The Queen of Divorce

After an intense and lingering moment, Su Hua was drenched in fragrant sweat. Gu Beixian didn't go to take a bath as he used to. Instead, he hugged her from behind, holding her so tightly and forcefully that it seemed he wanted to press her into his own body. Su Hua was almost melting in his embrace. She felt inexplicably surprised, nervous, excited, and a little sad at the same time. It had been three years since they got married, and this was the first time he had hugged her like this. She had a feeling of being deeply loved. Her heart was pounding like a startled deer. She slowly turned around and hugged him back tightly, with a sweet and beautiful smile on her face, as if she was hugging the whole world. They stayed like this for a long time. Gu Beixian let go of her, put on his clothes and sat up. He took out a pack of cigarettes from the drawer, skillfully shook out one, lit it, and took a deep puff. The white smoke curled up, blurring the outline of his handsome and heroic face. His expression was indistinguishable, and no one knew what he was thinking. The cigarette between his fingers was almost burning his fingers, but he didn't even notice. Su Hua coughed lightly and said, "Didn't you quit smoking a long time ago?" Gu Beixian stubbed out the cigarette, stared at her eyes with a deep gaze, was silent for a few seconds, and then said, "Su Hua, let's part ways." It was like a bolt from the blue! Su Hua was stunned. Her burning heart cooled down instantly and froze! She looked at him in a daze, her face pale, and asked in a slightly trembling voice, "Did I do something wrong?" "No." "Then why do we have to part?" "Chu Suosuo is back. I'm sorry." Chu Suosuo was his ex-girlfriend. Su Hua's heart was pierced like a knife. Three years! Three whole years of being together day and night, sharing weal and woe, yet it couldn't withstand the return of that woman! He didn't love her. That was her biggest mistake. A sense of loss, frustration, and sadness overwhelmed her. Su Hua bit her lip tightly, her whole body stiff. She tremblingly put on her clothes and was about to get out of bed. Gu Beixian pressed her shoulder and asked gently, "Where are you going?" Su Hua tried her best to hold back her tears and said, "To make breakfast." "It was always you who made it before. Let me do it today. You can sleep a little longer." His voice was low and gentle. Su Hua murmured an "Okay" and lay down, pulling the quilt over to cover her moist eyes. After he left, she got out of bed and ran into the bathroom, unable to hold back anymore and burst into tears. The tears were like beads falling off a broken string, and they just wouldn't stop. She had never known that loving someone could make her heart ache like this, so painfully that he was like a piece of flesh gouged out from her heart. She was in so much pain that she could hardly stand still. She leaned against the wall, crying until she was shaking. She didn't know how long it had been when Gu Beixian called her downstairs to eat. Su Hua answered and splashed cold water on her eyes again and again to rinse them. But no matter how much she rinsed, her eyes were still red, as if they were bloodshot. Going downstairs, Gu Beixian was standing in the dining room waiting for her. He was dressed in a well-tailored high-end custom-made suit. His long legs were straight under the dark-colored trousers. His whole demeanor was refined and noble. Just standing there, he was already shining brightly. Su Hua walked silently to the dining table and sat down. Gu Beixian leaned over slightly, looking at her red eyes, his gaze extremely gentle. "Have you been crying?" Su Hua raised her face and forced a smile at him. "I accidentally got some facial cleanser in my eyes while washing my face. It'll be fine soon." "Be more careful next time. Let's eat." Gu Beixian sat down beside her and handed her the chopsticks. Su Hua reached out to take them, lowered her eyes, and looked at his good-looking fingers on the chopsticks. The sumptuous breakfast was emitting an inviting aroma, but neither of them touched their chopsticks. Never in her life had she had a meal that was so sad. Half an hour later, the food was still untouched. Su Hua put down the chopsticks, held onto the corner of the table and stood up, saying softly, "I'll go pack my luggage." Gu Beixian tightened his grip on the chopsticks slightly. "There's no rush." Su Hua gave a bitter smile. Things had come to this. Why not leave quickly? Was she going to wait