The slender and tall figure thudded onto the cement ground, resembling a tattered sack, convulsing a few times before stilling. With a kick of the feet, the eyes closed, and a dark red stream of blood slowly trickled from beneath his head.
The dogs in the yard barked incessantly.
Taking advantage of the chaos, the bald man attempted to escape, but the police rushed in, subdued him, seized the painting, and handcuffed him.
Su Huo's hands still clung to the window frame as she stared blankly at Gu Beixian, who had fired the shot.
Married to him for three years, she had no idea he could wield a gun, let alone with such precision.
In that critical moment, the speed, angle, and accuracy of the shot were all potentially fatal to her.
Gu Beixian tossed aside the gun, took a long stride, and walked towards her, lifting her down from the windowsill.
With great care, he tended to the wound on her neck.
He embraced her tightly, his fingers gently rubbing her pale face, and he tenderly asked, "Frightened, aren't you?"
Su Huo murmured a faint "Yes."
Just moments ago, she thought she was done for, but unexpectedly, she had survived.
Her heart pounded wildly, ears ringing. Even with a silenced gun, the shot was still loud.
The entire process felt like a suspenseful movie, leaving her drenched in cold sweat.
The ancient painting was carefully secured by the police, placed in a protective bag, and then stored in a safe.
Su Huo mechanically cooperated with the police in recording the events and got into Gu Beixian's car.
Even now, her legs were shaky, and her head was in a daze.
The night was pitch-black, and the narrow village road stretched ahead.
The driver started the car, heading towards the city.
Su Huo was cradled in Gu Beixian's arms.
He repeatedly caressed her thin back, comforting her, "It's over, it's over, don't be afraid."
His embrace was warm, and Su Huo instinctively nestled closer to him. Her heart felt a mixture of sourness and sweetness.
He still had some spousal concern for her.
Feeling her response, Gu Beixian held her even tighter, his gentle voice reaching her ears, slightly reproachful, "Why didn't you call me when things went wrong? My mother is a bit oblivious. She just noticed something was wrong yesterday and called to inform me."
His throat felt dry, burying his jaw in her hair, he grabbed her clothes and whispered, "What if something happened to you?"
Su Huo was slightly stunned.
In this moment, she felt that he cared for her more than she had imagined.
She lifted her arm, embracing his waist and burying her face in his neck.
He exuded a reassuring fragrance, and that scent brought her peace.
A warm current surged in her heart, and her eyes gradually turned red.
Midway through the journey, Gu Beixian's phone rang.
He glanced at it and hung up.
Su Huo instinctively knew it was a call from Chu Suosuo.
Shortly after, the assistant sitting in the front passenger seat received a call.
After answering, he said a few words and handed the phone to Gu Beixian, saying, "Mr. Gu, it's Miss Chu's call."
Gu Beixian took the phone and asked, "Is something wrong?"
Chu Suosuo's delicate voice, tinged with anxiety, came through, "Brother Beixian, have you found Sister Suo?"
"Found her."
"She must be so frightened. Please accompany her well. Don't come to the hospital these days."
Gu Beixian gave a faint "Hmm."
Close enough for Su Huo to hear clearly, the warm-hearted gesture of her husband, while comforting, was also a form of humiliation. Not having divorced, he was still her husband. Yet, she had to rely on a third party's generosity. What a humiliating situation.
She gently pushed away from Gu Beixian's arms, moved to the seat, and turned her head to look out the window. She smiled at her reflection, a smile as cold as her lips.
The moments of bliss just now were all illusions.
Yes, all of it was her illusion.
The car entered the city.
Su Huo said to Gu Beixian, "Take me to my mother's house, and help me come up with an excuse for my grandmother."
Gu Beixian remained silent for a moment and then agreed, "Alright."
Back home.
Upon entering, Su Peilan embraced Su Huo, crying and asking, "My daughter, are you alright?"
"I'm fine."
"As long as you're fine. I was so scared. It's all because I'm careless. I didn't realize what you meant about the diabetes medication until a day later. Thanks to Beixian for finding you. If not for him, who knows what would have happened? You're my only child. If something happened to you, how could I live?" Normally energetic, the woman cried profusely.
Su Huo reached up to wipe her tears, softly soothing, "Don't cry, Mom. I came back fine, didn't I?"
A week later, at night.
Gu Beixian had drunk too much at a business banquet.
The driver helped him back home and settled him on the sofa.
As he got up to fetch a towel, he heard Gu Beixian, with closed eyes, mumble, "Suo Huo, Suo Huo, pour me a glass of water."
The chauffeur hesitated for two seconds, then took out his phone to call Su Huo, saying, "Madam Su, Mr. Gu has consumed excessive alcohol and has been calling your name continuously."
Su Huo pursed her lips in silence.
Su Peilan, overhearing, commented, "Go take care of him. Without legal divorce proceedings, you two are still husband and wife. Don't escalate the situation."
