Chapter 116: Xiaxia, Youzhi is ill.

She remained as radiant and elegant as ever. Three years had passed, yet Wen Zhixia was still the same woman who, simply by standing there, could make one feel so profoundly and gloomily insignificant.

Zhao Fuhe felt it was truly unfair. Why, with similar backgrounds and family origins that were no more distinguished than her own, did Wen Zhixia always have such good luck? Why was she always so high above, as noble as a socialite born into wealth, that even men who trampled Zhao Fuhe into the dust would utter that name with reverence: "She is Wen Zhixia."

Why?

Why was it that Wen Zhixia could sail through life smoothly just by latching onto Gu Pingsheng, while she, in the end, could not escape the fate of being someone’s plaything?

Why, despite having the same ordinary background, attending the same university, and graduating with the same degree—having earned just as many scholarships—was there such a vast, heaven-and-earth difference between them in the end?

In what way was she inferior to her?

The flirtatious man, though intoxicated, remained rational. Hearing his companion’s warning, he realized the woman before them had some connections and was not someone they could easily toy with or take advantage of.

"Wen Zhixia!"

Seeing Wen Zhixia about to leave, Zhao Fuhe braced herself, stood up, and shouted loudly.

Wen Zhixia turned her head slightly.

"Don't you want to know what happened over these past few years? Save me, and I will tell you everything you want to know." Whether out of desperation or some other reason, Zhao Fuhe’s words were slightly slurred.

Wen Zhixia turned around. The man beside her, naturally unwilling to have his fun interrupted by a woman being dragged away, grabbed Zhao Fuhe by the hair and slammed her face against the wall. "Want to leave? I spent so much money to bring you out; until you’ve served us well, you aren't going anywhere."

Unable to break free, Zhao Fuhe pinned her only hope of escaping this quagmire on Wen Zhixia. "Wen Zhixia, don't you really want to know what happened back then? Save me, please save me, and I’ll tell you everything!"

The two men exchanged a glance and dragged her back toward the private room.

Zhao Fuhe struggled, calling out Wen Zhixia’s name, but Wen Zhixia said nothing, nor did she ask anything. She simply turned and left.

She had not missed the hostility in Zhao Fuhe's eyes—it was even more intense than it had been three years ago. Wen Zhixia did not believe there was any truth to be found in her words. Besides... why should she save her?

Did Zhao Fuhe truly take her for some spineless saint?

Refraining from kicking her while she was down was already the height of her mercy.

"Wen Zhixia!"

"Ah, Wen Zhixia! Mmph, mmph..."

No matter how Zhao Fuhe screamed, Wen Zhixia showed no intention of stopping.

Inside the room, the man, whose hand had been scratched and bled during Zhao Fuhe’s struggle, angrily pinned her to the floor and slapped her hard several times, cursing as he struck: "Damn it, you’re just a bitch who serves men. I spent money for my own pleasure, not to look at your half-dead face. Don't push your luck!"

The man’s strength was considerable. After a few blows, Zhao Fuhe’s face was so swollen she was unrecognizable, and her ears rang incessantly. She clenched her fists tightly, biting her teeth until she tasted the metallic tang of blood.

***

"Sister Wen, why were you gone for so long?" Hua Qianjiao had been about to call Wen Zhixia when she saw her return, and she put her phone away.

"Ran into an acquaintance," Wen Zhixia replied.

Hua Qianjiao looked up at her. "Should we invite them over to sit with us?"

"We don't get along," Wen Zhixia said calmly.

Hua Qianjiao didn't ask further. Deep down, she felt that anyone who could fall out with Wen Zhixia was likely not a decent person.

When they were checking out and preparing to leave, they saw an advertisement in the elevator—a promotional video for a seaside resort. In the video, a man and a woman stood on the deck of a cruise ship, embracing and kissing intimately. The sea breeze blew, their clothes fluttered, and the sea and sky merged in the distance; it looked exceptionally warm and romantic.

But as Hua Qianjiao watched the clip, her face turned deathly pale. Fragmented images flashed through her mind, and she felt as if the surrounding seawater was surging in to crush and drown her. She saw many silhouettes standing on the deck; she shouted desperately for help, but no one came to save her, leaving her to sink into the abyss.

"Ding—"

The elevator reached the underground parking garage. Wen Zhixia stepped out, but hearing no footsteps behind her, she turned to see Hua Qianjiao holding onto the elevator wall, slowly crouching down.

Wen Zhixia’s expression changed slightly, and she quickly reached out to support her. "Jiaojiao, what's wrong?"