to be driven out? She turned around and went upstairs, throwing her things into the suitcase one by one. It took her quite a while to finish packing. Finally, she zipped it up with a click and carried it downstairs. Gu Beixian came up to meet her and reached out to take the suitcase. "Let me have it." "No need." Su Hua picked up the suitcase and walked out with her back straight. Walking through the courtyard, looking at the familiar flowers, plants, and trees, she couldn't help but feel sentimental. People are not plants or trees. Who can be without feelings? Three years. So-called love growing over time had turned out to be just her own thing all along. She loved him so much, wholeheartedly. There was passion and also a sense of family. But what was the use? Let go. Just let go. The two of them walked one after the other to the front gate. The car was already waiting outside. Gu Beixian handed her a check. "Thank you for your company these three years." Su Hua stood there stubbornly, not knowing whether she should take it or not. Gu Beixian forced the check into her suitcase. "Take it. You'll need money for many things in the future." "Okay." Su Hua replied dryly. She raised her head and greedily looked at his good-looking lips, his high nose, and his handsome eyes. Recalling how he had covered her eyes with his on the bed, making her feel like she was surrounded by stars, her heart was torn with pain, too painful to put into words. She thought that surely there would come a day in her life when she could finally stop loving him. Three years? Ten years? It might even take a lifetime. Falling in love with someone seems so easy, but forgetting him is so difficult, so very difficult. Gu Beixian looked at her for a while, then suddenly pulled her into his arms. His face was calm, but there were waves churning in his eyes. "It won't be easy for you alone in the future. If you have any difficulties, call me." Tears welled up in her eyes, but she swallowed them back and said, "Okay." "I wasn't in good health in the first two years, and I had a bad temper. I'm sorry for making you suffer." "It's okay." "Take care of yourself." "You too." Su Hua slowly raised her hand and hugged him, hugging him as if it was a parting for life or death. Suddenly, she let go of him. She pushed him away, quickly wiped her face, picked up the suitcase and turned around to leave. After walking a few steps, she suddenly heard Gu Beixian ask, "Who is A Yao?" Her heart trembled slightly. The foot she had lifted slowly lowered. The dusty past came crashing down like a tidal wave. She was too sad to say a word. Then she heard Gu Beixian say again, "He must be very important to you. I'm sorry for taking up three years of your life. Wish you happiness." Su Hua's heart was filled with mixed feelings, and she didn't know how to answer. She slowly turned her head and looked at Gu Beixian. He didn't smile often, but when he did, he really looked good. It was like there were ten miles of gentle spring breeze in his smile. His eyes were pitch-black and clear, shining like the sea of stars. He must be very happy since he was about to be with the person he loved. Su Hua also smiled, a smile that came after her heart was broken. "Wish you happiness too." After saying that, she turned around and got into the car. As soon as the car door closed, tears streamed down her face. The new pain added to the old one hurt so much that she just wanted to curl up. The driver picked up the suitcase and put it in the trunk, then got into the car and started it. Watching the car speed away, the smile on Gu Beixian's lips froze straight there, and the light in his eyes gradually dimmed. Back at the Su family's house. Su Hua dragged her suitcase and entered the door. Su Peilan saw her swollen eyes and then looked at the suitcase in her hand. She was greatly shocked, "Girl, what's wrong with you?" Su Hua lowered her head to change her shoes and forced herself to sound calm as she said, "Mom, I'm moving back to live here." Su Peilan sprang up from the couch, "Are you and Gu Beixian separating?" "Yes, his ex-girlfriend is back." When Su Peilan heard this, she immediately flew into a rage, "Three years ago, Gu Beixian had a car accident. The doctor said he would never be able to leave his wheelchair for the rest of his life. That ex-girlfriend of his just ran away and left him! It was you who accompanied him to seek medical treatment everywhere, at home and abroad. You massaged his legs, helped him with his rehabilitation, and