The two arrived at the parking lot and got into the car.
Su Miao fastened her seatbelt and curiously asked, "How did you come to the museum?"
Gu Beixian started the car and casually replied, "I went abroad for business and took the opportunity to collect a batch of cultural relics, planning to donate them to the museum upon my return."
Su Miao solemnly expressed her respect, "On behalf of the country and the people, I thank you."
Gu Beixian glanced at her indifferently, "It's only been a few days, and you're already talking to me so officially? Don't think of me as so great. Donating cultural relics can enhance the company's visibility and provide tax benefits."
Su Miao paused, gazing at his handsome and profound profile, and smiled, "You are becoming more like a qualified businessman."
Gu Beixian curled his lips, "Mocking me for the smell of copper?"
Su Miao chuckled, "Wouldn't dare."
"Where do you want to eat?"
"Anywhere."
Gu Beixian drove her to an independent building by the river.
On the antique plaque were carved two majestic characters: Tang Palace.
The exterior resembled a small palace, grand and luxurious.
Luxury cars were parked at the entrance, with covered license plates.
Getting out of the car, Gu Beixian handed the car keys to the parking attendant.
Su Miao followed him inside; the club operated on a membership basis, ensuring privacy.
Gu Beixian seemed to be a regular, as the manager warmly welcomed them upon entering the lobby. After exchanging greetings, he courteously led them inside.
Faint sounds of stringed instruments could be heard in the corridor, reminiscent of the melody of "Singing Behind the Hua Pavilion."
Occasionally, maids dressed in Tang costumes strolled by, resembling a dream of the Tang Dynasty.
They reached a private room at the end of the corridor.
Upon entering and taking their seats, the manager exchanged pleasantries and left.
Gu Beixian handed the menu to Su Miao, "Order whatever you like."
Su Miao took the menu and chose only a dish she liked, selecting others according to Gu Beixian's preferences.
After three years of marriage, she knew everything about him, and forgetting was impossible.
Once Su Miao finished ordering, Gu Beixian moved the menu to his side. He signaled the waiter to remove the dishes he liked and replaced them all with Su Miao's favorites.
The waiter, bewildered, couldn't comprehend this subtle expression of love.
When the dishes arrived, Gu Beixian used public chopsticks to pick up food for Su Miao, saying, "Eat more."
Su Miao also served him a dish, looking at his slightly thin face, "Busy with the week abroad? You seem to have lost weight."
Gu Beixian picked up a piece of fish and placed it on her plate, "Not bad, the food abroad doesn't compare to your cooking."
Su Miao smiled knowingly, aware that he was teasing her.
Wherever he went, he stayed in the best hotels and naturally had the finest cuisine.
World-renowned chefs' dishes couldn't surpass her home-cooked meals.
When the meal was almost over, Gu Beixian went out to take a business call.
Su Miao excused herself to the restroom.
The decor was unique, even the restroom exuded an ancient charm, exceptionally elegant.
Exiting the restroom, Su Miao walked back along the corridor.
Just as she was about to turn, a force suddenly grabbed her clothes, pulling her into a nearby small garden.
Startled, Su Miao turned to look.
The person grabbing her was Chu Suo Suo.
Being confronted consecutively, Su Miao, even with her good temper, started to feel impatient. Frowning, she asked, "What do you want?"
Chu Suo Suo remained silent, pulling her behind a tall and dense Ficus tree. She glared at Su Miao, filled with hostility, and said angrily, "You had me beaten just for slapping you once. You wicked woman!"
Su Miao adjusted her disheveled clothes calmly, coldly looking at her, "I didn't know about that incident. Maybe Miss Chu is usually too arrogant, offending too many people."
"Nonsense! I just returned to the country not long ago, and besides you, I haven't offended anyone!"
Su Miao, indifferent, "Believe what you want. Show evidence if you have any."
Unfortunately, Chu Suo Suo couldn't provide any evidence, but she couldn't swallow her anger. Turning purple, she retorted, "What are you doing here?"
Su Miao calmly stated, "Naturally, to have a meal at the restaurant. What else?"
Chu Suo Suo bit her lip, "Is it with Bei Xian ge?"
"Yes."
Chu Suo Suo's expression changed, taking on a sinister look. Mockingly, she said, "The divorce agreement is signed, about to divorce, yet still enjoying free meals with Bei Xian ge. Shameless!"
These words were too harsh.
They hadn't divorced yet, as long as they were still legally married, having a meal together was their right, and Su Miao had the right to speak freely.
