Chapter 77

Chapter 77

Early the next morning.

Gu Beixian personally drove Su Hua to Tianshou Pavilion.

After getting out of the car, he took her hand, and the two of them walked toward Tianshou Pavilion side by side.

The morning light was faint as the sun began to rise, casting a soft, golden glow over them.

For some reason, Su Hua had the strange illusion of being a child again, being escorted to school by a parent.

Inside the shop, Hua Tianshou was standing by the window, teasing a thrush with great interest.

Seeing Gu Beixian enter, he grumbled, “You brat, you knew all along that the master Su Hua wanted to study under was me, didn’t you?”

Gu Beixian gave a slight smile and hummed in affirmation. “Su Hua looks quite a bit like Aunt Qinwan did when she was young. It won’t be a loss for you to teach her well.”

At the mention of “Qinwan,” a soft spot deep within Hua Tianshou’s heart was pricked.

He paused for a moment before shooting Gu Beixian a glare. “You little brat, you really know how to hit where it hurts.”

Gu Beixian patted Su Hua on the shoulder and said, “This young lady is exceptionally kind, sensible, and bright. She’s hardworking and loyal. My whole family is very fond of her. It’s your honor to be able to take her as your apprentice.”

Hua Tianshou clicked his tongue a few times and looked at Su Hua. “Do you hear that? Is that any way to talk?”

Su Hua felt slightly embarrassed. “Master, don’t listen to him.”

Gu Beixian’s expression remained composed and handsome. “Grandpa Hua, I’m telling the truth. A good apprentice can make a good master. If you miss out on Su Hua, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.”

Su Hua felt a bit odd. Clearly, they were the ones asking a favor of Hua Tianshou, yet Gu Beixian acted as if he were the one in a position of power.

It was the first time she had seen someone handle things this way. However, this lack of formality showed that the relationship between Gu Beixian and Hua Tianshou was far from ordinary.

Hua Tianshou put down the birdseed and said, “Brat, shut your mouth. I don’t need you to say all that; I’ll teach Su Hua well regardless.”

Gu Beixian smiled. “Then I thank you, old man.”

Hua Tianshou stroked his beard and asked, “Was that card with the million yuan your idea too?”

Gu Beixian said calmly, “Just a small token of appreciation, not worth mentioning.”

Hua Tianshou’s expression turned serious. “I’ll return that money to you once Su Hua completes her studies. I didn’t take her as an apprentice for the money.”

Gu Beixian curled his lips into a smirk. “I know you aren’t short on cash, but it’s a gesture from us. It’s not much money, so there’s no need to keep passing it back and forth.”

Hua Tianshou laughed helplessly. “Brat, you’re getting better and better at talking. I give up. Now get going.”

Gu Beixian placed both hands on Su Hua’s shoulders. “Then I’m leaving Su Hua in your hands. You must take good care of her for me; don’t let anyone bully her.”

Hua Tianshou rolled his eyes at him in annoyance. “She’s my own apprentice. I don’t need you to tell me over and over. You’re so long-winded.”

Gu Beixian smiled and patted Su Hua’s head, his gaze tender. “Be good and listen to the old man. I’m leaving now.”

Su Hua nodded.

Only then did Gu Beixian turn and leave.

For some reason, Su Hua felt that he was a bit different today than usual. Today, he gave her a particular sense of security-one that went beyond what a husband usually provides. It felt like a father’s love, as steady as a mountain.

Though she had never experienced a father’s love, Gu Beixian had given her that feeling today.

Watching his tall, upright figure disappear into the car, Su Hua actually felt a bit of a void in her heart.

Next, she began learning the production method for “Heaven-Mending Glue” from Hua Tianshou. It was a secret glue unique to the Hua Family, passed down through generations. It was the core of their entire craft.

This secret glue could not only mend ceramics so seamlessly that no cracks remained, but it could even mend ships and iron. Once repaired, it would never come apart. Thus, it was known as “Heaven-Mending Glue.”

The glue was brewed from special raw materials, and the proportions were a closely guarded secret. While it was brewing, someone had to stand by and constantly stir it with a specially made rod. The strength, speed, and weight of the stirring would all affect the glue’s viscosity.

By the afternoon, Su Hua wiped the sweat from her forehead. She called over an assistant to take over for her; she needed to use the restroom.

As she stepped out of the brewing room and headed downstairs, she heard a sharp, shrill female voice shout, “Dad, I heard you took on a new female apprentice recently?”

The voice was so distinctive that Su Hua recognized it immediately.

It could be no one else but Hua Qirou.

It seemed Chu Suosuo had suffered a setback yesterday and had brought her mother along today as reinforcements.

No wonder Gu Beixian had personally escorted her today and specifically told Hua Tianshou to take good care of her. It seemed he had anticipated all along that Hua Qirou would come looking for trouble.
Hua Tianshou sat at the tea table, sipping his tea. He lifted his eyelids and glanced at Hua Qirou, his tone laced with a hint of displeasure. “Is this the only reason you came today?”

