Volume One, Chapter Six: Reporting to the Police, Catching the Rogue

“Exactly, deliberately hugging and holding a soldier comrade in a public place, in front of everyone, is clearly an attempt to falsely accuse the soldier. Such a person is truly wicked.” Those not in a hurry to catch their train pointed and whispered at Su Wan on the ground.

“Yes, yes, quickly report to the police, accuse her of harassment and have her arrested. Such troublemakers should be put in custody for proper ideological reform, to prevent harming innocent people.”

Some even disdainfully tossed their sunflower seed shells toward Su Wan.

Su Xiaohui’s heart swelled with pride; she never wanted Su Wan to accompany her to Beiping. Su Wan deserved to marry one of the village’s forty-something bachelors. If only she could be arrested for hooliganism, that would be even better.

Su Wan’s lips curled coldly as she forcefully pinched her own thigh. Her eyes instantly reddened, and in a gentle voice thick with sobs, she gripped Su Xiaohui’s hand and lamented sorrowfully, “Xiaohui, you’re my own sister. You weren’t even there just now. How could you misunderstand me like this?”

“I was just accidentally hit by an uncle carrying a basket; I stumbled forward and fell. I didn’t even know the person in front was Comrade Huo — I only saw someone in green military uniform. Out of respect and trust for soldiers, I grabbed Comrade Huo just to prevent myself from falling, that’s all…”

“Comrade Han Wei can testify for me.”

Tears streamed down Su Wan’s cheeks as she spoke, glistening like morning dew on flowers, her delicate face filled with grievance and evoking sympathy.

“Yes, Captain Huo, you really misunderstood Comrade Su Wan. She didn’t do it on purpose,” Han Wei quickly explained beside her, recounting the incident in detail.

He had kept some distance from Su Wan and, due to the suddenness of the event, hadn’t reacted immediately but had called out to the uncle at once.

“Yes, I’m truly sorry. My child called me just now, and when I turned around, the basket on my shoulder accidentally hit this young lady,” apologized the straw-hat-wearing uncle sincerely.

Huo Xiaohan glanced at Han Wei, who nodded emphatically, silently conveying, “Captain Huo, you’re really misunderstanding Comrade Su Wan; she’s innocent.”

Su Xiaohui had not expected such a reversal and immediately looked remorseful and guilty. “I’m sorry, sister. I saw Brother Huo push you to the ground and warn you about relationships between men and women, so I thought you still liked him and wanted to date him. It was all my fault.”

“Xiaohui, although I was the one initially set up to meet Comrade Huo, later when our parents wanted him to marry me, I said I wouldn’t. Didn’t you hear all this last night in the kitchen?”

“If I wanted to be with Comrade Huo, why would I say those things to our parents? Why do you still misunderstand me like this?” Su Wan’s eyes, moist with tears, looked at Su Xiaohui with pain and confusion.

It felt as if their sisterly bond, once so deep, had been brutally betrayed by her own sister.

She had known Xiaohui would use this as leverage and deliberately kept quiet at first, waiting for her to fall into the trap.

To deal with this kind of cunning, delicate “innocent” act, one must appear even weaker, more pitiful, and more innocent.

“So it was the elder sister who was originally set up with the officer. Since she didn’t match with him, it fell to the younger sister. I always thought the elder sister was far more beautiful, like a fairy—how could she do such a thing?”

Upon hearing this, those nearby began to defend Su Wan.

“Yes, the elder sister and the officer look like a perfect match. The younger sister looks like she hasn’t even blossomed yet. Maybe the officer never agreed to date her on purpose—she’s quite scheming.”

The louder the murmurs, the more Xiaohui’s face darkened, her earlier pride fading. She quickly put on a pitiful expression, grabbed Su Wan’s hand, and struck her own face, saying, “Sister, I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. Please hit me; I shouldn’t have misunderstood you.”

“It’s alright. Now that everything’s out in the open, you won’t misunderstand me again, right?” Su Wan gently withdrew her hand, her voice soft and calm.

There was no trace of blame or anger, only great tolerance and kindness.

Not only did this fail to let Su Xiaohui play the victim successfully, but it also made Su Wan appear understanding and protective of her sister.

It made it harder for Xiaohui to use this as an excuse to cause trouble again.

Su Xiaohui was stunned, clenching her fingers tightly, a flash of unwillingness crossing her eyes. Then she feigned a meek and gentle demeanor, shaking her head: “No… I won’t.”

“This is my fault. I’ll reflect on it with Comrade Su Wan. The train is about to depart; let’s board first and discuss later.” Huo Xiaohan clenched his jaw, stepped forward, and softened his cold voice.

His dark eyes fixed on the tears hanging beneath Su Wan’s curled lashes, honestly admitting his mistake.

Indeed, public opinion was powerful; even this aloof, proud man willingly lowered himself to admit fault.

“Alright, it’s okay.” Su Wan wiped the tears from her cheeks, smiling faintly.

She stood, dusted off her clothes, and headed toward the spot where the train had been stopped.

Han Wei had been about to step forward and persuade further but realized that Comrade Su Wan was truly gentle and poised, with a remarkably good temper. Had this been another woman, she would have likely cried and shown no favor toward Captain Huo.

He wondered why Captain Huo harbored such hostility toward this woman—could it be because Comrade Su Wan hadn’t agreed to date him?

Han Wei found that unlikely, glanced at Captain Huo, and then followed, helping carry the luggage.

“Brother Huo, I was afraid my sister would cause a scene like she does at home, but it turned out I misunderstood her. It’s all my fault,” Su Xiaohui said, limping on her injured right leg as she approached Huo Xiaohan with downcast eyes.

“It’s not your fault. Let’s go,” Huo Xiaohan replied.

He recalled how Su Wan had suddenly thrown herself into his arms just now.

His dark eyes were deep and somber. He hoped she truly hadn’t meant to touch him but had merely been trying to break her fall.

Han Wei had bought the train tickets today. Because of the rush, there were no sleeper berths left, so they had four soft-seat tickets together.

Still, that was much better than standing or hard seats, especially for a journey lasting two days and one night.

Once on the train, Su Wan took out the eggs their mother had given her. It was hot, and food wouldn’t keep long. There were exactly four eggs, so she distributed one to each person.

Although Huo Xiaohan had pushed her away and scolded her harshly, leaving her angry and upset, she understood that she had accidentally touched something she shouldn’t have.

In the conservative 1980s, such a reaction from a man was quite intense, and she could understand his anger.

Moreover, he seemed to be an old bachelor, extremely sensitive, almost immediately standing at attention.