Chapter 3
1688 Words
Su Hua stepped out of the house.
She got into the car, buckled her seatbelt, and settled in.
After a few days apart, Gu Beixian seemed slightly thinner, his already deep-set features becoming even more chiseled and defined, his handsome brows and eyes making it hard to look away.
Su Hua realized she still loved him deeply, unable to forget.
“Here, a gift for your new job.” Gu Beixian handed her an exquisite dark blue velvet jewelry box.
Su Hua took it and opened it.
Inside was a "Weng Zhong" carved from creamy white jade.
Weng Zhong is a renowned talisman jade sculpture known for warding off evil spirits.
The jade figure stood in long robes, its features and attire carved with simple, powerful lines, the craftsmanship both bold and refined.
The jade was warm and elegant, translucent and of the highest quality.
Holding the jewelry box, Su Hua turned her head to him with a faint smile, “Why give me such a precious gift?”
Gu Beixian smiled slightly, his gaze steady on hers, “You restore ancient paintings and calligraphy, inevitably coming into contact with things from ancient tombs. It’s good to have a protective charm. Here, let me put it on for you.”
He took the jade sculpture and placed it around Su Hua’s neck.
As his fingers gathered her hair, his touch lightly brushed against her neck, sending a cool shiver down her spine, her heart fluttering.
She had always been sensitive to his touch.
Thinking about their current relationship, Su Hua felt a pang of bitterness and forced a smile, “Don’t give me gifts in the future.”
It was too easy to misinterpret, to think he still had feelings for her.
She would start overthinking and longing for more.
With his long fingers on the steering wheel, Gu Beixian casually said, “It’s just a small piece of jade, don’t dwell on it.”
He started the car.
Half an hour later, they arrived at the Gu family’s old residence.
As soon as they entered, the white-haired Grandma Gu, tottering on her feet, came up to them.
She hugged Su Hua tightly, “Oh, my dear granddaughter-in-law, I’ve missed you so much these past few days!”
Su Hua always felt that Grandma was a bit exaggerated today.
Usually, she was dignified and graceful.
Su Hua smiled and asked, “Grandma, what important matter did you want to discuss?”
Grandma Gu took her hand, gave Gu Beixian a glance, “Let’s eat first, we’ll talk afterward.”
The meal was lavishly prepared, a table full of delicacies.
Grandma Gu kept adding food to Su Hua’s plate.
She smiled and said, “Three years ago, I chose a wife for Beixian from all over the city. Out of so many photos of young ladies, I instantly took a liking to you. Your delicate features and wise eyes showed you would bring prosperity. Sure enough, after marrying you, Beixian’s legs recovered within two years, and the company flourished.”
Suddenly, Grandma Gu covered her mouth and began coughing violently.
Su Hua quickly patted her back gently.
After coughing, Grandma Gu held her hand, “You’re truly impeccable, gentle, hardworking, loyal, and righteous. During those two years when Beixian couldn’t walk and his temper was terrible, many caregivers and servants left. Only you stayed by his side. Without you, he might never have recovered.”
Tears streamed down her face.
Su Hua hurriedly wiped them away with a tissue.
Gu Beixian’s grip on his chopsticks tightened, his gaze deep and thoughtful.
Grandma Gu glanced at him, breathing heavily, “Now I have only one wish left, to see you and Beixian happy and quickly give me a great-grandchild.”
Su Hua glanced awkwardly at Gu Beixian.
It seemed he hadn’t told Grandma about their impending divorce.
Grandma Gu’s voice grew weaker, “I’m old, and any day could be my last. If I could see your child born before I die, I would rest in peace.”
Su Hua’s nose tingled with emotion, “Grandma, you will live a long life.”
“I know my own body best, at eighty, I’m full of ailments.” Grandma Gu clutched her chest and struggled to stand, “I’m feeling unwell, I’ll go lie down.”
Su Hua quickly helped her to the bedroom.
As they reached the door, Grandma Gu suddenly turned to Gu Beixian, “From tonight, you both stay here. You’ll move back when Hua’er is pregnant.”
Gu Beixian was about to speak.
Grandma Gu, hunched over, shuffled into the bedroom with trembling steps.
Su Hua carefully supported her, afraid of hurting her with too much force.
After Grandma Gu lay down, she held Su Hua’s hand and whispered, “I know you moved back to your parents’ house. Don’t worry, as long as I’m here, this marriage won’t end. Beixian respects me and listens to me.”
