Reborn After Divorce

Chapter 6

With a thud, the thin man fell onto the concrete ground, his body convulsing like a rag doll before becoming still. Dark red blood slowly pooled from beneath his head.

The dog in the yard barked frantically.

In the chaos, Baldy attempted to flee, but the police swiftly subdued him, confiscated the painting, and handcuffed him.

Su Hua, her hands still clutching the window frame, stared blankly at Gu Beixian, who had fired the shot.

In their three years of marriage, she had never known he could shoot, let alone with such precision.

A fraction of a second earlier or later, or if his aim had been slightly off, it could have meant her death.

Gu Beixian dropped the gun, striding over with his long legs, and lifted her gently from the windowsill.

Carefully, he treated the wound on her neck.

He pulled her into a tight embrace, his cool fingers caressing her pale, frightened face, and asked softly, "Were you scared?"

Su Hua numbly responded with a faint "Mm."

She had thought she was going to die, yet she had been saved at the last moment.

Her heart pounded wildly, her ears buzzing—the silenced gun was still loud.

The entire ordeal felt like a movie, terrifying and surreal.

Cold sweat drenched her body.

The ancient painting was carefully packed by the police and placed into a protective bag and then into a safe.

Su Hua mechanically cooperated with the police to complete her statement and then got into Gu Beixian's car.

Even now, her legs felt weak, her head dazed.

The night was dark, and the country road narrow.

The driver started the car and headed towards the city.

Su Hua was cradled in Gu Beixian's arms.

He repeatedly stroked her thin back, comforting her, "It's over, don't be afraid."

His embrace was warm, and Su Hua instinctively nestled closer, feeling a mix of bitterness, sweetness, and relief.

He still had some affection for her as his wife.

Sensing her response, Gu Beixian held her tighter, his voice gentle and slightly reproachful, "Why didn’t you call me when it happened? Your mother is so careless, she only realized something was wrong yesterday and then called me."

His voice was hoarse, his chin buried in her hair, his hand clutching her clothes, whispering, "What would I do if something happened to you?"

Su Hua was momentarily stunned.

At this moment, she felt he cared for her more than she had thought.

She raised her arms, slowly wrapping them around his waist, burying her face in his neck.

The familiar scent from him made her feel secure.

Warmth filled her heart, and her eyes began to redden.

Midway, Gu Beixian's phone rang.

He glanced at it and hung up.

Su Hua instinctively felt it was Chu Luoluo calling.

Shortly after, the assistant in the passenger seat received a call.

He spoke briefly, then handed the phone to Gu Beixian, "Mr. Gu, it's Miss Chu."

Gu Beixian took the phone, "What is it?"

Chu Luoluo's sweet, anxious voice came through, "Brother Beixian, did you find Sister Su Hua?"

"Yes, I did."

"She must be terrified. Take good care of her. Don’t come to the hospital for a few days."

Gu Beixian responded with a flat "Mm."

Close by, Su Hua heard everything clearly, her warm heart turning cold.

Despite not being divorced yet, her husband needed the permission of another woman to stay with her. What kind of humiliation was this?

She gently pushed Gu Beixian’s arm away and moved to sit on the seat.

She looked out the window, her reflection in the glass smiling back at her, but her smile and lips were cold.

The brief moment of warmth had been an illusion.

Yes, it was all just an illusion.

As the car entered the city, Su Hua said to Gu Beixian, "Take me to my mother's. Make an excuse for Grandma."

Gu Beixian was silent for a moment, "Alright."

Back home, as soon as they walked in, Su Peilan hugged Su Hua tightly, crying, "Are you alright, my daughter?"

"I'm fine."

"Thank goodness, you scared me to death. It's all my fault for being so careless, I didn’t realize you were in trouble until a day later. Thank goodness Beixian brought people to find you. If not for him, who knows what could have happened? I only have you, what would I do if something happened to you?" The usually fiery woman was now crying uncontrollably.

Su Hua raised her hand to wipe her mother's tears, soothing her gently, "Don’t cry, Mom. I’m back safe and sound, aren’t I?"

A week later, at night.

Gu Beixian, after a business engagement, came home drunk.

The driver helped him onto the sofa.

As the driver went to get a towel, he heard Gu Beixian, eyes closed, murmur indistinctly, "Su Hua, Su Hua, get me some water."

