Chapter 107: The First Word She Called Out Was "Mama"

He felt that this lady, who had her face half-hidden and was bundled up tightly, looked very familiar. However, he did not know many people, and unable to place her, he tilted his head and stared.

"Youzhi, what are you looking at?" Li Yueting brushed the snowflakes from his coat, only to find him staring fixedly behind her without even blinking. Li Yueting looked in the direction of his gaze, but there was no one there. Yet, Gu Youzhi took his little steps and ran over. To appear caring, Li Yueting followed him.

Gu Pingsheng was on a phone call, but his eyes remained locked on Gu Youzhi’s movements. Seeing his stumbling little feet on the snowy ground, looking as if he might topple over at any moment, he frowned. In his hand was a pediatric medical report; the final line of the diagnosis indicated no improvement. He was currently trying to contact a top pediatric psychologist recommended by Dean Zhang.

Gu Youzhi trotted all the way to the spot where Wen Zhixia had just been standing. She was gone, and only a piece of candy lay quietly on the snow—the very one the lady had taken from her pocket. Gu Youzhi reached out his small hand to pick it up. His large, round eyes were filled with delight; the candy wrapper featured a little lion.

"Does Youzhi want candy? How about we go buy some with your father later? But you can’t eat this one you found on the ground, you know?" Li Yueting smiled, reaching to take the candy from his hand. But Gu Youzhi kept his little hand clenched, hiding the candy behind his back.

Li Yueting’s smile remained unchanged. "Be a good boy, Youzhi. Things found on the ground aren't hygienic; you can't eat them."

Gu Youzhi looked at her with wide eyes, calm and devoid of ripples—like a stagnant pool. He showed no intention of obeying. Li Yueting’s smile began to fade. "We’ll buy new ones."

Gu Youzhi took a step back, then clutched the candy and ran toward Gu Pingsheng. He was so small, barely taller than Gu Pingsheng’s knees, and he hugged his father’s leg, swaying.

Gu Pingsheng ended his call and picked the little one up with one arm. "What’s wrong?"

Gu Youzhi opened his palm to reveal the candy.

"Where did you get that?" Gu Pingsheng asked.

"He picked it up off the ground. I told him I’d buy him new ones and asked him to throw that one away, but he refused," Li Yueting walked over, saying with a helpless expression.

Gu Youzhi was usually obedient; such a thing had almost never happened. Gu Pingsheng looked down at the little one in his arms. "Do you want to eat candy?"

The little boy shook his head, but he gripped the candy tightly. After a long moment, he spoke: "The lady gave it to me."

That pretty lady had been looking at him just now. She had taken the candy from her pocket, but then she walked away, leaving the candy on the ground for him.

Gu Pingsheng furrowed his brow. "What lady?"

Li Yueting didn't know what he was talking about because she had been with him the whole time and hadn't seen any woman. She subconsciously assumed the child, who was already not quite right, was lying.

Meanwhile, inside her car, Wen Zhixia took a rabbit-shaped candy from her pocket and popped it into her mouth. A cloyingly sweet taste spread through her mouth. Xu Qichen had given it to her when she took her medicine that morning. She had long outgrown the age for candy, but Xu Qichen always felt she was still the little girl who needed coaxing to take her medicine.

Wen Zhixia had felt a fondness for that little tot earlier and had intended to tease him, but she had unexpectedly caught sight of someone she did not want to see.

Three years had passed, and he hadn't changed. She wondered if the child was his or that secretary Li's. Over these three years, she had been recuperating abroad and had paid no attention to domestic affairs, neither the Gu Xia Group nor Gu Pingsheng himself. It was only because Hua Qianjiao had recovered and was no longer mentally impaired that she insisted on coming back. Moreover... though foreign lands were pleasant, this native soil ultimately gave her the greatest sense of familiarity.

At the Hua residence, just as Wen Zhixia got out of the car, Hua Qianjiao rushed over to her. Miss Hua had returned to her normal self, looking radiant and spirited. Although they had video-chatted, it was across a vast distance; seeing her now, Wen Zhixia felt as though she were suddenly looking at that lively, vibrant girl from years ago.

