Chapter 44: Have You Never Considered Returning to the Corporation?

“Where did all these so-called junior classmates of yours come from—Zhang, Li, Chen?” He pressed himself over her, his voice low and rough.

“Shouldn’t you be more aware than I am of how many junior classmates you keep around, President Gu? Why ask me?” Her eyes were calm, but there was a seriousness in them.

She wasn’t someone easily coaxed, not the type to be pacified with a few casual words.

She trusted him, trusted in the years they had spent together, so she could turn a blind eye to whatever others said. But once suspicion took root, once she sensed something was amiss, how could it be so easily dispelled?

“There’s only you,” he said, his gaze deep as the sea, not a hint of falsehood showing.

Did Wen Zhixia believe him?

She had no answer.

That night, in the end, Wen Zhixia helped him tend to his wound, but after that, she said not a single word.

Gu Pingsheng grasped her wrist. “I remember you once said, if I made you angry, as long as I apologized and coaxed you properly, you wouldn’t stay mad. Xiaxia, I’ve been trying to make it up to you these past few days.”

Proper coaxing, and you wouldn’t be angry anymore—when had she said that?

It seemed to be in their second year together. He disappeared for a week, saying he had something to deal with. She could barely reach him at all.

And when he returned, the news reached Wen Zhixia not from him, but from someone else—he’d been brought to the dean’s office for fighting with another student on campus.

He refused to admit fault after hitting a classmate, and the dean threatened to issue a public warning.

Wen Zhixia, listening by the door, couldn’t help but feel anxious, but not once did he try to explain himself. She entered, pretending she was looking for Professor Wang, using the excuse of having the wrong office to ask about the dean’s room, but her eyes fell on Gu Pingsheng, signaling him to give in.

But Gu Pingsheng averted his gaze.

Afterward, Wen Zhixia sought out the injured student, hoping to settle things privately, but Gu Pingsheng, icy as ever, simply pulled her away.

“Don’t go to him. My problems are none of your concern, do you understand?!”

It was the first time she’d seen him lose his temper with her, and without any reason.

For the next three days, Wen Zhixia didn’t see him again. Even when she did, she acted as if he were invisible.

Until he sorted out the disciplinary matter himself, and came to her holding the posted notice. “I shouldn’t have snapped at you. It was my fault—I couldn’t control my temper, and I shouldn’t have taken it out on you. I’m sorry.”

He had calmed down, but she was not so quick to forgive.

“Last week was my mother’s death anniversary,” he said to her back, revealing a vulnerability he never showed to anyone. “I went to her grave, ran into some unpleasant things, and when I came back I overheard that boy saying terrible things to you on the phone. I lost control for a moment.”

Wen Zhixia paused. He came up behind her and pulled her into his arms. “I only have you. Please, don’t be angry with me, all right?”

It was the first time he’d ever spoken of his family to her, his voice low and hoarse. “Don’t be upset with me, Xiaxia.”

After a long silence, Wen Zhixia turned and looked at him, the plea in his eyes plain to see. She rose up on tiptoe and gently stroked his hair, her gaze clear and unclouded. “All right.”

As if surprised by how readily she agreed, Gu Pingsheng hesitated. “...You’re not angry anymore?”

“A privilege of being my boyfriend: if you coax me, I won’t stay angry.” The plane trees on the leafy path dappled sunlight across her shoulders. She lifted her brows and accepted his apology.

Thinking of the past, Wen Zhixia fell silent for a moment. She looked away. “This is different.”

“You’re the only one in my heart.” He cupped her face and kissed her, lingering and gentle, tracing the shape of her lips, his voice muffled, “Please, don’t be mad anymore.”

She braced her arms between them and said, “Pingsheng, an apology needs to be sincere.”

Gu Pingsheng’s deep gaze rested on hers, as if trying to fathom her meaning.

But after she spoke, she did not press him, simply waiting quietly for his decision.

A long silence passed before Gu Pingsheng finally spoke. “...She won’t appear before you again.”

Wen Zhixia let out a cold laugh, so angry she almost smiled. “If that’s what you call sincerity, then let’s pretend I said nothing. Move.”