Su Miao, standing upright, calmly said, "Miss Chu, it's not that I look down on you. If we were on equal terms, competing fairly, you wouldn't be able to beat me because you lack composure."
Chu Suo Suo sneered, "So what if you're composed? Without a good father, everything is in vain. I am better at being born lucky. I won over you the moment I was born!"
Su Miao chuckled, "I used to envy you, but now I realize how pitiful you are. Besides having a good father, you have no merits."
Such words were a great insult to someone who considered herself the pride of heaven.
Choking on her suppressed anger, Chu Suo Suo suddenly kicked towards Su Miao's leg.
Su Miao quickly dodged, hearing hurried footsteps.
In an instant, everything turned dark as a tall figure pulled her into his arms.
Chu Suo Suo's kick missed, and she stared in astonishment at the man who appeared out of nowhere.
Su Miao, smelling the familiar masculine fragrance, looked up and saw Gu Beixian.
She silently sighed in relief, covering her pounding chest, and asked with a smile, "Why are you here?"
Gu Beixian's expression remained unchanged, his eyes cold. He coldly looked at Chu Suo Suo and said to Su Miao, "After the call, I didn't see you when I returned. I asked the waiter and found you."
Su Miao shook her head.
Chu Suo Suo, quick to react, immediately restrained her earlier unruly behavior. Standing there obediently, she said with lowered eyebrows and a pleasing tone, "Ge, I didn't mean to kick Sister Su Miao. I just felt uncomfortable in my shoes, so I raised my foot to check the heels. You misunderstood me."
Gu Beixian's lips curled into a faint smile, "I'm not blind."
Chu Suo Suo was slightly startled, pursing her lips, and attempting to cry, "Ge, don't misunderstand me."
"Lock
, Lock, where did you go?" A slightly older male voice suddenly came from not far away.
Chu Suo Suo's eyes brightened, raising her head and responding, "Dad, I'm in the small garden here."
Footsteps approached.
Soon, a man in his sixties walked over, with white temples, thick eyebrows, and a well-built figure. He wore a well-tailored dark gray suit and a luxurious watch on his wrist, exuding a profound and refined temperament.
He was Chu Suo Suo's father, Chu Yanru.
Chu Yanru glanced at Su Miao, smiled, and greeted Gu Beixian, "Beixian, are you here too?"
Gu Beixian gave a nonchalant acknowledgment, his lips slightly raised, but his eyes showed no hint of warmth. Distantly, he said, "Uncle Chu, please control your daughter's words and actions. If this continues, you'll spoil her."
The title "Uncle Chu" sounded quite distant.
Chu Suo Suo's eyes welled up with tears, and she ran away crying.
She touched her face, tearfully saying, "Bei Xian ge, you're biased. Clearly, Sister Su Miao bullied me first. She had someone beat my face into a pig's head, and it took a whole week for the swelling to subside. It was so painful."
Gu Beixian placed his fingers lightly on Su Miao's shoulder, calmly stating, "Su Miao was unaware of that incident. Don't provoke her in the future, and you won't have any trouble."
Chu Suo Suo still wanted to say something.
Gu Beixian, losing patience, looked down at Su Miao, gently holding her hand in his palm. Ignoring Chu Yanru, he calmly said, "I'll take you back to the museum."
Su Miao nodded.
Gu Beixian took a step forward.
Su Miao, however, didn't move because Chu Yanru was staring at her with a strange look.
The gaze was sinister, complex, containing disdain, contempt, disgust, resentment, and hostility. It made her extremely uncomfortable, feeling like she was being roasted on fire or fried in hot oil.
It was hard to imagine such an unpleasant look coming from this refined and elegant old man.
They say eyes can kill, and today Su Miao truly experienced it.
She wanted to leave this place immediately, but her legs seemed to be rusted, unable to take a step.
Gu Beixian walked a few steps outside, noticed Su Miao still standing motionless, and his expression stiffened. He returned and, catching a glimpse of the gaze that Chu Yanru failed to conceal, his eyes turned cold. In a cold and indifferent tone, he said, "This woman, has accompanied me through difficulties. If anyone dares to harm her, they will have to deal with me."
His words were nonchalant, without any intensity on his face, but it gave an invisible sense of oppression.
Like a warning and a threat.
Chu Yanru's face darkened instantly.
The title "Uncle Chu" was too estranged.
Chu Suo Suo's eyes filled with tears, and she ran away crying.