Chu Suosuo shielded her face as she departed the restaurant with Chu Mo, her demeanor subdued and melancholic.
As they stepped outside,
she immediately began to complain, "Are you still my true brother? My countenance has been marred by Su Huai's hand, yet you stand idle. Why do you not aid me in seeking retribution, but instead tug me away?"
Chu Mo turned to glance at her face.
On her fair visage lay five crimson imprints of fingers.
His gaze darkened slightly as he inquired, "What words did you utter to her? For her to strike you with such force."
Chu Suosuo huffed indignantly, "I merely remarked on the convenient timing of her grandmother's demise, a ploy to avert her divorce. Is this deemed excessive?"
Originally, she intended to goad Su Huai into action with those words.
Fortunately, Gu Beixian was lenient towards her.
However, this time, it was Su Huai who struck first, and Gu Beixian did not side with her either.
Chu Suosuo's schemes fell through, leaving her somewhat vexed and frustrated.
Chu Mo tugged at the corner of his lips, a wry smile apparent, "No wonder she struck you. Were I in her place, I might have done the same. Rein in your provocations next time."
Chu Suosuo cast him a sidelong glance, "Sometimes, I genuinely doubt you're Su Huai's true kin, always favoring her."
"It was originally your fault. You and Gu Beixian had long parted ways, hence you should not harbor illusions about him anymore, let alone entertain the thought of marrying him."
Chu Suosuo snorted, "They were destined for divorce anyway. Besides, if Brother Beixian chose Su Huai due to her resemblance to me, it indicates his lingering affection for me."
Chu Mo halted in his tracks, carefully appraising her for a moment before remarking, "Perhaps others simply appreciate your appearance, not necessarily exclusively you."
Chu Suosuo rolled her eyes at him.
Chu Mo added, "Speaking frankly, that Su Huai is more attractive than you, with a superior temperament. She exudes elegance, refreshing and scholarly, a breath of fresh air."
He gestured towards her with the latest Parisian haute couture, "Look at you, from head to toe, emitting only a lack of refinement."
Chu Suosuo raised her fist to strike him, "Chu Mo, I shall sever our fraternal ties! How dare you claim that rustic is prettier than me! Are your eyes functioning properly?"
Chu Mo grasped her wrist, admonishing, "Cease this commotion."
The two got into the car.
Chu Mo started the engine and began to reverse.
Chu Suosuo fastened her seatbelt and said, "I expended some funds to consult with the nurse responsible for Su Huai's grandmother that day. The nurse revealed that although her grandmother's health was poor, she could have lived for another two to three months without issue. On the day of their divorce, the old lady discharged everyone from her hospital room and clandestinely turned off her life support apparatus. Look at them, these people of humble origins, so cunning. To prevent Su Huai and Brother Beixian from divorcing, the old lady resorted to staging her own demise."
Chu Mo fell silent for a moment. "Back then, Su Huai married Gu Beixian to finance her grandmother's treatment. Now, the old lady has sacrificed herself to fulfill Su Huai's desires. The bond between this grandmother and granddaughter is extraordinary."
However, Chu Suosuo did not share the same sentiment.
She exclaimed indignantly, "If it weren't for the old lady's manipulations, those two would have divorced long ago. As soon as Su Huai departs, Brother Beixian will inevitably reconcile with me. It's all that old lady's fault for ruining my prospects!"
"The deceased should be respected, so exhibit some decorum." Chu Mo stepped on the accelerator, accelerating.
Chu Suosuo turned to look at him, her gaze peculiar, "Brother, do you harbor affection for Su Huai?"
Chu Mo rebuked, "Nonsense, how could I possibly fancy her?"
Chu Suosuo pinched his earlobe, "If you don't fancy her, then why are your ears flushed?"
Chu Mo swatted away her hand, "My ears are flushed due to your pinching. Such jests are unwelcome, not at all amusing."
Chu Suosuo leaned her elbow on the car window, supporting her cheek with her hand, and gazed at him for a while before a plan formed in her mind.
She drew closer to him, coquettishly saying, "Brother, dear brother, how about sacrificing a bit of your dignity to entice Su
Huai?"
Chu Mo's expression darkened, "Cease your baseless chatter, or I shall ask you to alight the car!"
Meanwhile, in another vehicle.
Gu Beixian drove with Su Huai, proceeding along the Riverside Avenue.
