Gu Aoting, with a stern countenance, uttered, "Mercy does not command armies, and righteousness does not engage in commerce. I am a merchant, where the pursuit of profit takes precedence. A merchant who does not prioritize interests is not a qualified one. As for why I act this way, I thoroughly discussed it with Su Hui a few days ago, and she agreed wholeheartedly."
Recalling the humiliation suffered in the café that day, Su Hui felt a tingling sensation on her scalp. She had no desire to experience it again. Gently pushing away Gu Beixian's hand, she stood up and addressed Gu Aoting, "Father, no, uncle, I would like to have a private conversation with you."
Gu Aoting coldly glanced at her, "Follow me to the study."
Gu Beixian stood up, intending to accompany Su Hui.
She shook her head at him, "No need."
Gu Beixian squeezed her hand and said softly, "If you're unhappy, come out. There's no need to endure."
Su Hui responded with a nod.
With Gu Aoting leading, they entered the study. The old master was also present, writing large characters with a brush, depicting the word "tranquil" in a dragon-and-phoenix dance style.
Seeing Su Hui enter, the old master looked up, smiled kindly at her, and said, "Little Su, you've come."
Su Hui greeted respectfully, "Grandfather."
Gu Aoting pulled out a chair and gestured for her to sit.
Su Hui remained standing, her posture upright, politely and distantly addressing him, "Uncle, you've misunderstood. I didn't come today to complain to grandmother. I came to persuade her to agree to our divorce. Grandmother has always favored me, and as she is about to leave, I wanted to bid her farewell."
Gu Aoting's gaze, complex for a moment, spoke, "The assets under Beixian's name were notarized before marriage, and post-marriage assets have nothing to do with you. As for compensation, a few months ago, a billion suddenly appeared in your account. Was it from him?"
Su Hui nodded, "Yes."
Gu Aoting opened his briefcase, took out a stack of documents, and handed it to her, "This is the divorce agreement drafted by my people. Take a look, and if there are no objections, sign it."
Su Hui took it, quickly scanning the contents, finding it consistent with her thoughts. Flipping to the signature section, she picked up a pen from the desk and signed three copies.
Handing them to Gu Aoting, he carefully examined them. When satisfied, his stern face turned from anger to a smile, "Uncle likes straightforward and reasonable kids like you. Considering your care for Beixian for the past two years, if you encounter any difficulties in the future, give me a call, and I will help you."
Su Hui calmly replied, "No need. I work in cultural relic restoration, and your business is entirely different. Our industries are like distant mountains, and you cannot assist me."
Gu Aoting's face turned cold, his eyes filled with arrogance and disdain, as if saying, "You fail to recognize your own worth."
Su Hui, with a faint smile, met his gaze confidently.
The old master, unable to finish the last stroke of the character "tranquil," sighed and spoke kindly to Su Hui, "Little Su, even if you and Beixian divorce, you are still the grandchild of grandpa and grandma. Come back often in the future; this will always be your home."
The tension that had gripped Su Hui's heart instantly dissipated. Her eyes felt sour, and tears almost welled up. Throat tightening, she expressed, "Thank you, grandfather. I will definitely visit you and grandma frequently in the future."
The old master raised his hand to cover his eyes, reclining on the chair, and waved towards her, his voice hoarse, "You two go out. I want some time alone."
"Okay, grandfather." Su Hui looked at him deeply, pushed the door open, and walked out.
As the door closed, Gu Beixian stood up from the sofa.
Approaching her, he placed his left hand on Su Hui's shoulder, lowered his gaze to check her expression, and asked softly, "Are you okay?"
Su Hui shook her head, forced a smile, her big eyes glistening with moisture.
The old lady also rose from the sofa, gazing at Su Hui from a distance, wanting to smile but unable to.
Su Hui walked over, silently embraced her, and after a while, finally spoke, "Grandmother, your leg hurts. Remember to take calcium tablets on time every day. Don't stay in the air conditioning too much in the winter, and don't eat too much watermelon in the summer. Your stomach can't handle the cold."
The old lady, understanding everything instantly, couldn't control her tears streaming down. She hugged Su Hui tightly, "Child, our Gu family owes you an apology. Grandma doesn't want to part with you."
A painful feeling stabbed Su Hui's heart, and choking, she said, "Thank you for your care over the past three years, grandmother."
The old lady sobbed, "No, grandma should be grateful to you. If it weren't for you accompanying Beixian, who knows if he could have endured those two years."
Gu Aoting, standing aside, observed with a cold eye and couldn't help but interject, "Beixian sent someone to save her grandmother, bought them a house, and compensated Su Hui with a lot of money. We don't owe her anything."
The old lady raised her eyelids, glared at him, and said, "Money, money, money! All you know is money! You can follow the money in the future!"
Gu Aoting's face darkened like a stormy cloud.
"I have something to do; you can talk." He grumbled, leaving with his expensive briefcase.
The chef prepared dinner, and the maid served the food on the table.
Although the dishes were abundant, everyone at the table ate as if it were tasteless.
A heavy atmosphere enveloped them all.
After struggling through the meal, Gu Beixian and Su Hui bid farewell to their grandfather and grandmother.
Once in the car, Gu Beixian fastened Su Hui's seatbelt in silence, and the car was started without a word.
Throughout the journey, the two remained silent.
Upon reaching the residential area where Su's family lived, Gu Beixian parked the car and turned off the engine.
Su Hui unbuckled her seatbelt and said, "Drive home slowly."
Gu Beixian didn't respond, his handsome and noble face showing a cold expression, his thin lips slightly pursed, revealing no emotions.
"I'm going home." Su Hui said softly, reaching to push open the car door.
Suddenly, her wrist was grabbed by Gu Beixian.
He didn't look at her, his indifferent gaze fixed on the front of the car as he asked emotionlessly, "Have you truly made up your mind?"
"Yes, Uncle Gu's prepared divorce agreement has been signed by me. When you have time, sign it too. Bring your household registration and ID
on Monday, and we'll complete the procedures." Su Hui's tone was surprisingly calm, devoid of the usual sentiments of her age.
Only then did Gu Beixian turn his head, looking at her with an inexplicable meaning, "Finally liberated?"
His voice was light, his lips curved slightly, a smile that seemed cool and self-mocking.
"Yes." Su Hui sighed gently, "Finally liberated."
No longer would she endure Chu Suosuo.
No longer would she have to face Gu Aoting's disapproving gaze.
That feeling of being rejected and scorned, truly unbearable, like needles in her back.
Gu Beixian laughed silently, his hand lifting her injured left hand and placing it in his palm. He gently massaged her middle and ring fingers.
Su Hui didn't move, allowing him to massage.
After a long time, he spoke, "I was planning to help you with rehabilitation. You helped me with leg massages for a full two years before."
A pang struck Su Hui's heart, and the pain was unbearable. Despite that, she smiled and said, "You've given me so much money, something many people wouldn't earn in a lifetime, so you don't need to feel indebted to me, really."
Gu Beixian looked down at her, the smile gradually fading from his face.
He raised his hand to cup her head, foreheads touching, for a long while before murmuring softly, "I can't bear to part with you."