After Divorce, She Astonished the World - chapter 10

Thinking that something had happened to Gu Beixian, Su Hua grabbed her coat and stood up. Without even saying goodbye, she hurried out.

Shen Huai was having dinner with her at the same table. Noticing her unusual expression, he picked up his car keys, caught up with her, and asked, “What happened?”

Su Hua forced a smile. “I need to go to Jinzhao Zui. You all take your time and eat.”

Shen Huai shook the car keys in his hand. “I’ll drive you.”

Su Hua was anxious and didn’t refuse anymore, thanking him softly.

Twenty minutes later, the car stopped downstairs at Jinzhao Zui.

Su Hua got out and walked quickly toward the hotel entrance. The wind lifted the hem of her trench coat, revealing her beautiful, slender legs.

She took the elevator and hurried to the third floor, to Zuixiang Pavilion.

Su Hua pushed the door open and walked straight in.

She happened to see Chu Suosuo holding a soup spoon, bringing it to Gu Beixian’s lips.

The two sat shoulder to shoulder. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes watery with affection as she fed him soup. Every gesture and glance was brimming with tenderness.

Su Hua froze.

Her fingers gripped the door handle so tightly her knuckles turned white. It felt as if a thorn had lodged in her heart.

Bloody and painful.

Her gaze drifted as she looked at Gu Beixian.

Although he was holding a wine glass, his eyes were clear and his demeanor composed-there was not a trace of drunkenness.

Chu Suosuo noticed her arrival and, with a provocative air, leaned even closer to Gu Beixian, her smile full of smug satisfaction.

Su Hua gave a self-mocking smile.

“Sorry to disturb you.” With those words, she turned and left.

Xiao Yi quickly pushed his chair back and chased after her, grabbing her arm and pulling her to Gu Beixian’s side, seating her down. “Sister-in-law, you’re the one who should be sitting next to Brother Beixian. Hold your ground.”

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

Gu Beixian stared at the spot on Su Hua’s shoulder where Xiao Yi had patted her, paused for a second, then picked up a disinfectant towel and wiped her shoulder.

Su Hua laughed.

Her shoulder had been touched by Xiao Yi, and he thought it was dirty.

But what about him?

He and Chu Suosuo were hugging and being affectionate, feeding each other like lovers-who was really dirty?

Su Hua pressed her lips tightly together, afraid that if she opened her mouth, she would say something she’d regret.

In three years of marriage, she had never argued with him, never raised her voice, not even when he couldn’t walk for the first two years, when his mood was depressed and irritable, smashing things and losing his temper-she never complained.

Now that they were about to divorce, there was even less reason to break her own rules.

She only blamed herself.

Hearing that something had happened to him, she shouldn’t have panicked and rushed over, humiliating herself.

After a moment’s stalemate.

Gu Beixian turned to Chu Suosuo and said, “Suosuo, you should head back first.”

Chu Suosuo pouted slightly, reluctant, but still stood up and said to Su Hua, “Sister Su, don’t be angry. Brother Beixian and I were just having a meal together. Xiao Yi can vouch for us.”

Xiao Yi, sitting to the side, rolled his eyes so hard they nearly reached the ceiling.

Just eating shrimp and it looked like a live spring scene-feeding water, feeding soup, and that’s just having a meal?

If he hadn’t been watching them like a hawk, those two would have ignited long ago.

Seeing that no one was asking her to stay, Chu Suosuo picked up her coat from the back of the chair and prepared to leave.

With a crash, the corner of her coat knocked a teacup off the table, shattering it on the floor.

Chu Suosuo hurriedly bent down to pick up the pieces, but her index finger scraped against a sharp shard of porcelain, instantly drawing blood.

She let out a sharp cry, clutching her finger as tears welled up in her eyes, her fingertip trembling.

Supporting herself on the table, lips quivering, she said to Gu Beixian, “It hurts, my hand hurts so much. Brother Beixian, can you take me to the hospital to get it bandaged?”

Xiao Yi curled his lip. “I’ll take you. Sister-in-law is here, don’t make her uncomfortable.”

Chu Suosuo’s eyes hardened. She raised her bloodied hand and clung tightly to Gu Beixian’s sleeve, her eyes red and pitiful like a little bunny. “Brother Beixian, I want you to take me.”

Gu Beixian was silent for a moment, then stood up and said to Su Hua, “Let Xiao Yi take you home. I’ll take Suosuo to the hospital and come find you afterward.”

With that, he picked up Chu Suosuo’s bag and helped her out by the shoulder.

Su Hua was surprisingly calm.

She called the waiter over, signed the bill.

After signing, she packed up all the untouched dishes.

Once she finished, she politely thanked the waiter and gave a hundred yuan tip.

Carrying the packed food, she left with Xiao Yi.

She did this to avoid running into Gu Beixian and Chu Suosuo.

She didn’t want to see them leaning on each other, looking like a loving couple.

It was too heartbreaking.

While waiting for the elevator, Xiao Yi silently watched Su Hua, who was so calm she didn’t seem normal, and sighed. “Sister-in-law, you’re a good woman.”

“Thank you.” Su Hua stood tall and graceful, her face wearing a smile reminiscent of a portrait.

“Good women are great, but if you’re too good, you can be a bit boring. Men like women to be dignified and elegant outside, but at home, it’s better to be a little wild, a little flirtatious, clever and changeable. Be coy when you should, be soft when you should, be thick-skinned when you need to, and use your tricks when necessary. Sister-in-law, put in a little more effort, or you’ll lose to Chu Suosuo.” Every word Xiao Yi said came from the heart.

“Is Chu Suosuo wild?” Su Hua asked softly.

