After Marrying the Officer Chapter 1325 - 1324: Realization

~3 minute read · 662 words
Previously on After Marrying the Officer...
Xia Chuyi is confronted by her ex, He Qing, who claims to have become wealthy and wants a second chance. He Qing’s behavior becomes aggressive, and he signals for an accomplice. Before He Qing can assault Xia Chuyi, military bodyguards intervene, subduing both He Qing and his accomplice under the command of a mysterious figure who recognizes Xia Chuyi as "Young Madam Huo."
“It’s me.” At this instant, Xia Chuyi also recognized the individual who had appeared—Guo Jiumin. It could be said that Guo Jiumin was far more devious than He Qing. Consequently, Guo Jiumin’s display of “surprise” appeared quite authentic, as though their encounter was purely accidental. “Young Madam Huo, what an unexpected meeting!” Guo Jiumin exclaimed. “I never imagined that my casual act of assistance would prove beneficial to you!” Coincidence? Ha, it certainly seemed like quite the coincidence. However… for Xia Chuyi, at this particular moment, no coincidence felt truly accidental. Xia Chuyi harbored suspicions towards anyone who materialized before her without prior arrangement. Still, given that Guo Jiumin belonged to the Guo family and held a certain standing, Xia Chuyi refrained from displaying any hint of her distrust. “Thank you, Mr. Guo,” Xia Chuyi responded with composure and politeness. “Young Madam Huo, there’s really no need for such formality.” Hearing this, Guo Jiumin, with a smile gracing his features, elaborated, “I happened to be dining nearby, noticed some individuals causing a disturbance, and intervened…” “I hadn’t anticipated that my actions would lead to saving Young Madam Huo,” Guo Jiumin continued. “It appears that Mr. Guo and Young Madam Huo are truly fated to cross paths.” For reasons unclear, Guo Jiumin’s declaration unsettled Xia Chuyi. Beyond his words, even the manner in which Guo Jiumin regarded her caused Xia Chuyi discomfort. How to describe it? The way Guo Jiumin looked at Xia Chuyi carried an air of excessive warmth. Such warmth could be interpreted as the gaze of an elder towards a younger person… after all, considering Guo Jiumin’s age, while not as venerable as Ou Zhenting or Huo Zhongcheng, he was considerably older than Xia Chuyi. Yet, Xia Chuyi consistently felt that Guo Jiumin’s gaze held a layer of complexity beyond simple paternalism. But if Xia Chuyi were pressed to be specific, she found herself unable to articulate the exact nature of her unease. In essence, this opportune timing, the circumstances of their meeting, and Guo Jiumin’s intricate gaze collectively heightened Xia Chuyi’s cautiousness. Therefore, Xia Chuyi did not directly address Guo Jiumin’s comment about their “destined” encounter. Instead, she offered a placid smile and stated, “Thank you, Mr. Guo, for your timely intervention.” “Had Mayor Guo not materialized when he did,” Xia Chuyi added, recalling the previous day, “it might have taken us a considerable amount of effort to subdue those two ruffians.” As she spoke, Xia Chuyi retrieved a canister of pepper spray from her pocket and lightly brandished it before Guo Jiumin. Although Guo Jiumin remained unaware of the precise nature of the item Xia Chuyi held. It was readily apparent from Xia Chuyi’s statement that, even without his intervention, she possessed the capability to manage the situation herself. Put another way, Xia Chuyi was not inclined to accept the debt of gratitude for the “rescue” that Guo Jiumin seemed eager to claim. Guo Jiumin, not being entirely oblivious, clearly grasped Xia Chuyi’s unspoken message. However, Guo Jiumin did not appear vexed. He simply chuckled and remarked, “Haha, then that makes this encounter even more serendipitous!” “Because if I had arrived even a moment later,” Guo Jiumin continued with a smile that appeared benign, “I would have been unable to offer assistance to Young Madam Huo, and consequently, Young Madam Huo would not be indebted to me, correct?” At this juncture, even the director, who had no prior acquaintance with Guo Jiumin, sensed an underlying strangeness. This Mr. Guo… his demeanor seems rather peculiar? Echoing Xia Chuyi’s internal perception, the director also perceived Guo Jiumin’s scrutiny of Xia Chuyi as unusual. “Thank you, Mr. Guo!” Despite his inability to fully comprehend the situation, the director instinctively positioned himself in front of Xia Chuyi and addressed Mr. Guo. “I sincerely hope for an opportunity to host you and extend our deepest gratitude, Mr. Guo.”