"Sister Wen, I missed you so much." Hua Qianjiao hugged her tightly, her voice even carrying a hint of a sob. Three years had passed in a flash, yet it felt like half a lifetime.

When Hua Qianjiao was found three years ago, she had been in a coma. The doctors said that when she was swept downstream by the sea, her head had hit a reef, and it was highly likely she would never wake up. Fortunately, heaven had blessed her; she woke up a year ago, though she couldn't remember the details of the day she fell into the sea. Only blurry, indistinct flashes of images crossed her mind, letting her know she hadn't fallen by accident, but had been pushed.

Upon learning the truth from his daughter, Mr. Hua was furious, but without evidence, he could only harbor suspicions and couldn't unearth the culprit. For the time being, all he could do was nurse Hua Qianjiao back to health while keeping her survival a secret for three years, claiming she was missing.

"Let me look at you. Are you all healed?" Wen Zhixia looked her up and down.

Hua Qianjiao spun around in front of her. "All healed."

Wen Zhixia smiled softly. "That’s good."

"Jiaojiao, it’s cold outside. Sister Wen’s health is delicate; let’s talk inside," Mrs. Hua said with a smile, reminding her daughter, who had forgotten everything upon seeing Wen Zhixia.

Hearing this, Hua Qianjiao hurriedly pulled Wen Zhixia inside. As soon as she entered, she had the servants bring out the gifts she had prepared, busy as a bee.

"This is very warm. It will be even colder after the snow melts tomorrow. Wear this, and you won’t be cold anymore." Hua Qianjiao took out a furry cape and tied it around her, making Wen Zhixia’s delicate, beautiful features stand out even more. "And these gloves, this scarf... and this bag..."

She brought out a pile of things all at once. Wen Zhixia was both amused and touched. "I can't use all of these. You keep them."

Hua Qianjiao looked up at her, and suddenly, tears fell. Wen Zhixia paused. "What’s wrong?"

"Wuwuwu—" Hua Qianjiao hugged her and cried. "It’s so good to see you again. Sister Wen, I almost died. I almost never got to see you again."

Seeing her cry, Wen Zhixia’s own nose grew sore. "It’s all in the past now. Our Jiaojiao has survived a great disaster; there will be nothing but blessings from now on."

"Mom said you had leukemia back then. Were you very scared?" Hua Qianjiao asked.

Wen Zhixia paused at the mention, her eyes clouded with a touch of melancholy. "...It’s been too long; I’ve forgotten."

Although only three years had passed, it felt as though half a lifetime had gone by. Now that she was back in this city, seeing it even more prosperous and busier than three years ago, Wen Zhixia felt something she couldn't quite put into words.

"In two days, Dad is holding a banquet for me. Will you come, Sister Wen?" Hua Qianjiao handed her an invitation.

Wen Zhixia took it. "I will."

The purpose of Mr. Hua hosting this banquet was self-evident. Hua Qianjiao had recovered, and this banquet was to let everyone see the elegance of the Hua family’s daughter. Besides... it was time to officially announce the dissolution of the engagement with the Qing family.

At the dinner table, Mr. and Mrs. Hua asked about Wen Zhixia’s life abroad. Upon hearing that she planned to open an advertising agency, Mr. Hua nodded. "It’s a good thing for a young woman to have her own career. Do you have a location in mind? I’ll have someone make a call to secure the address for you."

He was prepared to gift her the location for her company.

Wen Zhixia replied, "The contract for the office space has already been signed. Once the hiring is complete, the company will be ready."

As for the paperwork, Xu Qichen had already handled the process as soon as he learned of her intentions, saving her a lot of trouble.

"You’ve always been thorough in your dealings," Mr. Hua praised.

After dinner, they sat and chatted, touching upon what happened after Wen Zhixia went to prison years ago.

"...Now that you’re back, does President Gu know?" Mrs. Hua hesitated. "Not long after you went to prison, I heard Gu Pingsheng fell severely ill. A year later, he brought home a child. When others asked, he claimed it was his own son."

Wen Zhixia listened quietly, her ivory-white fingers slowly rubbing the rim of her teacup. Her fair, rounded fingertips contrasted beautifully with the translucent emerald-green glass. "We are already divorced; it is normal for him to have a child."

