Chapter 29: Unless it is death, he will never let go

So, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Zhang Zhiyan standing at the doorway of the hospital room. She took a deep breath. "Senior, could you help me with something?"

This was likely the first time Wen Zhixia had ever called him that.

Zhang Zhiyan paused, surprised. He had thought she wouldn't want to see him at a time like this.

Gu Pingsheng gripped Wen Zhixia's arm tighter, his gaze dark and sharp as he spoke coolly, "Wen Zhixia, do you know what you're doing?!"

She was actually about to let another man help her to the restroom?

His loss of control made his grip painful, but Wen Zhixia only smiled. "I'm perfectly clearheaded. As for you, Mr. Gu, you'd better not show up in front of me for a while. You irritate me."

She continued, "If you don't have anything else, Mr. Gu, please leave. I'd like to speak to my senior alone."

Gu Pingsheng's fingers pressed into her bones, his eyes cold and dangerous.

Zhang Zhiyan reached out and pried Gu Pingsheng's hand away. "You're hurting her."

The three of them standing off left the young nurse uncertain whether she should go or stay.

Gu Pingsheng's voice was icy as he called, "Wen. Zhi. Xia!"

"Senior, I haven't thanked you for yesterday," Wen Zhixia said, lowering her gaze with a gentle smile. "Actually, I was supposed to treat you to dinner last time, but something unexpected happened. Maybe in a few days, we can reschedule. I heard about a new place on Xincheng Road..."

As Wen Zhixia smiled softly and made plans for another meal with Zhang Zhiyan, Gu Pingsheng’s expression turned even colder. He turned on his heel and left, afraid of what he might do if he stayed any longer. If he lost control now, she would only resent him more.

After Gu Pingsheng left, Wen Zhixia suddenly fell silent.

The nurse slipped away, leaving only Wen Zhixia and Zhang Zhiyan in the room.

"What do you need me to help with?" Zhang Zhiyan said as he helped her sit down.

Wen Zhixia’s eyelashes fluttered as she lifted her gaze. "Nothing, really."

Zhang Zhiyan chuckled softly, taking a seat. "Am I being used a bit too obviously? Honestly, I didn’t think I’d have the face to see you today… About yesterday—"

"You saved me yesterday, President Zhang. I haven’t thanked you yet," Wen Zhixia replied gently, her tone warm but distant.

Zhang Zhiyan hesitated. "You don’t remember what happened after I saved you?"

"You handed me over to Pingsheng after you saved me, didn’t you? What else is there for me to remember?" Her words were mild, her expression unchanged.

She had chosen to let yesterday pass without a fuss. She was grateful for his help in a time of crisis, but nothing more. As for what followed, she treated it all as if nothing had happened.

Zhang Zhiyan was no fool; he caught the meaning behind her words. After a pause, he said, "Zhixia, you’re one of the few women I’ve met who are clever but not calculating. You deserve a better life, so why—"

"He said he would love me for a lifetime, treat me well for a lifetime," she replied softly, her beauty tinged with clarity. "He knelt on one knee and asked me to be his girlfriend. He said that as long as I put my hand in his, unless I died, he would never let go. That day, I made a bet with the gods, that we would make it to the end."

She looked at Zhang Zhiyan. "I don’t know what kind of better life you think I deserve, but I only know that when I agreed to be with him, I never thought of leaving him."

There are some people, rare and serene, whose grace is effortless; just looking at them invites a thousand stories.

Zhang Zhiyan gazed at her for a long, long time, unable to gather his thoughts.

Even as he walked out of the hospital room, that prickling, aching feeling in his heart lingered.

Around the corner, he saw Gu Pingsheng, who should have already left.

As they passed each other, Zhang Zhiyan glanced at him sideways. "There are few things I regret in life. I should have taken her away from your side when she first said she loved me."

Gu Pingsheng rubbed the wedding ring on his finger, his eyes glinting coldly.

Gu Xia Group.

Li Yueting pushed open the CEO’s office door for the third time, but Gu Pingsheng still hadn't come in. He didn't show up at all that afternoon.

Sitting at her desk, she couldn't help but recall the phone call she had hung up on the previous day. Everything had happened so quickly that she hadn't had time to delete the call from the log. She didn't know if Gu Pingsheng had seen the missed call, or if he suspected her.

But she heard some employees say they'd seen Gu Pingsheng storm out of his office with a dark expression the day before.

Having been by his side for so many years, Li Yueting knew that only one person could make him lose his composure like that—Wen Zhixia.

She was sure that his absence from the company today had everything to do with that woman.

She held her phone, hesitating several times, but in the end, she didn’t call.

She couldn't be too hasty.

The reason she had stayed by his side so many years was because she always understood when to advance and when to retreat, never appearing when she shouldn't. She was his secretary; unless he reached out first, she must not contact him.

That was their rule from the beginning.

Li Yueting gripped her phone tightly.

Hospital.

When Wen Zhixia returned from the restroom with the nurse’s assistance, Gu Pingsheng had just entered the room.

There was only a small bottle left in her IV; it would be finished in less than an hour.

