Chapter 113: Gu Pingsheng, are you feeling unwell somewhere?

"Qichen, are you alright? Are you hurt?"

Wen Zhixia knelt down, hurriedly checking his condition. Xu Qichen tried to speak, but only let out a series of violent coughs.

"Let’s go to the hospital. I’m taking you to the hospital right now."

She was panicked, terrified that something might happen to him; her eyes were filled with anxiety. Gu Pingsheng gripped his palms, a bizarre glint flashing in his deep eyes. As she struggled to help Xu Qichen up, Gu Pingsheng leaned down and hoisted the man up entirely.

Wen Zhixia paused, unsure of what he was planning.

"If something really happens to him, wouldn't you hate me to death?" Gu Pingsheng’s ink-black eyes swept across her face as he loaded the man into the car.

Wen Zhixia pursed her lips and followed quickly.

At the hospital, Xu Qichen was rushed into the emergency room.

Wen Zhixia contacted Jin Mao and stood outside the emergency room, waiting anxiously. Xu Qichen had been in poor health since birth; with careful nursing, he usually had no problems. Given his noble upbringing, no one ever dared to have a direct confrontation with him. She never expected an accident like today’s to occur.

"He’s a grown man; he only took one punch. He’ll be fine," Gu Pingsheng said, his voice low as he watched her standing there, staring longingly at the emergency room door.

He had taken two punches from Xu Qichen in the span of two days, and yet he was still standing.

Wen Zhixia pushed his approaching body away, lifting her eyes. The anger in her heart did not dissipate simply because he had brought him to the hospital. "What do you know?! His health has always been poor. Do you have any idea that your punch could have cost him half his life?"

Gu Pingsheng stumbled back two steps from her push, his brows furrowed coldly. "When he hit me, how come I didn’t see you getting so worried?!"

And he’d taken two punches, at that!

Was he supposed to be cautious and weigh whether he might cause some injury just because he was throwing a single punch?!

Wen Zhixia replied immediately, "Are you and he the same?!"

The implication was that he deserved it, but Xu Qichen was different.

His cold eyes narrowed, his pupils, dark as the night, filled with a sudden sense of bewilderment.

"...Pingsheng, you’ve been the eldest young master of the Zhang family since birth. Zhiyan is your brother, but he has always carried the reputation of being an illegitimate son. He is not like you..."

"Gu Pingsheng, even your own mother could abandon you. In her heart, you weren't even worth as much as that unborn child..."

"The eldest master of the Zhang family? Oh, no, it should be the second young master now. An illegitimate son transformed overnight and was legitimized, while you were trampled under our feet like a dog. Aren't you arrogant? Aren't you aloof? Hah... beat him! Let’s see just how hard the bones of the high-and-mighty eldest master really are!"

"Big brother, will the Zhang family..."

"The Zhang family? He’s not like Zhang Zhiyan anymore. Beat him, beat him to death!"

"..."

"Why is he different?" Gu Pingsheng lowered his gaze, gripping Wen Zhixia’s wrist tightly, and asked her, "How is he different? Didn’t you say that I was the most different one to you? Why is he different?"

Back then, in order to secure investment, he had drunk until he developed a perforated stomach and was hospitalized. She had held his hand in front of the hospital bed, worried, saying that he was the most different, the most unique existence to her.

How could he not compare to Xu Qichen now?

Wen Zhixia pursed her lips: "He is my husband!"

"He’s an adulterer!" Gu Pingsheng shouted angrily, "A damn husband."

Perhaps even Gu Pingsheng had forgotten how many years it had been since he had used such coarse language. He was no longer the unrestrained, rebellious youth in school; with success and status came shackles on his every word and action.

He always had to maintain the dignity of a corporate president.

But the moment she said Xu Qichen was her husband, his words bypassed his brain entirely.

Wen Zhixia glared at him, clearly surprised that even at the age of thirty, he could still say such unrefined and disgraceful things.

"I have nothing to say to you. If there is nothing else, President Gu, please leave."

He had never been an upright figure in her heart anyway; Wen Zhixia was used to him doing outrageous things and saying outrageous words.

When Jin Mao arrived after receiving Wen Zhixia’s call, Xu Qichen was just being wheeled out of the emergency room, still unconscious.

