."

After the residents of the family compound learned of Su Wan’s impoverished background from the local newspaper, they were even more enthusiastic toward her than before. They flocked to the Song family to bring Su Wan food and drink, and even brought their own old clothes and shoes to give to her. They were also very concerned about the status of her tuition fees. Some even offered small bills to help her buy school supplies.

Su Wan declined one by one and explained that her tuition had already been found, but she still couldn't resist everyone’s enthusiasm and kindness, so she had to accept some of the old clothes and shoes. In this era of material scarcity, old clothes given by others were as good as new. Moreover, the people living in the family compound were not poor; their clothes, apart from perhaps losing their vibrant color, were in good condition, without patches, and the styles and patterns were better than her own. The clothes and shoes provided included items for both summer and autumn/winter. Now she didn't have to worry about not having clothes to wear once she started school.

"You child, you keep everything bottled up inside and don't tell us. I don't know how you could be so brave," Secretary Yang said, helping Su Wan fold the old autumn and winter clothes. Her face was full of pity, but even more so, admiration for Su Wan’s indomitable spirit.

"Auntie, look, hasn't everyone changed their opinion of me now? It doesn't matter if I'm misunderstood; the innocent will remain innocent. I was mostly afraid of implicating you and Uncle, especially since Brother Wenbo is getting married soon. I didn't want to cause you trouble." Su Wan playfully stuck her tongue out at Secretary Yang and said coquettishly, "I was also afraid you wouldn't let me stay here anymore."

"You child, what nonsense are you talking about?" Secretary Yang chided, poking Su Wan’s dimple with her finger. "I wish you wouldn't leave. Your uncle and I act with integrity and uprightness; we won't pay attention to these groundless matters."

"But, who exactly published your grades in the newspaper? Why are they so eager to see you fail?" Secretary Yang asked, voicing her inner suspicion.

"I don't know." Although Su Wan already had an answer in her mind, there was no concrete evidence. Fang Yu and her mother had simply found someone to impersonate the person who placed the ad, and that was the end of it.

"The person who knows your grades must be someone close to you. You should be more cautious," Secretary Yang couldn't help but warn. Su Wan’s relatives certainly wouldn't do such a thing, so the only person she could think of was her younger sister. That day, when her sister ran to their house with a swollen face to find Su Wan, she had felt it was strange. She didn't think her sister was as simple and obedient as she appeared on the surface.

"Ring, ring..." The harsh sound of the telephone rang, and Secretary Yang went to the living room to answer it.

"Hello, Wenbo, what is it?" Secretary Yang heard Wenbo’s voice on the phone and wondered if he had left something at home.

"Mom, is Su Wan home right now? Today, our hospital’s nurses are holding a social dance mixer with the military district. One of the pediatric nurses suddenly had an appendicitis attack and needs emergency surgery, so she can't go. The hospital doesn't have anyone else suitable, and we are one person short. Do you think you could let Su Wan come over?" Song Wenbo sounded very anxious on the other end.

Then, the voice of Secretary Jiang from the military district hospital came over the line: "Secretary Yang, I also saw your family’s nanny, student Su Wan, in the newspaper. She is about to enter her senior year of high school, so she can be considered educated. This mixer is for military leaders and cadres. I really can't find anyone suitable on short notice, so I wanted to ask if student Su Wan could take Pediatrician Ruan Tingting’s place. Do you think it’s possible?"

Secretary Jiang was at his wit's end. The list had already been submitted, and everyone attending this dance mixer had been carefully selected, with the minimum education level being high school. After all, these leaders and cadres were either exceptionally capable or graduates of military academies. If their cultural level was too low and it was discovered on the spot, it would be very embarrassing.

"Is this really okay?" Secretary Yang asked with some concern.

"It will be fine. Considering that the women might feel constrained, everyone will be wearing masks, and they won't be taken off until the end. Once student Su Wan arrives, I will keep an eye on her; she can just watch and have some snacks," Secretary Jiang’s voice came through the receiver, loud and reassuring.

"Alright, I'll have Su Wan get ready and take the bus over." Secretary Yang hung up the phone and began picking out clothes for Su Wan from the pile of old clothes. She chose a blue-and-white patterned dress that was about eighty percent new and urged Su Wan to put it on.

"Su Wan, hurry up and put on this dress, then put on these white sneakers..." Secretary Yang briefly explained the situation to Su Wan and pushed her toward the bathroom to wash her face.

"Someone will be there to teach you what to do. There will be many biscuits and snacks at the mixer that aren't usually sold in stores. Just consider it a fun outing and a chance to see the world," Secretary Yang urged through the bathroom door.