"About yesterday, I was impulsive," he said, approaching, wanting to help her.

Wen Zhixia avoided his hand. "Nurse, please ask any unnecessary people to leave. I want to rest."

The nurse looked from Wen Zhixia’s impassive face to Gu Pingsheng’s darkened expression, unsure what to do. "Sir, maybe you could—"

"Leave," Gu Pingsheng said, glancing coldly at the nurse. "My wife and I have something to discuss."

He stressed the word "wife," making it clear she had no standing to interfere.

The nurse wisely chose to leave.

He had so easily sent the nurse away, and his insight into a woman's mind was so sharp that Wen Zhixia felt stifled, her chest tight. Suddenly, she thought of Zhao Fuhe. She wanted to lash out, but seeing his face, she realized that any accusation she made would be baseless and pointless. She kicked off her shoes and climbed onto the bed.

Out of sight, out of mind. Just the sight of him now made her temper flare.

"Have some fruit." He sat by the bed, his graceful fingers peeling and cutting fruit, offering it to her lips.

Wen Zhixia did not open her mouth.

"Xiaxia, let's be reasonable. Yesterday, you and Zhang Zhiyan—" Gu Pingsheng took a deep breath, trying to calm his tone, "Any man would be upset seeing you two like that. You two already—"

He didn’t finish. The toothpick in his hand snapped in two.

"Already what?" Her breath caught as she turned to look at him. "Why not say it? I’d like to know, what have I done?"

Gu Pingsheng’s eyes were dark and cold, his lips pressed in a thin line.

"Leave." She pointed at the door, sweeping the fruit he had cut to the floor.

If Wen Zhixia couldn't hear the suspicion in his words, she really would be a fool.

She hadn’t confronted him yet about his affairs, but he’d beaten her to it, pinning a crime on her head.

Some of the fruit landed on him; some rolled onto the floor.

The oppressive silence between them lasted ten minutes.

Until Gu Pingsheng’s phone rang.

"President Gu, President Li has arrived early." Originally scheduled to fly into Sifang City the next day, President Li had come a day ahead, giving Li Yueting the opportunity to make this call.

"Alright," Gu Pingsheng replied flatly.

After hanging up, he stood up, brushed the fruit off his clothes, cast a cold glance down at her, and left without saying a word.

As his figure disappeared at the door, Wen Zhixia wanted to let out a breath, but the suffocating feeling only grew worse, even making her stomach ache. She pressed her lips together and, out of the corner of her eye, spotted his jacket left on the sofa. Her nose stung.

The Wen Household.

Without getting the money, and with their plan foiled by Zhang Zhiyan’s unexpected appearance, the two who had nearly ended up in the hospital themselves had no choice but to return to the Wen house to find Wen’s father.

Wen’s father and mother were both anxious at home. They had struck a deal with the people from the casino, agreeing to record compromising videos and photos of Wen Zhixia in order to blackmail her.

But a whole night had passed without any photos or videos being sent. Even phone calls went unanswered.

"Could she have escaped halfway through?" Wen’s mother asked.

Her words only deepened Wen’s father’s anxiety. If Wen Zhixia had escaped and they had no evidence to blackmail her, and if Gu Pingsheng found out, then...

Evidently, Wen’s mother had thought of this too. The atmosphere in the room was heavy.

"I told you, we should have sold the house instead. But you wouldn’t listen, and now you’re targeting your own daughter," Wen’s father complained.

Wen’s mother shot up from the sofa, pointing at him. "You’re blaming me? If you hadn’t gambled, how could things have come to this? Everything I’ve done is for this family! If we sell the house, what about our son? Rely on you, a useless man? I’m her mother. If she’d just given us the money, would I have pushed her into the fire pit? You’re all saints, and I’m the only villain!"

"Do you have any idea how awful you sound, shouting for the neighbors to hear?" Wen’s father said in disgust.

"If my voice is so awful, what about your actions? I must have been blind to marry you! I’ve worried myself sick over this family. None of you give me a moment's peace. Why do I even bother living? I might as well die!"

"What are you fighting about now? Aren’t you tired of it?" Wen Lechuan came in from outside, irritated by their quarrel.

"Why are you back now—"

"Well, since the whole family’s here, it saves us time," said one of the two men who had taken Wen Zhixia away the previous day, stepping in behind Wen Lechuan with two more helpers.

Wen’s father hurried over, bowing and scraping. "Brother Sun, what brings you back? Where’s my daughter?"

"You have the nerve to ask about your daughter? Tell me, did you tip someone off about the man who showed up halfway? Otherwise, how could he have taken her away right when we were on our way back?" Sun grabbed his collar.

"Enough, we should take care of business first. The boss is waiting for an answer," one of his men reminded him.

Sun released Wen’s father, patting his clothes. "Today, either you pay up, or..." He looked around, finally fixing his gaze on Wen Lechuan. "Or, we’ll send your son to the black market, cut him open, and see how much we can fetch for his organs."

The threat drained the color from all three faces.

Wen Lechuan whirled around. "How much does my dad owe you?"

