Chapter 42

Chapter 42

Su Hua was stunned, unable to understand why Gu Beixian would suddenly want to kiss her-and on the lips, no less.

Even though it was night, people were still passing by here and there. The village wasn’t as open-minded as the city; it would be so embarrassing if they were seen. Besides, her grandmother had just been buried. Being all lovey-dovey at a time like this felt entirely inappropriate.

Su Hua reached out, intending to push him away. However, Gu Beixian pinned both her wrists with one hand, refusing to let her move.

Su Hua wasn’t as strong as him. Unable to push him off, she could only close her eyes and let him kiss her.

He kissed with great force, even bordering on domineering. It wasn’t gentle like before; it felt as if he were competing with someone. Su Hua recalled the words he had just said over the phone-he must have been speaking to Gu Aoting. She assumed he was just acting out of spite against his father.

It wasn’t until she was nearly breathless from the kiss that Gu Beixian finally released her. He raised a hand to wipe the moisture from the corner of her lips and said softly, “We aren’t getting a divorce anymore.”

It wasn’t the tone of a discussion; it was a direct decision.

Su Hua’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. “I’m very grateful that you’re considering my feelings at a time like this, but your father…”

Gu Beixian said indifferently, “I’ll talk to him when we get back.”

Su Hua remembered Gu Aoting’s words about ‘the winner takes all,’ and her gaze darkened. “I don’t want you to be caught in the middle and feel conflicted between me and your father.”

Gu Beixian cupped her small face. “Say no more. Listen to me.”

This time, his tone was commanding and left no room for argument. Without another word, he took her hand and led her toward the main gate.

After walking a few paces, Gu Beixian looked back, scanning the woods across the pond. The man named Ah Yao was no longer there.

A corner of his mouth quirked up, yet there wasn’t a hint of a smile in his eyes. For the first time, he realized just how possessive he could be.

He had previously agreed to let go and fulfill her happiness elsewhere, but he simply couldn’t do it. As it turned out, a mortal was just a mortal; human desires and emotions were unavoidable.

Back at her grandfather’s house, the two had just entered the bedroom when Su Peilan brought over a tray of food. There were four dishes, one soup, and two bowls of rice.

Placing the food on the table, she greeted Gu Beixian warmly. “Beixian, you must be hungry. Come eat while it’s hot. I served this as soon as the pot was opened; no one else has touched it. I know you’re a stickler for cleanliness and won’t eat anything others have poked at.”

Gu Beixian paused. During their previous encounters, her attitude had been quite cold. This sudden warmth caught him a bit off guard.

After greeting him, Su Peilan turned to Su Hua. “Xiao Hua, you should head back with Beixian tonight. There’s no need to wait for your grandmother’s First Seven. I’ll handle things here.”

Su Hua was slightly puzzled. “I’ve already taken time off work. There’s no rush to leave.”

“Just go back. Your grandmother would surely want you and Beixian to return as well. As long as the two of you are doing well, she’ll be happier than anyone.” Su Peilan’s eyes reddened slightly as she said with a smile, “You two eat up. I’ll head out now.”

With that, she turned and left.

Gu Beixian’s lips twitched. “Your mother is acting quite unusual tonight.”

Su Hua thought about it carefully. “Maybe she was moved by how hard you’ve been working to take care of me these past few days. Don’t be fooled by my mom’s sharp tongue; she’s actually very soft-hearted. She’s the ‘knife-like mouth, tofu-like heart’ type.”

“Your mother is indeed a person of true feeling,” Gu Beixian said with a faint smile, picking up the chopsticks and handing them to her.

Su Hua took the chopsticks and sat down beside him. She picked up a piece of fried crispy pork and placed it on his rice. “This meat is delicious and very fragrant. Try some.”

Gu Beixian picked it up, put it in his mouth, and chewed a few times. “It is quite fragrant.”

Normally, he wouldn’t eat this kind of food-it was too greasy and unhealthy. But since Su Hua had served it to him, he probably would have eaten it even if it were rat meat.

After dinner, Su Peilan came in to clear the dishes and urged them, “Hurry up and leave. You’ll be home in two or three hours. You can wash up and get a good night’s sleep when you get back. If you return tonight, Beixian can get back to work at the company tomorrow morning. Staying here for so long has been such a distraction for his work.”

This was exactly what Gu Beixian wanted. Staying here longer would only invite trouble; he was afraid Su Hua and Ah Yao might meet. Feeling disgusted was one thing, but if he actually had to hand her over, he found he wasn’t willing-and even more so, he couldn’t bear to let her go.

He suddenly wanted to be selfish for once. He wanted to keep her by his side.

Su Hua didn’t want to leave. She missed her grandmother and still wanted to stay through the First Seven. However, she couldn’t win against Su Peilan, who practically shoved and nudged her out the door and directly into Gu Beixian’s car.

