A week later.
Su Han was in the midst of restoring a room, putting the finishing touches on an ancient painting in her hands.
Shen Yuan arrived at the Antique Pavilion, seeking her for an important matter.
However, since she couldn't be disturbed during her work, Shen Yuan sat quietly on the ground floor, sipping tea, waiting for her to come down.
Su Han was busy until noon when she descended the stairs.
Shen Yuan approached her with a beaming smile, "Sister Han, on behalf of our archaeological team, I would like to ask for your assistance."
Su Han raised an eyebrow slightly, "Archaeology? When did you switch fields?"
"It's not exactly a switch, we're all part of the same system. I used to work at the museum, arranged by my mother. But archaeology is my true passion. I studied tomb structures and traps abroad."
Su Han chuckled lightly, "Which tomb is it?"
"Longyao Village. A noble's tomb was discovered there, undergoing urgent excavation. Inside are many precious murals and silk paintings in need of restoration. I recommended you to our leaders."
Su Han pondered for a moment before asking, "Isn't Longyao Village quite far from the capital?"
"It's a bit far, in the northwest region."
Su Han paused, "Can't you send the paintings here for restoration?"
"Sister Han, to be frank, we value your exceptional memory. Once the tomb is opened, the silk paintings will rapidly oxidize and fade upon exposure to oxygen, but you can memorize them quickly. Your brain is more efficient than a camera."
Su Han inquired, "Have you informed your brother about this?"
"Don't worry, I've already talked to him." Shen Yuan grasped her hand earnestly, "Sister Han, we need you, the country needs you."
With such lofty reasons, what else could Su Han say?
From childhood to adulthood, she had restored countless ancient paintings and books, some passed down through generations, others unearthed from ancient tombs.
Yet she had never descended into a real tomb.
There was a bit of curiosity, so she agreed.
That evening.
Su Han packed her belongings in the bedroom.
She carefully packed various cosmetic samples into her makeup bag, along with a few changes of clothes.
This time, she would be away for at least ten days to half a month.
When Gu Beixian returned from the company, he saw Su Han packing clothes into her suitcase one by one, his expression cooling instantly.
He smirked slightly, suppressing his emotions, "Su Han, if there's something on your mind, speak up. Don't just leave without a word, playing the runaway game."
Su Han chuckled.
Every time he did this, she felt like he cared a lot about her.
Whether it was an illusion or not, being cared for like this felt quite blissful.
Su Han stood up, walked over to him, and hugged his waist with both hands, fluttering her eyelashes, "Are you afraid of me running away from home like this?"
Gu Beixian pinched the soft flesh around her waist, "What do you think?"
Su Han was tickled by his pinch and dodged away, saying, "I'm not running away from home. I'm going to Longyao Village tomorrow. A noble's tomb from the Warring States period has been excavated there, and some murals and silk paintings need restoration."
Gu Beixian's gaze darkened slightly, "Your shop's business has expanded so much? When did this happen?"
"It's not our shop, it's the archaeological team. Shen Yuan recommended me to them."
Gu Beixian's expression turned even colder, "Stay away from that infatuated fool in the future, she only causes trouble for you."
"Don't say that about her. She's your little fangirl. Grandfather taught me so much, it's only right to make a contribution to future generations. Those murals and silk paintings are cultural treasures left by our ancestors. If they're not restored, future generations will never see them."
"There are so many restoration experts in museums, why would they choose you?" Gu Beixian's tone carried a hint of displeasure.
He really couldn't bear to see her suffer in such a remote place.
Su Han smiled, "I have a quick memory, work fast, and I'm young. The old experts will also be rotated out eventually, they're in their fifties and sixties, still full of energy. I'm so young, and if I keep refusing, it wouldn't be right."
Gu Beixian didn't say anything more, released her, walked to the wall, leaned against it, hands in his pockets, and asked emotionlessly, "How long will you be gone?"
"About half a month."
"No, that's too long, at most three days."
Su Han looked at him with some helplessness, "Mr. Gu, I noticed you've been quite clingy lately."
Gu Beixian raised his wrist to check the time, "Is Longyao Village a mountain village? The environment must be terrible, not to mention it's an ancient tomb. You, a delicate young lady, going into a tomb with a bunch of wild men, what's the point?"
