Chapter 6

The tall, thin man fell with a thud onto the concrete ground, his body convulsing like a rag doll a few times before his legs stiffened and his eyes closed. Dark red blood slowly flowed from beneath his head.

The dogs in the yard barked wildly.

Baldy tried to take advantage of the chaos to escape, but the police pounced on him, pinned him to the ground, seized the painting, and handcuffed him.

Suge still clung to the window frame, staring blankly at Gu Beixian, who had just fired the gun.

After three years of marriage, she had no idea he could shoot, and shoot so accurately.

Just now, if the gun had been fired a moment too soon or too late, a bit to the left or right, it would have been a fatal injury for her.

Gu Beixian tossed the gun aside, took a long stride, and walked over to her, lifting her down from the windowsill.

He carefully tended to the wound on her neck.

He hugged her tightly, his cool fingertips rubbing her pale face, and asked softly, "Scared, weren't you?"

Suge numbly nodded.

She thought she was going to die just now, but she had somehow escaped death.

Her heart pounded wildly, her ears ringing. Even with a silencer, the gun was still loud.

The whole process was like a movie, thrilling and terrifying.

She was drenched in cold sweat.

The ancient painting was carefully packed by the police, placed in a protective bag, and then into a safe.

Suge mechanically cooperated with the police to complete the statement, then got into Gu Beixian's car.

Her legs were still weak, her head still dazed.

The night was pitch black, the country road narrow.

The driver started the car and headed towards the city.

Suge was held in Gu Beixian's arms.

He stroked her thin back repeatedly, comforting her, "It's over, it's over, don't be afraid."

His embrace was warm, and Suge instinctively snuggled closer, feeling a mix of bitterness, sourness, and a hint of sweetness.

He still had feelings for her as a husband.

Feeling her response, Gu Beixian hugged her even tighter, his gentle voice tinged with a bit of scolding, "Why didn't you call me when it happened? Your mother-in-law is so careless; she only noticed something was wrong yesterday and called me."

His throat was dry, his chin buried in her hair, his hand gripping her clothes as he whispered, "What would I do if something happened to you?"

Suge was taken aback.

At this moment, she felt he cared for her more than she had imagined.

She raised her arm and slowly hugged his waist, burying her face in his neck.

His scent was comforting, making her feel at ease.

A warm current flowed through her heart, and her eyes gradually reddened.

Midway through the journey, Gu Beixian's phone rang.

He glanced at it and hung up.

Suge instinctively thought it was Chu Suosuo calling.

Not long after, the assistant's phone in the front seat also rang.

He answered it, spoke a few words, and then handed the phone over, saying, "Mr. Gu, it's Miss Chu."

Gu Beixian took the phone and asked, "What's up?"

Chu Suosuo's sweet voice was filled with anxiety, "Brother Beixian, have you found Sister Suge?"

"Found her."

"She must be scared, right? Stay with her for a few days, don't come to the hospital to see me."

Gu Beixian responded with a faint "Mm."

Suge, who was close by, heard everything clearly, and her heart, which had been warm, turned cold.

They weren't divorced yet, so he was still her husband. The fact that his wife needed the third party's permission to be with him was a profound humiliation.

She gently pushed Gu Beixian's arm away and moved to sit on the seat.

Turning her head to look out the window, she smiled at her reflection in the car window, but the smile was cold.

The warmth she had felt just now was all an illusion.

Yes, it was all an illusion.

The car entered the city.

Suge said to Gu Beixian, "Take me to my mother's house, and find an excuse for my grandmother."

Gu Beixian was silent for a moment, then said, "Okay."

Back home.

As soon as they entered, Su Peilan hugged Suge and cried, "Daughter, are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"Thank goodness, thank goodness. I was so scared. It's all my fault for being so careless. I didn't realize you were trying to tell me to take your diabetes medication until the next day. Thank goodness Beixian brought people to find you. If it weren't for him, who knows what would have happened? You're my only child. If something happened to you, how could I go on living?" The usually energetic woman was now sobbing uncontrollably.

Suge raised her hand to wipe her mother's tears, soothing her, "Don't cry, Mom. I'm back safe and sound."

A week later, at night.

Gu Beixian had drunk too much at a business gathering.

The driver helped him home and settled him on the sofa.

He got up to get a towel and heard Gu Beixian, with his eyes closed, mumble, "Suge, Suge, get me a glass of water."

The driver hesitated for a moment, then called Suge, saying, "Madam, Mr. Gu has had too much to drink and keeps calling your name."

