The lanky figure crashed onto the cement floor with a thud, his body convulsing a few times before his legs kicked out and his eyes closed, dark red blood slowly seeping from beneath his head.

The dogs in the yard barked madly without stopping.

In the chaos, the bald man tried to escape, but the police swarmed him, pinning him to the ground, seizing the painting, and cuffing his wrists.

Su Hua's hands clung to the window frame as she stared blankly at Gu Beixian, who had fired the shot.

After three years of marriage, she had no idea he could shoot, let alone with such precision.

Just moments ago, had the shot been a bit faster or slower, a bit off or slanted, it would have been fatal for her.

Gu Beixian dropped the gun, strode over with long legs, and lifted her down from the windowsill.

He carefully tended to the wound on her neck.

He held her tightly in his arms, his cool fingertips caressing her pale, frightened face, and asked softly, "Scared you, didn't I?"

Su Hua uttered a dazed "Mhm."

She had thought she was a goner, never expecting to escape death.

Her heart pounded wildly, her ears buzzed; even the silenced gun was loud.

The whole ordeal felt like a scene from a movie, heart-stoppingly thrilling.

She broke out in a cold sweat.

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

Su Hua mechanically completed the police report and got into Gu Beixian's car.

Even now, her legs were weak, her mind foggy.

The night was pitch-black, the country roads narrow.

The driver started the car and headed towards the city.

Su Hua was held in Gu Beixian's embrace.

He repeatedly stroked her slender back, comforting her, "It's okay now, don't be afraid."

His embrace was warm, and Su Hua instinctively snuggled closer, feeling a mix of sourness, bitterness, and a hint of sweetness in her heart.

He still had affection for her as a husband.

Feeling her response, Gu Beixian held her even tighter, his gentle voice in her ear, tinged with reproach, "Why didn't you call me when things went wrong? Your mother is so careless; she only realized something was off yesterday and then called me."

His voice was hoarse, his chin buried in her hair, his hand clutching her clothes, he whispered, "What would I do if something happened to you?"

Su Hua was taken aback.

In this moment, she felt that he cared about her more than she had imagined.

She lifted her arms, slowly embracing his waist tightly, burying her face in the crook of his neck.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

His scent was reassuring, comforting her heart.

A warm current surged within her, and her eyes began to redden.

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

He glanced at it and hung up.

Su Hua had a hunch it was Chu Suosuo calling.

Not long after, the assistant in the passenger seat received a call.

After a brief exchange, he handed the phone over, saying, "Mr. Gu, it's Miss Chu on the line."

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

Chu Suosuo's anxious, delicate voice came through, "Brother Beixian, have you found Su Hua?"

"I have."

"She must be terrified. Take good care of her, and don't come to the hospital to accompany me these next few days."

Gu Beixian hummed in response.

Close by, Su Hua heard everything clearly, her warm heart cooling.

They were not divorced yet; he was still her husband. The fact that her husband's company depended on the charity of another woman was a humiliating thought.

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

Turning her head to look out the window, she smiled at her reflection, both her smile and her lips cold.

The recent sweetness was an illusion.

Yes, it was all her illusion.

The car entered the city.

Su Hua said to Gu Beixian, "Please take me to my mother's house. Make an excuse for my grandmother."

"Okay," Gu Beixian said after a moment of silence.

Back home.

As soon as she entered, Su Peilan hugged Su Hua tightly, crying, "My girl, are you alright?"

"I'm fine."

"That's good, that's good. I was scared to death. It's all my fault for being so careless. It took me a whole day to realize what you meant by telling me to take my diabetes medication. Thank goodness Beixian brought people to find you; otherwise, who knows what would have happened? You're my only child; if something happened to you, how could I go on?" The usually fiery woman was sobbing uncontrollably.

Su Hua raised her hand to wipe her tears, coaxing softly, "Don't cry, Mom. I'm back safe and sound, aren't I?"

A week later, at night.

Gu Beixian had drunk too much at a business social.

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

As he got up to fetch a towel, he heard Gu Beixian, with his eyes closed, murmur indistinctly, "Su Hua, Su Hua, get me a glass of water."