Hua Qianjiao pressed her head, her face pale and pained. "Sister Wen, my head... my head hurts so much."

"It's alright, I’m taking you to the hospital. Don't worry, come, I’ve got you." Wen Zhixia helped her out of the elevator.

"Beep, beep, beep."

Unlocking the car, Wen Zhixia helped her into the backseat so she could lie down, then went to the front to drive.

As Wen Zhixia escorted Hua Qianjiao toward the hospital lobby, her peripheral vision caught two familiar figures—one tall, one small—disappearing around a corner. She withdrew her gaze without lingering.

With the help of a nurse, Wen Zhixia checked Hua Qianjiao into the emergency room. While waiting for the results outside, Wen Zhixia’s gaze drifted back toward the direction she had seen earlier.

That was the Department of Psychiatry.

Gu Pingsheng stood outside a glass door, watching Gu Youzhi, who was sitting obediently in a chair. The psychiatrist was asking questions while taking notes, his manner kind and gentle. In an attempt to lower the child's guard, he walked to the center of the sand tray, trying to interact with him, but the little boy just stood there, refusing to utter a word no matter what was asked.

When the psychiatrist smiled and tried to build blocks with him, the little boy walked to a small table on his own, picked up a crayon, and began to draw quietly.

The psychiatrist did not stop him; instead, he offered occasional encouragement. The room was filled with toys and ornaments children liked, used as tools to reveal the child's inner world. Gu Youzhi had a talent for drawing; his small, chubby hands gripped the crayon, sketching the scene in his mind.

It was a woman and a child, hunched over a table, drawing together.

The psychiatrist looked at the drawing, then at Gu Youzhi. Not wanting to disturb him, he took a few photos and walked out to find Gu Pingsheng.

"Mr. Gu, may I ask what the relationship is between the woman in this drawing and the child?" The doctor showed the photo to Gu Pingsheng.

Gu Pingsheng recognized the woman instantly, and his expression grew complex. "She is... Youzhi's mother."

The psychiatrist paused, then analyzed the drawing: "The child must be very fond of his mother. He even took the trouble to draw a small red flower on her head, and both figures in the painting are smiling. This is quite different from the detachment and coldness he shows in reality... I suggest that if you want to improve his condition, let him spend more time with his mother. For a child, a healthy, happy family is more effective than any external treatment."

Gu Pingsheng’s deep gaze passed through the window to look at Gu Youzhi, who was still drawing. "He certainly does like her."

The emergency room door opened. Hua Qianjiao came out, and Wen Zhixia asked the doctor for the situation.

"...It was a stress response triggered by the environment, which caused her selective amnesia. This indicates that her lost memories are starting to loosen and recover."

Hearing that Hua Qianjiao was not in any serious danger, Wen Zhixia finally relaxed. The two sat on a nearby bench. "Did you remember anything?"

Hua Qianjiao frowned. "It’s not very clear. I think I saw two people kissing, and then someone pushed me off the deck. Then many people came; I shouted for help, but no one came to save me..."

"Are you saying a man and a woman pushed you?" Wen Zhixia asked.

Hua Qianjiao couldn't be sure; the memories were fragmented and broken.

"Qing Qi brought you onto the boat that day. When we received the news and arrived, Lin Huixi was standing by Qing Qi’s side," Wen Zhixia said.

Hua Qianjiao, massaging her forehead, paused. "You suspect them, too?"

This implied that she held the same suspicion.

Wen Zhixia: "Ever since you publicly announced the dissolution of your engagement with Qing Qi, his life hasn't been easy. If it really was those two, once they lose their smooth, comfortable life, they will inevitably harbor resentment toward each other and show their true colors."

As they talked, they walked toward the exit. While descending the stairs, Wen Zhixia heard stumbling footsteps to her left, and the next moment, a cute little attachment clung to her leg.

Gu Youzhi hugged Wen Zhixia’s leg affectionately, looking up at her with large, round eyes. Once she looked down, he called out in a milky voice, "Mommy."

Wen Zhixia froze. Recalling the scene she had seen when entering the hospital, she instinctively looked toward the direction from which he had run.

There stood a tall, upright man. The sign for the "Department of Psychiatry" behind him was strikingly, painfully visible.

Gu Pingsheng walked over, holding the child’s report. His voice was raspy, and his expression showed hints of exhaustion. He said, "Xiaxia, Youzhi is sick."

The little boy, whether or not he heard his father, just kept tugging at Wen Zhixia’s hand. He pulled a piece of candy from his pocket, placed it in her palm, and grinned up at her sweetly. "Mommy, eat candy."