“Damn, she’s wild as can be.” Just mentioning it made Xiao Yi angry. “If I hadn’t been sitting there, those two would have set off fireworks. Sister-in-law, you have to find a way to keep Brother Beixian’s heart.”

Su Hua gripped the tie of the takeout bag tightly, her heart a mix of emotions.
She thought that loving someone only required sincerity and kindness, but she never expected that it was far from enough.

But as for being wild and carefree, she simply couldn’t do it.

She grew up with her grandparents-her grandfather was stern and serious, her grandmother dignified and proper, and her mother was even more fiery and straightforward.

As for wildness, she never had it in her bones.

The two of them went downstairs.

Gu Beixian hadn’t left yet; he stood by the car, smoking, waiting for her.

When he saw them come out, he stubbed out his cigarette, walked over, gently held her shoulder, and leaned down slightly to look at her. His whole demeanor was exceptionally gentle. “I’ll be back soon. Don’t overthink it.”

Su Hua was so sad she could only smile.

He might as well hurt her thoroughly just once, so she could have a reason to hate him.

But he was always so refined, polite, and gentle, appearing affectionate and considerate-she couldn’t even bring herself to hate him.

She could only say, half out of wifely virtue and half out of spite, “You’d better take her to the hospital quickly.”

“Alright.” Seeing she didn’t care, Gu Beixian turned and got into the car.

The driver started the engine and headed toward the hospital.

Su Hua said to Xiao Yi, “I came with my colleagues, the dinner isn’t over yet. You don’t need to take me home, go ahead and get busy.”

“Okay, but don’t forget what I said. Among us, you’re the only sister-in-law we recognize.”

“Thank you.”

Su Hua walked to Shen Huai’s car and got in.

Shen Huai started the car, reversing as he asked, “Who is that man to you?”

“Which one?”

“The second young master of Gu Group, Gu Beixian.”

Su Hua didn’t know how to answer for a moment.

If she said ex-husband, they hadn’t divorced yet.

If she said husband, he’d already asked for a divorce, even paid the breakup fee, and his heart had long since run to Chu Suosuo.

After a moment of silence, Su Hua said, “A relative.”

“You’re Su, he’s Gu. Is he your cousin?”

Su Hua murmured an absent-minded “mm.”

Three years ago, because Gu Beixian had an injured leg and could only use a wheelchair, it wasn’t convenient to hold a wedding. They just got the marriage certificate, and apart from close friends and family, no one knew they were married.

Now that they were about to divorce, there was even less reason to make a fuss about it. Cousin was fine.

Seeing her mood was low, Shen Huai asked, “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.”

“Nonsense, you’re clearly troubled.”

“Young Master Shen, what kind of women do men like?” Su Hua had a knot in her heart.

Shen Huai smiled, “Everyone has their own taste. Some like curvy, some like slender. As for me…”

He glanced at her profile out of the corner of his eye.

Her oval face was fair and well-proportioned, her big eyes clear and bright, and her long lashes fluttered like butterflies.

The light from the streetlamps spilled softly onto her face, making her features seem a little blurred-she looked as beautiful as a painting.

His heart skipped a beat. “I admire women like Miss Su-gentle and calm, beautiful without knowing it, obviously talented but never showy or restless.”

Su Hua gave a faint smile.

So there were men who appreciated women like her.

So being liked didn’t have to be so exhausting.

She didn’t need to be wild, or bold, or change herself, or be thick-skinned, or use tricks-there were still people who liked her as she was.

“I’m just a restorer of cultural relics, it’s not as impressive as you say.” Su Hua felt a little better.

“Not an exaggeration at all. Your skill in restoring ancient paintings and calligraphy is already top-tier in the field. Many so-called experts spend their whole lives and never reach your level.”

“You flatter me, Young Master Shen. I’ve been learning from my grandfather since I was little-he taught me one-on-one, hand-in-hand. Plus, kids pick things up quickly and I had lots of chances to practice. If I still couldn’t do it well, I’d really be letting him down.”

“Talent and hard work matter too, and your temperament. Restoring ancient paintings is a test of patience-few young people are willing to learn it now, it’s almost a lost art.”

“That’s true.”

As the car turned, Su Hua said, “Could you take me home? I don’t want to go back to the hotel.”

“Of course.”

They arrived at the neighborhood where Su Hua’s family lived.

Su Hua picked up her takeout and got out of the car.

Shen Huai got out too. “It’s late, let me walk you upstairs.”

“Thank you.”

Taking the takeout from Su Hua, Shen Huai smiled. He’d grown up surrounded by wealthy young ladies and gentlemen, but it was the first time he’d seen someone pack up leftovers after a meal.

Restoring ancient paintings and calligraphy was a niche but sought-after profession, and skilled people were rare. He paid her a high salary, so she shouldn’t have to be so frugal.

After escorting Su Hua downstairs, Shen Huai was reluctant to leave, so he chatted with her for a while, mostly about work.

The moonlight was beautiful-even just talking with her put him in a good mood for no reason.

Suddenly, Su Hua’s expression froze.

She saw a tall, straight figure approaching from afar.

He was very tall, with sharp features and a confident stride, full of charisma. Even from a distance, Su Hua recognized him at a glance-it was Gu Beixian.

She wondered to herself, Didn’t he take Chu Suosuo to the hospital? How did he come back so quickly?

Noticing her reaction, Shen Huai turned to look and said with a smile, “Your cousin is here.”

Su Hua paused and replied with a faint “mm.”

When Gu Beixian came closer, Shen Huai extended his right hand politely. “You’re Su Hua’s cousin, right? Nice to meet you, I’m her colleague, Shen Huai.”

Gu Beixian lowered his gaze to Su Hua, his eyes cold as ice. “I’m your cousin?”