Su Huo responded with a faint "Yes" and told the chauffeur, "I will come over immediately."
"Thank you, Madam." The chauffeur hung up.
He poured a glass of water and fed it to Gu Beixian.
Just as he was halfway through, the doorbell suddenly rang.
The chauffeur placed the glass on the coffee table and got up to answer the door.
Standing outside in white attire was Chu Suosuo, holding a fruit basket.
The chauffeur apologized, "Miss Chu, Mr. Gu has had too much to drink. I'm afraid we can't entertain you properly."
Chu Suosuo smiled, "That's alright. I came to take care of him."
She walked in, placed the fruit basket on the shoe cabinet, and told the chauffeur, "You can go back; leave Mr. Gu to me."
The chauffeur looked hesitant, "I just called Madam, and she'll be here soon."
Chu Suosuo smiled faintly, "It's okay. I know Su Huo well; she has a good temper and won't mind."
After a moment of hesitation, the chauffeur agreed, "Alright then."
He took the car keys and left.
Circling the entrance, Chu Suosuo walked to the sofa, sat down, picked up the teacup, and fed Gu Beixian water.
As she smelled a familiar perfume, Gu Beixian slowly opened his eyes.
Seeing Chu Suosuo, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. He sat up, supporting himself on the sofa, and asked, "Why are you here?"
Chu Suosuo fluttered her eyelashes and smiled coquettishly, "I missed you too much, so I couldn't help but come. You won't blame me, will you, Brother Beixian?"
Gu Beixian's brow furrowed slightly, "I've had too much to drink; I couldn't notify you. Please go back."
Chu Suosuo seemed taken aback; her eyes turned red as she said with grievance, "Brother Beixian, you still haven't truly forgiven me. I've said it before; that breakup message three years ago was sent by my mom using my phone. She sent me abroad, had people watching me twenty-four hours, and didn't let me contact you. Do you know how painful these three years have been for me? I've been longing for you every day, going crazy, unable to see you, and I've been tormented into severe depression..."
She cried with her face covered.
"I have forgiven you, truly." Gu Beixian's eyes showed impatience, but his voice remained gentle, "Stop crying."
Chu Suosuo looked at him tearfully, pitifully, with a hint of resentment, "Then why did you drive me away?"
"I haven't divorced yet. It's late at night, and it's inappropriate for you to be here." He pinched his leg hard, trying to use pain to regain clarity.
Chu Suosuo caught this detail and slowly leaned towards him. Her soft arms reached out to his shoulders, and with a gaze that was both admiring and tender, she said softly, "I don't mind."
Gu Beixian turned away, avoiding her, "I do mind."
A tinge of disappointment flashed in Chu Suosuo's eyes. She gradually withdrew her outstretched hand after a while.
The two fell into a sudden silence.
The oppressive silence filled the entire room.
Unable to bear the silence, Chu Suosuo looked around, and her gaze landed on a painting on the wall. Finding no words, she commented, "Is this an authentic ink bamboo painting by Zheng Banqiao?"
"No, it's a copy by Su Huo."
"Really? She painted it so well; I thought it was an original." Chu Suosuo said wistfully, "I didn't expect Su Huo to be so talented."
Gu Beixian's dark eyes softened, "Indeed, she's very talented."
"Brother Beixian is even more outstanding. In my eyes, you will always be the most outstanding man." Chu Suosuo's eyes sparkled with admiration as she stared at him, her adoration evident.
Gu Beixian's thick lashes drooped slightly, a thin layer of frost covering the depths of his eyes.
In Su Huo's heart, the most outstanding man would undoubtedly be her brother Yao.
Suddenly, Chu Suosuo heard extremely light footsteps outside the door and remembered what the chauffeur had told her: Su Huo would be arriving soon.
Her eyes narrowed, and a plan formed in her mind.
She stood up and went to hold Gu Beixian's arm, her voice charmingly provocative, "Brother Beixian, let me help you take a bath. After the bath, when you fall asleep, I'll leave."
"No need." Gu Beixian raised his hand to push her away.
"It's okay; I'm not an outsider."
"Really no need; you can leave!" His tone started to sound impatient.
Hearing the sound of the door unlocking, Chu Suosuo made a determined move. With a feigned cry, she pretended to fall and landed on him, both hands naturally encircling his waist, and her mouth approached his.
Gu Beixian gripped her neck, trying to move her head away.
Unfortunately, Chu Suosuo clung to him like a snake, and in his drunken state, his muscles lacked strength, making it difficult for him to push her away.
As soon as Su Huo entered the room, she saw Chu Suosuo and Gu Beixian intimately entwined, kissing!
The hands that had once tenderly caressed her waist were now intimately holding Chu Suosuo's neck!
Su Huo felt like she had been struck by lightning, and her body went cold!