Chu Suosuo's diminutive pallid countenance bore a striking resemblance to her own.
It's challenging to pinpoint exactly where the resemblance lies; it's a mere glance that reveals the similarity.
To distinguish, one must observe more attentively.
Upon closer scrutiny, Chu Suosuo possesses a delicate version, with gracefully arched eyebrows, a slightly furrowed brow, a petite nose, a cherry-like small mouth, and features imbued with a fragile, glass-like delicacy.
Su Huo, in contrast, exudes a bit more tranquility, indifference, and an inherent toughness.
It is only in this moment that Su Huo realizes she is a mere stand-in in Gu Beixian's heart.
She self-deprecatingly smiles, understanding now why, three years ago, he agreed to register after a single glance at her—this is the reason.
"Beixian, you've arrived," greeted Chu Suosuo's mother, Hua Qirou, forcing a cheerful smile.
When her gaze swept over Su Huo, however, it carried a hint of unfriendliness.
Gu Beixian nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
Hua Qirou walked to the bedside, gently patting Chu Suosuo's shoulder. "Suosuo, your brother Beixian is here to see you."
Chu Suosuo slowly opened her eyes, her gaze passing over Su Huo's face without much surprise, as if she had long known about their similar appearance.
Looking at Gu Beixian, tears welled up in her eyes as she softly said, "Brother Beixian, I didn't attempt suicide. I just couldn't sleep and took a few too many sleeping pills. My mom panicked and insisted on taking me to the hospital for gastric lavage. I apologize for inconveniencing you and Sister Su."
Hua Qirou, with red eyes, scolded, "Just a few pills? You took almost half a bottle! If I hadn't discovered it in time, you would have..."
She covered her mouth, sobbing.
Gu Beixian sat by the bedside, lowering his gaze to Chu Suosuo, his tone indulgent with a touch of reproach, "No more foolish acts like this in the future, understand?"
"Mmm." Chu Suosuo pouted, tears lingering in her eyes, portraying a meek and pitiable appearance.
Gu Beixian carefully wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, his movements gentle as if handling the most precious porcelain.
His eyes looked at her with a tender and compassionate gaze.
Su Huo stared at Gu Beixian in astonishment.
In three years of marriage, he had never been so tender towards her.
This, perhaps, is the difference between love and indifference.
Even though Chu Suosuo abandoned him during his most difficult times, he still loves her.
Perhaps for some men, other women's deep affection is useless, as long as that woman who torments him is present.
With a fishbone stuck in her throat, Su Huo couldn't bear it any longer. "You two can talk; I'm leaving."
At these words, Gu Beixian looked back at her, his expression extremely indifferent. "Explain to Suosuo before leaving."
Su Huo took a deep breath and said, "Miss Chu, Beixian and I came because we didn't want to upset Grandma."
Her throat choked up, and she couldn't continue. She turned and left.
This was her first act of defiance against Gu Beixian and her first time losing composure in front of him.
Once the door closed, Chu Suosuo said to Gu Beixian, "Brother Beixian, you should go after Sister Su; she seems upset."
Gu Beixian fell silent for a moment. "It's fine; she won't be upset."
"Her temper is surprisingly good then," Chu Suosuo sighed softly. "I didn't expect Sister Su to have such a pleasant temperament—gentle, poised, and not at all like someone from a small mountain village. I initially thought she wasn't suitable for you."
"No wonder," Gu Beixian responded.
The two suddenly fell silent.
After a while, Chu Suosuo tentatively asked, "Sister Su is beautiful and has such a good temperament; you must love her deeply, right?"
Gu Beixian, who was looking at his phone with a slightly absent-minded expression, raised his head at the sound and asked, "What did you say just now?"
A trace of disappointment flashed in Chu Suosuo's eyes. "Brother Beixian, you should go and accompany Sister Su. It's not safe for a girl to go out so late."
Gu Beixian stood up. "I'll take her back and then come to see you."
Chu Suosuo softly said, "Go quickly."