"Shen Yuan will be with me. Although the archaeologists work outdoors, they're not a bunch of wild men."
Gu Beixian sighed and said, "I'll accompany you."
Su Han furrowed her brows, somewhat puzzled.
They had been married for three years, always maintaining a respectful relationship.
But this recent episode of divorce seemed to have improved their relationship significantly.
Their sticky-sweet affection resembled that of newlyweds.
After some thought, Su Han said, "I'm going for work, a day or two won't be enough, it'll take at least ten days to half a month. You're usually so busy with work, don't waste your time."
Gu Beixian pondered for a moment, "Then I'll assign a few more bodyguards to protect you, is four enough?"
Su Han found it a bit exaggerated.
Going to restore a mural with four suit-and-tie bodyguards in tow.
Just thinking about the scene gave her a headache.
"Bring one, I'm going for archaeology, not warfare. Others don't bring bodyguards, and if I do, it'll be too ostentatious and have a negative impact."
"We should have at least two, taking turns to protect you." Gu Beixian's tone brooked no opposition.
Su Han compromised, "Alright, two it is."
Gu Beixian picked up his phone and went outside to make arrangements.
Su Han shook her head gently, thinking to herself: This man is simply... but despite that, she couldn't help feeling sweet inside.
When Gu Beixian finished the call and returned to the room, he went straight to the study.
He didn't come back to the bedroom until it was almost bedtime.
With a cold and expressionless face, he pulled back the covers and got into bed.
Leaving Su Han with a chilly back.
Su Han was a bit puzzled for a moment.
What's wrong with this man?
He was perfectly fine earlier.
Su Han scooted closer to him, rubbing her face gently against his back, asking, "What's wrong?"
Gu Beixian didn't respond.
He felt that in her eyes, he
wasn't as important as an ancient painting.
To go restore a few paintings, she wanted to be apart for half a month, what was she thinking?
Of course, he couldn't say such things.
It would be too embarrassing and make him seem petty.
Su Han waited for a while, seeing no reaction from him.
She lifted the corner of the covers, turned over from his side, and lay facing him, propping her chin on her hand, gazing into his eyes gently, "Why are you upset?"
Gu Beixian stared at her for a long time, leaned in, kissed her forehead, nose, then lifted her face, kissing the corners of her lips, his hands slipping into her clothes...
Su Han was stirred by his actions, her heart pounding like a drum.
She found it amusing in her heart, she could just say it directly, it's not like she would refuse.
Why go around in circles like this?
A grown man, why was he so awkward?
After quite a bit of commotion, Gu Beixian finally relented.
Su Han was left feeling weak and limp from his attentions, her legs like willow branches.
She lay on her side, breathing softly, looking at Gu Beixian's handsome face, thinking to herself: This man, once he starts, he's truly something.
He's exhausted half a month's worth of energy in one go.
The next day, early in the morning.
Gu Beixian personally drove Su Han to the airport.
As they approached the security checkpoint, he helped straighten her collar, instructing, "Don't get too close to the wild men in the archaeological team. Men are all up to no good, being nice to you just to take advantage. Don't accept anything or drink from strangers. Call me immediately if anything happens, got it?"
Su Han felt a bit helpless but also touched, looking at him appreciatively, "Got it."
"Mm."
"Goodbye." Su Han waved to him and walked towards the entrance with her suitcase.
After a few steps, she heard Gu Beixian's voice from behind, "Su Han, did you forget something?"
Su Han stopped and looked down. Her phone and suitcase were with her. She turned back, saying, "No, I have everything I need."
"You better think carefully." Gu Beixian's tone was chilly, his posture stiff, exuding a bit of pressure.
Su Han thought for a moment, then smiled.
She put down her suitcase, walked over to him, tiptoed, and planted a kiss on his chin, sweetly saying, "Is this good enough?"
Gu Beixian gave a faint nod, still exuding a strong and commanding aura, devoid of any smiles.
Su Han rubbed his face gently, softly saying, "Alright, I'm going in now, if I don't, the flight will be delayed."
After saying that, she grabbed her suitcase and walked briskly inside.
The two bodyguards followed closely behind.
Watching her disappearing figure, Gu Beixian's handsome face became extremely gloomy.