Chapter 48

Chapter 48

Although Gu Jinyao’s voice was very different from Ah Yao’s, Su Hua felt for a fleeting moment as if it were Ah Yao calling out to her.

She froze for a second, then raised her hand to wipe her eyes.

Turning around, she looked at Gu Jinyao’s handsome, sharp-featured face.

It was a face completely different from Ah Yao’s.

Regaining her composure, she asked with a smile, “Mr. Gu, did you call me?”

Gu Jinyao plucked a business card from the holder on the desk and walked toward her. “This is my card. If you need anything in the future, you can contact me directly.”

Su Hua reached out with both hands to take it. “Alright.”

“We have a group of high-end collectors here, including many enthusiasts of ancient calligraphy and paintings. If there are clients who need restoration work, may I contact you?”

Su Hua smiled. “Of course.”

Gu Jinyao’s lips curled slightly. “Then it’s settled. I’ll call you when the time comes.”

“Okay.” Su Hua put his card into her bag.

She headed out.

While they were in the elevator, Shen Yuan tilted her head to study Su Hua. “I feel like your relationship with this Young Director Gu is unusual, but listening to you two talk, it’s like you’re meeting for the first time.”

Su Hua tucked her hands into her trench coat pockets and stared at the elevator floor buttons, her mind wandering. She replied absentmindedly, “His eyes look a lot like someone I know.”

Shen Yuan thought about it. “Like Gu Beixian? Their eyes really do look similar-large, dark pupils, deep double eyelids, and long, thick lashes. Handsome people all look more or less the same, while ugly people are each ugly in their own unique way.”

Su Hua didn’t say another word.

She didn’t like pouring out all her personal matters to others.

After getting into the car, Su Hua asked, “Is your Alipay account your phone number?”

Shen Yuan started the car and replied casually, “Yeah.”

Su Hua picked up her phone and swiped her fingers across the screen a few times.

Not long after, Shen Yuan heard a notification chime from her own phone.

While waiting at a green light, she took out her phone to take a look.

One glance sent her into a shock.

An Alipay transfer of one hundred thousand yuan had arrived.

The sender was Su Hua.

Shen Yuan grew anxious. “Sister Hua, I can’t take this money. I’ll transfer it back to you right now.”

Su Hua pressed her hand down. “It’s not much. Take it and buy yourself some tea.”

“One hundred thousand isn’t much? That’s more than my annual salary at the museum!”

“Just take it. You’ve been running around with me these past few days. It’s just a little something for your hard work. If you don’t take it, you’re treating me like a stranger.”

Shen Yuan paused, then leaned over and gave her a loud, wet peck on the cheek. “Thank you, Sister Hua!”

Su Hua smiled and lowered her head to send a message to Gu Beixian.

She invited him to a revolving restaurant for Western cuisine that evening.

Upon receiving the message, Gu Beixian instructed his assistant to arrange for someone else to handle his evening business social.

At seven o’clock in the evening, the two arrived at the revolving restaurant one after the other.

The revolving restaurant was located at the top of the tallest building in Jingdu.

The restaurant was circular, with floor-to-ceiling transparent glass windows providing a 360-degree view. It completed one rotation every two hours, allowing guests to admire the entire night view of Jingdu.

Since it was a last-minute decision, they couldn’t book a VIP private room.

They sat in the main dining hall instead.

The hall was divided into partitioned sections. Although it wasn’t as private as a room, it was still decent.

The restaurant was magnificently decorated. The golden background lights hit the frosted glass, making it look as beautiful as a fairyland, accompanied by the sound of a violin performance.

The atmosphere was incredibly romantic.

Most of the diners were couples.

After the Western dishes were served, Su Hua glanced at the shimmering night view outside the window and said to Gu Beixian with a smile, “The last time you brought me here for dinner, I was happy the entire night.”

Gu Beixian chuckled. “Satisfied so easily? I’ll bring you here often from now on, then.”

“Coming once in a while is enough. If we eat here too often, the novelty will wear off.”

“True.” Gu Beixian pulled the steak in front of her toward himself and began cutting it with his knife and fork.

He had beautiful hands-well-defined joints that didn’t lack strength. He looked elegant and charming while cutting the steak.

His palms were thin and long, a clear sign of a privileged upbringing.

Once finished, Gu Beixian pushed the steak back in front of Su Hua. “Eat it while it’s hot.”

Su Hua took a fork and ate a few pieces. The beef was tender and the texture was excellent.

Halfway through the meal, she took a card out of her bag and pushed it toward Gu Beixian. With a grand air, she said, “This is what your big sister earned. Take it and spend it. The password is your birthday.”

