Su Huai stepped out.
Seated in the car, she fastened her seatbelt.
After a few days of absence, Gu Beixian seemed to have lost a bit of weight. His already profound features now appeared even more sharply defined, his eyes and brows handsome enough to captivate one's gaze.
Su Huai realized she still loved him deeply, an emotion she couldn't easily forget.
"Here, a gift for your new job," Gu Beixian handed her an exquisite deep blue velvet jewelry box.
Su Huai accepted it and opened the box, revealing a beautifully carved "Wengzhong" made of sheep-fat white jade.
Wengzhong has long been renowned as a jade carving to ward off evil spirits.
The jade carving depicted a figure in a long robe, portrayed with simple lines, capturing facial features and attire with concise and powerful strokes.
The jade was warm, elegant, and translucent, making it a top-quality piece.
Holding the jewelry box, Su Huai tilted her head and smiled, "Why such a precious gift?"
Gu Beixian smiled faintly, gazing into her eyes, "As you restore ancient books and paintings, you may come across items from ancient tombs. It's good to have some protection. Here, let me help you put it on."
He picked up the jade carving and placed it around Su Huai's neck.
When he lifted her hair, his fingertips inadvertently brushed against her neck.
The cool touch sent a slight shiver through Su Huai; her skin trembled ever so lightly. She had always been sensitive to his touch.
Thinking about their current relationship, Su Huai felt a bitter sweetness. She forced a smile and said, "Don't give me expensive gifts in the future."
Easy to misconstrue, she might misunderstand his lingering feelings, and she might find herself yearning for more.
Cruising his fingers over the steering wheel, Gu Beixian casually remarked, "It's just a small jade carving; don't dwell on it."
He started the car.
Half an hour later, they arrived at Gu's ancestral home.
Upon entering, the elderly Mrs. Gu, with her snowy white hair, tottered over, embracing Su Huai, "Oh, my precious daughter-in-law, I've missed you so much in these few days!"
Su Huai felt her grandmother's behavior today was a bit exaggerated. Usually, she carried herself with elegance and nobility.
Smiling, Su Huai asked, "Grandma, is there something important you wanted to discuss with me?"
The old lady took her hand, glanced at Gu Beixian, and said, "Let's eat first, we'll talk after."
The feast prepared was lavish, featuring a table full of delicacies.
Mrs. Gu kept serving Su Huai dishes, watching her with a smiling face, "Three years ago, I selected a wife for Beixian throughout the city. When so many photos of girls were presented, I set my eyes on you at first glance. You had clear brows, bright eyes, and dangling pearls on your ears—clearly an auspicious sign for a husband. As expected, Beixian married you, and within two years, his leg recovered, and the company prospered."
Suddenly, Mrs. Gu covered her mouth, coughing violently.
Su Huai hurriedly patted her back.
After the coughing fit, Mrs. Gu grabbed her hand, "You're an excellent child, gentle, patient, and full of love and loyalty. In those two years when Beixian couldn't stand on his own, his temper was extremely bad. Many caregivers and servants couldn't endure and left, but you never abandoned him. If not for you accompanying him through the difficult times, he might have been disabled for life."
With tears in her eyes, Mrs. Gu spoke emotionally.
Su Huai quickly handed her a tissue to wipe her tears.
Gu Beixian tightened his grip on the chopsticks, his gaze deep, lost in thought.
Mrs. Gu glanced at him, gasping for breath, "Now I have only one wish left—to see you and Beixian live happily and have a chubby grandchild for me soon."
Su Huai felt awkward, glancing at Gu Beixian.
It seemed he hadn't told his grandmother about their impending divorce.
The old lady's voice weakened, "I'm getting old; perhaps one day, I'll pass away. If I can see your child born before that happens, I can die in peace."
Su Huai's eyes welled with tears, hastily saying, "Grandma, you'll live a long and healthy life."
"I know my own body. I'm already an eighty-year-old bag of bones," the old lady said, struggling to stand up with difficulty. "Feeling uncomfortable in the chest, I'll lie down for a while."
Su Huai helped her to the bedroom with great care.
Just before reaching the bedroom door, Mrs. Gu turned back and said to Gu Beixian, "Starting tonight, both of you will stay here. When Huai is pregnant, you can move back
Gu Beixian was about to speak when the elderly lady, stooping with each step, slowly shuffled into the bedroom.
Su Huo assisted her with utmost care, fearing that exerting too much force might cause her pain. After lying down on the bed, the elderly lady held Su Huo's hand and whispered, "I know about your decision to move back to your parents' home. Rest assured, with me here, the marriage will endure. Beixian is filial, and he listens to my words."
"But..."
"There's nothing to hesitate about. That Chu Suosuo can only share in joy, not in adversity. Such heartless and unjust individuals are unworthy of entering our Gu family's door."
