Chapter 128: Could You Please Stop Being So Intimate with Other Men?

Wen Zhixia’s eyes widened, her pupils reflecting his rakish, provocative smirk.

"Are you nervous?" he asked with a chuckle.

Wen Zhixia’s gaze swept over his body, covered only by a bath towel. The broad shoulders and narrow waist of a young man—still caught between youth and maturity—were pressed so close to her that she abruptly covered him with the quilt. "You, you’re being a hooligan."

Gu Pingsheng found himself plunged into darkness, completely enveloped from head to toe. He pulled down the quilt and, seeing the little bookworm jumping off the bed like a startled rabbit, couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Where on earth was this little nun raised?

What age was this? Did she really have to be so innocent?

A slight touch and he was a hooligan?

If she knew what he spent his days thinking about before falling asleep, would she have him drowned in a pig cage?

"Hey, little bookworm, don't slander me. I didn't do anything." He spread his hands, feigning innocence.

Wen Zhixia watched him warily. "But just a moment ago you..."

"What did I do just now? I just used up all the hot water while you were showering, so I had to use cold water. I'm still freezing, and I can't even get under the covers to warm up?" he said with a straight face.

Wen Zhixia looked at him and realized there was indeed no heat radiating from his body. She relaxed slightly.

Gu Pingsheng gritted his teeth, watching her look so impossibly obedient. It only made him itch more. How could this girl be so pure? She was unknowingly flirtatious in her innocence and awkwardness.

However, even though he had the upper hand in their banter, the floor mat—while it might be delayed—would never be absent. In the end, he still had to sleep on the floor.

In the middle of the night, tired from the day's activities, she drifted off to sleep without realizing it.

Gu Pingsheng, who should have fallen asleep long before, opened his eyes. He lay at the edge of the bed, silently watching her sleeping face.

Her long hair was soft, spread casually across the bed as she slept. Her complexion was fair and delicate; though still youthful, one could already see the refined beauty she would possess in the future.

Her breathing was shallow, and because she was lying on her side, her cheek pressed softly against the pillow.

Only then did Gu Pingsheng realize that his little bookworm wasn't just cute when she was awake; she was impossibly adorable when she slept.

He watched her quietly, losing himself in the sight. Her eyelashes were curled and upturned, her eyebrows were clearly defined, and her lips were a jelly-like, fleshy pink—looking perfectly delicious.

Lost in his thoughts, before he even realized what he was doing, he had leaned in and pressed his lips against hers. Gu Pingsheng’s spine stiffened abruptly, and he pulled back quickly, colliding with the chair behind him with a loud crash.

Wen Zhixia was clearly startled by the noise. She opened her eyes wide in the dim room, squinting toward the source of the sound, her voice soft and small: "W-what's wrong?"

Gu Pingsheng winced, clutching his waist—it hurt like hell from the impact, but he dared not say so. "Nothing. I got up to go to the bathroom and accidentally bumped into the chair."

Hearing this, she gave a dainty yawn and lay back down.

***

At the hospital, Wen Zhixia was awakened by the frantic vibration of her phone. When she opened her eyes, Gu Pingsheng was just about to hang up the call, having no intention of waking her.

"Whose call is it?"

Gu Pingsheng hung up. "Spam call."

Wen Zhixia didn't believe him and reached out. "Let me see."

Gu Pingsheng looked irritable. "There's nothing to see."

Wen Zhixia threw off the quilt and snatched the phone from his hand. Sure enough, it was Xu Qichen calling. She glanced at Gu Pingsheng, her brow furrowing.

Gu Pingsheng turned his head away, sitting on the nearby sofa with his legs braced. "I did it on purpose," he said. "Xiaxia, I never intended to divorce you. Can you stop being so intimate with other men? You can blame me for the past, but I only want you to live a comfortable life without having to worry about anything. I can shield you from the wind and rain now; you don't need to go running around as you did with me before.

"You could be like those noble wives—drinking tea, getting beauty treatments, shopping, and buying clothes every day. Anything other women have, you can have too. I can give you anything, so why do you always push me away?"

He felt restless and wanted to smoke, but he restrained himself because she had once said she didn't like it.

"When you give me things, have you ever asked me if I wanted them?" she asked softly as she walked out with her phone.

Gu Pingsheng was slightly stunned.

"Daddy, don't be sad." Gu Youzhi on the bed had woken up at some point. He must have heard their conversation; although he couldn't fully understand it, he was sensitive enough to feel that Gu Pingsheng, sitting on the sofa, was sad.

Gu Pingsheng reached out and stroked his little cheek.

Outside the ward, Wen Zhixia called Xu Qichen back. "Qichen."

Xu Qichen, standing downstairs at the advertising agency, had just stepped out. He asked in his usual tone, "Are you still at the office? I'll come pick you up."

Wen Zhixia paused, glancing back toward the ward. "I... I didn't go to the office this afternoon."

Xu Qichen’s lips curved slightly as he tightened his coat collar. "Give me the address, then. I'll come get you. It’s too late; it’s not safe for you to go home alone."

"...I'm at the Provincial Hospital." After a brief hesitation, Wen Zhixia briefly summarized what had happened that afternoon, explaining that Gu Pingsheng had taken a blow for her and had been diagnosed with a concussion.

After she finished speaking, there was a long silence on the other end of the line. After a long moment, he finally spoke: "Even so, it is only proper to express gratitude. I will have someone buy some gifts, and I will bring them over shortly."

Wen Zhixia wanted to say it wasn't necessary. Knowing Gu Pingsheng, he wouldn't accept them.

But—

"That's all for now. I'll be there in half an hour. Don't stand outside for too long; you'll catch a cold."

Wen Zhixia looked at the disconnected call and pursed her lips. Xu Qichen’s perpetual, impeccable etiquette colliding with Gu Pingsheng’s unpredictable, rule-breaking nature was like a clash of thunder and fire. She really didn't want the two of them to meet.

Half an hour later, Xu Qichen appeared at the ward with pinpoint accuracy.

Jin Mao followed behind him, carrying several shopping bags, stating they were there to express gratitude.

Gu Pingsheng’s narrow eyes swept over them. Wen Zhixia had a feeling he might throw everything out the window the next second.

But in reality, he didn't.

Instead, he wore his usual professional, mocking smile: "It’s the first time I’ve heard that one needs a third party to send gifts to thank someone for saving his own wife. Mr. Xu is indeed worthy of being the head of the Xu family; such poise and style—it truly opens my eyes."

Xu Qichen peeled off his gloves with measured grace, and Jin Mao took them.

"It is nothing. The Xu family has its rules: if one receives a private favor, one must repay it formally. Just a small token; I hope Mr. Gu does not mind."

The two went back and forth, neither willing to yield an inch, even if only in their choice of words.

"The Xu family is a prestigious, wealthy clan, a century-old house with complex branches and roots. I hear there are quite a few restless souls within your family lately. Yet, Mr. Xu can still be so leisurely, delivering small gifts and even showing up in person—this temperament is truly admirable." Gu Pingsheng straightened his cuffs, his thin lips curling.