Su Hui's heart skipped a beat, unexpectedly, Gu Beixian figured it out so quickly.
Recalling Gu Aoting's advice not to let him know, fearing it would affect their father-son relationship.
She pretended to be nonchalant, saying, "You've mentioned divorce long ago. I've stated, I can't stand Chu Suosuo."
Gu Beixian's fingers traced her spine gently, "Lie, I've been consciously keeping my distance from her recently."
Su Hui's lips lifted, but her eyes held no joy, saying calmly, "You two grew up together, a match made in heaven. I'm just a maid you hired, and now that your leg is better, this maid should leave."
Her self-deprecating words made Gu Beixian's heart sink, and he hugged her tighter.
He was tall, upright, with chiseled features, exuding an air of sophistication.
This stern man, in a gentle tone, whispered above her, "I've never regarded you as a maid, truly. You are my legitimate wife, and I've always respected you."
A pang of bitterness pierced Su Hui's heart, yet she smiled and said, "You were the one who brought up divorce before, and now, you're delaying it. I can't fathom the minds of you men. What do you take me for? Ordering around and claiming to respect me, is that respect?"
Unaccustomed to such sharp words from her, Gu Beixian fell silent. After a pause, he apologized, "I was impulsive."
Su Hui remained silent.
Gu Beixian, suppressing his emotions, continued, "I suggested divorce because of you."
"Leave then, go." Su Hui hastily interrupted, fearing she might waver, "Swift pain is better than prolonged agony. Dragging it like this is like a blunt knife cutting through flesh, too tormenting."
Gu Beixian slowly released her, looked down at her pale face, and in a low voice, said, "Grandmother won't agree."
Avoiding his eyes, Su Hui suggested, "Let's visit her this weekend and try to persuade her."
Gu Beixian kissed her forehead, hugged her for a while, and then said very lightly, "Okay."
The word "okay" echoed in Su Hui's heart like a stone thrown into a lake, creating ripples.
She felt no relief, only a mix of emotions.
Pulling away from his embrace, she unbuttoned his suit to return it.
Gu Beixian stopped her, "Keep it on; there's air conditioning in the car."
Her hands hesitated on the buttons.
Gu Beixian tucked her wind-blown hair behind her ears, his deep gaze fixed on her, "Take care of yourself."
Touched, Su Hui said, "You too, keep your right hand dry, be cautious of infection in the wound. Smoke less, drink less, and eat on time."
Gu Beixian nodded, "Go back, it's windy."
Forced to smile, Su Hui said, "Okay."
Gu Beixian opened the car door and got in, disappearing from sight. Su Hui turned back, fingers playing with his buttons, smiling on her face but intense pain in her heart.
That profound sense of helplessness engulfed her again.
Since childhood, her grandfather had told her that with effort, success was certain. However, the vast gap in family background was something her efforts couldn't change.
Different circles, no need to force integration.
Back in the ward, Su Peilan was out.
Dr. Shen Huai was still there.
Perplexed, Su Hui looked at him and politely asked, "My grandmother's attending doctor is Dr. Qiu. How come it's you now?"
Dr. Shen inserted the pen into his lab coat pocket, smiling, "Dr. Qiu hasn't been feeling well these days, so I'm covering for a few shifts."
Su Hui nodded, "Earlier, my mom was joking. Please don't take it seriously."
Dr. Shen raised his lips as if to say something, but ultimately replied with a simple, "Alright."
Saturday evening.
Su Hui and Gu Beixian arrived at the Gu family's old house together.
As they entered, Grandma warmly welcomed them, saying, "Hui'er is here."
Su Hui obediently greeted, "Hello, Grandma."
"Good, good, sit down quickly." The old lady affectionately held her hand, led her to the sofa, and with an eye on her flat abdomen, asked mysteriously, "Dear, are you pregnant?"
Su Hui shook her head, smiled apologetically, and said, "Grandma, I'm getting a divorce from Beixian, I'm sorry."
Grandma was momentarily stunned, the smile freezing on her face, disappointment filling her eyes. "You promised last time to give me a chubby great-grandchild. It hasn't been long, why the change?"
Su Hui lowered her gaze, silent.
Though she initially thought not having a child was reasonable, seeing Grandma's disappointed look made her feel guilty.
Grandma was a reasonable person.
Seeing Su Hui's expression, she guessed a bit.
She patted Su Hui's head, narrowed her eyes, and glared at Gu Beixian, "Did you recently have some unclear dealings with that Chu Suosuo, annoying Hui'er?"
Gu Beixian raised his lips slightly, calmly saying, "Hui and I have been getting along well recently. My mother also likes Hui, not to mention Nanyin."
Implying: Guess for yourself.
Grandma frowned, pondered for a while, and said, "Could it be your father causing trouble again?"
Gu Beixian nodded.
The old lady got angry and called Gu Aoting, "Stinky boy, I have something to find you. I give you half an hour to come and see me!"
Gu Aoting was currently entertaining clients at a banquet, annoyed by Grandma's loud voice. Standing up, he walked outside, keeping the phone away from his ear, impatiently saying, "Mom, are you mistaken? I'm with clients and can't leave. I'm busy every day, not as leisurely as you."
"You have many subordinates, right? Assign the task to them; you must come over immediately!" Grandma scolded before hanging up.
Half an hour later, Gu Aoting returned promptly.
Upon entering and seeing Su Hui, his face darkened instantly, his expression unpleasant. The disdain and disgust in his eyes, especially in front of Su Hui, hurt her self-esteem immensely.
A person who had always had a strong sense of pride and a thin skin since childhood, she had never been so blatantly despised.
Gu Beixian sensed it, covered her palm with his, and with the other hand, gently caressed her face, pulling her into his embrace, avoiding Gu Aoting's sharp gaze.
Su Hui nestled in his arms, fingers instinctively gripping his shirt.
Grandma patted Su Hui's back lightly, stared at Gu Aoting with a stern expression, completely changing her previous affectionate demeanor, scolding, "What are you showing that gloomy face for? If it wasn't for Hui telling me, I guessed it myself. I knew you, this old man, can't stay calm. I have such
a good daughter-in-law, why are you causing trouble? When Beixian was in a wheelchair, you didn't force him to divorce. Now that Beixian is standing, you're driving away the girl. You heartless creature, are you still human?"
Gu Aoting, who had been in a high position for many years, had never been scolded so straightforwardly.
Especially in front of the younger generation, and particularly in front of Su Hui, he was scolded without any mercy.
His old face was immediately unable to be maintained.