Suge pressed her lips together and said nothing.

Su Peilan, who had heard, said, "Go take care of him. You're still married, don't make things too awkward."

Suge nodded and said to the driver, "I'll be right over."

"Thank you, Madam." The driver hung up.

She poured a glass of water and fed it to Gu Beixian.

Just as he had drunk half of it, the doorbell rang.

The driver put the glass on the coffee table and went to open the door.

Outside stood Chu Suosuo in a white dress, holding a basket of fruit.

The driver apologized, "Miss Chu, Mr. Gu has had too much to drink and can't entertain you."

Chu Suosuo smiled, "That's perfect, I'll take care of him."

She stepped inside, placed the basket on the shoe cabinet, and said to the driver, "You can go home. Brother Beixian is in my hands."

The driver looked hesitant, "I just called Madam, and she'll be here soon."

Chu Suosuo smiled, "It's fine. I know Sister Suge, and she has a good temper. She won't mind."

The driver hesitated for a moment, "Alright."

He took the car keys and left.

Chu Suosuo walked around the foyer, sat on the sofa, picked up the cup, and fed Gu Beixian some water.

Smelling a familiar perfume, Gu Beixian slowly opened his eyes.

Seeing it was Chu Suosuo, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. He sat up, leaning on the sofa, and asked, "Why are you here?"

Chu Suosuo batted her eyelashes and smiled coyly, "I missed you so much, I couldn't help it. You won't be mad at me, will you, Brother Beixian?"

Gu Beixian's brow furrowed slightly, "I'm drunk and can't entertain you. Go home."

Chu Suosuo was taken aback, her eyes welling up with tears. She said in a pouting voice, "Brother Beixian, you still haven't truly forgiven me. I already told you, the breakup message three years ago was sent by my mother using my phone. She took me abroad and had people watch me 24/7, preventing me from contacting you. Do you know how much I suffered over the past three years? I thought about you every day until I was driven mad, and I was forced into severe depression..."

She covered her face and sobbed.

"I've already forgiven you, really." Gu Beixian's eyes showed a hint of irritation, but his voice was gentle, "Stop crying."

Chu Suosuo looked at him with tearful eyes, pitiful and reproachful, "Then why are you sending me away?"

"I haven't divorced yet, and it's inappropriate for you to be here at this hour." He pinched his leg hard, trying to regain his sobriety.

Chu Suosuo noticed this detail and slowly moved closer, her soft arms wrapping around his shoulders like a vine, her eyes filled with desire as she said softly, "I don't mind."

Gu Beixian turned away, "I do."

Disappointment flashed in Chu Suosuo's eyes, and her outstretched hand froze in the air, taking a while to retract.

They fell into a heavy silence.

The oppressive silence filled the entire room.

Unable to bear the silence, Chu Suosuo looked around and finally settled her gaze on the painting on the wall, making small talk, "Is this a genuine ink bamboo painting by Zheng Banqiao?"

"No, it's a copy by Suge."

"Really? It's so well done, I thought it was the real thing." Chu Suosuo said wistfully, "I didn't realize Sister Suge was so talented."

Gu Beixian's dark eyes softened, "Indeed, she is very talented."

"Brother Beixian is even more talented. In my eyes, you are the most talented man." Chu Suosuo stared at him with shining eyes, her admiration evident.

Gu Beixian's thick lashes lowered, a thin layer of frost in his eyes.

In Suge's heart, the most talented man would always be her Ah Yao.

Suddenly, Chu Suosuo heard very light footsteps outside the door, remembering what the driver had said about Suge coming soon.

An idea formed in her mind.

She stood up and grabbed Gu Beixian's arm, her voice seductive, "Brother Beixian, let me help you take a shower. After you sleep, I'll leave."

"No need." Gu Beixian tried to push her away.

"It's fine, I'm not a stranger."

"Really, no need. Go home!" His tone became irritated.

Hearing the sound of the lock being opened, Chu Suosuo steeled herself, "Ouch," she pretended to fall onto him, her hands wrapping around his waist, and her lips moving towards his.

Gu Beixian grabbed her neck, trying to move her head away.

But Chu Suosuo clung to him like a snake, and with his drunken state, his muscles were weak, and he couldn't push her off.

As soon as Suge entered the house, she saw Chu Suosuo and Gu Beixian passionately embracing and kissing.

The hands that had once gently caressed her waist were now intimately holding Chu Suosuo's neck!

Suge felt as if she had been struck by lightning, half her body turning cold!