Reborn After Divorce

Chapter 10

Thinking something had happened to Gu Beixian, Su Hua grabbed her coat and stood up, leaving without a word.

Shen Huai, dining with her, noticed her strange demeanor, picked up his car keys, and followed her. "What's wrong?" he asked.

Forcing a smile, Su Hua replied, "I'm going to Jin Zhao Zui. You all continue eating."

Shen Huai shook his car keys. "I'll drive you."

Anxious, Su Hua didn't refuse and softly thanked him.

Twenty minutes later, the car stopped outside Jin Zhao Zui.

Su Hua stepped out, walking briskly towards the hotel's entrance, the wind lifting the hem of her coat, revealing her slender legs.

She hurried to the third-floor private room, Zui Xiang Ge, and pushed the door open.

There she saw Chu Suosuo feeding soup to Gu Beixian, her cheeks flushed, eyes shimmering with affection. They were close, her expression tender and loving.

Su Hua froze, gripping the door handle so tightly her knuckles turned white, feeling a sharp pain in her heart.

Her gaze flitted to Gu Beixian. Though he held a wine glass, his eyes were clear, and he showed no signs of intoxication.

Chu Suosuo, noticing her arrival, moved closer to Gu Beixian provocatively, a smug smile on her face.

Su Hua gave a self-mocking smile. "Sorry to interrupt," she said, turning to leave.

Xiao Yi hurriedly pushed his chair back and caught up with her, pulling her to sit beside Gu Beixian. "You should be the one sitting next to Brother Xian, stay calm."

He patted her shoulder gently, hinting her not to act impulsively.

Gu Beixian stared at Su Hua's shoulder where Xiao Yi had touched, then took a disinfectant towel to wipe it off.

Su Hua smiled bitterly. Xiao Yi's touch was deemed dirty by him.

What about him? Embracing and kissing Chu Suosuo, feeding each other like lovers—who was dirtier?

Su Hua pressed her lips together, fearing that opening her mouth would let out hurtful words.

In their three years of marriage, she never argued with him, never lost her temper, not even when his leg injury left him irritable and prone to throwing fits.

Now, on the verge of divorce, there was no need to break this pattern.

She blamed herself. Hearing he was in trouble, she shouldn't have panicked and rushed here, humiliating herself.

After a tense moment, Gu Beixian turned to Chu Suosuo. "Suosuo, you should go."

Chu Suosuo pouted slightly but stood up reluctantly, saying to Su Hua, "Sister Su Hua, don't be mad. Brother Xian and I were just having a meal. Xiao Yi can vouch for it."

Xiao Yi, sitting nearby, rolled his eyes. Just a meal? They were practically putting on a love show.

Seeing no one detain her, Chu Suosuo picked up her coat from the chair back and started to leave.

With a loud crash, her coat caught the edge of a teacup, sending it shattering to the floor.

Bending down to pick it up, she cut her finger on a shard, blood oozing out immediately.

Crying out in pain, she clutched her bleeding finger, tears welling up, and tremblingly asked Gu Beixian, "It hurts so much. Can you take me to the hospital?"

Xiao Yi interjected, "I'll take you. Don't make her uncomfortable."

Chu Suosuo's eyes hardened, gripping Gu Beixian's sleeve with her blood-stained hand, looking pitifully at him. "I want you to take me."

After a moment's silence, Gu Beixian stood up. "Let Xiao Yi take you home. I'll take Suosuo to the hospital and then find you."

He picked up her bag and helped her out.

Su Hua remained remarkably calm, calling the waiter to sign the bill.

She signed the bill and packed the untouched dishes, giving the waiter a hundred yuan tip before leaving with Xiao Yi, carrying the packed food.

This was to avoid seeing Gu Beixian and Chu Suosuo together.

Waiting for the elevator, Xiao Yi sighed, "You're a good woman, sister-in-law."

"Thank you." Su Hua stood tall and graceful, her face wearing an eternally serene smile.

"Being too good can be a bit boring. Men like women to be dignified in public but a bit wild at home. Be more playful and changeable. You can't beat Chu Suosuo otherwise," Xiao Yi advised sincerely.

"Is Chu Suosuo wild?" Su Hua asked softly.

"She's extremely wild. If I hadn't been there, those two would've been all over each other. You must find a way to keep Brother Xian's heart."

Su Hua clenched the straps of the takeout bag, feeling a mix of emotions.

She thought loving someone with all her heart was enough, but it wasn't.

She couldn't be wild. Raised by strict grandparents, she lacked that kind of freedom.

Descending the stairs, they saw Gu Beixian smoking by the car.

Seeing them, he extinguished his cigarette and approached Su Hua, gently holding her shoulder and looking down at her with unusual tenderness. "I'll be back soon. Don't overthink."

Su Hua smiled bitterly. She wished he would hurt her thoroughly, so she could have a reason to hate him.

Yet he was always so courteous and gentle, making it impossible for her to hate him.

"Go take her to the hospital," she said, half out of wifely duty, half in exasperation.

"Alright," he said, getting into the car and driving off.

Su Hua told Xiao Yi, "I'm with a colleague. Our gathering isn't over yet. You don't need to see me off."

"Alright. Don't forget what I said. We only recognize you as our sister-in-law."

"Thank you."

She got into Shen Huai's car.

As he started the engine, he asked, "Who was that man?"

"Who?"

"Gu Beixian of the Gu Group."

Su Hua hesitated. "A relative."

"He's your cousin?"

"Yes."

Three years ago, Gu Beixian's injury prevented a wedding, so they just registered their marriage. Only close family knew.

Now, with divorce imminent, there was no need to announce it. Cousin would suffice.

Seeing her low spirits, Shen Huai asked, "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine."

"You're lying. You're obviously troubled."

"Shen Shao, what kind of women do men like?" Su Hua asked, troubled.

"Everyone has different tastes. Some like curvy women, some like slender ones. I appreciate women like you—gentle, quiet, talented but humble."

Su Hua smiled faintly. Some men did appreciate her type after all.

She didn't need to be wild or scheming; someone liked her just the way she was.

"You're exaggerating. I'm just a restorer of ancient books and paintings," she said, feeling a bit better.

"You've reached the top of your field. Many so-called experts can't match your skills."

"Shen Shao flatters me. I learned from my grandfather since childhood. He taught me one-on-one, and I had plenty of practice. If I didn't do well, it would be a shame."

"Talent and effort are important, as is personality. Restoring ancient books and paintings requires patience, something rare among the young."

"That's true."

When the car turned, Su Hua said, "Take me home. I don't want to go back to the hotel."

"Alright."

At her apartment complex, Shen Huai offered to walk her upstairs.

"Thank you."

He took the food from her, smiling at the novelty of someone packing leftovers.

Restoring ancient books and paintings was a niche but valuable profession. He paid her well; she shouldn't need to be so frugal.

At her door, Shen Huai lingered, talking mostly about work.

The moonlight was beautiful, and talking to her made him feel inexplicably happy.

Suddenly, Su Hua stiffened, seeing a tall, straight figure approaching.

Gu Beixian, with his striking features, walked briskly toward them. She wondered why he was back so soon.

Sensing her tension, Shen Huai turned and smiled, "Your cousin's here."

Su Hua nodded faintly.

When Gu Beixian reached them, Shen Huai extended his hand politely. "You must be Su Hua's cousin. I'm her colleague, Shen Huai."

Gu Beixian looked at Su Hua, his eyes cold. "I'm your cousin?"