Chapter 34

Chapter 34

Su Hua’s heart gave a sharp, stabbing twist, as if something had clamped down on it. It hurt so badly she could barely breathe.

She wanted to tell him: Don’t divorce. Let’s not divorce.

But she remembered what Gu Aoting had said-that back then, the reason they chose her to be Gu Beixian’s wife was because Chu Suosuo had gone abroad, and she just happened to look like her.

It could have been Su Hua, or it could have been any woman who resembled Chu Suosuo.

In that instant, Su Hua felt like she wasn’t that important after all.

Switch in any other woman-three years of living together, day in and day out with Gu Beixian-and he would still be reluctant to part.

Like raising a kitten or a puppy. If it suddenly went missing, you’d be upset for a while, but before long you’d forget. And when you happened to remember, it would only be with a passing sigh.

Su Hua forced herself not to cry. She gently touched his jaw and said with a soft smile, “It’s late. You should go back.”

Gu Beixian held onto her hand. “I’ll walk you downstairs.”

Su Hua didn’t refuse.

They got out of the car and entered the complex.

The night breeze carried a faint buzz of warmth. Tree shadows swayed, and the crescent moon hung in the sky like a wound.

It was only a short walk, yet they moved slower and slower, as if neither of them wanted to reach the end.

Their shadows on the ground were stretched thin and long by the pale streetlights-clearly a pair, and yet somehow unbearably lonely.

Neither of them spoke.

At a time like this, anything said would feel unnecessary.

Downstairs, Gu Beixian waited until Su Hua’s figure disappeared completely before he finally turned and left.

Back in the car, he picked up his phone and called his assistant. “Stop looking for the person who smashed Chu Suosuo’s left hand.”

He’d been pushing them to find the culprit before, and now he suddenly told them to drop it. The assistant couldn’t understand. “President Gu, what happened?”

“Nothing.” Gu Beixian ended the call.

The one who had smashed Chu Suosuo’s hand was undoubtedly Ah Yao.

Once they divorced, it wouldn’t be long before Ah Yao returned to Su Hua’s side.

If he had someone hurt the Ay Yao she cared about, she would definitely hate him.

Gu Beixian didn’t want to be hated by her.

He silently finished a cigarette and started the car.

The next day at noon, at the hospital.

Su Hua carried the food her mother had made and went to deliver it to her grandmother.

Her temperament was clean and elegant, her figure slender and graceful, her skin so fair it seemed to glow. Even without makeup, dressed in nothing more than a simple blouse and long skirt, she was still a striking sight.

People along the way couldn’t help turning to look.

When she passed through a quiet, shaded path, she suddenly heard a woman’s voice behind her. “Sister Su Hua, what a coincidence.”

That familiar voice made Su Hua’s scalp prickle.

She turned her head.

Chu Suosuo, dressed in a bright, showy outfit, hurried over. She lifted her left hand and said in a mocking, sing-song tone, “Thanks to you, I’m here today to get my splint removed.”

Su Hua’s eyes swept over Chu Suosuo’s hand, indifferent and cold. “Your hand being injured has nothing to do with me. As for my hand being injured-whether it has anything to do with you, that’s another story.”

Chu Suosuo froze for a beat, then sneered. “Show me proof. Don’t slander people without evidence.”

Su Hua smiled faintly. “Right back at you.”

Chu Suosuo lifted her brows and circled half a step around her. “I heard you already signed the divorce agreement?”

Su Hua’s hand tightened around the insulated container.

So Gu Aoting had already rushed to tell her.

Chu Suosuo said smugly, “I told you before, didn’t I? I’d take Beixian back sooner or later. So what if Grandpa, Grandma, Auntie Qin, and Nanyin all like you? You still got kicked out anyway.”

Sometimes Su Hua thought Chu Suosuo was pretty smart.

Other times, she felt Chu Suosuo was far too impatient.

Like right now.

She had been determined to divorce Gu Beixian.

But with Chu Suosuo taunting her like this, a sudden impulse rose in her-an urge to snatch Gu Beixian back.

Su Hua said evenly, “I only signed the agreement. I haven’t gone to the Civil Affairs Bureau to process it. Even if we go, there’s still a one-month cooling-off period. Only after it ends can we get the divorce certificate. A lot can happen in a month. I’d advise you not to celebrate too early, Miss Chu. Don’t end up getting slapped in the face.”

Chu Suosuo laughed loudly. “It’s already a done deal. What difference does it make whether it’s sooner or later?”

Su Hua smiled. “Is that so? Then why does everything you’re doing right now scream that you’re nervous?”

“Makes sense, I suppose. A man you only managed to ‘win’ because your father has money-is exactly the kind you should be nervous about.”

“If the Gu Family ever finds a better marriage match, you might get replaced on the spot.”

“Still, I have to admire you, Miss Chu-so delighted to be a stepping stone.”

The smile on Chu Suosuo’s face vanished instantly.

She suddenly raised her hand and slapped Su Hua hard across the face.

Su Hua hadn’t been prepared. Her ears rang, her vision swam, and stars burst before her eyes.