The driver hesitated for two seconds, then called Su Hua, saying, "Madam, Mr. Gu is drunk and keeps calling your name."

Su Hua pressed her lips together in silence.

Su Peilan, overhearing, said, "Go take care of him. You're still husband and wife until the divorce is finalized; don't let things get too stiff."

Su Hua hummed in response and told the driver, "I'll be right there."

"Thank you, Madam," the driver said before hanging up.

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

Just as he was halfway through drinking, the doorbell suddenly rang.

The driver placed the glass on the coffee table and got up to open the door.

Standing outside was Chu Suosuo in white, holding a fruit basket.

The driver apologized, "Miss Chu, Mr. Gu is drunk and probably can't entertain you."

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

She slipped inside, placed the fruit basket on the shoe cabinet, and told the driver, "You can go back. I'll take care of Brother Beixian."

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

Chu Suosuo smiled faintly, "No problem, I know Su Hua. She's easy-going; she won't mind."

After a moment's hesitation, the driver agreed and left with his car keys.

Circling the entryway, Chu Suosuo sat down on the sofa, picked up the cup, and fed Gu Beixian water.

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

Seeing it was Chu Suosuo, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. He propped himself up on the sofa and asked, "How did you get here?"

Chu Suosuo fluttered her eyelashes coquettishly, "I missed you so much I couldn't help myself. You're not mad at me, are you, Brother Beixian?"

Gu Beixian's brow furrowed slightly, "I'm too drunk to entertain you. Go back."

Chu Suosuo was taken aback, her eyes reddening, "Brother Beixian, you still haven't truly forgiven me. I told you, that breakup text three years ago was sent by my mom using my phone. She took me abroad, had someone watch me 24/7, and wouldn't let me contact you. Do you know how much pain I've been through these three years? I missed you so much I went crazy, but I couldn't see you, and I was tortured into severe depression..."

She covered her face and wept bitterly.

"I've already forgiven you, really," Gu Beixian said with a hint of irritation in his eyes but his voice remained gentle, "Stop crying."

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

"I'm not divorced yet. It's not appropriate for you to be here in the middle of the night." He pinched his leg hard, trying to sober up with the pain.

Chu Suosuo caught this detail and slowly leaned towards him, her soft arms winding around his shoulder like vines, her cheeks flushed as she gazed at him, her voice soft, "I don't mind."

Gu Beixian shifted to avoid her, "I do."

Disappointment flashed in Chu Suosuo's eyes, her outstretched hand hanging in mid-air, taking a while to retract.

Suddenly, there was nothing to say.

The oppressive silence filled the room.

Unable to bear the silence, Chu Suosuo looked around and finally settled on the painting on the wall, grasping for conversation, "Is that Ink Bamboo Painting an authentic Zheng Banqiao?"

"No, it's a copy by Su Hua."

"Really? It's so well done, I thought it was genuine." Chu Suosuo said wistfully, "I didn't expect Su Hua to be so talented."

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

"You're even more talented, Brother Beixian. In my eyes, you'll always be the most outstanding man." Chu Suosuo gazed at him adoringly, her admiration evident.

Gu Beixian's lashes drooped slightly, a frost forming in his gaze.

In Su Hua's heart, the most outstanding man would definitely be her Brother Ah-Yao.

Suddenly, Chu Suosuo heard faint footsteps outside the door, recalling what the driver had said about Su Hua's imminent arrival.

Her eyes shifted, and a plan formed in her mind.

She stood up to cling to Gu Beixian's arm, her voice sultry and enticing, "Brother Beixian, let me help you take a shower. After you shower and fall asleep, I'll leave."

"No need," Gu Beixian raised his hand to push her away.

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

"Really, no need. Please leave!" His tone grew irritable.

Hearing the sound of unlocking the door, Chu Suosuo took a chance, cried out "Ouch," pretended to fall, and clung to him, her hands wrapping around his waist as she moved her lips towards his.

Gu Beixian held her neck, trying to push her head away.

But Chu Suosuo clung to him like a snake, and he was too drunk to push her off.

As Su Hua entered, she saw Chu Suosuo and Gu Beixian intimately entwined, kissing!

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

Su Hua felt as if struck by lightning, her body turning cold!