Chapter 59

Chapter 59

One week later.

Su Hua was in the restoration room, putting the finishing touches on an ancient painting in her hands.

Shen Yuan arrived at Gubaozhai with something important to discuss. However, because Su Hua could not be disturbed while working, Shen Yuan sat quietly on the first floor, sipping tea and waiting for her to come down.

Su Hua worked until noon before heading downstairs.

Shen Yuan greeted her with a beaming smile. “Sister Hua, I’m here on behalf of our archaeological team to ask for your help.”

Su Hua raised an eyebrow slightly. “Archaeology? When did you switch jobs?”

“It’s not really a job switch; it’s within the same system. My mom pulled some strings to get me that job at the museum, but archaeology is my true passion. I studied tomb structures and mechanical traps abroad.”

Su Hua gave a faint smile. “Where is the tomb?”

“Longyao Village. A noble’s tomb was discovered there, and a rescue excavation is underway. There are many precious murals and silk paintings inside that desperately need restoration. I recommended you to our leaders.”

Su Hua pondered for a moment. “Longyao Village is quite far from Jingdu, isn’t it?”

“A bit. It’s in the northwest region.”

Su Hua paused. “Can you send the paintings here for restoration?”

“Sister Hua, to be blunt, we’re mainly after your photographic memory. Once a coffin is opened and the silk paintings are exposed to oxygen, they oxidize and fade rapidly. You can memorize them instantly. Your brain is more reliable than a camera.”

Su Hua asked, “Have you cleared this with your brother?”

“Don’t worry, I already did.” Shen Yuan grabbed her hand, her voice earnest. “Sister Hua, we need you. The country needs you.”

Since she had brought up such a noble cause, Su Hua had no choice but to agree.

From childhood to adulthood, she had restored countless ancient books and paintings-some passed down through generations, others unearthed from ancient tombs. However, she had never actually set foot in a real excavation pit.

Driven by a hint of curiosity, she accepted the task.

That evening, after returning home, Su Hua went into the bedroom to pack her bags.

She tucked travel-sized toiletries into her makeup bag and packed a few changes of clothes. This trip would keep her away for at least ten days to half a month.

As soon as Gu Beixian returned from the office, he saw Su Hua packing clothes into her suitcase piece by piece. His gaze instantly turned cold.

He curled his lips, suppressing his emotions as he said, “Su Hua, if something is wrong, tell me clearly. You can’t just run away from home without a word.”

Su Hua burst out laughing.

Every time he acted like this, she felt as if he truly cared about her. Whether it was an illusion or not, being cared for like this felt quite wonderful.

Su Hua stood up, walked over to him, and wrapped her arms around his waist. Fluttering her eyelashes, she asked, “Are you that afraid of me running away?”

Gu Beixian pinched the soft flesh at her waist. “What do you think?”

Tickled by his pinch, Su Hua laughed and dodged away. “I’m not running away. I have to go to Longyao Village tomorrow. A noble’s tomb from the Warring States Period was discovered there, and some murals and silk paintings need restoration.”

Gu Beixian’s eyes darkened slightly. “Since when did your shop’s business expand this far?”

“It’s not for the shop. It’s for the archaeological team. Shen Yuan recommended me to her leaders.”

Gu Beixian’s expression soured. “Stay away from that fangirl in the future. She does nothing but bring you trouble.”

“Don’t talk about her like that; she’s your little fan. My grandfather taught me so much; it’s only right that I contribute something to future generations. Those murals and silk paintings are cultural treasures left behind by our ancestors. If they aren’t restored, future generations will never see them.”

“There are so many restoration experts in museums. How could it possibly be your turn?” Gu Beixian’s voice held a hint of displeasure.

He truly couldn’t bear the thought of her suffering in such a remote place.

Su Hua smiled. “I have a photographic memory, I work fast, and I’m young. The senior experts will be transferred there one after another too. They’re in their sixties, seventies, or even eighties, yet they’re full of drive. I’m so young; it wouldn’t be right for me to make excuses and refuse.”

Gu Beixian said nothing more. He let go of her and walked over to the wall. With one hand in his pocket, he leaned against it, his eyes dark and unreadable. “How long?” he asked tonelessly.

“About half a month.”

“No. That’s too long. Three days at most.”

Su Hua looked at him, somewhat helpless. “President Gu, I’ve noticed you’ve been a bit clingy lately.”

Gu Beixian’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Longyao Village is a mountain village, isn’t it? The environment is terrible, and it’s an ancient burial pit. A beautiful young woman like you, running off to a grave to mingle with a bunch of wild men-it’s unseemly.”