Hua Qirou replied righteously, “Yes. I’m here to remind you not to favor an outsider over your own family!”

Hua Tianshou raised his cup and took a small sip, speaking unhurriedly. “Taking an apprentice is my own business. It has nothing to do with you.”

Hua Qirou frowned. “Suosuo doesn’t like Su Hua. There’s no need for you to upset her over an outsider, is there?”

Hua Tianshou gave a cold, mocking laugh. “Suosuo is immature, but are you immature too?”

Hua Qirou cast a sinister look at Su Hua, who was standing not far away. “Suosuo’s hand was crushed because of someone Su Hua hired. Just because Suosuo slapped her once, she had someone beat Suosuo black and blue that same night. Why would you want to take such a vicious girl as your apprentice? Aren’t you just inviting a wolf into your home?”

That one sentence ignited Su Hua’s fury.

She stared at Hua Qirou with a cold gaze. “Please provide evidence. Without proof, do not make such baseless accusations!”

Hua Qirou sneered. “I can’t think of anyone else but you!”

A faint, mocking smile touched the corners of Su Hua’s lips. “Then who was it that crushed my hand?”

Hua Qirou huffed. “How should I know?”

Hua Tianshou covered his mouth and coughed twice. “I have spent every day with Su Hua for over two months. I know exactly what kind of person she is.”

Hua Qirou’s face remained cold. “Dad, how can you be so muddled? Suosuo is your biological granddaughter. Can’t you tell who is family and who isn’t?”

Hua Tianshou lost his patience and slammed his teacup onto the table. “Over twenty years ago, you refused to listen to me. You insisted on interfering in your sister and brother-in-law’s marriage, throwing their household into chaos and causing your sister so much mental distress. In my anger, I severed our father-daughter relationship. So, in what capacity are you standing here now, trying to tell me what to do?”

The veil of decency was ruthlessly torn away.

Hua Qirou’s face instantly turned ashen-a deathly, grey pallor.

Her dignity utterly shattered, she shot Su Hua a vicious glare and turned to leave.

She slammed the door so hard it sounded like a clap of thunder.

Hua Tianshou clutched his chest and began to cough violently.

Su Hua rushed over to pat his back.

After a long while, the coughing finally subsided.

Hua Tianshou patted the back of Su Hua’s hand and said, “Don’t take it to heart. Master won’t listen to their slander. Just focus on your studies with peace of mind. I will teach you with everything I have.”

Su Hua felt both grateful and uneasy. “Thank you, Master.”

When it was time to finish work in the afternoon, Gu Beixian came to pick her up in person again.

As soon as he saw her come out, he walked up to meet her and gently stroked her head. “Did anyone bully you today?”

Su Hua told him the truth. “Hua Qirou came by, but my Master scolded her and sent her packing.”

Gu Beixian gave a faint smile. “It seems the old man still has a bit of a conscience.”

He took her hand and walked toward the car.

Just as they reached it, Chu Suosuo stepped out from a nearby vehicle and blocked their car door.

The moment Su Hua saw her, she felt a wave of discomfort, as if she had spotted a dead fly. It was an indescribable sense of revulsion.

Chu Suosuo gazed at Gu Beixian with eyes full of longing, her voice sweet and cloying. “Beixian, it’s been a long time since we last met.”

Gu Beixian tilted his chin slightly, his tone indifferent. “Is there something you need?”

Chu Suosuo leaned against the car door, her body appearing soft and boneless. She fluttered her large eyes and bit her lip flirtatiously, looking at him with a face full of simulated passion. “Can’t I see you even if there’s nothing specific?”

Seeing her acting so provocative and cheap made Su Hua physically uncomfortable. A layer of goosebumps broke out over her skin.

She desperately wanted to step forward and slap her. She had never seen someone so shameless-flirting with her husband right in front of her.

Gu Beixian’s patience had run dry. “If there’s nothing, please move aside. Don’t delay us from getting into the car.”

Chu Suosuo was momentarily stunned by his heartlessness. She decided to stop beating around the bush.

Straightening her posture, she stated her intent directly: “Beixian, don’t you think it’s awkward having Sister Su Hua hanging around my grandfather all day? Tell her to stop coming, okay?”

A trace of faint mockery flashed in Gu Beixian’s eyes as he looked down at her. “Do you know what you look like right now?”

Startled, Chu Suosuo raised her right hand to touch her face. “What do I look like?”

Gu Beixian enunciated every word: “Like a jumping clown.”

With that, he reached out and ruthlessly pushed her aside. He opened the car door, helped Su Hua inside, and then sat down beside her.

Even through the car window, Su Hua could see Chu Suosuo’s face contort with visible ugliness, her lips pouting high in a sulk.