Volume 1, Chapter 8: You Were Such a Darling When You Were Little

Huo Jianguo felt utterly helpless. He knew that the feudal and conservative atmosphere of the countryside left Su Wan with no other path once she was denied the chance to transfer to Beijing for school. He also understood that while Su Wan claimed to be coming to Beijing to study, she was essentially there to find a husband, as there was no returning to her hometown. Otherwise, the only remaining option would have been to have his son marry her.

His wife, Xie Bailing, who was usually gentle and refined, had been so infuriated that she retreated to her parents' home, leaving Huo Jianguo to clean up the mess he had created himself.

Drenched by the heavy rain, with strands of hair clinging to her forehead, Su Wan walked into the Huo residence carrying her backpack behind Huo Xiaohan. She immediately sensed the heavy, stifling atmosphere. She curled her lips slightly, mentally bracing herself.

Su Xiaohui, however, reacted quite differently. Looking at the spacious and bright living room, she felt like a country bumpkin entering a grand garden. She didn't know where to put her hands or feet, her eyes wide with astonishment, and she could not help but lean toward the space behind Huo Xiaohan.

On the clean, white walls hung attractive posters and several picture frames. The people in the photos were all wearing green military uniforms, their eyes sharp and fierce—clearly a family of generations of soldiers. On a mahogany cabinet against the wall sat a Panda-brand television and a dual-cassette tape recorder, both covered with white lace cloths. A blue-bladed "Double Horse" electric fan oscillated in front of the solid wood sofa, which was covered with a cooling mat; as it turned toward her, a cool breeze swept over.

She could hardly imagine that Brother Huo’s home could be this "luxurious." Thinking that she would live in this two-story house every day once she married him, her eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Grandma, Dad, I'm home. This is Comrade Su Wan and her younger sister, Su Xiaohui," Huo Xiaohan said, setting down Su Xiaohui’s backpack and introducing them to the two people sitting on the sofa. He scanned the room, noticing the absence of his mother and young niece, and asked, "Did Mom take Xinyi to bed?"

"You're back. The school sent your mother on a business trip to another province for a few days, and she took Xinyi with her," Huo Jianguo replied, offering an excuse before looking up at the two sisters.

Even without Huo Xiaohan’s introduction, he recognized Su Wan immediately. Seventeen years ago, while on a mission near Qiantang Village, he had been bitten by a venomous snake in the mountains. It was Su Wan's father who carried him back and saved his life with medicinal herbs.

At that time, Su Wan was not even a year old—a soft, chubby little thing who blinked her grape-like eyes and giggled at him, looking incredibly adorable. She would even hold a ceramic mug to feed him water, calling him "Uncle" in her tiny, milky voice. She was utterly charming. He had desperately wanted her father to let him raise her. Later, after returning to the army, he had always hoped for a daughter of his own; one was born, but sadly, she died in early childhood.

When his second son, who had been stationed in the Northwest since graduating from military academy, was transferred back to Beijing this year to serve as a regimental commander, Huo Jianguo immediately thought of using his outstanding son to repay the Su family's kindness. If the two took a liking to each other, it would be a joyous outcome; if not, he would arrange a job for Su Wan in Beijing, help her settle down, and have the Huo family look after her. He had not expected his letters to the Su family to go unanswered, only to have the Su family finally write to explain the situation.

"Hello, Grandma Huo, Uncle Huo. I am sorry for the trouble I’ve caused by coming to Beijing to study." Facing the sharp, authoritative gaze of Huo Jianguo, a man long accustomed to high military rank, Su Wan stepped forward with composure and grace, offering a slight bow.

Her fluent Mandarin, delivered in a calm and gentle tone, caused Grandma Huo, who had been sitting on the sofa without looking up, to adjust her reading glasses and inspect Su Wan from head to toe. "Are you the younger sister, Su Xiaohui?"

"Grandma Huo, Uncle Huo, I am Su Xiaohui. I am here in Beijing to attend technical school... I am sorry for the trouble," Su Xiaohui hurriedly interjected. But she was, after all, a sheltered village girl; her voice was timid and small, and as she mimicked Su Wan’s words, she stumbled over them in her nervousness. Though she tried to speak Mandarin, it remained heavy with a thick local accent.

Grandma Huo and Huo Jianguo exchanged surprised looks; this was not at all what Huo Xiaohan had described over the phone.

"Uncle Huo, I am grateful for your care toward our family over the years. Three years ago, when our hometown suffered a severe drought, my sister and I might have had to drop out of school if not for the ten catties of grain coupons you sent. I am also very thankful for this opportunity to study in Beijing. This is some tea that my mother, my two brothers, and I picked at three o'clock this morning. It is a small token of our family's gratitude, and I hope you will not find it lacking."

Su Wan set down her own backpack, took out two iron tins decorated with a rooster design, and placed them politely on the table in front of the living room, a calm and humble smile on her face throughout. Beside her, Su Xiaohui, who was clutching her hem in nervous agitation, looked like a mere servant girl.

Originally, Su Wan’s parents had prepared bags of corn, peanuts, and potatoes from their own farm. Not only were these items heavy, but the prestigious Huo family lacked nothing. Since they couldn't provide expensive material gifts, they had to emphasize the sincerity of their gesture. The processed tea was not only convenient to carry but also carried a thoughtful story, especially since it had been picked at the crack of dawn.

"Your family is truly thoughtful. It is thanks to your father that I am alive today," Huo Jianguo said, his gaze resting on Su Wan with a hint of approval and curiosity. He then looked at his second son, as if asking, *Is the Su Wan you described on the phone the same person as this one?*

Hearing Su Wan’s fluent, standard Mandarin without a hint of a local accent, Huo Xiaohan raised his stern, cold brows. Throughout the journey, she had spoken only in her local dialect; he had never heard her speak Mandarin before. Her poised and generous demeanor was nothing like that of a girl from a poverty-stricken village; she seemed more like the daughter of an educated, intellectual family.

His dark eyes, deep as mist-covered mountains, scanned her with a hint of inquiry, though he remained convinced that a person’s true nature could not change.

"Sit down. Wu Ma, bring two clean, hot towels for them to wipe up," Grandma Huo said, gesturing for them to sit, her expression stern and serious.

Su Xiaohui stiffened. Seeing that Su Wan—who had always been considered inferior to her—was performing so much better and with such perfect manners, she feared making a mistake. She mimicked Su Wan and sat upright on the chair.

"Thank you, Wu Ma." Su Wan took the towel from the Huo family’s housekeeper, Wu Ma, and thanked her with a sincere, polite gaze.

"You're welcome, you're welcome." Hearing that gentle, soft voice, Wu Ma felt quite delighted and formed a very positive impression of Su Wan.

"Thank you, Wu Ma," Su Xiaohui echoed, though her voice remained timid and small, appearing very obedient.

The two sisters from the Su family were quite nice, though the other one was a bit timid and lacked the grace and confidence of her elder sister. After serving them water, Wu Ma headed to the kitchen to heat up the meal.