Mrs. Hua wanted to say something else, but Mr. Hua stopped her with a look.

Hua Qianjiao’s focus was different. She was concerned, "Sister Wen, who is this Xu Qichen you mentioned? Are you two dating?"

Wen Zhixia paused and looked up. "To be precise, we are... husband and wife."

Her words made all three people at the table look up in surprise. No one had expected her to remarry so quickly.

Hua Qianjiao asked, "Is he good to you?"

Wen Zhixia nodded. "Yes, very good." Xu Qichen had always been meticulous with her. Being with him made her feel at ease and secure.

"What about you? Are you ready to draw a line with Qing Qi?" Wen Zhixia didn't want to continue that topic and steered it back to Hua Qianjiao.

Hua Qianjiao spoke without any reservations. "Just drawing a line feels too easy on them." Thinking of the humiliation she suffered while her intelligence was impaired, Hua Qianjiao was furious.

Wen Zhixia took a sip of tea and said calmly, "...Jiaojiao, tell me, once a relationship built on money loses its financial foundation, what is left? You are the young lady of the Hua family; getting into a direct conflict with a mistress would be beneath you. I heard from your father earlier that the Qing family has a second young master—an illegitimate one. Who will inherit the Qing family remains to be seen."

Wen Zhixia didn't believe that a woman like Lin Huixi would stand by Qing Qi through thick and thin, waiting ten years for him to make a comeback.

Hua Qianjiao’s eyes lit up. "I understand."

Wen Zhixia nodded with a faint smile.

"Sir, Madam, there is a gentleman outside surnamed Xu who says he is here to pick up Miss Wen," a servant said.

"A gentleman named Xu?" Mrs. Hua looked at Wen Zhixia. "Is he the husband you mentioned?"

Wen Zhixia nodded and stood up. "It’s him. He must have finished his work. I’ll be heading back now."

"I’ll see you out," Hua Qianjiao said.

Outside the door, Xu Qichen stood by the car, elegant and breezy, wearing a warm smile. With his coat draped over his shoulders and black leather gloves on, he looked like a gentleman from the Middle Ages. This was Hua Qianjiao’s first time meeting Xu Qichen, but she gave him top marks immediately.

"Ready to go home?" As Wen Zhixia approached, Xu Qichen tidied her shoulder-length hair and took off his own scarf, wrapping it around her neck. It still held his warmth.

Wen Zhixia nodded with a smile and introduced him. "This is Hua Qianjiao, my younger sister."

Xu Qichen looked at Hua Qianjiao. "Hello, I am Xu Qichen."

Hua Qianjiao replied, "You are always welcome to visit with Sister Wen. You should get in the car; it’s cold out."

The two nodded and waved goodbye.

In the car, Wen Zhixia took out the invitation and asked, "The Hua family is holding a banquet in two days. Do you have time?"

"I can push some things aside." He hadn't had time originally, but since she asked, he now did.

Wen Zhixia looked up and smiled. "If it’s inconvenient, I can actually go alone."

"Don't want me to accompany you?" he asked.

Wen Zhixia watched him, even in the car not forgetting to work, and touched the bridge of her nose. "That’s not it. It’s just that Mr. Xu is a busy man, and I’m afraid of delaying your multi-hundred-million-dollar projects."

Xu Qichen put down his tablet and closed his email. "Is this better?"

"Barely acceptable." She turned her face toward the car window, biting her lip to hide a smile.

Xu Qichen shook his head gently and teased, "The little girl has grown up; she’s not easy to fool anymore."

Just as Wen Zhixia turned her head back, their business car brushed past a Bugatti. Gu Youzhi, who was looking out the window, suddenly started patting the glass. "Mommy."

He had seen a mommy with short hair who looked just like the lady in the hospital and the person in the photos at home.

Gu Pingsheng, who was in the middle of a conference call, turned his head sharply at the name. Gu Youzhi tugged at his arm, urgently calling out, "Mommy!"

Gu Pingsheng: "Stop the car!"

The driver hesitated for a second when he saw the traffic police ahead, but still pulled over.

