After Divorce, She Astonished the World - chapter 6

The tall, thin man fell to the concrete floor with a thud, his body twitching a few times like a ragged sack. He kicked his legs, closed his eyes, and dark red blood slowly seeped out from beneath his head.

The dogs in the yard barked madly.

Taking advantage of the chaos, the bald man tried to escape, but the police swarmed him, pinned him to the ground, snatched the painting, and cuffed his hands.

Su Hua’s hands were still clutching the window frame, staring blankly at Gu Beixian, who had fired the shot.

She had been married to him for three years, yet she never knew he could shoot, and with such precision.

Just moments ago, in that split second, if the shot had been a little faster or slower, a little off or askew, it would have been fatal for her.

Gu Beixian tossed aside the gun, strode over with his long legs, and carried her down from the windowsill.

He carefully tended to the wound on her neck.

He pulled her tightly into his arms, holding her close. His cool fingertips gently rubbed her pale, frightened face, his voice soft: “Were you scared?”

Su Hua dazedly murmured, “Mm.”

She had thought she was doomed, never expecting to escape death.

Her heart pounded wildly, her ears buzzed, and even with a silencer, the gunshot was deafening.

The whole ordeal felt like a movie-thrilling and terrifying.

She broke out in a cold sweat.

The ancient painting was carefully packed by the police, sealed in a protective bag, then placed in a safe.

Su Hua mechanically cooperated with the police to finish her statement, then got into Gu Beixian’s car.

Even now, her legs were weak, her mind in a haze.

The night was pitch black, the country road narrow.

The driver started the car and headed toward the city.

Su Hua was held in Gu Beixian’s arms.

He gently stroked her thin back over and over, comforting her: “It’s over now, it’s over. Don’t be afraid.”

His embrace was warm. Instinctively, Su Hua snuggled closer, her heart aching and sour, yet a little sweet.

He still cared for her as his wife.

Feeling her response, Gu Beixian held her even tighter, his gentle voice at her ear, tinged with reproach: “Why didn’t you call me when something happened? Your mother is so careless-she only realized something was wrong yesterday and called me.”

His throat was hoarse, his chin buried in her hair, clutching her clothes, his voice low: “What would I do if something happened to you?”

Su Hua was slightly stunned.

At that moment, she felt he truly cared about her-more than she had imagined.

She lifted her arms and slowly hugged his waist, burying her face in the crook of his neck.

He carried a scent she could rely on, a scent that made her feel safe.

Warmth surged in her heart, and her eyes gradually reddened.

Halfway there, Gu Beixian’s phone rang.

He glanced down, then hung up.

Su Hua instinctively knew it was Chu Suosuo calling.

Not long after, the assistant in the front passenger seat received a call as well.

After answering, he said a few words, then handed the phone over: “President Gu, it’s Miss Chu.”

Gu Beixian took the phone and asked, “What is it?”

Chu Suosuo’s sweet, anxious voice came through: “Brother Beixian, did you find Sister Su?”

“I found her.”

“She must be terrified. Stay with her, don’t come to the hospital to see me these days.”

Gu Beixian replied with a faint “Mm.”

Sitting close, Su Hua heard everything clearly. The warmth in her heart cooled.

They weren’t divorced yet, so he was still her husband. Yet for her husband to stay with her, she had to rely on the charity of a third party-what a humiliation.

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

Turning her head to look out the window, she smiled at her own reflection in the glass, her smile and lips both cold.

The happiness just now had all been an illusion.

Yes, it was all her illusion.

The car entered the city.

Su Hua said to Gu Beixian, “Take me to my mother’s house. As for Grandma, please help me come up with an excuse.”

Gu Beixian was silent for a moment. “Alright.”

Back home.

As soon as she entered, Su Peilan pulled Su Hua into her arms, crying, “Are you alright, my girl?”

“I’m fine.”

“That’s good, that’s good. You scared me to death. It’s all my fault for being so careless-I didn’t realize you were hinting for me to take my diabetes medicine, only figured it out a day later. Thank goodness Beixian brought people to find you. If it weren’t for him, who knows what would’ve happened? You’re my only child-if anything happened to you, how could I go on?” Normally so bold and brash, Su Peilan was now sobbing uncontrollably.

Su Hua reached up to wipe her tears, gently coaxing, “Don’t cry, Mom. See, I’m back safe and sound.”

A week later, at night.

Gu Beixian drank too much at a business dinner.

The driver helped him home and settled him on the sofa.

As he got up to fetch a towel, he heard Gu Beixian, eyes closed, mumbling, “Su Hua, Su Hua, pour me a glass of water.”

The driver hesitated for two seconds, then took out his phone and called Su Hua: “Young Madam, President Gu drank too much and keeps calling your name.”
Su Hua pressed her lips together and said nothing.

Su Peilan, who was standing nearby, overheard and said, “Go take care of him. You two are still husband and wife since you haven’t gone through the divorce procedures yet. Don’t let things get too tense.”

