After Divorce, She Astonished the World - chapter 3

Su Hua stepped out the door.

She got into the car, sat down, and fastened her seatbelt.

After a few days apart, Gu Beixian seemed a bit thinner. His already deep-set features had become even more chiseled, and his handsome brows and eyes made it hard to look away.

Su Hua realized she still loved him deeply-she simply couldn’t forget him.

“Here, a gift for your new job.” Gu Beixian handed her an exquisite deep blue velvet jewelry box.

Su Hua took it and opened it.

Inside was a “Weng Zhong” carved from creamy white jade.

A “Weng Zhong” has long been known as a protective jade carving.

The jade figurine stood tall in a long robe, with its features and attire outlined in simple lines. The carving was clean and bold, powerful in its simplicity.

The jade itself was gentle and elegant, crystal clear – a true treasure among jades.

Holding the jewelry box, Su Hua tilted her head to look at him, her smile gentle. “Why give me such a precious gift?”

Gu Beixian smiled slightly, his gaze fixed on her eyes. “You restore ancient books, calligraphy, and paintings, so you’ll inevitably come into contact with things from old tombs. It’s good to wear something for protection. Here, let me put it on for you.”

He picked up the jade carving and put it around Su Hua’s neck.

As his fingers gathered her hair, his fingertips unintentionally brushed her neck.

The touch was cool; Su Hua’s skin trembled slightly, and her heart fluttered along with it.

She had always been sensitive to his touch.

Thinking about their current relationship, Su Hua felt a wave of bitterness. She forced a smile and said, “Don’t give me things anymore.”

It was too easy for her to misunderstand-to think he still had feelings for her.

She couldn’t help letting her thoughts wander, even wishing for more.

Gu Beixian rested his slender fingers on the steering wheel, speaking casually: “It’s just a small jade carving. Don’t take it to heart.”

He started the car.

Half an hour later, they arrived at the old Gu family residence.

As soon as they entered, the white-haired Old Lady came out to greet them, trembling as she walked.

She wrapped Su Hua in a hug. “Oh, my precious granddaughter-in-law! I missed you so much these past few days!”

Su Hua felt the Old Lady was acting a bit exaggerated today.

Normally, she was always dignified and elegant.

Su Hua smiled and asked, “Old Lady, is there something important you want to talk to me about?”

The Old Lady took her hand and shot Gu Beixian a glance. “Let’s eat first. We’ll talk after dinner.”

The meal was lavish, the table full of delicacies from land and sea.

The Old Lady kept piling food onto Su Hua’s plate.

Smiling at her, she said, “Three years ago, I looked all over the city for a wife for Beixian. So many girls’ photos were sent to me, but you caught my eye at first glance. Your brows are refined, your eyes bright, and your ears have hanging lobes – clearly a face that brings prosperity to her husband. Sure enough, after Beixian married you, in just two years his legs got better, and the company has only gotten stronger.”

Suddenly, the Old Lady covered her mouth and began to cough violently.

Su Hua quickly helped her by gently patting her back.

After the coughing fit, the Old Lady grabbed her hand. “You truly are a child without fault – gentle, calm, hardworking, and loyal. Those two years when Beixian couldn’t walk, his temper was awful. So many caretakers and servants couldn’t take it and left, but only you stayed by his side. If you hadn’t been there to help him through those hard times, he might have been crippled for life.”

As she finished, tears streamed down her wrinkled cheeks.

Su Hua quickly took a tissue to wipe her tears.

Gu Beixian’s hand tightened around his chopsticks, his eyes darkening with thought.

The Old Lady glanced at him and said between breaths, “Now I have only one wish: I hope you and Beixian live well together and give me a big, healthy great-grandson soon.”

Su Hua glanced awkwardly at Gu Beixian.

It seemed he still hadn’t told the Old Lady about their divorce.

The Old Lady’s voice grew weaker. “I’m old now. Who knows when I’ll pass away? If I could see your child born before I die, I could rest in peace.”

Su Hua felt a stinging in her nose and hurriedly said, “Old Lady, you’ll live a long and healthy life.”

“I know my own body best – these eighty-year-old bones.” The Old Lady clutched her chest and struggled to stand. “My heart doesn’t feel well. I’ll go lie down for a bit.”

Su Hua hurried to help her to the bedroom.

Just before reaching the bedroom door,

the Old Lady suddenly turned back to Gu Beixian and said, “Starting tonight, you two will stay here. When Su Hua gets pregnant, you can move back.”

Gu Beixian was about to speak.

The Old Lady hunched over, shuffling into the bedroom with trembling steps.

Su Hua carefully supported her, afraid of hurting her by using too much strength.

After the Old Lady lay down, she held Su Hua’s hand and spoke softly: “I know you moved back to your parents’ house. Don’t worry, as long as I’m here, this marriage won’t end. Beixian is filial – he’ll listen to me.”

