"Your sister was the one betrothed to our Beixian. Her untimely death was the only reason you got close to him. From now on, stop saying Su Hua is a replacement. You're nothing but a stand-in yourself." The woman's words were merciless, leaving Chu Suosuo no dignity.

Su Hua turned around.

She saw a woman standing ten meters away, exuding elegance and charm, tall and slim in a black trench coat, with stunningly beautiful legs, her back ramrod straight.

It was Gu Beixian's mother, Qin Shu.

Su Hua was slightly surprised, then smiled and greeted, "Mom."

Qin Shu's lips curved gracefully as she nodded in acknowledgment.

Chu Suosuo was taken aback, about to lash out, but upon seeing Qin Shu, she quickly put on a delighted smile and exclaimed, "Aunt Qin, you're back in the country?"

She almost ran over, hugging Qin Shu's waist warmly, "I've missed you so much. Just the other day I was telling my mom your birthday was coming up. I came today to pick out a gift for you, and what a coincidence to run into Sis Su Hua and have a little chat."

Su Hua had to admire Chu Suosuo's thick skin.

Even after Qin Shu had given her no face,

She still managed to cling on as if nothing had happened, laughing and joking, trying to ingratiate herself.

Qin Shu's face remained expressionless as she moved Chu Suosuo's arm away from her waist and stepped back, creating distance between them.

Chu Suosuo didn't seem embarrassed, still smiling, "Auntie, what brings you here today? Let me help you choose."

Qin Shu glanced at the bag on Su Hua's shoulder and said indifferently, "I'm here to buy a bag for my daughter-in-law. The poor girl is too thrifty, carrying a no-name bag that cost a few hundred, which shallow people might mock."

Chu Suosuo's smile froze.

She was the shallow one being referred to.

It took her a moment to muster a response, "Ah, yes, Sis Su Hua is so frugal, so beautiful yet not fond of dressing up. Auntie, you're in the fashion industry, and she's so..."

Su Hua realized Chu Suosuo was insinuating she was unfashionable.

Her usual attire was simple: shirts, trousers, coats, or knitwear, none from luxury brands, just picked up from any store, and she seldom wore jewelry.

Compared to Chu Suosuo, decked out in the latest haute couture, glittering like a butterfly, she was indeed plain.

But Su Hua didn't mind; as long as her clothes were comfortable and fitting, that was enough.

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Chu Suosuo might find her plain, but Su Hua found Chu Suosuo's ostentation off-putting, always dressed as if walking the red carpet, draped in clinking jewelry, tiring to even look at.

Qin Shu's cool gaze swept over Chu Suosuo as she said calmly, "My daughter-in-law has a heart of orchids, valuing inner beauty. Even if she were to step out wrapped in a bedsheet, she'd still be stunning enough to captivate onlookers. Confident people don't need such elaborate adornments."

Chu Suosuo was at a loss for words, biting her lip in silence.

Su Hua was touched inside.

She admired her mother-in-law's shocking defense, each word protecting her, each one a slap to Chu Suosuo's face.

A sales associate approached with a platinum bag in milky white, reserved for Qin Shu, and said respectfully, "Mrs. Gu, your bag has arrived."

Qin Shu took it and handed it to Su Hua, "This is a gift from me. Don't just buy bags for me and Nanyin, while you carry something cheap. This circle judges by appearances, and you should have what others do."

Su Hua accepted it with thanks, "Thank you, Mom, it's beautiful."

"As long as you like it." Qin Shu handed her card to the sales associate to pay.

Su Hua then gave Qin Shu the amber yellow platinum bag she had bought, "Mom, this is the birthday gift I chose for you."

Qin Shu immediately had the packaging removed and transferred all her belongings into the bag Su Hua bought, declaring, "From now on, I'll only use this bag. A gift from my daughter-in-law holds great significance."

Qin Shu's repeated reference to "daughter-in-law" was like a dagger to Chu Suosuo's heart.

She stood there, frozen, her face a shifting landscape of emotions.

The driver came to load Su Hua's purchases into the trunk.

Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, each with a new bag, walked out chatting and laughing.

Leaving Chu Suosuo alone in disarray.

The experienced sales associates had seen enough to understand the dynamics and looked at Chu Suosuo with a nuanced gaze.

Outside the store.

Qin Shu suddenly asked, "Ex-girlfriends are quite annoying, aren't they?"

Su Hua smiled lightly, "Quite."

"Don't get too hung up on whether Beixian can forget her or not. What matters most is that he loves you now."

Su Hua fell silent.

Unfortunately, Gu Beixian's heart wasn't with her; it was with Chu Suosuo.

His sudden decision not to divorce her was due to Grandmother Gu's repeated interventions.

His kindness towards her was because she had taken care of him wholeheartedly during his most difficult and desperate times; he was indeed a person of loyalty.

Qin Shu glanced at her watch and suggested, "It's still early, how about a cup of coffee together?"

"Sure."

Su Hua got into Qin Shu's car and headed to her favorite coffee shop.

Once seated, they each ordered a coffee.

Qin Shu, supporting her chin with her left hand, studied Su Hua, "Beixian was in a terrible mood these past few years. It must have been tough for you. As the saying goes, no child is present at a long sickbed, and even I, his mother, didn't want to tend to him. I thought you wouldn't last a few days, but here you are."

Su Hua gently caressed her cup, "It's been alright."

"1.56 billion. How many times did Beixian lose his temper, how terribly did he treat you, to make him compensate you so desperately? I couldn't have endured it, no matter how much love there was."

Su Hua paused.

She knew Qin Shu had overheard her conversation with Chu Suosuo.

She smiled, "Growing up under Grandfather Gu's tutelage in ancient painting and calligraphy restoration, I've developed resilience and patience, so it didn't bother me. Those two years, he was troubled, and venting his temper helped him feel better. It's worse to keep it all bottled up; that can lead to heart disease."

"You're quite considerate of him." Qin Shu glanced at Su Hua's injured hand, "That important hand of yours was crushed; it must have been devastating."

Su Hua looked down at her splinted hand and gave a bitter smile, "Indeed, my world came crashing down."

"It will heal." Qin Shu offered comfort.

She called over a waiter and handed him the car keys to retrieve a gift box from her car's trunk.

Once the gift box was brought over,

Qin Shu opened it and pushed it towards Su Hua, "I designed this myself, and it's been ready for a while. Wear this set for my birthday at the end of the month."

She glanced at Su Hua's white shirt, "Simplicity is a virtue, but some shallow people judge by appearances. We're not lacking, so wear it if you want."

Su Hua looked down to see a midnight blue starry sky dress.

The soft tulle fabric was adorned with countless sparkling artificial diamonds, like the stars of the Milky Way, shimmering brightly.

Even without trying it on, she could imagine how stunning this gown would be.

Suddenly thinking of something, Su Hua spoke softly, "Mom, wearing something so glamorous to your birthday, wouldn't that be stealing the spotlight?"

Qin Shu sipped her coffee and smiled faintly, "No, you're my daughter-in-law. The more beautiful and radiant you are, the prouder I am as your mother-in-law."

Su Hua was nearly moved to tears.

She had always thought Qin Shu was cold and aloof, but beneath that exterior was a warm heart.

Just as Su Hua closed the box, her phone rang.

Glancing at the caller ID, it was Gu Beixian.

After answering, Su Hua asked softly, "What's up? Beixian."

"Where are you?"

"I'm having coffee with Mom."

"With my mom? Which coffee shop are you at? I'm almost done here; I'll come find you." Gu Beixian's deep voice suddenly sounded urgent.

Su Hua hesitated, "You don't need to come; continue with your work."

"Hand the phone to her."

Su Hua passed the phone to Qin Shu.

Taking the phone, Qin Shu greeted with a "Hello."

Gu Beixian warned, "Don't make things difficult for Su Hua. If there's an issue, come to me directly."

"Make things difficult?" Qin Shu raised her hand to her ear, feigning misunderstanding.