Chapter 120: The Skill of Stealing Souls

Jin Mao fell silent.

But Wen Zhixia already knew everything she was supposed to know, so naturally, she couldn’t pretend to be unaware. “Give the phone to Qi Chen.”

Jin Mao nodded and walked over. “Sir.”

Xu Qichen glanced at him with a hint of reproach in his eyes. Xu Qichen was not someone prone to anger, but that look alone was enough to convey his displeasure.

Jin Mao stepped aside, no longer daring to speak carelessly.

“Let’s go back. That man is just a rogue by nature, he never intended to meet you,” Wen Zhixia said, feeling a pang of sympathy for Xu Qichen’s pride as head of the Xu family—she would hate to see it tarnished on her account.

“It doesn’t matter. We’ll meet eventually. I’m free today,” he replied with a light laugh.

Wen Zhixia hesitated. “But…”

“No problem.” Xu Qichen seemed to anticipate her concerns—worries about his health, and perhaps fear of conflict between them.

Wen Zhixia sighed softly. She couldn’t let Gu Pingsheng so blatantly humiliate Xu Qichen’s dignity.

——

At the Gu Xia Group conference room.

Gu Pingsheng was intently listening to a report when suddenly a message popped up on Zhou Anbei's phone. His eyes flickered as he glanced at Gu Pingsheng.

After a moment's hesitation, he stood and leaned close to Gu Pingsheng’s ear, whispering, “President Gu, madam has arrived.”

Gu Pingsheng’s fingers paused mid-turn of the data documents in his hand, a faint crease forming on the paper towel pressed at a corner. His narrow eyes lifted slightly, casting a sidelong glance at Zhou Anbei.

Zhou tilted the phone toward him, displaying a photo of Wen Zhixia stepping into the Gu Xia Group’s lobby.

Gu Pingsheng’s long, defined fingers tapped lightly on the table. The senior executive giving the report abruptly stopped speaking. “The remainder of this meeting will be chaired by President Wang.”

With that, he slid back his chair and stood.

Zhou Anbei opened the door, and Gu Pingsheng strode out.

——

Inside the conference room.

“Qi Chen.”

Wen Zhixia pushed the door open and softly called out to the man inside.

Xu Qichen turned at her voice. Seeing her hair tousled by the wind, he knew she’d rushed here. The tip of his straight nose flushed slightly, as did his cheeks. His breathing was uneven. He stood and took her fingers in his cold, jade-like touch.

“Weren’t you told not to come?” he asked.

Wen Zhixia curled her lips. “Why didn’t you tell me you were discharged? Did the doctor say you could leave?”

Xu Qichen raised a hand and lightly hooked her nose, smiling gently. “Did you really think I’d just run out of the hospital on my own?”

Her heart skipped slightly. The one who might disregard medical advice and act recklessly wasn’t Xu Qichen—it was Gu Pingsheng.

Xu Qichen was a man who strictly observed etiquette and bore the noble air of centuries-old lineage. Gu Pingsheng, by contrast, was reckless and ungoverned.

At the door, Gu Pingsheng’s gaze was cold and piercing as he watched the tender scene between them. It was unbearably sharp.

Behind him, Zhou Anbei glanced at Gu Pingsheng’s expression and halted his motion to knock.

To an outsider, the tangled dynamics among these three would be nearly impossible to unravel.

“President Gu.” A voice came—not from inside the room, but outside.

It was Li Yueting.

Since leaving Gu Xia Group and being exceptionally recruited by Zhang Zhiyan, Li Yueting had enjoyed preferential treatment at Zhang’s corporation, becoming the talk of the town.

Those unaware of the truth said Zhang Zhiyan had poached her at a high price to boost performance.

She had swiftly become the main liaison for business between Zhang’s company and Gu Xia Group.

Knowing her rivals well, Li Yueting didn’t disappoint Zhang Zhiyan. On her second day, she leveraged her years of contacts and resources at Gu Xia Group to secure a sizable contract—a fitting gift to Zhang’s corporation.

Li Yueting smiled perfectly as she approached the man she had long admired.

She had once only wished to be his personal secretary, content to be near him each day, but desires never end. The longer the time, the more reckless her ambitions grew. She had given as much as Wen Zhixia had, so why couldn’t she stand by his side as a woman, not just as a subordinate?

Her approach brought a strong scent of perfume. Zhou Anbei, sensitive to smells, pinched his nose.

Gu Pingsheng’s indifferent gaze passed over her without much emotion—even when she stole the contract.

Yet the commotion outside caught the attention of Wen Zhixia and Xu Qichen inside. They turned simultaneously, spotting Gu Pingsheng and Li Yueting standing by the door, though they hadn’t noticed when they arrived.

Li Yueting hadn’t expected to meet Wen Zhixia here either, but…

“Ms. Wen, I suppose this must be Mr. Xu. I’ve heard much about you. You two truly are a perfect match,” Li Yueting said with a smile.

Gu Pingsheng shot her a dark, warning glance.

Li Yueting’s smile stiffened, her fists clenched. No matter how much she gave, she could never compare to Wen Zhixia in his heart—even though this woman was remarried and had another man now!

Wen Zhixia’s impression of Li Yueting was not good. She merely nodded slightly and ignored her. “President Gu, finally some time to spare?”

It was nearly noon.

Xu Qichen’s face was calm, showing little irritation at being slighted. He squeezed Wen Zhixia’s hand and shook his head, signaling she needn’t be angry about what happened earlier.

Wen Zhixia pursed her lips. She just didn’t want him to suffer at Gu Pingsheng’s hands because of her.

Perhaps understanding her thoughts, Xu Qichen lifted his hand and gently touched her cheek, his affection evident.

Gu Pingsheng clenched his fingers, his face stern as he strode back into the meeting room. He pulled out a chair with a harsh scrape. “What do you want to discuss?”

Xu Qichen glanced at Zhou Anbei and Li Yueting by the door.

Gu Pingsheng raised his hand. Zhou Anbei understood and closed the conference room door.

“President Gu, you know I am already married to Xia, and that your marriage ended three years ago. But…the divorce papers have yet to be finalized. If you have time now, I’ll accompany you to settle it,” Xu Qichen said as he sat and pushed a document across the table.

Gu Pingsheng scanned it. It was a strategic cooperation proposal involving industries under the Xu family—clearly a lucrative opportunity.

Finalizing the divorce would seal the deal. This was a win-win business move, tying Gu Xia Group to the powerful Xu family, elevating it to a dominant position.

Such an enticing prospect was irresistible to any businessman; naked capital.

Wen Zhixia had never expected Xu Qichen to take this step. Had she known beforehand, she would have opposed it outright—not just for business reasons, but because of Gu Pingsheng himself.

Before she could intervene, Gu Pingsheng picked up the document, his long fingers flipping through it. He looked at the tear-stained cooperation proposal, a thin smile tugging at his lips. Then, cryptically, he asked, “Mr. Xu, what exactly does this mean?”

“The civil affairs bureau can open a green channel for you at any time,” Xu Qichen replied.

“Hmph.” Gu Pingsheng laughed lightly, his narrow, deep-set eyes lifting. With a swish, he tore the document to shreds before him and tossed the pieces aside.

“How about this: I pay three hundred million, and Mr. Xu disappears from my wife’s life?” He paused, then sneered, “A century-old noble family like yours, and your generation hasn’t brought renewal, but instead mastered… the art of stealing someone else’s woman.”

“Gu Pingsheng!” Wen Zhixia fixed him with a steely gaze. “Watch your words!”