He was playing dumb. Whether Zhao Fuhe did or did not appear before her was never the real issue.

She’d made herself more than clear, but his answer clearly fell short.

“In the future, she won’t be my companion, either,” he continued. “Whatever happens to her has nothing to do with me.”

They remained in this position for a long time, until Wen Zhixia felt her body growing stiff. Only then did she nudge the man above her. “Get up first.”

He placed the ointment in her hand. “Will you help me put this on?”

It was a gesture of both seeking and testing.

The moment she reached out, it meant the matter was finished.

The next morning.

Wen Zhixia woke to the faint, kittenish mewling of a cat. At first, she thought she was imagining it, but as her mind cleared, she realized it was real.

She threw off the covers and got up. Footsteps sounded from the stairwell.

Downstairs, Gu Pingsheng’s slender fingers, so accustomed to handling contracts, were now holding a carrot, trying to soothe a nervous little kitten who had just arrived.

The kitten crouched timidly, letting out the occasional weak mew, its round eyes unblinking.

Hearing footsteps, Gu Pingsheng looked up.

“You’re just in time. I’ll get breakfast—can you take care of it?” he said, as if relieved of a burden. “They said it’s docile and easy to care for, but it’s been restless ever since it arrived.”

Wen Zhixia loved animals. She took the kitten from him, bypassing the carrot he offered, and picked up some cat food to feed the little one.

The kitten looked at her timidly, then tentatively stretched out its tongue to lick her palm, and soon began to eat quietly.

“See? It likes you,” Gu Pingsheng said with a smile.

Wen Zhixia asked, “Why is there a cat here?”

Gu Pingsheng replied, “I bought it for you. It was supposed to arrive yesterday, but no one was home, so they delivered it this morning.”

Wen Zhixia looked up. “Oh?”

“I wanted it to keep you company. After I leave for work, at least you won’t be bored.”

Wen Zhixia wanted to say her loneliness had nothing to do with a cat’s company. What she wanted was a child belonging to the two of them. But...this was not something to bring up just as they’d reconciled.

She told herself to wait a little longer. They were still young.

On his way to work, Gu Pingsheng received a call from Zhao Fuhe.

“Senior, did I do something wrong? Why don’t you want me as your companion anymore?” Though he only ever brought her along to dinners when he needed a woman at the table, and though the way those men looked at her was no different from appraising a commodity, Zhao Fuhe still didn’t want to lose this chance to appear in public by his side.

Even if she was just kept on the sidelines for now, even if the occasions she attended were ones where she’d be taken advantage of...

Who could say that showing her face so often wouldn’t eventually bring her benefits?

In time, everyone would know of her existence, know she was Gu Pingsheng’s woman, while Wen Zhixia would be forgotten. Much later, if she came up in conversation, it would only be, “Oh, so it was her.”

But now, Gu Pingsheng suddenly told her to stay quietly at Chengya Residence and not show herself in public anymore. How could Zhao Fuhe accept that?

“The house at Chengya Residence will be transferred to your name,” Gu Pingsheng said, his deep gaze on the rush of traffic.

A house?

Zhao Fuhe looked at the spacious Chengya Residence, her expression flickering. “...But I—”

“You’re a clever woman. Take what’s yours.” As for what didn’t belong to her, she had no right to touch it.

Zhao Fuhe lowered her eyes. “...Senior, could you come keep me company tonight? I haven’t been feeling well these past days, cough, cough...”

She often couldn’t fathom Gu Pingsheng. He treated her well, always concerned if she felt unwell, never stingy. Yet sometimes, he was as inscrutable as looking at flowers through fog.

“Have a doctor check on you. If I have time tonight, I’ll come by,” he answered.

Zhao Fuhe’s face lit up. “...Then I’ll buy some dishes you like.”

Gu Pingsheng said mildly, “If you’re not feeling well, don’t run around.”

“It’s all right. As long as I can do something for you, even if it’s just a little, I’ll be happy, satisfied.” Her breath trembled, carrying a subtle, ambiguous invitation.

“You want to help me?” He rapped his fingers lightly against his knee. “Is that so?”

“Yes... I just want to be with you, for as long as I can,” Zhao Fuhe replied.