“But…”
“No buts. That woman, Chu Luoluo, can only share the good times, not the bad. Such a heartless person isn’t fit to enter the Gu family.”
Su Hua paused and said, “Grandma, should we call a doctor to check on you?”
“No need, I’m old and full of illnesses. A doctor can’t help. Go finish your meal and close the door for me.”
“Alright, rest well.”
Once Su Hua left, Grandma Gu sat up energetically, completely different from her previous weak state.
Su Hua returned to the dining table.
Grandpa Gu handed her a roasted lamb leg, “Little Su, eat it while it’s hot.”
“Thank you, Grandpa.”
Su Hua put on disposable gloves and began eating slowly.
Gu Beixian looked at Grandpa Gu, “Grandpa, last time I saw Grandma, she was quite healthy. How did she become so frail so quickly?”
Grandpa Gu sighed heavily, “Old age is like that. One moment they’re full of life, the next, they’re ready for the grave. You both must take good care of her, don’t upset her.”
Gu Beixian’s handsome face turned solemn.
After dinner, they returned to the guest room.
Once the door was closed.
Su Hua asked, “What now? Do we really have to stay here?”
Gu Beixian frowned, loosening his tie, “Grandma’s health can’t handle stress. Let’s stay for a few days and see how it goes.”
Su Hua glanced at the bed behind her, “There’s only one bed. How do we sleep?”
Gu Beixian’s lips curved slightly, “With our eyes closed.”
Su Hua was anxious, “I’m not joking, I’m serious.”
Gu Beixian slowly removed his watch, tossing it on the bedside table, “You go shower first, I’ll go after you.”
“Alright.”
Su Hua went to the bathroom, washed her face, brushed her teeth, and quickly showered.
When she came back, Gu Beixian went to shower.
Lying in bed, she couldn’t sleep, her thoughts racing. They were getting divorced, yet still sharing a bed. How could this be?
Suddenly, Gu Beixian’s phone rang on the bedside table.
Su Hua didn’t like to invade his privacy, so she let it ring.
It rang twice and stopped.
Soon after, her phone rang.
She glanced at the caller ID, an unfamiliar number.
Answering it, a sweet female voice asked, “Sister Su Hua, is Brother Beixian with you?”
“Who are you?”
The woman paused for a second, “I’m one of his sisters.”
Su Hua thought it was one of Gu Beixian’s cousins, “He’s in the shower. I’ll have him call you back when he’s done.”
“Thank you.”
When Gu Beixian came out, he was only wearing a towel around his waist, drying his hair with another towel.
His broad shoulders and long legs, his strong, defined abs, and muscular build radiated a captivating allure under the warm light.
Su Hua’s heart raced, her ears burning, turning red instantly.
She looked away, “One of your sisters called. You should call her back.”
Gu Beixian nodded, picked up his phone, and walked out.
When he returned, his face was dark with anger, “Did you do it on purpose?”
Su Hua was confused, “What?”
“Luo Luo tried to kill herself. What did you say to her?”
Her mind went blank.
After a few seconds, Su Hua found her voice, “I didn’t know she was Chu Luoluo. She said she was one of your sisters. I thought she was a cousin and told her you were in the shower.”
Gu Beixian’s face was cold, he said nothing, opened the closet, and started dressing.
Fully dressed, he walked out.
Grandpa Gu heard the noise and came out, “What are you doing in the middle of the night?”
Gu Beixian said sternly, “I need to go out.”
“For what?”
“Luo Luo is in the hospital. I’m going to see her.”
Grandpa Gu raised his voice, “Little Su, you go with him!”
Grandpa Gu’s authority was absolute.
Su Hua couldn’t defy him, “Okay, Grandpa.”
She dressed and left with Gu Beixian.
As they drove past an intersection, Su Hua said, “You can drop me off at any hotel.”
Gu Beixian, eyes on the road, said, “Come with me and explain to Luo Luo.”
Su Hua felt a heavy block in her chest.
Though usually calm and uncompetitive, she had her limits.
It wasn’t her fault, what was there to explain?
S
ensing her displeasure, Gu Beixian reached over, ruffling her hair gently, “Luo Luo has severe depression. Consider it a favor to me.”
An hour later.
They arrived at Chu Luoluo’s hospital room.
She had just finished a gastric lavage, lying on the bed, her face extremely pale, her hair a mess, and her figure thin and frail under the blanket.
Seeing her face clearly, Su Hua was shocked!
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