took care of him day and night like a nanny! Goodness gracious, now that he can run and jump, that woman is back. How shameless! And Gu Beixian, for the sake of such a heartless woman, he actually doesn't want you anymore! Is he blind?" Su Hua bent down and took out a check from the suitcase and stuffed it into her hand, "This is the compensation he gave me." Su Peilan stared at the long string of zeros on the check, and her eyes widened immediately. She counted them. There were exactly eight zeros after the one! Her expression softened a little, "It's not about the money. Can people just bully others like this just because they have money?" Su Hua slightly lowered her eyelids and said softly, "How many couples get divorced where the man doesn't give the woman a single penny and even schemes against her. Some men even kill their wives just to avoid dividing the property. Compared to them, Gu Beixian is not too bad." "But, can you swallow this insult?" Su Hua gave a bitter smile, "What else can I do? Cry, make a scene, and threaten to hang myself? Would making a scene like that be of any use? It's useless. His heart isn't with me. It's meaningless to force him to stay, and I can't keep him anyway. Mom, I'm sleepy. I want to go and sleep for a while." "Go ahead then." Su Peilan looked at her with heartache and sighed. This child was too easy-going, so easy-going that it made people feel sad. Su Hua turned around and went to the bedroom. She slept for two days and two nights straight. It scared Su Peilan so much that she would come in from time to time to check her breath. Actually, Su Hua didn't really sleep much. She just didn't want to move, didn't feel hungry either. Her whole body was weak and limp, and it felt like a big chunk of her heart was missing. It was as painful as if the sky had fallen. On the third day, Su Hua managed to get up. After washing and getting dressed, she called Gu Beixian, "Have you got the divorce agreement ready? When are we going to go through the formalities?" Gu Beixian was silent for a moment and said, "I'm on a business trip. Let's talk about it when I get back." "Okay, then I'll go to work. Call me in advance when you come back." "You found a job so quickly? Where is it?" He asked with a concerned tone. "At an antique shop. They've been calling me to go there before." "Don't push yourself too hard. If you need money, just let me know." His voice was low and gentle, as if mixed with moonlight, making people yearn for it. Su Hua's heart ached, and she said in a distant tone, "I don't need it. Thank you." After having breakfast, Su Hua took a taxi to Gu Bao Zhai. The one who received her was the young master of the shop, Shen Huai. He was wearing a light blue shirt and khaki trousers. He was tall and slender, with a clean and gentle temperament, like jade. After introducing Su Hua to the people downstairs, Shen Huai took her upstairs and introduced her to Cui Shousheng, the senior antique appraiser in the shop. "Elder Cui, this is Su Hua, the heir to 'the master of restoration' Elder Su. She is good at restoring ancient calligraphy and paintings. From now on, she will be the antique restorer in our shop. If you have any doubts, you can consult her." Cui Shousheng, who was nearly sixty years old, looked at Su Hua through his reading glasses. A young girl in her early twenties, what kind of antique restorer could she be? At her age, he was still an apprentice. The young master was praising her so highly and even asking him to consult her if he had any problems! He agreed on the surface, but in his heart, he was very unconvinced! As soon as Shen Huai left, he asked Su Hua, "Little Su, you're so young. How many years have you been in this profession?" Su Hua gave a faint smile, "More than ten years." Cui Shousheng couldn't believe it, "How old are you this year?" "Twenty-three." Cui Shousheng thought to himself that this little girl was quite boastful for her age. He was just waiting to see her get slapped in the face! In this line of work, what matters is real skill. Just talking big won't work! Just then, a clerk downstairs came up to invite someone. Su Hua and Cui Shousheng went downstairs. They saw a man in his thirties, holding a dirty and old ancient painting in his hand, asking if it could be restored. Cui Shousheng took a look. That could hardly be called a painting anymore. It was a black, shabby, wrinkled mess, full of wormholes. For this level of damage, only the top domestic restorers would have some confidence. He