Gu Pingsheng’s lips drew into a faint, unreadable smile. “Remember to have the doctor see you.”

Lanhu Manor.

Wen Zhixia received a call that surprised her.

“Luchuan?”

“It’s me, Sis,” came Wen Luchuan’s voice.

“Did you change your number? You’re not using the old one?” She’d tried to call him a few days ago, only to find the number disconnected.

“Yes, this is my new number,” he replied softly.

“You sound strange. What’s wrong? Are you unwell?” she asked with concern.

The kitten in her arms clung to her, unwilling to move, perfectly matching her own habits these days.

Wen Luchuan gripped his phone tighter. It wasn’t physical illness, but a visceral nausea. If he hadn’t entered the Chu family, he never would have known a woman could be so debauched. That Chu Man had actually constructed a secret dungeon for training men to be her playthings.

“It’s nothing, maybe just a cold,” Wen Luchuan brushed away the memories and replied.

“Take care of yourself at work. Don’t overdo it,” she reminded him, as always.

“I know, you don’t need to worry about me. Is Gu—your brother-in-law good to you?” Wen Luchuan asked.

Every time she spoke to her younger brother, he would always ask this. Wen Zhixia smiled. “He’s been good.”

Wen Luchuan felt a little more at ease at her answer. After a moment’s hesitation, he didn’t mention how Gu Pingsheng had forced their family to cut ties with her and even broken one of their father’s fingers.

“Sis, have you ever thought of returning to the company? It was your hard work, after all.”

Wen Zhixia stroked the kitten’s soft fur. “With Pingsheng there, it’s enough. He’s been running the company well these last years, and all my efforts weren’t wasted. If I went back...it would just cause unnecessary trouble.”

Back then, she and Gu Pingsheng had equal shares and say in Gu Xia Group. If she returned in a lesser role, it would look like he was slighting her; if she returned in a higher position, it would make it harder for him to win over the staff.

The interests at stake were far more complex than a simple coming and going.

Otherwise, why would the likes of Zhang Yuan and Liu Lei have been sent off to remote posts one after another?

“Sis, you should think more for yourself. Some things are safest when held in your own hands,” Wen Luchuan said, testing the waters.

Wen Zhixia paused, then laughed softly. “Whether it’s you or Pingsheng, I don’t want to be on guard.”

The first was family, the latter her dearest love.

“How can you compare me to him, I—” He broke off as Wen Zhixia heard a woman’s voice on his end—before she could make it out, he must have covered the receiver, then quickly ended the call after a few hurried words.

Wen Zhixia stared at the disconnected phone, not knowing what secret schemes he was up to now.

As she got up to fetch cat food, her vision abruptly went black. She frowned, popped a piece of candy in her mouth to ward off a bout of low blood sugar.

Wen Zhixia took the kitten to explore the house, finding it didn’t care for the little bed Gu Pingsheng had prepared. Remembering a nearby pet store, she decided to go there and pick out something herself.

The kitten was so tiny that Wen Zhixia found a slightly larger bag, tucked it inside, and slung it over her arm, saving herself the trouble of finding a cage.

She browsed carefully. The shop assistant, clearly a cat lover, was very patient and offered to let her try any of the beds with the kitten.

Intent on finding a cozy nest for her little companion, Wen Zhixia failed to notice the shadow lurking outside the store, watching her ever since she’d stepped out of her car.

The clerk caught a glimpse of something twice, glancing back over her shoulder, but the figure seemed to vanish each time, as if it had been a hallucination.

When Wen Zhixia paid and followed the clerk’s distracted gaze, she too saw the shifty figure lingering at the door. When she recognized who it was, her pupils contracted sharply.

That feeling of being betrayed by a loved one, of being treated like a commodity and tied up in a car, the disappointment and anxiety, and the terror of what might come next—all of it surged up from the depths of her memory in an instant.

“Zhixia, Zhixia, I’m your mother!” her mother’s voice boomed out as she stepped out of the store.

One was a young woman, dressed simply but comfortably, stepping out of a luxury car, carrying a branded bag with a kitten inside. The other was a middle-aged woman, disheveled and weary. The contrast was enough to draw the attention of every passerby.