The driver hesitated, then called Su Hua, "Madam, Mr. Gu is drunk and keeps calling your name."

Su Hua pressed her lips together, saying nothing.

Su Peilan, overhearing, said, "Go take care of him. You’re still married, don’t make things too difficult."

Su Hua nodded, "I’ll be right over."

"Thank you, Madam," the driver said and hung up.

She made her way to the house, poured a glass of water, and helped Gu Beixian drink.

As he drank, the doorbell suddenly rang.

The driver put the glass on the coffee table and went to answer the door.

Standing there was Chu Luoluo in white, holding a fruit basket.

The driver apologized, "Miss Chu, Mr. Gu is drunk. He can't entertain you."

Chu Luoluo smiled, "That's fine, I came to take care of him."

She stepped inside, placing the fruit basket on the shoe cabinet, and said to the driver, "You can go. I’ll take care of Brother Beixian."

The driver looked conflicted, "I just called Madam. She’s on her way."

Chu Luoluo smiled softly, "It’s alright. Sister Su Hua is kind. She won’t mind."

The driver hesitated, then nodded, "Okay."

He left with the car keys.

Chu Luoluo walked to the sofa, picked up the glass, and helped Gu Beixian drink.

The familiar scent of her perfume woke him. He opened his eyes slowly.

Seeing Chu Luoluo, surprise flickered in his eyes. He steadied himself and asked, "Why are you here?"

Chu Luoluo batted her eyelashes, her smile coy, "I missed you too much. I couldn't help it. You won't be mad at me, will you, Brother Beixian?"

Gu Beixian frowned slightly, "I drank too much. I can't entertain you. Go home."

Chu Luoluo’s eyes reddened, her voice filled with grievance, "Brother Beixian, you still haven't truly forgiven me. I told you, three years ago, the breakup message was sent by my mother. She took me abroad and had people watch me 24/7, not allowing me to contact you. Do you know how painful these three years have been? Missing you every day, unable to see you, being driven to severe depression..."

She covered her face and cried.

"I've forgiven you. Truly." Gu Beixian’s voice softened despite his growing impatience, "Don’t cry."

Chu Luoluo looked at him with tear-filled eyes, a mix of affection and accusation, "Then why are you sending me away?"

"I'm still married. It's inappropriate for you to be here at this hour." He pinched his leg hard, trying to sober up with the pain.

Chu Luoluo noticed this, moving closer, her soft arms winding around his shoulders, her voice sultry, "I don’t mind."

Gu Beixian turned away, "I mind."

Disappointment flashed in Chu Luoluo’s eyes. Her outstretched hand hovered for a moment before she retracted it.

A heavy silence filled the room.

Chu Luoluo, unable to bear the silence, looked around, her gaze falling on a painting on the wall, "Is that a genuine work of Zheng Banqiao?"

"No, it’s a copy by Su Hua."

"Really? It’s so well done. I thought it was the real thing." Chu Luoluo said softly, "I didn’t realize Sister Su Hua was so talented."

Gu Beixian's dark eyes softened, "Yes, she is very talented."

"Brother Beixian, you’re even more remarkable. To me, you’ll always be the most outstanding man." Chu Luoluo gazed at him with adoration.

Gu Beixian's lashes lowered, his eyes frosty.

In Su Hua’s heart, the most outstanding man would always be her Brother A Yao.

Suddenly, Chu Luoluo heard light footsteps outside the door, remembering what the driver said about Su Hua coming soon.

A plan formed in her mind.

She stood up and took Gu Beixian’s arm, her voice sultry and seductive, "Brother Beixian, let me help you take a shower. I’ll leave after you fall asleep."

"No need." Gu Beixian pushed her away.

"It’s alright. I’m not an outsider."

"Really, there’s no need. Just leave." His tone turned irritated.

Hearing the sound of a key in the lock, Chu Luoluo made a decision. She pretended to trip, falling into his arms, her

hands wrapping around his waist, her lips moving towards his.

Gu Beixian grabbed her neck, trying to move her head away.

But Chu Luoluo clung to him like a vine, and he, weakened by alcohol, couldn’t push her away.

When Su Hua entered, she saw Chu Luoluo and Gu Beixian entwined in a kiss.

The hands that had once gently held her waist were now intimately holding Chu Luoluo’s neck.

Su Hua felt as if struck by lightning, her body turning cold.