looked at Su Hua with schadenfreude, "Little Su, everyone is watching you. Don't let them down." Su Hua walked over, picked up the painting and examined it carefully, and then said to the guest, "It can be restored." The guest was overjoyed, "Who will do the restoration? How long will it take?" "Me. It will be done in three days." "You?" The guest looked at Su Hua, who looked like a fresh and pretty girl in her early twenties, full of doubts. "This is a genuine work by Wang Jian, one of the 'Four Wangs' in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties! The starting auction price is over a million. Don't mess it up for me!" Everyone looked at Su Hua with doubtful eyes too. Three days? That was too arrogant! Cui Shousheng smacked his lips and twisted his beard as he said, "Little Su, you young people are fearless like newborn calves, which is a good thing, but you also have to act within your capabilities. If you mess up the restoration for the guest, it will ruin the reputation of our Gu Bao Zhai. For this level of damage, even the top restorers wouldn't dare to say they could finish it in three days. When they restore an ancient painting, which one doesn't take months or even years?" In other words: Don't overestimate yourself! Su Hua's tone was firm, "It will be done in three days. If I mess it up, I'll compensate you double the market price." The guest originally wanted to have the painting restored and then auction it. Hearing that there was such a good deal, he immediately agreed, "Words are no proof. Let's sign a contract." "Okay." After estimating the price and signing the contract, Su Hua took the ancient painting to the restoration room upstairs. She pushed the door open. There were two big red solid wood tables half a person's height in the room. All kinds of restoration tools such as row brushes, hoof knives, towel, writing brushes made of goat hair, and rice paper were all available. The restoration of ancient calligraphy and paintings mainly has four procedures: washing, uncovering, patching, and completing. Su Hua asked someone to boil a pot of boiling water and began to rinse the ancient painting with a row brush dipped in the boiling water. She was very careful with each stroke. She had to rinse the stains clean without letting the strong water flow damage the fragile paper fibers of the ancient painting. It was easier said than done. Fortunately, she had been following her grandfather to restore ancient paintings since she was a child, and she had long been proficient in such things. Gu Beixian's grandparents also loved collecting antiques, and in the past two years, she had almost taken on all the restoration work of their ancient calligraphy and paintings. Not to mention this level of ancient painting, she had even restored much older and more damaged ones. With time being tight, Su Hua was so busy in the following days that she couldn't even lift her head. Being busy was good. Being busy could temporarily make her forget about Gu Beixian. Even the sadness was diluted. Three days later, the guest came to pick up the painting. Su Hua took the restored ancient painting to the first floor. The guest looked at the painting that was completely different from before and was stunned, "Is this the painting I brought? Didn't you swap it for me?" Cui Shousheng, the shop manager, and the clerks all came over and were also greatly surprised. The mountains on the ancient painting rose and fell, the peaks were steep and dangerous, the trees in the mountains were lush and vivid. Was this still the same ancient painting that was like a rag, shabby and unclear before? Su Hua said calmly, "You can use instruments to test its authenticity." After the test, the guest gave Su Hua a thumbs up, paid the money, and left satisfied with the painting. Since then, word spread from one to ten, and from ten to a hundred. The whole antique street knew that a young and beautiful ancient painting restorer had newly arrived at Gu Bao Zhai. She was only in her early twenties, but her skills were comparable to those of a national-level restoration master! In the evening. Gu Beixian called, "My car is parked right in front of your shop. Come out." Hearing the familiar voice, Su Hua's heart throbbed with pain. She looked at her watch and said softly, "It's almost dark. It's too late to go to the Civil Affairs Bureau now. Can we go tomorrow morning?" Gu Beixian was silent for a moment, "It's Grandma who wants to see us. She said there's something very important."