Wen Zhixia stepped forward, holding the hospital bed, and pushed him into the ward with the nurse.

Wen Zhixia kept watch by the bed the whole time. When Xu Qichen woke up, she was applying medicine to his cheek. Her movements were very gentle. As he opened his eyes, he met her face leaning close and felt a slight sense of daze.

Wen Zhixia curled the corners of her lips: "Do you feel any better?"

Xu Qichen raised his hand and tucked her stray hair behind her ear: "I made you worry."

"...Today’s incident started because of me. Gu Pingsheng has that reckless temper; he doesn't know his own strength." Her cool fingertips, stained with ointment, pressed gently against his cheek as she blew on it.

Xu Qichen touched her cheek: "Xiaoxia, do you... still have feelings for him?"

Wen Zhixia paused. After a few seconds, she spoke: "From the moment I decided to let go, I have had nothing to do with him."

She thought for a moment and told him about the forged divorce papers from three years ago.

Xu Qichen frowned upon hearing this: "What do you plan to do?"

This was the dilemma Wen Zhixia was currently facing. If she were to file a lawsuit openly, Xu Qichen’s existence would become somewhat awkward.

But if she didn't file a lawsuit, knowing Gu Pingsheng’s personality, he would likely not agree easily.

"...I will find a chance to talk to him again," Wen Zhixia said.

"Let me talk to him," Xu Qichen said, "If you go... I'm afraid it won't have much effect."

Although this accident didn't cause major damage, Wen Zhixia was worried about his health and insisted he stay in the hospital for two days of observation.

***

Xu Qichen mentioned the opening of her company; logically and emotionally, he should attend.

However, Wen Zhixia said: "The Xu family has so many businesses; can you attend every single opening? It’s just an advertising company; it’s the same whenever you go."

Seeing him try to speak again, Wen Zhixia raised her eyes: "Don't look for excuses to be discharged."

She didn't like hospitals, and Xu Qichen liked them even less. Both were the type who avoided hospitalization if they could, so they understood each other perfectly.

Xu Qichen was choked for words, then laughed helplessly, reminding her: "If anything happens tomorrow, just go straight to Jin Mao; he will help you."

"I can handle a company opening. In your eyes, am I really that useless?" She raised an eyebrow.

"I know your ability, but you’re still just a young girl after all." Even though Wen Zhixia was nearing thirty and was called "President Wen," in his eyes, she was still that girl who needed protection.

On the day of the new company's opening, to build momentum, many reporters were invited.

Coupled with the numerous executives coming to show their support, luxury cars and celebrities gathered, making it exceptionally lively.

Originally, the ribbon-cutting ceremony was supposed to be performed by Wen Zhixia and Xu Qichen, but since Xu Qichen was in the hospital, she had intended to find a senior business veteran to cut the ribbon with her. However, Zhang Zhiyan was already walking toward her, holding a wine glass.

"I heard you’re with the one from the Xu family. Why don't I see him here?"

Wen Zhixia smiled and nodded: "Qichen isn't feeling well."

"If you don't mind, I can help with the ribbon-cutting later. After all, you are my junior sister." Three years later, there was something else in Zhang Zhiyan’s gaze as he looked at her.

Wen Zhixia caught a glimpse of Gu Pingsheng walking over and politely declined: "Uncle Hua is already here, so there is no need to trouble President Zhang with the ribbon-cutting."

Hua Qianjiao arrived with Chairman Hua, which solved Wen Zhixia’s problem of finding someone to cut the ribbon.

Gu Pingsheng approached. Wen Zhixia nodded at him with calm indifference, just as she would to any other guest, and then turned away gracefully.

Zhang Zhiyan watched this scene, his gaze playful as he looked at Gu Pingsheng. As they brushed past each other, he said in a voice only Gu Pingsheng could hear: "How interesting. Even after ten years of knowing her, she still left you in the end. I’ve said it before, a person like you—how could anyone stand you?"

He was intentionally provoking Gu Pingsheng. In recent years, the Zhang family had been pressed to the point of suffocation by the Gu-Xia Group, and Zhang Zhiyan had been repeatedly compared to Gu Pingsheng, with the results always leaving something to be desired.

