Returning to the company, it was busy until evening.
Gu Beixian raised his hand, loosening his tie, and cast a cool gaze at his assistant, "Did you find what you were looking for?"
The assistant replied, "Mr. Gu, Shen Huai doesn't have a nickname. His family addresses him as Shen Huai or Xiao Huai."
Gu Beixian's eyes showed a faint waning coldness, as if he had expected this.
A Yao was the man deeply buried in Su Huo's heart. Before the divorce, she wouldn't easily become involved with him.
Despite her youth, she always conducted herself with discretion.
Gu Beixian pushed the chair back, stood up, buttoned his suit with a single hand, and said, "Replace me with someone else for the evening engagement with Mr. Huo. I have other matters to attend to."
"Understood, Mr. Gu," the assistant helped tidy up the files on his desk.
Leaving the Gu Corporation building, Gu Beixian drove to the antique street.
As the sun descended, the sky gradually darkened.
Seated in his car, he called Su Huo, "I'm outside your shop. Come out."
A slightly surprised voice came from her phone, "We're having dinner outside, a colleagues' gathering."
"Who's there?"
"All the colleagues from the store."
"Is Shen Huai there too?"
"Yes, he is the young master of our store."
Thinking of the two of them chatting and laughing together at noon, a trace of displeasure flickered in Gu Beixian's heart, but his voice remained unruffled, "Call me after dinner, I'll come to pick you up."
"Thank you." Her tone was restrained and distant, deliberately creating some distance between them.
Gu Beixian felt a bit uneasy listening to her. He tightened his grip on the phone.
Ending the call, he dialed Xiao Yi's number. "Come out, let's have a drink."
"My goodness, isn't it a bit early to drink?" Xiao Yi's voice carried a lazy and decadent tone, as if he hadn't gotten out of bed yet.
Gu Beixian's voice was crisp and deep, "Bring the official seal and the land contract. Be at Jinzhao Drunk within half an hour, or don't bother."
Xiao Yi cast away his drowsiness, "Okay, I'll be there in a moment, brother!"
Half an hour later, Jinzhao Drunk, Drunken Pavilion.
A room full of people, busy with signing contracts, handling procedures, and transferring funds.
After finishing their tasks, everyone left, leaving only Gu Beixian and Xiao Yi.
The fair and handsome young man lounged lazily, his arm casually resting on the back of the chair, as he gazed at Gu Beixian with a pair of attractive peach blossom eyes. "Feeling down?"
Gu Beixian sipped his wine, casually stating, "Not really."
The hand holding the wine glass was cold, pale, and elegantly long, almost unnaturally beautiful.
"Ah, here we are, drinking to drown sorrows, and you call it 'not really'? Others, when in a bad mood, go out to find women for pleasure, but you, my brother, make a grand land purchase. Next time you're feeling low, remember to find me. My old man still holds several pieces of land." Xiao Yi teased.
"Don't take me for a fool. I had planned to sign this contract anyway, just a week ahead of schedule." Gu Beixian put down the wine glass.
Xiao Yi picked up the white porcelain wine bottle, pouring more for him, "Heard that Chu Suosuo returned to the country. Are you getting close to her recently?"
Gu Beixian's eyelids lifted slightly, "If you have something to say, say it directly."
"Su Huo is a good girl. Don't let her down." Xiao Yi fixed his gaze on him, unusually serious.
Gu Beixian lightly tapped the tabletop, a faint smile on his lips, "Back then, when I wanted to marry her, who was it that thought she wasn't worthy, claiming she was after my wealth? Now, how has it changed?"
"Back then, I thought she was materialistic, willing to marry anyone for money. Later, I found out it wasn't true. She sincerely treated you well. Any other gold-digger would have grabbed the money and run after a short time, not sticking around to serve you for so long."
Gu Beixian's deep eyes seemed to agree, "She is quite exceptional."
"Why then..."
Gu Beixian lowered his gaze, staring at the crystal-clear white wine in the cup. His tone was light, "An outstanding young lady, three years ago, due to financial constraints at home, she was forced into a marriage with me. She won't say it, but deep down, she must feel wronged. I've burdened her for three years, and I don't want her to continue enduring this."
Xiao Yi was astonished, "Just for this, you want a divorce?"
"More or less."
Xiao Yi sighed, "Such a good girl, are you really willing to let go?"
"What else can I do?" Gu Beixian's face remained impassive, but a hint of dark shadow lurked in the depths of his eyes.