“Shen Yuan will be with me. And the people on the archaeological team might work in the wild, but they aren’t ‘wild men.'”

Gu Beixian lifted his wrist to check his watch. “I’m going with you.”
Su Hua knit her brows and looked at him, feeling quite perplexed.

They had been married for three years, and their relationship had always been one of mutual respect and polite distance. Yet, ever since this divorce drama started, their feelings for each other seemed much stronger than before.

The way they were acting now-stuck to each other like glue-was just like a pair of newlyweds.

After a moment of thought, Su Hua said, “I’m going there for work. It’s not something that can be finished in a day or two; it’ll take at least ten days to half a month. You’re so busy with work usually, so don’t let this waste your time.”

Gu Beixian pondered for a moment. “Then I’ll send a few more bodyguards to protect you. Is four enough?”

Su Hua was taken aback. This was far too exaggerated.

Going to restore a mural while accompanied by four bodyguards in suits and leather shoes? Just imagining the scene gave her a headache.

“Just one. I’m going for an archaeological project, not to war. No one else brings bodyguards. If I show up with a whole entourage, it’ll look bad and create a negative impression.”

“At least two, then, so they can take shifts protecting you,” Gu Beixian said in a tone that brooked no argument.

Su Hua compromised. “Fine, two it is.”

Gu Beixian picked up his phone and went outside to make the arrangements.

Su Hua shook her head gently, thinking to herself, This man is really something. Even so, her heart felt sweet.

When Gu Beixian finished his call and returned, he went straight to the study. He didn’t return to the bedroom until it was nearly time for sleep.

His handsome, cold face was expressionless. Without a word, he pulled back the covers and climbed into bed, leaving Su Hua with nothing but his icy back.

Su Hua was momentarily at a loss. What was wrong with him? He had been perfectly fine just a while ago.

She moved closer to him and gently rubbed her face against his back. “What’s wrong?”

Gu Beixian didn’t say a word.

He felt that in her heart, he didn’t even carry as much weight as a few ancient paintings. How could she even think about being away from him for half a month just to fix some old scraps of paper?

Of course, he couldn’t say that out loud. It would be too embarrassing and make him look petty.

Su Hua waited for a while, but when he didn’t respond, she lifted a corner of the quilt and flipped over him to lie facing him. Propping her chin on her hand, she looked into his eyes and asked softly, “Why are you unhappy?”

Gu Beixian stared at her for a long time before leaning in. He kissed her forehead and the tip of her nose, then cupped her face to kiss the corners of her mouth and her lips. His hand began to slip under her clothes…

Su Hua’s heart began to race like a drum under his touch. She felt a secret sense of amusement; if he wanted her, he could have just said so. She wouldn’t have refused. He just had to take the long way around.

How can a grown man be so awkward?

After a long bout of tossing and turning, Gu Beixian finally let her go.

Su Hua was left feeling sore and weak all over, her legs as soft as willow branches. Lying on her side, she panted in small breaths while looking at Gu Beixian’s elegant, handsome face. She thought, When this man lets loose, he’s absolutely lethal.

It was as if he were overdrawing his quota for the next half month in advance.

The next morning, Gu Beixian personally drove Su Hua to the airport.

As she was about to go through security, he straightened her collar and instructed, “Don’t get too close to any of the wild men in the archaeological team. Not a single man is any good; if they try to flatter you, they’re just looking to take advantage of you. Don’t eat or drink anything given to you by strangers. Call me immediately if anything happens. Do you hear me?”

Su Hua felt a bit helpless, yet she looked at him with appreciation. “I’ve got it.”

“Mm.”

“Goodbye.” Su Hua waved at him, picked up her suitcase, and headed toward the entrance.

After she had walked a few steps, Gu Beixian’s voice came from behind her. “Su Hua, did you forget something?”

Su Hua stopped and looked down. Her phone and suitcase were both there. She turned back and said, “No, I have everything I need.”

“Think harder.” Gu Beixian’s tone was slightly cold. He stood tall and straight, looking aloof, surrounded by a somewhat low-pressure aura.

Su Hua thought about it seriously, and then her lips suddenly curved into a smile.

She set down her suitcase, walked back to his side, stood on her tiptoes, and gave his chin a firm kiss. “Is this okay?” she asked sweetly.

Gu Beixian gave a faint grunt in response, though his handsome face still didn’t show the slightest hint of a smile.

Su Hua patted his face and said softly, “Alright, I’m going in now. If I don’t, I’ll miss my flight.”

With that, she grabbed her suitcase and walked quickly inside. The two bodyguards followed her like shadows.

Watching her figure gradually recede into the distance, Gu Beixian’s handsome face looked incredibly gloomy.