Gu Beixian got up and left.
Watching his retreating figure, Chu Suosuo's gaze dimmed.
Once he was at a distance, Hua Qirou chided, "Child, after making such an effort to draw him here, how could you let him leave?"
Chu Suosuo furrowed her brow, "Didn't you see that Brother Beixian's mind was unsettled? He's here, yet his concern is with that Su Huo. It's better to comply with his wishes. In case anything happens to that woman on the way, he will blame himself, and perhaps even cast blame on me."
Hua Qirou pursed her lips, "You, with your young age, have a mind more intricate than mine."
When Gu Beixian found Su Huo, she was already near the hospital gate.
Her slender and straight figure, in the chilly spring wind, appeared indistinctly, resembling an elegant brushstroke in an ink painting.
Gu Beixian caught up with her in a few brisk steps.
Neither of them spoke, walking shoulder to shoulder in silence, as profound as the dark night.
Upon reaching the gate, Su Huo turned, heading towards the roadside to wait for a taxi.
Gu Beixian grabbed her wrist, pulling her towards the parking lot.
They got into the car.
Gu Beixian opened his bag and took out a card, tucking it into Su Huo's coat pocket. "I was in a bad mood tonight. This is a little compensation, and the password is your birthday."
Su Huo felt somewhat humiliated.
In his eyes, she could be easily appeased with money; he couldn't be bothered to comfort her.
He only knew how to comfort Chu Suosuo.
As her hand reached into the pocket to take out the card, Gu Beixian held her hand, his tone stern and resistant to objections, "Keep it. Besides money, there's nothing else I can give you."
A sense of discomfort settled like sand in Su Huo's heart.
What she wanted was never his money.
Midway through their journey, Gu Beixian received a call from Granny Gu: "Have you ignored my words? Come back immediately."
"We're almost home." Gu Beixian calmly replied before hanging up.
Returning to the Gu family residence.
As soon as they entered, they saw Granny Gu slouched on the sofa, her face pale, but her eyes glaring at them.
She reached out, "Give me the phone."
Gu Beixian took out his phone and handed it to her.
Granny Gu found Chu Suosuo's number and dialed.
When connected, she sternly said, "Miss Chu, our Beixian is a married man. Please be mindful and refrain from calling him without reason! Since you parted ways three years ago, don't turn back, and don't harbor any infatuation for Beixian!"
Without waiting for Chu Suosuo's response, she hung up and threw the phone on the coffee table.
Gu Beixian frowned, "Suosuo has severe depression and can't handle stimulation."
Granny Gu sneered, "Whether she gets cancer or not has nothing to do with you. What you should care about the most is your wife beside you!"
Gu Beixian's eyes chilled slightly, "Grandmother, you..."
Granny Gu coughed violently, covering her mouth.
Su Huo hurriedly went over to help her.
Supporting Granny Gu to lie down on the bed and soothing her, Su Huo returned to the guest room.
Seeing Gu Beixian just finished the call and placing his phone on the bedside table.
He probably coaxed Chu Suosuo.
Silently, Su Huo went to the sofa, picked up a long pillow, and placed it in the middle of the bed as a barrier.
She then took a quilt from the wardrobe, setting up separate bedding for each.
Removing her coat, Su Huo lifted the quilt and lay down.
It was already 3 a.m., and she was extremely tired. Her mind was muddled, and she wanted nothing but sleep.
As soon as her head touched the pillow, she fell into a deep slumber.
Awakening when the sun was high.
Opening her eyes, Su Huo unexpectedly found a handsome, sculpted face looking at her.
They were so close that their breaths were audible.
His warm breath brushed over her forehead, his profound eyes restrained yet alluring.
She was nestled in his arms, hands tightly embracing his waist, and her slender legs entwined around his.
Ambiguous and intense longing filled the air, making it heat up.
As if electrified, Su Huo quickly released his waist, scrambling out from his embrace. Half annoyed and half reproachful, she said, "How did I end up in your arms?"