He couldn't keep her trapped by his side forever, witnessing her suffer through nightmares, calling for her Ah Yao brother in her dreams.
He couldn't bear to see her in pain.
Nor could he tolerate such humiliation; he was a man, a man who couldn't tolerate any offense.
Yet, if he were to let go, he found himself reluctant.
Quite a dilemma.
Gu Beixian held the wine glass to his lips, finishing the remaining liquor in one gulp.
The white liquor was pungent, a knife-like sensation slashing through his throat.
Stuck beneath his chest, it burned fiercely.
Suddenly, a knock echoed from outside the door.
Xiao Yi called out, "Come in."
The door opened, revealing a melon-seed face, delicate features, clad in a white bubble-sleeved princess blouse tucked into a tight skirt. She wore a complete set of Cartier jewelry, a Chanel coat hung over her arm, and carried a Hermès ostrich leather bag.
It was Chu Suosuo.
Upon seeing her, Gu Beixian's eyes cooled slightly, "Why are you here?"
Twisting her slender waist, Chu Suosuo gracefully walked behind him, her arm draping over the back of his chair. Leaning down, she lightly brushed her red lips against his ear, exhaling a fragrant breath, "I heard Brother Beixian was also dining here, so I came to say hello."
The warmth of her breath tickled Gu Beixian's ears, making them itch. He slightly leaned to the side, avoiding her. Seeing she had no intention of leaving, he spoke emotionlessly, "Have a seat."
"Thank you, Brother Beixian." Chu Suosuo pulled out a chair, hung her coat on the back, and the waiter promptly set the tableware for her.
Gu Beixian pushed the menu toward her, "Order whatever you'd like."
Glancing at the table full of dishes, Chu Suosuo pushed the menu aside, sweetly smiling, "No need to order, Brother Beixian. I love everything you love."
Xiao Yi raised his hand to wipe away goosebumps on his arm.
Chu Suosuo picked up a plate of Arctic sweet shrimp, placing it in front of herself. With big watery eyes, she looked at Gu Beixian, "Brother Beixian, I want to eat shrimp."
Xiao Yi sneered, "Can't you peel them yourself?"
Puffing her cheeks, Chu Suosuo complained with a touch of grievance, "I've never peeled shrimp myself since I was little. My parents always did it for me at home. When I used to dine out with Brother Beixian, he always helped me peel them."
She reached out, holding onto Gu Beixian's arm, coquettishly pleading, "Brother Beixian, I want to eat shrimp peeled by you. Will you peel them for me?"
Gu Beixian cast a faint glance at her, withdrew his arm, put on disposable gloves, and picked up a shrimp from the plate.
For some reason, a scene of Su Huo peeling shrimp for him flashed in his mind.
Her hands were very skillful, extracting the shrimp meat while keeping the shell intact.
He had tried several times but couldn't do it.
After peeling one, he held the shrimp meat and placed it in front of Chu Suosuo.
Suddenly, Chu Suosuo lowered her body, taking the shrimp from his hand with her mouth, intentionally enclosing his fingers.
Her tongue lightly circled around his fingertips, leaving a gentle kiss.
Her eyes looked moist, filled with affection and a desire to captivate.
Quickly releasing his finger, she smiled charmingly, her teeth gently biting the shrimp meat, and softly said, "The shrimp peeled by Brother Beixian tastes so delicious."
Gu Beixian's expression twitched slightly, an indescribable feeling within.
He removed the disposable gloves and tossed them aside.
Picking up a sterilized towel from the table, he wiped the finger that she had touched.
Xiao Yi's entire body was covered in goosebumps. He wanted to slap her; after all, he hadn't divorced yet, and she was behaving wantonly!
Flirting in front of him, treating him like air?
Xiao Yi grabbed his phone and quickly sent a text to Su Huo: Sister-in-law, your husband has had too much to drink. He's gone crazy and isn't in his right mind. Hurry up and come pick him up. We're at Jinzhao Drunk, third-floor Drunken Pavilion.
Su Huo was having dinner at Kyoto Grand Hotel with colleagues. Upon receiving the message, she called Xiao Yi to clarify a bit.
Because, in her memory, Gu Beixian had always handled his alcohol well and had never gone crazy from drinking.
The phone rang once and was immediately hung up by Xiao Yi.
Su Huo dialed Gu Beixian's number, just about to make the call.
Suddenly, another message from Xiao Yi popped up on her phone: Sister-in-law, come quickly! Hurry, hurry, hurry! Extremely urgent!
A thud echoed in Su Huo's heart.