Gu Pingsheng looked at Gu Youzhi. "What did you see? Who are you calling?"

Gu Youzhi’s small body pressed against the rear window, his expression lethargic like a little beast with drooping ears. "She’s gone."

Mommy was gone.

Gu Pingsheng opened his phone screen and pointed to the woman on it. "Is it her?"

The little boy looked at the woman on the phone, his chubby little hand covering the long hair that reached Wen Zhixia’s waist in the photo, and then he nodded.

Gu Pingsheng’s eyes narrowed, his grip on the phone tightening. "Are you sure? You didn't see wrong?"

Under his gaze, most children would hesitate about something they had only glimpsed, but Gu Youzhi did not; he nodded very earnestly. Seeing this, Gu Pingsheng’s fingertips trembled slightly.

"Knock, knock, knock—"

The car window was suddenly knocked on. He looked up, only to see a traffic officer coming to issue a ticket. He had walked right into the line of fire.

At Lanhu County, after lulling Gu Youzhi to sleep, Gu Pingsheng returned to his study and took out the photos of Wen Zhixia. Even though the photos had been handled with care, they were worn at the edges, showing they were frequently touched.

It was no wonder Gu Youzhi could recognize Wen Zhixia at a glance; ever since he learned to speak, the first word he learned was "Mommy," and since he began to recognize people, the thing he saw most often was Wen Zhixia’s photo. He was young and didn't understand why Dad was a real person while Mommy was just a photo. As he grew older, he learned that Dad had made Mom angry, so Mom had run away from home.

Gu Youzhi was taciturn, but he would occasionally ask, "When is Mommy coming back?" And every time, Gu Pingsheng would only stay silent. Because he didn't know either.

Before the trial, Wen Zhixia had asked her lawyer to tell him, "No matter how smart a person is, they cannot control the human heart. He should look after himself." But no one knew better than he did what a human heart was.

Once broken and torn apart, a human heart was like a moldy apple—some parts slightly spoiled, others half-rotten, and some completely black at the core. She was born in the mud yet remained untainted, but he couldn't do that. He was surrounded by darkness, and only she was that light of salvation. From the moment he first saw her, the desire to possess her had been born in his heart.

It had persisted through the years, and it would never end.

"Xiaxia, you finally came back, didn't you?"

Gu Pingsheng’s fingertips gently brushed over the face of Wen Zhixia in the photo, turning it over and over, his gaze filled with endless complexity.

It had been so long; was she still angry?

The next day, news of the Hua family’s daughter’s safe return spread quickly through the circle, and invitations were sent out one after another. The wealthy merchants, socialites, and noblewomen of Sifang City all received invitations. Even the Qing family, whose relationship with the Hua family had been frozen for years, was no exception. But whether intentional or not, it seemed that the Gu Xia Group had been uniquely overlooked; Gu Pingsheng did not receive an invitation.

The Gu Xia Group had once been quite close to the Hua family, but that was back when Wen Zhixia was around. In recent years, their relationship could only be described as "respectful but cold as ice"—they kept to their own lanes and had no further contact. Usually, they maintained a veneer of civility, but this time, the invitations had been sent to the entire circle, except for Gu Pingsheng. The meaning behind this was worth pondering.

"Go get an invitation," Gu Pingsheng said, tapping his finger on the desk as he spoke to Zhou Anbei.

Zhou Anbei looked at the schedule and whispered a reminder: "President Gu, you have an appointment tomorrow afternoon..."

"Postpone it," Gu Pingsheng said without letting him finish.

Zhou Anbei nodded. "Yes, I’ll handle it immediately."

However, he was somewhat puzzled. Why would President Gu suddenly want to attend the Hua family’s banquet for no reason? Could it be because of the friendship between Miss Hua and his wife?

That was just the beginning of what made Zhou Anbei feel strange. During the day, Gu Pingsheng also had him contact stylists and wardrobe consultants... For a small banquet, even when attending business summits, the President had never been this meticulous.

It wasn't for anything else; it was because he had keenly sensed something unusual from the Hua family’s actions. He had an intuition that Wen Zhixia might just appear at this banquet.