In her past life, Su Wan had hated blind dates, but upon hearing there would be delicious food, her eyes lit up. It wasn't that she was greedy, but that this era truly lacked snacks, and she might have to endure this life of poverty for at least another year. Since there was a place to get free food, why wouldn't she go?

So, after putting on the dress and white sneakers, she took the bus to the Military Club.

When Secretary Jiang, waiting at the entrance of the Military Club, saw Su Wan getting off the bus, his eyes lit up. Although the clothes looked a bit old, that gentle and beautiful face was truly captivating. With eyes like water-soaked apricots and lips red without any makeup, she walked with a graceful elegance, like a delicate white peony that could not be hidden. She was even prettier than the actresses on the posters. It was a good thing they were wearing masks; otherwise, with this appearance and figure, who knew how many people would fall for her by the end of the mixer.

Secretary Jiang took her hand, handed her a half-mask in the shape of a small rabbit, and gave her instructions on what to look out for in the auditorium.

"Student Su Wan, you must remember that you are taking the place of pediatric nurse Ruan Tingting. If anyone asks for your name, you must not say it wrong."

"Okay, I understand." Su Wan nodded, her voice sweet.

Secretary Jiang looked Su Wan up and down again. Hearing that her voice had absolutely no hometown accent, he felt completely relieved and smiled with squinted eyes. "Don't be afraid when you get to the auditorium. Although you are filling in for Ruan Tingting, you must participate actively. The organization attaches great importance to this mixer, and the information of everyone attending has been strictly approved."

Su Wan nodded again and put the small rabbit mask on her face. She understood what Secretary Jiang meant: she must not be discovered by the military leaders as a substitute.

After arriving at the auditorium, the radio was playing melodic songs, and vintage lights shone in the middle of the dance floor. More than a dozen officers in beige short-sleeved military uniforms were holding hands with masked, brightly dressed women, dancing gracefully. Judging by their clumsy movements and slightly stiff expressions, the social dance mixer had only just begun.

Secretary Jiang led her straight to a middle-aged officer in his forties or fifties. "Political Commissar, I am truly sorry, but Tingting was delayed by matters at home."

Political Commissar Liu stood with his hands behind his back, looking at Su Wan with a warm smile. His grin widened, and he nodded. "Comrade Tingting, please go over there and have some water and rest for a moment."

"Thank you, Commissar." This was exactly what Su Wan wanted. She curled her red lips, a small dimple appearing on her cheek, looking sweet and lovable, her eyes curving into crescents. She turned and walked toward the table by the wall where drinks and snacks were kept.

Political Commissar Liu watched Su Wan’s slender back with a meaningful look and said to Secretary Jiang, "This comrade is quite good."

He then strode into the lounge of the auditorium and said in a clear, vigorous voice, "Colonel, the comrade has arrived. Please come out with me quickly."

Huo Xiaohan pursed his lips. His three-dimensional, handsome face was cold and stern, his sharp, blade-like eyebrows furrowed, showing his extreme rejection of such occasions. His whole body felt cold and rigid, like a thousand-year-old block of ice.

"What is the meaning of this? Colonel Huo, are you going to let the comrade sit there alone without a dance partner?" Political Commissar Liu urged, his tone serious. "As long as your personal issue isn't resolved, you won't be able to escape a single one of the organization’s mixers. Don't tell me you have to go to the operating table the day after tomorrow—even if you were lying on a hospital bed, you would still have to go on this blind date. You are a regimental-level cadre; you must set an example."

Huo Xiaohan stood up and walked toward the door with a straight, cold posture.

Political Commissar Liu pointed at Su Wan, who was standing by the snack table, and gave Huo Xiaohan a look. "That is Comrade Tingting. I think she is quite good." Seeing Huo Xiaohan didn't move, he gave him a nudge.

Su Wan had drunk a few sips of water and eaten two small cookies, and then sat on a chair next to the dance floor. It was just that everyone else was dancing on the stage, and she was the only one standing by the snack table, which felt very awkward and conspicuous, so she was embarrassed to eat. Just as she peeled the wrapper off a milk candy and put it in her mouth, a tall, sturdy figure stood before her.

"Hello, comrade, would you like to dance?" Huo Xiaohan’s expression was tight, his back straight. It was his first time inviting a girl to dance, and he seemed somewhat uncomfortable.

Listening to this low, magnetic, and icy metallic voice, Su Wan looked up at the Huo Xiaohan in front of her, her clear, bright black eyes filled with astonishment.