Since they were both "dragons among men," who would be willing to be constantly suppressed?

Why must there be a Zhou Yu if there is a Zhuge Liang?

Especially since they had been enemies from the day they were born.

But Gu Pingsheng only gave him a cold, scathing look: "Now, you can only gossip like an old woman."

He lost control in front of Wen Zhixia, but that didn't mean he would lose his composure in front of some loser who couldn't even compare to a dog. If that got out, people would laugh at him.

Wen Zhixia spoke to Chairman Hua about the ribbon-cutting, and the Chairman naturally agreed readily.

Hua Qianjiao went to grab a piece of pastry, but the moment she reached out, it was snatched away by someone else.

Qing Qi placed the pastry on her plate. Hua Qianjiao looked up, and upon seeing it was him, turned and wanted to leave.

But Qing Qi blocked her path: "Qianjiao, let’s start over. I’ve discovered that I truly love you."

Hua Qianjiao stopped, not for any other reason than finding it laughable. When her intelligence had regressed and her reactions were slow, she had followed him around like a puppy, but Qing Qi only had eyes for Lin Huixi and wouldn't give her a pleasant look to save his life.

Now that she had returned to normal and stopped pestering him, he was the one "declaring his love" repeatedly. What was this?

A day late and a dollar short?

"Qing Qi, there is something you might have misunderstood," she said.

Qing Qi: "What?"

"I might have never loved you." This was a question Hua Qianjiao occasionally pondered after waking up. "The reason I wanted to be close to you after my head injury was because you were the first person I saw before and after I fell into a coma. You understand the 'imprinting' effect, right?"

She said: "It was just a coincidence that you happened to appear at that time. I don't love you."

Qing Qi would rather she say she didn't love him anymore than hear her say she had never loved him.

Then what was the value of the unique, undivided love she had given him which he had trampled so wantonly?

Was he a clown?

Qing Qi refused to believe this fact. He gripped Hua Qianjiao’s hand: "Impossible. If you didn't love me, why would you risk your life to save me?"

Why would you have acted like a fool for so many years?

Hua Qianjiao looked at him. Sometimes, simple and kind people telling the truth is harder to accept than a merchant telling a nasty lie, because it cuts to the heart.

She said: "Even if it were a stranger, I would have saved them, not to mention we’ve known each other since we were kids."

There was no other reason; it was just—one couldn't just stand by and watch someone die.

She said it simply and straightforwardly, but it hit Qing Qi like a thunderbolt.

His so-called second younger brother had officially entered the Qing family; he was no longer the sole heir. And because he hadn't achieved anything special over the years, his reputation in the family and the company was low.

Originally, because he was the only son, people wouldn't say anything as long as he was mediocre but made no major mistakes. But now that there was a comparison, his situation became precarious.

The Hua family was the support his mother had chosen for him early on, and he had always believed that Hua Qianjiao would remain devoted to him as long as he was willing to turn back. But now, Hua Qianjiao was telling him she didn't love him.

The auspicious time for the ribbon-cutting arrived. Wen Zhixia and Father Hua picked up the scissors amidst thunderous applause.

Cheers erupted.

But Qing Qi couldn't feel happy.

The company opening was busy. Wen Zhixia was caught up in socializing. Although she only sipped, after continuous toasts, she felt the effects and began to politely decline when others came to toast her, claiming she had reached her limit.

***

"Madame... President Wen, President Gu has had too much to drink and wants to find a place to rest. Could you please show us the way?" Zhou Anbei walked over and whispered to Wen Zhixia.

Wen Zhixia followed his gaze and noticed Gu Pingsheng’s face was somewhat flushed. His alcohol tolerance had always been good, and the red wine she had prepared today wasn't high in alcohol content. How could he...

"You can use the conference room on the second floor," she said.

"Yes." Zhou Anbei didn't hesitate.

Wen Zhixia thought he would say something more, like asking her to go with them, but she didn't expect Zhou Anbei to leave so decisively.

Gu Pingsheng was supported away by Zhou Anbei. Wen Zhixia watched their retreating figures for several seconds.

She had a gut feeling that something wasn't right.

Ten minutes later, Zhou Anbei came downstairs and left in a hurry.