Su Hua responded with an “Mm,” then told the driver, “I’ll be there right away.”

“Thank you, Young Madam,” the driver said before hanging up.

She poured a glass of water and fed it to Gu Beixian.

He had only drunk half when the doorbell suddenly rang.

The driver set the cup down on the coffee table and got up to open the door.

Standing outside was Chu Suosuo, dressed all in white and carrying a fruit basket.

The driver apologized, “Miss Chu, President Gu has had too much to drink. I’m afraid he can’t entertain you.”

Chu Suosuo smiled sweetly. “That’s perfect. I came to take care of him.”

She slipped inside, set the fruit basket on the shoe cabinet, and said to the driver, “You can go back. Just leave Brother Beixian to me.”

The driver looked troubled. “I just called Young Madam. She’ll be here soon.”

Chu Suosuo smiled gently. “It’s fine. I know Sister Su. She has a good temper and won’t mind.”

The driver hesitated for a moment. “Alright, then.”

He took the car keys and left.

After passing through the entryway, Chu Suosuo walked over to the sofa, sat down, picked up the teacup, and fed Gu Beixian some water.

Catching a familiar scent of perfume at the tip of his nose, Gu Beixian slowly opened his eyes.

When he saw it was Chu Suosuo, a flicker of surprise flashed in his eyes. Supporting himself on the sofa, he sat up and asked, “Why are you here?”

Chu Suosuo fluttered her eyelashes and smiled coquettishly. “I missed you so much that I couldn’t help coming. You won’t blame me, will you, Brother Beixian?”

Gu Beixian frowned slightly. “I’ve had too much to drink and can’t entertain you. Go home.”

Chu Suosuo was stunned, her eyes reddening as she said aggrievedly, “Brother Beixian, you still haven’t truly forgiven me. I already told you, the breakup message three years ago was sent by my mom using my phone. She sent me abroad and had people watch me twenty-four hours a day, not letting me contact you. Do you know how much I suffered these three years? I missed you so much every day it drove me crazy, but I couldn’t see you. I was tormented until I developed severe depression…”

She covered her face and began to sob.

“I’ve already forgiven you, really.” There was a hint of impatience in Gu Beixian’s eyes, but his voice was gentle. “Don’t cry.”

Chu Suosuo looked at him with tearful eyes, pitiful and a little reproachful. “Then why are you still sending me away?”

“I’m not divorced yet. It’s the middle of the night-it’s not appropriate for you to be here.” He pinched his thigh hard, trying to use the pain to clear his head.

Chu Suosuo noticed this detail and slowly leaned closer to him, her soft arms winding around his shoulders like vines. She gazed at him with cheeks flushed, her voice gentle: “I don’t mind.”

Gu Beixian turned to the side to avoid her. “I mind.”

A trace of disappointment flashed in Chu Suosuo’s eyes. Her outstretched hand froze in midair before she finally withdrew it after a long moment.

Suddenly, the two of them had nothing to say.

A heavy silence filled the entire room.

Unable to bear the silence, Chu Suosuo looked around and finally fixed her gaze on the painting on the wall, searching for something to say. “Is this Ink Bamboo Painting an original by Zheng Banqiao?”

“No, it’s a copy by Su Hua.”

“Really? It’s so well done, I thought it was the real thing.” Chu Suosuo said softly, “I didn’t expect Sister Su to be so talented.”

Gu Beixian’s dark eyes softened. “Indeed, she is very talented.”

“Brother Beixian is even more outstanding. In my eyes, you’ll always be the most exceptional man.” Chu Suosuo stared at him with sparkling eyes, her admiration obvious.

Gu Beixian’s thick lashes drooped slightly, a thin layer of frost settling in his eyes.

In Su Hua’s heart, the most outstanding man was surely her A Yao Ge.

Suddenly, Chu Suosuo heard faint footsteps outside the door and remembered what the driver had told her-Su Hua would be here soon.

Her eyes flickered as an idea came to her.

She stood up and took Gu Beixian’s arm, her voice sultry and enticing: “Brother Beixian, let me help you take a shower. Once you’re asleep, I’ll leave.”

“No need.” Gu Beixian raised his hand to push her away.

“It’s fine, I’m not an outsider.”

“Really, there’s no need. You should go!” His tone grew impatient.

Hearing the sound of the door unlocking, Chu Suosuo steeled herself and, with a cry of “Ouch,” pretended to fall onto him, wrapping her arms around his waist and moving her lips toward his.

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

But Chu Suosuo clung to him like a snake. He was too drunk, his muscles weak, and for the moment couldn’t push her away.

The moment Su Hua entered the house, she saw Chu Suosuo and Gu Beixian embracing intimately, kissing!

The hands that had once gently caressed her waist were now holding Chu Suosuo’s neck with such intimacy!

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