Sensing something amiss, Su Huai inquired, "This isn't the route home, is it?"
"No, I'm taking you somewhere."
"Where to?"
"You'll see when we arrive."
An hour later, Gu Beixian parked the car by the riverside.
The wind by the river was brisk, the water surged, and dense forests surrounded them.
It was eerily desolate, devoid of any soul in sight.
Su Huai gazed through the car window at the roaring and tumultuous river outside, perplexedly asking, "Why have we come here?"
"Step out of the car," Gu Beixian pushed open the door and stepped out.
Su Huai followed suit.
Gu Beixian handed her the car keys. "Help me fetch something from the trunk."
Perplexed, Su Huai accepted the car keys and walked to the rear of the vehicle.
Upon opening the trunk, she was pleasantly surprised, her eyes filled with wonder.
The trunk was filled to the brim with red roses.
Legendary roses imported from Holland.
With petals as large as bowls, velvety texture, alluringly red, exuding both vintage charm and elegance.
So beautiful.
Gu Beixian leaned casually against the car, one hand in his pocket, his handsome and noble figure lazily propped against the vehicle. With a slight downward gaze, he looked at the stunned Su Huai and calmly asked, "Do you like them?"
"Of course I do!"
Su Huai smiled from her eyes to her brows, gently caressing the rose petals with her fingertips, which were covered in fine fuzz, giving her a tingling sensation.
Her heart felt as if a gentle breeze had passed through, tickling her with joy.
This was the first time Gu Beixian had given her flowers.
Gu Beixian remarked casually, "I wasn't sure what flowers you liked, but the florist said red roses symbolize sincere love, so I chose them."
"Sincere love," just five words, more heart-stirring than the roses overflowing from the trunk.
Su Huai's heart surged, lifting her head, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him, brimming with affection.
Gu Beixian was ignited by her watery eyes.
Taking a step forward, he grasped her wrist, pulling her into his embrace, then turned her face towards him and began to kiss her, his hand sliding into her clothing.
Su Huai held his hand back. "Not here."
She had never been intimate with him outdoors before.
Gu Beixian bent down and lifted her up, as if carrying a child, and brought her to the front of the car.
Su Huai hooked her arms around his neck and smiled, "What are you doing?"
"Do."
Su Huai's smile froze.
Thinking about what he was going to do next, her ears turned slightly red.
Gu Beixian held her with one hand, opened the car door, and placed her inside.
Leaning over, he kissed along her earlobes.
Su Huai resisted slightly.
He held her shoulders, preventing her from moving, and began to kiss her lips.
As they exchanged breaths, Su Huai gasped softly, "Why don't we go home? Why here?"
Gu Beixian kissed her neck absentmindedly, "I heard that doing it outdoors increases the chance of conceiving a son."
Su Huai laughed and sighed, "I didn't expect you to be so biased towards having a son. What if I give birth to a daughter?"
"It's not about me, I don't mind. As long as it's yours, I'll love it. It's mainly because Grandpa and Grandma want a grandson. If you have a son in one go, you won't have to go through it again. If you have a daughter, you'll have to suffer again."
Su Huai chuckled, "You're surprisingly considerate."
"It's just one, if I don't take care of you, who will?" His breath brushed against her neck, hot and humid.
Su Huai couldn't help but feel itchy inside.
This man, always cold and reserved, exuding an aura of aloofness that kept people at bay, even acquaintances at a distance.
In their three years of marriage, they had always been courteous to each other, speaking little, let alone sweet words.
Suddenly, as if enlightened, sweet words flowed out like a spring, tickling and tingling.
Su Huai was quite unaccustomed to it.
Her clothes were lifted by him, and her skin touched the cool leather seats.
A strange excitement surged within her.
Su Huai abandoned her reserve, wrapping her arms around Gu Beixian's waist, her soft lips kissing him back, softly saying, "How are you so skilled? You seem like an old hand."
What she wanted to ask was actually, "Did you do this with Chu Suosuo too?"
Gu Beixian guessed her thoughts.
As a punishment, he lightly bit her shoulder.
He whispered softly, "I haven't reached that point with her. You're my first woman, remember to be responsible to me."
Such words were usually spoken by women to men.
Coming from a man's mouth, they seemed particularly teasing, with a hint of humor.
Su Huai chuckled, promising, "Alright, as long as you don't leave, I won't abandon you."