Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Gu Aoting’s face darkened. “Mercy does not command an army, and kindness does not conduct business. I am a businessman, and a businessman puts profit first. One who doesn’t prioritize profit isn’t a qualified businessman. As for why I’m doing this, I analyzed it thoroughly with Su Hua a few days ago, and she agreed readily at the time.”

Recalling the humiliation she had endured at the cafe that day, Su Hua’s scalp tingled.

She really didn’t want to go through that again.

She gently pushed Gu Beixian’s hand away, stood up, and said to Gu Aoting, “Dad-no, Uncle, I’d like to speak with you alone.”

Gu Aoting gave her a cold, indifferent glance. “Follow me to the study.”

Gu Beixian stood up, intending to go in with Su Hua.

Su Hua shook her head at him. “There’s no need.”

Gu Beixian squeezed her hand and said softly, “If you’re unhappy, just come out. You don’t have to endure it.”

Su Hua gave a small nod of acknowledgment.

She followed Gu Aoting into the study one after the other.

The old master was also there, holding a brush and practicing calligraphy.

He was writing the character for “Quiet” over and over in a bold, flowing cursive style.

Seeing Su Hua enter, the old master looked up and smiled at her, saying kindly, “Xiao Su, you’ve come.”

Su Hua called out “Grandpa” in a gentle, refined voice.

Gu Aoting pulled out a chair and sat down, gesturing for her to do the same.

Su Hua didn’t sit. Standing tall and straight, she spoke to him with polite detachment. “Uncle, you’ve misunderstood. I didn’t come today to complain to Grandma. I came to persuade her to agree to our divorce. Grandma has always been very fond of me, and since I’m leaving, I came to say my goodbyes.”

Gu Aoting looked at her with a complex expression for a few seconds before saying, “The assets under Beixian’s name were notarized as pre-marital property. Any assets acquired after the marriage have nothing to do with you either. As for compensation, a hundred million suddenly appeared in your account a few months ago-he gave you that, didn’t he?”

Su Hua nodded. “Yes.”

Gu Aoting opened his briefcase, took out a stack of documents, and handed them over. “This is the divorce agreement I had drafted. Look it over. If you have no objections, sign it.”

Su Hua took it and skimmed through the pages. It was much as she had expected.

She flipped to the signature page, picked up a pen from the desk, and signed all three copies.

Once finished, she handed them back to Gu Aoting.

Gu Aoting took them and inspected them carefully.

After confirming everything was in order, his somber face broke into a smile. “Uncle likes children like you-someone who doesn’t cling or make a scene. Considering you took personal care of Beixian for two years, if you have any difficulties in the future, just give me a call. Uncle will help you.”

Su Hua replied with quiet dignity, “That won’t be necessary. I work in relic restoration, while you are in commerce. They are two completely different fields. There’s a world of difference between our professions; there isn’t much you could help me with.”

Gu Aoting’s expression chilled, his gaze becoming haughty and dismissive.

His look clearly said: You don’t know what’s good for you.

Su Hua curled her lips into a faint smile, meeting his gaze with calm composure.

The old master found he couldn’t finish the final stroke of the character for “Quiet.”

He set down the brush, sighed, and said to Su Hua, “Xiao Su, even if you and Beixian divorce, you are still a child to your grandmother and me. Come back and visit often. This will always be your home.”

Su Hua’s heart, which had been held tight in her chest, instantly shattered.

Her eyes stung, and tears nearly fell.

Her throat tightened as she said, “Thank you, Grandpa. I will definitely come to visit you and Grandma often in the future.”

The old master raised a hand to cover his eyes and leaned back into his armchair. He waved her away, his voice raspy. “You two go on out. I want some peace and quiet.”

“Alright, Grandpa.” Su Hua gave him a deep, lingering look before pushing the door open and walking out.

Hearing the door, Gu Beixian stood up from the sofa.

He approached with long strides, placing his left hand on Su Hua’s shoulder as he looked down to check her expression.

He asked in a low voice, “Are you okay?”

Su Hua shook her head and forced a smile, her large eyes glistening with moisture.

