Chapter 2: Nothing More Than an Amusing Toy

“…Do you really expect him to have only one woman for his entire life?!” The woman’s shrill words echoed once again in Wen Zhixia’s ears.

She held the shirt in her hands, gazing at the man on the bed with whom she had shared ten long years, from youthful innocence to becoming one of Sifang City’s new elite. For a brief moment, she felt lost in a haze.

The next morning.

Gu Pingsheng woke up. Instinctively, he reached out for the woman beside him, but his hand found only empty space.

He sat up, the throbbing in his head reminding him just how much he’d drunk the night before.

Pressing his fingers to his temples, he caught sight of the shirt laid flat on the chair—the collar turned outward, bearing an unmistakable lipstick stain.

Gu Pingsheng’s hand froze. Suddenly, he threw back the covers and stood up, crossing the room in a few strides to seize the shirt. His fingers tightened around it, inch by inch.

“Breakfast is ready.”

Wen Zhixia stood at the doorway, her tone as calm as ever, as if she hadn’t noticed the shirt in his hand at all.

But Gu Pingsheng knew she must have seen it already.

“There was a business dinner last night. Someone drank too much and fell—I just happened to help them up.” At the table, Wen Zhixia said nothing. After considering his words, Gu Pingsheng explained, “That must have been when it happened. The stain got on accidentally.”

Wen Zhixia listened quietly. Then, suddenly, she looked up. “Gu Pingsheng, do you have another woman?”

She asked directly—no preamble, no artifice, no warning—just a clear, straightforward question.

She had always believed that as husband and wife, there was no need for the scheming or calculation reserved for outsiders. They could speak openly about anything.

A flicker passed through Gu Pingsheng’s deep eyes. “No.”

Wen Zhixia smiled at his answer. “Hurry and eat. As the boss, you should set an example. You can’t be the one who’s late.”

He said no, and she believed him.

Just as, back when they co-founded the Gu Xia Group, he had said it was enough for him alone to earn money for the family, and she had agreed.

Wealth and status, in her eyes, were nothing compared to having one whole-hearted companion.

Before leaving, Gu Pingsheng wrapped an arm around her slender waist and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Wait for me.”

Gu Xia Group.

Gu Pingsheng sat at his expansive desk, fingers braced against the surface, his knuckles tapping rhythmically.

Thud—
Thud—
…

He took out his phone and dialed a number. A woman’s delighted, coquettish voice came through at once, “Pingsheng~~”

“Jiang Wanwan, you’re out.” His deep voice was laced with a biting coldness.

Jiang Wanwan tried to laugh it off. “Pingsheng, what are you talking about?”

Gu Pingsheng was curt. “Get out of my sight. I don’t want to see you again.”

Only then did Jiang Wanwan realize he wasn’t joking. Alarmed, she pleaded, “Why? What did I do wrong? Just tell me, I can change, I can change anything.”

Standing before the floor-to-ceiling window, Gu Pingsheng’s voice was utterly flat, devoid of emotion. “You shouldn’t have tried to make her aware of your existence. Leave on your own, don’t force my hand.”

She was nothing but a fleeting amusement—how dare she try to flaunt her presence before his wife!

“No—” Jiang Wanwan tried to protest, but Gu Pingsheng had no interest in hearing more.

She tried to call him back, but found herself blocked. Clutching her phone, her eyes burned with resentment.

Wen Zhixia—it must be her!

She must have told Gu Pingsheng about the photo, and that was why he abandoned her!

Lanhu Residence.

Wen Zhixia was reading, but before she knew it, she’d curled up on the sofa, overcome by fatigue. Lately, her energy seemed to be waning; exhaustion claimed her far too easily.

She was startled awake by a series of urgent knocks at the door. Outside stood a fierce-looking stranger.

“Who is it?” she asked.

Jiang Wanwan glared at her for several seconds, then suddenly raised her hand to strike.