Chapter 112: I Have Spent Three Years Living as a Grass Widow for You

Gu Pingsheng leaned back, his entire back pressing against the chair. "That is not something you need to concern yourself with."

Li Yueting pursed her lips. "I am only worried about Youzhi's condition."

"Attend to your own duties," he said in a low, stern voice.

It was clear that these were matters beyond the scope of her position.

"Yes," Li Yueting replied, biting her lip, a look of grievance crossing her face.

She turned to leave, but halfway out, Gu Pingsheng suddenly called her back. "Wait."

Li Yueting turned around, a flicker of expectation in her eyes.

"Take that thing back with you."

After Li Yueting left with the thermal food jar, Ye Lanzhou watched her depart and remarked, "Your former secretary seems to have more on her mind than meets the eye."

Bringing soup for Gu Youzhi? It was obvious that her true intentions lay elsewhere.

Gu Pingsheng laced his fingers together and rested them on his desk, his dark, ink-colored eyes shimmering with an unfathomable light.

Back at the company, Wen Zhixia had intended to leave Gu Youzhi in the office during her meeting, but the little fellow clung to her like a tail, following her wherever she went. With no other choice, she brought him into the conference room and had him sit in the very back.

The employees watched the small child—hardly taller than the table—walk in, their eyes filled with irrepressible curiosity.

However, the little boy had made a pact with Wen Zhixia in the office: he would sit quietly in his chair, not fidget, not speak, and certainly not wander off.

He sat there obediently, folding his short legs and watching Wen Zhixia conduct the meeting. His serious expression, paired with the soft, chubby cheeks, was impossibly adorable.

When the meeting concluded, the staff began to head home; tomorrow was the day of the official grand opening.

Wen Zhixia’s phone buzzed. It was Gu Pingsheng.

"Has Youzhi been well-behaved?"

Wen Zhixia glanced at the child, who had already fallen asleep. "When are you coming to pick him up?"

Gu Pingsheng paused. "...I still have work at the office. You should take him home."

Take him home?

Hearing this, Wen Zhixia took a deep breath. Right, why hadn't she thought of that from the start? The child should have been taken directly back to the Lanhuju estate.

Instead, she had somehow ended up acting as a nanny for the entire day!

Wen Zhixia felt rather frustrated.

The silence on the other end of the line made Gu Pingsheng’s lips curl slightly; he could guess what she was annoyed about. It wasn't that she hadn't thought of it, but rather that she harbored a natural fondness for the child. Otherwise, given her intelligence, why would she only realize it after he pointed it out?

"Thank you for your hard work," he said.

Wen Zhixia felt irritated by the call and hung up on him immediately.

Once the little fellow woke up, Wen Zhixia drove him home. Still groggy from his nap, the child didn't ask or say anything; he simply held her hand, following her wherever she walked.

Until—the car pulled up to the gate of Lanhuju.

When Aunt Zhao saw her returning with the child, she doubted her own eyes for a moment, only coming to her senses after a while to excitedly call out, "Madam."

Although it had only been three years, to Wen Zhixia, it felt like a lifetime ago.

"Get the slippers for Madam."

Gu Pingsheng, dressed in loungewear, walked over from the living room. His tone was natural, as if she had only been out for a short errand during the last three years.

Wen Zhixia was momentarily dazed, but she regained her composure the next second. "No need. I’ve brought the child back. I hope you will not disturb my life again, Mr. Gu."

Gu Pingsheng looked at Gu Youzhi, who was tugging at Wen Zhixia’s sleeve, his large, round eyes filled with expectation.

Wen Zhixia hesitated, but she steeled her heart. Indecision only breeds chaos.

Just as she turned to leave, Gu Pingsheng gripped her hand with his long arm. His eyes were dark and intense. "Aunt Zhao, take Youzhi to his room."

Aunt Zhao complied, carrying away the reluctant Gu Youzhi.

In the foyer, he peered down at her, his fingers brushing her cheek. He leaned in close, his deep gaze filled with lingering tenderness. "Xiaxia, I’ve missed you these past three years. Come back, hmm?"

Unable to pull her arm away, Wen Zhixia pursed her lips. "If you have time tomorrow, Mr. Gu, let’s go to the Civil Affairs Bureau and finalize the divorce papers. I don’t want to be accused of bigamy."

Her casual remark dissolved the burgeoning romantic atmosphere.

"Divorce?" His thin lips lifted. Suddenly, he scooped her up into his arms. As she gasped in surprise, he carried her inside, his jawline tense. "I never had any intention of marrying another woman in this lifetime. You might as well abandon that thought."

Wen Zhixia kicked her legs, struggling. "Gu Pingsheng! Put me down!"

"Move a few more times, and let’s see if we can create a younger brother or sister for Youzhi tonight." His half-lowered eyes were deep, filled with suppressed desire.

His physical intensity made Wen Zhixia glare at him. "You!"

"What about me?" He pinned her onto the sofa, their combined weight causing it to sink. His eyes, dark as the night, were like a predator's. "Do you want me to sleep with you, or do you want me?"

Wen Zhixia pressed her hands against his chest, her beautiful face flushed with faint anger. "Don't you dare!"

"Xiaxia, spouses have a duty to satisfy one another. I’ve lived like a monk for three years waiting for you; it’s time you let me have a taste." His thin lips pressed against her ear, kissing and lightly biting it.

As his words fell, Wen Zhixia laughed mockingly. "Gu Pingsheng, have you abandoned logic entirely when you lie? A monk? As if there’s a shortage of women around you, Mr. Gu!"

When she was with him, he had never been without women. Now he was telling her that while she was gone, he had been living like a monk?!

If that were true, where did the little boy come from?

Did he think he could "self-pollinate" or reproduce asexually?!

"Yes, there is a shortage," he said through gritted teeth amidst her mockery.

When it came to being a scoundrel, he had always been an expert in front of her.

With only the two of them in the room, he acted as if he were in his own domain, shamelessly attempting to undo her clothes.

Wen Zhixia raised her hand to slap him, but he caught her wrist.

A shadow loomed over them. Gu Pingsheng was abruptly pulled off Wen Zhixia and, caught completely off guard, was struck hard by Xu Qichen, stumbling back two steps.

Xu Qichen had been waiting in the car, but when Wen Zhixia didn't return, he had come to find her, worried.

It was fortunate that he had.

Gu Pingsheng wiped a corner of his mouth and lunged forward with a punch.

Old grudges and new conflicts collided; blow after blow landed, yet neither gained the upper hand. Suddenly, a tickle rose in Xu Qichen’s throat, and he covered his mouth, coughing violently. Gu Pingsheng’s fist landed squarely on his cheek, sending Xu Qichen collapsing to the floor.

Wen Zhixia’s expression changed drastically.