The old lady also rose from the sofa, looking at Su Hua from a distance. She wanted to smile, but she simply couldn’t.
Su Hua walked over and hugged her silently.

After a long while, she finally spoke. “Grandma, your legs hurt. Remember to take your calcium tablets on time every day, and get plenty of sun in the winter. In the summer, don’t be too greedy for the cold; don’t blast the air conditioning, and don’t eat too much watermelon. Your stomach is sensitive and can’t handle the cold.”

Upon hearing this, the old lady understood everything immediately.

Two lines of tears flowed uncontrollably down her aged face.

She hugged Su Hua tightly. “Child, oh child, stay. Stay, won’t you?”

Su Hua felt a bitter ache in her heart and choked out, “Grandma, I… I’ve made up my mind.”

The old lady broke into sobs, holding her even tighter. “Child, we of the Gu Family have wronged you. We’ve wronged you… Grandma can’t bear to see you go.”

Su Hua felt a sharp, needle-like pain in her chest. “Thank you for taking care of me these past three years, Grandma.”

“No, it’s Grandma who should be grateful to you. Without your company, I don’t know if Beixian would have made it through those two years.”

Standing to the side, Gu Aoting watched with cold indifference and couldn’t help but interject, “Beixian sent people to save her grandmother’s life, bought them a house, and gave Su Hua a lot of money in compensation. We don’t owe her anything.”

The old lady looked up and glared at him. “Money, money, money! All you care about is money! Why don’t you just go live with your money then!”

Gu Aoting’s face darkened like a thundercloud.

“I have things to do. You two talk,” he muttered resentfully before clutching his incredibly expensive briefcase and walking away.

The chef had finished preparing dinner.

The servants brought the dishes to the table.

Even though the meal was lavish, those sitting at the table found the food tasteless and difficult to swallow.

A heavy, suffocating silence hung over everyone.

When they finally finished eating, Gu Beixian and Su Hua said their goodbyes to his grandparents.

After getting into the car, Gu Beixian pulled the seatbelt across Su Hua to fasten it for her before silently starting the engine.

Neither of them spoke a word during the drive.

When they arrived at the residential complex where the Su Family lived, Gu Beixian parked the car and killed the engine.

Su Hua unbuckled her seatbelt and said, “Drive carefully on your way back.”

Gu Beixian didn’t respond. His handsome, noble face remained cold and distant, his thin lips pressed together in a line that betrayed no emotion.

“I’m going home now,” Su Hua said softly, reaching for the car door.

Suddenly, Gu Beixian grabbed her wrist.

He didn’t look at her, his gaze fixed indifferently on the road ahead. “Have you really decided?” he asked tonelessly.

“Yes. I’ve already signed the divorce papers Uncle Gu prepared. Please sign them when you have the time. Bring your household registration and ID on Monday morning, and we’ll go finalize the procedures.” Su Hua’s tone was surprisingly calm.

It was a level of composure that seemed beyond her years.

Only then did Gu Beixian turn his head to look at her. “Are you finally free?” he asked, his meaning ambiguous.

His voice was very soft, and his well-shaped lips curled slightly into a cold smile that seemed more like self-mockery.

“Yes,” Su Hua sighed gently. “I’m finally free.”

From now on, she would never have to be disgusted by Chu Suosuo again.

She wouldn’t have to endure Gu Aoting’s judgmental looks either.

That feeling of being despised and looked down upon was truly unbearable, like thorns in her back.

Even though she had done nothing wrong, she had been made to feel as if she had committed countless sins.

Gu Beixian let out a silent laugh. He took her injured left hand into his palm, his fingers gently rubbing her middle and ring fingers.

Su Hua didn’t pull away, letting him massage them.

After rubbing them for a long time, he finally spoke. “I originally wanted to help you with your physical therapy. After all, you massaged my legs for two whole years.”

Su Hua felt a sharp pang in her heart, but she kept a smile on her face. “You gave me so much money-more than most people could earn in a lifetime. So, you don’t need to feel like you owe me. Really.”

Gu Beixian looked down at her.

The smile on his face gradually faded.

He reached out and pulled her head toward him, resting his forehead against hers. After a long silence, he whispered, “I’m so reluctant to let you go.”