To My Dear Mr. Huo

“What do you mean, Director Qiu?”

“Oh, it’s nothing.” Qiu Yanbo smiled. “But I just feel a little strange about it. Say, who was it that said it again — the most important factor in a marriage is honesty? Am I right, Director Huo?”

Huo Jinyao didn’t take this threat to heart at all.

“So?”

“I’m just saying that there’s no honesty in a marriage that began through lies, and it is highly likely that loyalty would cease to exist too. It’ll be truly interesting to see how long a marriage like this can last. What do you think, Director Huo?”

“Relax, Director Qiu.” Huo Jinyao remained unperturbed, but his voice got even colder. “It’s not important how it started. The most important thing is how to maintain it and what amounts from it. As for how long it would last, there’s no need for you to worry, Director Qiu. I believe my marriage will last for as long as I live.”

“Is that so? You’re truly confident, Director Huo.” Qiu Yanbo smiled and raised the bottle of water in his hand. “In that case, the only thing I can do is wish that you achieve your dreams, Director Huo.”

Huo Jinyao gave Qiu Yanbo an icy look, then turned around to look for Su Qingsang.

The rescue mission was still ongoing. The medical team came up with a duty roster.

Those who weren’t hurt would take the first shift of the night; those who were injured would take the second. Su Qingsang didn’t consider the bump on her forehead as an injury, so she requested to take the first shift straightaway.

By the time Huo Jinyao came over, they had already completed the arrangement.

“Aren’t you tired? Do you want to take a rest?”

Huo Jinyao had never shown up in a situation like this before. Everything around was pretty foreign to him.

There were still ten or so villagers trapped under the ruins. Troops after troops of emergency workers were deployed.

Su Qingsang observed the scene and gently shook her head. “I’m fine. I’ll rest after this.”

“Can you take coffee?” Huo Jinyao glanced at her, holding a cup of freshly-made instant coffee in his hands.

“I just made it. This is the only thing available for now. But I’m afraid that you’ll find it difficult to fall asleep later if you drink it.”

“It’s alright.” Su Qingsang accepted the cup of coffee and took a sip. The hot coffee warmed her belly as she glanced towards Huo Jinyao. “I’m fine. You should head back tomorrow morning if there’s nothing else. You still need to work.”

“It’s alright. I’m here for disaster relief. My boss won’t blame me for it.”

“Really?”

“Of course. Don’t you believe me, my wife?” Huo Jinyao replied and turned to face her, looking as if he had been wronged.

Su Qingsang dodged to the side, unable to take it. “Stop messing around.”

There were so many people around them. Couldn’t he notice where they are right now?

“I wasn’t.” Huo Jinyao slipped an arm around Su Qingsang’s waist. “Count yourself, my wife — how many days have I not seen you?”

“It couldn’t have been that many, could it?”

“Ten days.” Huo Jinyao looked at her. “We haven’t seen each other in ten days. My wife, didn’t you miss me?”

“Quit messing around.” Su Qingsang whispered softly after looking left and right. “Let go of me. It’s not nice to be seen like that.”

“What’s wrong with being seen like that? You’re my wife.” Instead of letting go, Huo Jinyao held her even tighter. “We’re married, so what’s wrong with a little hug? Even if we—”

Huo Jinyao’s mouth was covered by Su Qingsang’s hand. Having had enough of this, she gave him a stern glare. “Huo Jinyao, enough.”

What did he think he was doing?

“No, it isn’t.” Huo Jinyao still had quite a lot of sweet-talking in store for her.

“Qingsang.”

A voice came from behind, causing Huo Jinyao’s expression to sour.