Su Huo hesitated for a moment and said, "Grandmother, should I call a doctor to come and check on you?"
"No need. At this age, with a body full of ailments, a doctor's visit won't make a difference. Go and have your meal; help me close the door."
"Alright, please rest well."
After Su Huo left, the elderly lady sat up on the bed, appearing spirited and entirely different from her recent frailty.
Returning to the dining table, Su Huo was served a lamb leg by Grandpa Gu. "Xiao Su, eat while it's hot."
"Thank you, Grandpa."
Su Huo put on disposable gloves and slowly savored the meal.
Looking at Grandpa Gu, Gu Beixian inquired, "Grandpa, the last time I saw Grandma, she was quite robust. In such a short time, why has she become so weak?"
Grandpa Gu sighed heavily. "This is how it is when you get old. In one moment, full of vitality, and the next, resting in peace. You two must take care, don't upset her."
Gu Beixian, with a handsome face, looked grave.
After finishing the meal, the two returned to the guest room.
Once the door was closed, Su Huo asked, "What should we do? Are we really going to stay here indefinitely?"
Gu Beixian furrowed his brows and loosened his tie. "Grandma's health is fragile; she can't handle stress. Let's stay for a few days and then decide."
Su Huo turned to look at the bed behind her, "With only one bed, how will we sleep?"
Gu Beixian's lips slightly curved, "Close your eyes and sleep."
Su Huo was anxious, "I'm not joking. I'm serious."
Gu Beixian leisurely removed his wristwatch and tossed it onto the bedside table. "You go take a shower first, and I'll follow."
"Alright."
Su Huo went to the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth, then quickly took a shower.
After changing, she gave way for Gu Beixian to wash.
Lying on the bed, she couldn't sleep. With a pending divorce, why were they still sharing a bed? What was going on?
Suddenly, Gu Beixian's phone, placed on the bedside table, rang.
Su Huo didn't like to invade his privacy, so she let it ring.
After two rings, it stopped.
Not long after, her phone rang, displaying an unfamiliar number.
Answering it, a coquettish female voice came through, "Sister Su Huo, is Beixian with you?"
"May I ask who's calling?"
The woman paused for a second and said, "I'm one of his younger sisters."
Thinking it was one of Gu Beixian's cousins, Su Huo replied, "He's taking a shower; when he comes out, I'll have him call you back."
"Okay, thank you."
After washing up, Gu Beixian, wearing only a towel around his waist, with a towel in hand for drying his hair, walked out.
His tall and well-built physique exuded an extraordinary charm under the orange light.
Su Huo's heart raced, and her ears turned red, as if scorched by flames. She turned her head to avoid eye contact and softly said, "Your younger sister just called. Please return the call."
Gu Beixian nonchalantly responded with a low "Hmm" and went to the bedside table to check his phone.
Walking out again, when he returned, his handsome face was so gloomy it seemed capable of squeezing out water. He asked coldly, "Is this intentional on your part?"
Su Huo was taken aback, "What?"
"Suosuo attempted suicide. What did you say to her?"
A thunderous roar echoed in her mind!
After a few seconds, Su Huo regained her voice, "I didn't know she was Chu Suosuo. She claimed to be one of your younger sisters, and I thought she was one of your cousins, so I mentioned you were taking a shower."
Gu Beixian remained silent with a stern expression. Opening the cabinet, he took out his clothes and started dressing.
Once dressed, he took a step out.
Hearing the commotion, Grandpa Gu came out and asked, "In the middle of the night, where are you going?"
Gu Beixian said in a deep voice, "There's something I need to attend to."
"What is it?"
"Suosuo is hospitalized; I'm going to check on her."
Grandpa Gu raised his voice, addressing Su Huo in the guest room, "Xiao Su, go with him."
Grandpa Gu was decisive, and his word was law.
Su Huo couldn't defy him and responded, "Yes, Grandpa."
After getting dressed, she left with Gu Beixian.
As the car passed an intersection, Su Huo said, "Just find any hotel and drop me off."
Gu Beixian gripped the steering wheel, his gaze straight ahead. "Let's go together. You can explain to Suosuo."
Su Huo's chest tightened.
Though she had a calm and unassuming nature, she also had her limits.
It wasn't her fault to begin with, so why explain?
Sensing her discomfort, Gu Beixian freed up a hand, ruffling her hair, and said gently, "Suosuo has severe depression. Please, I'm asking you."
An hour later, the two arrived at Chu Suosuo's hospital room.
Fresh from having her stomach pumped, she lay on the hospital bed, incredibly pale, with disheveled hair. Under the blanket, her figure appeared thin and frail.
Upon seeing her face clearly, Su Huo was shocked!