Sun held up his fingers. "Not much, just a number."

"One hundred thousand?" Wen Lechuan guessed. That much, he could sell his car and scrape together.

"One hundred thousand?" Sun sneered. "Guess again, kid."

Wen Lechuan froze, his heart sinking. He gritted his teeth. "A million?"

"One point one million," Sun replied.

Wen Lechuan stared at his father in disbelief. "Did you really owe that much? What were you asking my sister for earlier? What have you been hiding from me?"

Wen’s father avoided his gaze, unable to answer.

"Keep fighting if you want, but today’s the deadline. Either pay, or we take someone," Sun said.

Wen Lechuan collapsed onto the sofa, murmuring, "One point one million... How many times did you promise you’d stop gambling? My sister was right—sooner or later, this family would be ruined by you."

"Son, call your sister! You two are close, she won’t leave you in the lurch. Tell her if we can’t pay today, they’ll take you," Wen’s father pleaded.

Wen’s mother joined in. "Lechuan, whatever happens in this family can be dealt with later. Call your sister first."

Wen Lechuan closed his eyes, then slowly lifted his head, his voice angry. "She said she wouldn't pay another cent of gambling debt. How am I supposed to ask her?"

"Your sister? She’s a heartless ingrate! She won’t even help her own family, just enjoys her own life. Why did we bother raising her?" Wen’s father shouted.

Wen Lechuan looked at his enraged parents and suddenly laughed.

He didn't know when it started, but the ones in the right became the ones to blame, while the gambler and the enabler, who forced others to pay off his debts again and again, became the ones righteous enough to cast stones.

"My sister is right not to come back. Even I don’t want to be part of this family anymore."

"She really did dote on you."

Just as Sun lost patience and moved to seize him, a cold voice rang out at the door.

Gu Pingsheng entered, his men fanning out to control the situation in an instant.

Sun and his men exchanged glances. "Old Wen, you even got yourself some muscle. We underestimated you."

"Son-in-law, you’re here!" Wen’s father tried to shake Gu Pingsheng's hand, but under that icy glare, he quickly withdrew.

"So, you’re the rich son-in-law. Paying back debts is only right. I’m sure you don’t care about a million or so. We don’t want trouble; just give us the money and we’ll go," Sun said.

Gu Pingsheng reached into his suit and pulled out a bank card. "There’s exactly 1.1 million on this card."

Sun reached for it, but Gu Pingsheng kept it just out of reach. "You’ll get the money. But how do we settle what you did to my wife yesterday?"

"Settle? Your wife was handed to us by these two, and they even provided the drugs. Didn’t you know? They wanted to use compromising photos and videos to control her, so they made a deal with us," Sun said, shifting all the blame, though he wasn’t exactly lying.

Gu Pingsheng listened in silence, his eyes dark and impenetrable. After a few seconds, he tossed the card to Sun.

All Sun and his men wanted was money. Now that they had it, there was no reason to stay. "Let’s go!"

With the debt collectors gone and the debt paid, Wen’s parents managed to force a smile.

"Son-in-law, we owe you so much. If you hadn’t come in time, who knows what would have happened," Wen’s father said awkwardly, faced with Gu Pingsheng’s cold expression.

Gu Pingsheng sat, his elbows on his knees, lifting his gaze. "Aren’t you concerned about Xiaxia? She’s still in the hospital."

The couple’s smiles froze. "Zhixia is in the hospital?"

A thin, frigid smile played on Gu Pingsheng’s lips. "That’s what I should be asking you—how did my wife end up drugged for no reason?"

Of course, neither could answer.

Wen Lechuan glanced at his parents, disappointment written in his eyes.

Gu Pingsheng hadn’t expected any explanation. He raised his hand, and his bodyguards stepped forward, pinning Wen’s father’s hand to the table.

"Like gambling, do you? Which hand do you use?" he asked with a chilling smile.

"What are you doing? What are you doing?!" Wen’s father shouted in terror as he realized what was about to happen.

Wen’s mother was held back by Wen Lechuan.

Gu Pingsheng glanced at Wen Lechuan, then at the trembling Wen’s father. "My money isn’t that easy to take. Cut off one of his fingers. Maybe it’ll teach him a lesson."

With a scream, the bodyguard severed one of Wen’s father’s fingers cleanly.

The scent of blood filled the air as Gu Pingsheng frowned. "Bring the contract. Let them sign."

The bodyguard took out a stack of documents from his briefcase—the severance of all family ties.

"From today on, Wen Zhixia has nothing to do with you. If any of you bother her again, I can’t guarantee you’ll walk out of here in one piece." He stood, tall and elegant, leisurely straightening his sleeves as he prepared to leave.

"Brother-in-law." Wen Lechuan hurried after him, calling out, "Are you keeping us away from my sister to protect her from further harm, or is it that you don’t want anyone at all getting close to her?"

The former was care, love, and cherishing; the latter—confinement, obsession, and control.

Gu Pingsheng stopped, turning around.

"Does it matter if it’s protection or control?" His eyes were deep and black. "What can you do about it?"