Gu Beixian’s lips curled as he teased, “As expected, women turn bad as soon as they have money. You used to be so respectful to me, but now that you’re rich, you’ve suddenly transformed into a ‘big sister.’ The serf has finally stood up and started singing.”
Su Hua burst into laughter and tilted her chin up. “Of course. Economic status determines one’s position in the family, after all.”

Gu Beixian was amused by her. He reached out and ruffled her hair. “Look at our Huahua, acting like a little upstart.”

Su Hua teased back, “Are you complimenting me or insulting me?”

“Complimenting you, of course.”

Su Hua rolled her eyes at him. “I’m not stupid.”

With that, she speared a piece of beef with her fork and stuffed it into his mouth.

Gu Beixian chewed slowly, swallowed the meat, and asked, “Did you sell that painting you restored a few days ago?”

“Mm-hmm, I found someone who liked it. I bought those scraps for ten thousand yuan, and I just sold them for twelve million. The transfer went through on the spot.”

Gu Beixian complimented her cooperatively. “A net profit of over ten million-that’s a huge return on a small investment. You’re impressive.”

Su Hua set down her knife and fork, cleared her throat, and gazed at him with bright, clear eyes. She said solemnly, “I’m going to earn a lot more money in the future so I can work hard to be worthy of you.”

Gu Beixian smiled and placed his hand over hers. “You’re more than worthy of me as you are. You don’t need to work so hard.”

Su Hua was deeply moved. Her heart felt a mix of joy and melancholy as she said hoarsely, “I want to be so outstanding that even your father thinks we’re a good match.”

Gu Beixian fell silent for a moment. He held her hand tenderly in his palm, his eyes dark. “I’ve let you suffer.”

“It’s alright.”

Suddenly, her phone rang.

Su Hua pulled her phone out of her bag. As she did, a business card fell out, though she didn’t notice it.

She glanced at the caller ID; it was Su Peilan.

Su Hua answered the call. “Mom, is something wrong?”

Su Peilan spoke quickly. “I just got a text notification that five million yuan was added to my account. Did you send that?”

“It was me. I transferred it around noon, but it took a while to arrive.”

Su Peilan grumbled, “Didn’t I tell you? Keep the money Gu Beixian gives you for yourself. Don’t give it to me. I have my pension; it’s enough to live on.”

“He didn’t give it to me. I earned it myself.”

Su Peilan was stunned. “What did you do to earn so much?”

“I restored a painting by Bada Shanren and happened to meet a buyer who liked it. Spend that money however you want; buy whatever you like. Oh, and find some time to join a tour group and go traveling. It’ll be good for you to clear your head.”

“You silly girl, always spending money recklessly.” Su Peilan sounded dismissive, but she was actually incredibly touched.

After hanging up, Su Hua looked at Gu Beixian with a beaming smile.

However, she noticed that his expression had turned dark at some point. He was staring down at a business card lying next to her bag.

Su Hua followed his gaze.

It was the business card Gu Jinyao had given her before she left.

Su Hua picked up the card as if it were nothing and put it back in her bag. “That’s the business card for the Young Master of Zhengrong Auction House. It might come in handy later.”

Gu Beixian curled one side of his mouth, his emotions complicated. “You sold your painting to him?”

Su Hua told him the truth. “Yes. Shen Yuan told me Zhengrong Auction House was reputable, so we went there. While we were waiting in line in the lobby for an appraisal, Gu Jinyao sent someone to call us up to his office. After seeing the painting, he said his father likes Bada Shanren’s work and happened to be looking for an Ink Lotus Painting. He bought it based on the closing prices of previous auctions.”

Gu Beixian’s gaze changed, becoming an indescribable sort of cold. His lips curved in a self-deprecating smirk as he said coldly, “Was I not giving you enough money? You had to go to him for money.”

Su Hua was stunned.

Those words were too hurtful.

It wasn’t just a dismissal of her abilities; it was an insult to her character.

That was money she had earned through her own labor. How had it become her ‘going to him for money’?

It felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head, instantly ruining her good mood.

She looked at Gu Beixian with a resentful gaze, her expression deeply hurt.

Gu Beixian feared that look in her eyes most of all.

After watching her in silence for a few seconds, he was the first to yield.

He raised a hand to rub his brow, the coldness in his eyes fading. He spoke slowly, “What I just said was a bit harsh. I’m sorry.”

Su Hua bit her lip and remained silent.

After a pause, Gu Beixian took her hand from the table and gently stroked the back of it. He said softly, “I just don’t like you getting too close to that man.”

This was his way of seeking a truce.

Su Hua took the olive branch and stopped being tense.

She thought carefully about what was on his mind and said after a slight delay, “Even though Gu Jinyao’s name also has the character ‘Yao’ in it, he isn’t Ah Yao. Ah Yao passed away thirteen years ago. His surname was Lu; his name was Lu Yao.”