After a moment, she steadied herself, set the insulated container on the ground, and calmly smoothed the hair that had been knocked out of place.
Suddenly, Su Hua raised her hand and delivered a sharp slap to Chu Suosuo’s face.

Having spent two years personally caring for Gu Beixian, Su Hua had done plenty of physical labor. Over time, she had developed a surprising amount of strength.

She was nothing like a delicate, pampered socialite like Chu Suosuo.

The force of the slap caused Chu Suosuo’s cheek to swell instantly. She stumbled back several steps, only steadying herself by grabbing onto a nearby tree.

Clutching the side of her face in agony, she burst into tears.

As she sobbed, her eyes suddenly lit up. Looking past Su Hua, she cried out with an aggrieved tone, “Beixian, Sister Su Hua hit me…”

Su Hua turned around.

She saw a tall, elegant man with long legs walking toward them with large, confident strides.

In his left hand, he carried a massive, specially designed takeout box from a high-end hotel.

It was Gu Beixian.

Su Hua’s heart hammered in her chest.

Gu Beixian might not have seen Chu Suosuo hit her, but he had definitely seen her hit Chu Suosuo.

She was a little afraid he would lose his temper with her, and even more afraid that he would defend Chu Suosuo.

If he did, she would lose all face, and it would break her heart.

However, she said nothing. She simply stood there, quiet and still, watching Gu Beixian with an expressionless gaze.

Gu Beixian’s handsome face was cold and unreadable.

When he reached them, he gave Chu Suosuo a very faint nod. He set the takeout box on a nearby ledge, then took Su Hua’s right hand in his. He inspected it, and seeing that her palm was red, he asked, “Does your hand hurt?”

Su Hua was stunned, wondering if she was hallucinating.

Chu Suosuo was his childhood sweetheart, his first love, and the woman he was supposed to marry in the future. And yet, he chose to worry about her instead.

In her daze, Su Hua instinctively shook her head. Then, realizing that didn’t feel right, she changed her answer. “It hurts.”

Gu Beixian held her hand in his palm and rubbed it gently, chiding her, “If it hurts, why use your hand? Are you silly?”

The implication was clear: Couldn’t you have used your foot?

Chu Suosuo was frozen in shock.

She stared at the two of them blankly. It took a long moment for her to recover enough to raise her voice. “Beixian, Sister Su Hua slapped me until my face swelled up! It hurts so much!”

Su Hua refused to back down. “She hit me first. I was only fighting back.”

Gu Beixian pressed his lips together and said nothing, continuing to massage her hand for a moment before letting go.

He tilted his chin slightly toward the takeout box. “I was just having dinner with a client. The Buddha Jumps Over the Wall at that hotel was quite good. I packed a portion for you-it’s enough for three people. Take it back and eat it while it’s hot.”

If Chu Suosuo hadn’t been there, Su Hua would have politely told him: We’re getting divorced on Monday, don’t do this anymore. It just makes things more complicated.

But right now, Chu Suosuo was watching them with wide, eager eyes.

Su Hua let her eyes curve into a smile and said sweetly, “You’re so good to me. You’re always thinking of me.”

Gu Beixian caught onto her little scheme and played along. “You’re only just realizing I’m good to you? You heartless little thing.”

His voice was deep and magnetic, as pleasant as a cello. His gaze was tender and doting as he looked at her, his eyes seemingly filled with light.

Su Hua thought he looked incredibly handsome and warm like this-so charming. The frustration Chu Suosuo had caused her vanished instantly.

She really wanted to kiss him and hug him.

But she only allowed herself to think it.

Gu Beixian lowered his gaze to her face and gently touched her cheek. “It’s a bit red. Remember to use an ice pack when you get back.”

“Okay,” Su Hua replied with an even sweeter smile, her large eyes curving like crescent moons.

Chu Suosuo, whose face was red and swollen and who had been completely ignored the entire time, couldn’t take it anymore.

Covering her face, she ran away crying.

Once she was far away, Su Hua returned to her normal demeanor and said politely, “Don’t bring me food next time.”

Gu Beixian gave a low grunt of affirmation. The tenderness in his eyes vanished, replaced by an emotionless tone. “I only remembered we’re getting divorced on Monday after I had the hotel prepare it. I’ll try to be more mindful in the future.”

Su Hua felt a pang of bitterness. “Thank you for earlier.”

Gu Beixian’s expression was indifferent. “I saw it. She hit you first.”

Su Hua paused. “I’m still grateful. You should get back to work.” Her voice was dry, but her heart felt heavy.

“Mhm. I’ll walk you back first.” Gu Beixian picked up the takeout box and her thermos.

He walked her to the door of her grandmother’s ward.

Then, Gu Beixian turned and left.

Early the next morning.

As soon as Su Hua opened her eyes, she received a WeChat message from Gu Nanyin. It was a photo.

Curious, she tapped on it and zoomed in, only to be startled by what she saw.

The photo showed a young woman’s face. Both cheeks were so red and swollen that she looked like a scalded pig’s head.

Her forehead was also bulging and swollen, giving her a look reminiscent of the God of Longevity.

It took careful scrutiny to recognize that this unrecognizable, beaten face belonged to Chu Suosuo.