Once the car had driven out of the village, Su Hua received a message from Su Peilan: “Daughter, I’ve suddenly realized over the past few days that Gu Beixian is actually quite good to you. If you can avoid this divorce, try your best not to go through with it. If you remarry after a divorce, the next man might not necessarily be better than Gu Beixian. Besides, half the credit for his leg recovering belongs to you. Why should you hand him over to someone else after serving him so hard for so long?”
Su Hua frowned slightly and replied: But his father doesn’t agree.

Su Peilan said: Parents eventually give in to their children. You two should still put in some effort. If you give up without even trying, you’ll regret it later.

Su Hua fell silent for a moment before replying: Okay.

At ten o’clock that night, the two returned to their home in Riyue Bay.

Su Hua went into the bathroom to wash her hair and take a shower.

When she came out, she picked up the hairdryer and was about to dry her hair.

Gu Beixian, having finished his shower in the other room’s bathroom, came over to find her. He took the hairdryer from her hand, intending to help her.

Su Hua smiled. “My left hand is almost fully recovered. I can do it myself.”

Gu Beixian pressed her down onto the small sofa nearby with an expressionless face. He said calmly, “I just want to pamper you properly.”

These words were incredibly affectionate.

Especially coming from someone with his cold, aloof, and abstinent demeanor-spoken so indifferently, it wasn’t cloying at all; instead, it was particularly flirtatious.

A thick wave of warmth surged through Su Hua’s heart. “Thank you.”

Gu Beixian plugged in the hairdryer. Raising his eyelids, he said nonchalantly, “We agreed to support each other through thick and thin. What’s there to thank me for?”

Su Hua smiled.

She liked this kind of relationship-one where they sustained each other in times of hardship. It was sturdier and warmer than merely treating each other with the polite distance of guests.

Although Gu Beixian was a man’s man, he was quite gentle when blowing her hair.

At first, he didn’t quite have the hang of the pressure, but it didn’t take long before it felt even more comfortable than when Su Hua did it herself.

After drying her hair, the two went to lie down in bed.

Su Hua had napped in the afternoon, so she wasn’t very sleepy. She simply closed her eyes and snuggled into Gu Beixian’s arms, missing her grandmother.

Knowing she was sad, Gu Beixian patted her gently, as if coaxing a child.

Before long, he actually patted Su Hua to sleep.

Seeing her breathing gradually become even, he lowered his head to kiss her forehead. He whispered, “If you dare to call out for your Ay Yao in your dreams again, I’ll have to spank you.”

Perhaps because she was in a different environment, Su Hua didn’t have any more nightmares.

The next morning, when she opened her eyes, she saw Gu Beixian propped up on his pillow. He was looking at her with gentle eyes, seemingly in a very good mood.

She curled her lips and gave him a faint smile. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Because you’re beautiful.” He reached out to touch her face, his voice as soft as moonlight.

Su Hua felt like something was slightly off with him, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it for the moment.

After washing up, the two went downstairs.

A lavish breakfast was spread across the dining table.

In addition to various exquisite pastries, there were several servings of nourishing soups. The fragrance filled the air, whetting the appetite.

Gu Beixian said, “I called the hotel and had them deliver it. You haven’t eaten properly for days. Eat more.”

Seeing how thoughtful he was, Su Hua felt even more reluctant to let him go.

Maybe her mother was right. If she didn’t put in the effort, she would regret it later. She didn’t want to lose him.

After they finished breakfast, Gu Beixian had to go to the office.

He picked up his watch and buckled it onto his wrist.

Su Hua, as she always did, helped him with his tie.

Her hands were her most dexterous feature; she tied neckties quickly and beautifully.

After she finished with practiced ease, Gu Beixian suddenly pulled her into his arms. Holding her tight, he instructed, “Try to stay home and don’t go out. It’s a mess out there.”

Su Hua felt more and more that he was acting strange. How was it a mess outside?

It wasn’t like they were in a time of war.

Besides, she had a driver when she went out, and the driver was strong and doubled as a bodyguard-available at a moment’s notice with one phone call.

She smiled. “The museum is still waiting for me to head over.”

Gu Beixian raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t you take bereavement leave?”

Su Hua was left speechless and could only say, “Alright then.”

Gu Beixian held her and refused to let go. He lowered his head, gently rubbing his nose against hers before kissing her ear.

It was an intimate, lingering gesture, very much like a man in the throes of a passionate romance.

Su Hua was slightly confused.

He wasn’t usually a clingy man. What was wrong with him today?

No, he had seemed a bit odd since last night.

Just as she was about to ask, Gu Beixian’s lips suddenly brushed against her earlobe. He whispered, “I really wish I could shrink you down. Then I could tuck you in my pocket and take you wherever I go.”