“But…”

“No buts. That Chu Suosuo can share good times, but not hardship. Someone so heartless and disloyal doesn’t deserve to enter our Gu family.”

Su Hua paused and said, “Old Lady, should I call a doctor to come take a look at you?”

“No need. I’m old and full of ailments; a doctor wouldn’t help. Go finish your meal and close the door for me.”
“Alright, then have a good rest.”

Once Su Hua left, the Old Lady sat up in bed, her spirits high, looking nothing like the frail figure she’d been moments before.

Su Hua returned to the dining table.

Gu Grandfather picked up the tongs and placed a roasted lamb leg on her plate. “Xiao Su, eat it while it’s hot.”

“Thank you, Grandpa.”

Su Hua put on disposable gloves and began to eat slowly.

Gu Beixian looked up at Gu Grandfather. “Grandpa, last time I saw Grandma she was still quite robust. It hasn’t been that long-how did she become so weak?”

Gu Grandfather let out a heavy sigh. “That’s how it is when you get old. One moment you’re full of life, the next you could be gone. You two need to behave yourselves, don’t upset her.”

Gu Beixian’s handsome face grew serious.

After dinner, the two returned to the guest bedroom.

Once the door was closed-

Su Hua asked, “What should we do? Are we really going to keep living here?”

Gu Beixian furrowed his brow and loosened his tie. “Grandma’s health can’t take any shocks. Let’s stay for a few days and see how things go.”

Su Hua glanced at the bed behind her. “There’s only one bed. How are we supposed to sleep?”

Gu Beixian’s thin lips curved slightly. “Just sleep with your eyes closed.”

Su Hua grew anxious. “I’m not joking. I’m serious.”

Gu Beixian unhurriedly took off his watch and tossed it onto the nightstand. “You shower first. I’ll go after you.”

“Okay.”

Su Hua went to the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth, then quickly took a shower.

When she came back, it was Gu Beixian’s turn.

Lying in bed, she couldn’t sleep. Her thoughts churned-about to get divorced, yet still sharing a bed. What was this supposed to mean?

Suddenly, Gu Beixian’s phone on the nightstand rang.

Su Hua didn’t like to invade his privacy, so she let it ring.

It rang twice and then stopped.

Not long after, her own phone rang.

Su Hua glanced at the caller ID-it was an unfamiliar number.

She answered, and a sweet female voice came through: “Sister Su, is Brother Beixian with you?”

“May I ask who’s calling?”

The woman paused for a second. “I’m one of his younger sisters.”

Su Hua thought it was one of Gu Beixian’s cousins and said, “He’s in the shower. When he’s out, I’ll have him call you back.”

“Alright, thank you.”

After his shower, Gu Beixian came out wearing only a towel around his waist, drying his hair with another towel.

His broad shoulders and long legs made for an impressive figure.

His abs were sharply defined, muscular and powerful, with beautiful lines.

Under the orange lamp, he radiated a breathtaking allure.

Su Hua’s heart pounded, her ears burning red as if touched by flames.

She turned her head away, avoiding his gaze, and said softly, “One of your younger sisters called you. You should call her back.”

Gu Beixian responded with a faint “Mm,” walked to the nightstand, picked up his phone, and glanced at it.

He walked out.

When he returned, his handsome face was so dark it seemed water could be wrung from it. He asked coldly, “You did this on purpose, didn’t you?”

Su Hua was stunned. “What?”

“Suosuo 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 Suosuo. She said she was one of your younger sisters. I thought she was a cousin, so I just said you were in the shower.”

Gu Beixian said nothing, his face cold. He opened the wardrobe, took out some clothes, and began to dress.

Once dressed, he strode out of the room.

Gu Grandfather heard the commotion and came out. “It’s the middle of the night-where are you going?”

Gu Beixian replied in a low voice, “I have something to do.”

“What is it?”

“Suosuo is in the hospital. I’m going to see her.”

Gu Grandfather raised his voice toward the guest bedroom, “Xiao Su, you go with him.”

Gu Grandfather was decisive and authoritative.

Su Hua didn’t dare defy him. “Okay, Grandpa.”

She got dressed and left with Gu Beixian.

The car passed an intersection.

Su Hua said, “Just drop me off at any hotel.”

Gu Beixian kept his eyes on the road, hands on the wheel. “Come with me. You can explain things to Suosuo.”

Su Hua felt a heavy pressure in her chest.

She was quiet by nature, never one to compete, but she had her boundaries.

It wasn’t her fault-what was there to explain?

Sensing her displeasure, Gu Beixian freed one hand to ruffle her hair gently. “Suosuo has severe depression. Please, I’m asking you.”

An hour later-

The two arrived at Chu Suosuo’s hospital room.

She had just had her stomach pumped and was lying in bed, her face deathly pale, hair in disarray, her figure thin and frail beneath the covers.

When Su Hua saw her face clearly, she was utterly shocked!