Wen Zhixia furrowed her brows. Had something happened?

There were a few reporters in the corner of the venue that she had invited for publicity. Outside the door were several black multi-passenger sedans with dark-tinted windows.

Wen Zhixia signaled an employee to come over, whispered a few words in her ear, and then, using the excuse of taking a call, went upstairs.

Wen Zhixia didn't know which conference room Gu Pingsheng was in, so she followed the path and checked them one by one.

When she was halfway through, she suddenly heard the sound of a chair crashing to the floor. She followed the source of the sound.

Although it was daytime, the doors and windows inside were closed tight with the curtains drawn, leaving the room in dim light.

Wen Zhixia "clicked" and turned on the lights. The conference room was instantly illuminated, revealing Gu Pingsheng, who had fallen to the floor along with the chair.

The sudden light caused Gu Pingsheng to squint; his face was abnormally flushed.

"Gu Pingsheng, what’s wrong with you?" Wen Zhixia didn't go near him, standing at the doorway. This distance wasn't very close, but because they were so familiar with each other, she could tell at a glance that something was wrong.

Drunk?

It looked like it, but not quite.

Gu Pingsheng feverishly loosened his tie, feeling the temperature in the room was too high, making his whole body uncomfortable. He sat on the floor, supporting himself with his legs. Because he had just fallen from the chair, his hair was slightly disheveled, his tie hanging loosely around his neck. He reached out and unbuttoned a few buttons of his shirt, radiating a decadent and ruined sense of desire.

"Pour me a glass of water, Xiaxia." He recognized her, his voice raspy like sandpaper scratching against wood.

Wen Zhixia paused. There was an unopened bottle of mineral water on the conference table. She handed it to him.

He took it and twisted the cap. Because he used too much force, the moment the cap opened, some water spilled out, soaking his suit pants.

But he didn't seem to care, instead tilting his head back and finishing the whole bottle in one go.

"Gu Pingsheng, are you not feeling well?" He was fine an hour ago; how could he suddenly be like this, as if he had been drugged?

Drugged?!

Wen Zhixia’s eyes narrowed sharply. At this moment, Gu Pingsheng was already stumbling to his feet, leaning against the office table.

"Are you..."

"I’ve been drugged."

The two spoke almost simultaneously, and Gu Pingsheng didn't hide it from her.

Wen Zhixia was stunned, "When did this happen?" Today, all the wine and desserts were delivered directly from the hotel. She was fine, and the executives she had spoken to before coming up were also fine. How did he end up in this state?

"Half an hour ago." By the time he realized it, it was already a bit late. But there were too many people outside; leaving suddenly would inevitably cause unnecessary speculation, especially if he turned around and went to the hospital. Besides, there were reporters on the scene; he couldn't rule out the possibility of someone chasing them for a headline.

If such a scandal broke out on the day of the ribbon-cutting, her new company would be ruined before it even got hot.

So Gu Pingsheng had asked Zhou Anbei to find a doctor, while he pretended to be drunk and rested in the conference room. He also wanted to see who was bold enough to set him up and what they intended.

However, he hadn't expected that the first person to come in would be Wen Zhixia.

Hearing his answer, Wen Zhixia frowned: "What drug?"

Gu Pingsheng looked at her with dark, obscure eyes, his thin lips uttering: "An aphrodisiac."

Wen Zhixia: "..."

"If you don't want anything uncontrollable to happen, leave," he said, bracing his arms against the office table.

Wen Zhixia nodded and turned to leave.

Seeing her really walk away without intending to do anything, Gu Pingsheng felt a blockage in his heart, even though it was he who had suggested it.

"Bang—"

As she reached to open the door, his arm slammed against it, blocking her path.

Wen Zhixia retreated defensively: "What are you doing?"

"I told you to leave, and you really just walk away?" Gu Pingsheng’s long, narrow eyes narrowed, "Are you not afraid that something might actually happen to me?"

Wen Zhixia: "If you can't hold on, I can help you call 120."

Look at how calm that response was. Gu Pingsheng gritted his teeth, his jawline tight: "Why go through all that trouble? Isn't there an easier way to cure this drug?"

Wen Zhixia paused.