Chapter 53: Madame Is in Trouble

Gu Pingsheng gazed deeply at Wen Zhixia, who lay on the sofa. After a long moment, he bent down to carry her back to the bedroom, but when his fingers brushed against her skin, he felt her abnormal body temperature.

When Wen Zhixia woke in a daze, she sensed subtle changes in her surroundings. But upon seeing the man asleep beside her, she drifted off again.

"The patient has a fever from catching a chill. If you stay this close, you'll easily catch it too," the nurse quietly reminded Gu Pingsheng as she changed Wen Zhixia’s dressing, seeing him lying on the same bed with her.

"My wife can't sleep in unfamiliar beds,” he replied. “If I’m not there, she hardly ever sleeps well.”

And those who are ill need to rest well.

The nurse couldn’t help but smile softly at Wen Zhixia as she slept, a touch of envy in her eyes. To have a husband so attentive, who knew when you were cold or hot, who cared for you so thoroughly—this must be every woman’s lifelong dream. And this man was handsome and wealthy as well.

At dawn, Wen Zhixia awoke. She recognized the hospital room, saw the empty IV bag, and realized she was in a hospital.

Was she ill?

“Ping…”

She tried to call for Gu Pingsheng, but noticed his phone screen lighting up on the table. Without much thought, she picked it up. It was just a message from her service provider. She unlocked it out of habit, intending to set it down when she noticed a photo running in the phone’s background.

There were two people in the photo: herself and Zhang Zhiyan.

She was stunned, taking a while to recall when and how this picture had been taken. It was that day she accompanied Hua Qianjiao to pick out a birthday gift for Chairman Hua and ran into Zhang Zhiyan, who was buying a sleeve garter. She hadn’t expected someone to snap a photo—and for it to end up on Gu Pingsheng’s phone.

Gu Pingsheng emerged from the bathroom, carrying a freshly warmed towel. Seeing her with his phone, his expression paused, but in an instant returned to normal. He walked over and asked, “Did someone call?”

Wen Zhixia looked up at him and turned the phone screen toward him.

Gu Pingsheng saw the photo he’d viewed before getting out of the car the day before. He’d meant to delete it but hadn’t expected her to see it.

“When did you get this?” she asked.

Gu Pingsheng took the phone, deleted the photo in front of her, and replied, “That day.”

Wen Zhixia paused. “So, you lost your mind that day… because of this photo?”

He received the photo, asked nothing, said nothing—just sentenced her at once, tormenting her as much as he pleased.

He remained silent, which was its own kind of admission.

Wen Zhixia let out a bitter laugh. “President Gu, were you saving that photo to settle the score later?”

“Xiaxia, don’t speak to me that way.” He took her hand, gently wiping her palm with the warm towel.

Her hand was bruised from the IV that had been in all night.

She snatched the towel and flung it at him.

Gu Pingsheng’s gaze darkened as he looked at her. “How should I have asked you? Why tidy another man’s clothes? Why get so close to Zhang Zhiyan?” He took a deep breath and set the towel on the table. “What’s done is done. Let it go.”

Wen Zhixia stared at him. “Should I thank you for your mercy, President Gu?”

He said nothing.

Wen Zhixia ignored him, threw back the covers, and started to get out of bed.

“You still need IVs today,” he said, blocking her.

“I want to wash up. Are you going to control that too?” she replied.

Gu Pingsheng searched her face, as if seeking the truth beneath her words. After a few seconds, he let her go.

Sure enough, Wen Zhixia headed straight for the bathroom. As soon as she disappeared, he picked up his phone from the table.

“Senior…”

Zhao Fuhe stood quietly at the door of the hospital room, her voice small and forlorn.

At the sight of her, Gu Pingsheng instinctively glanced toward the bathroom, then strode out, grabbing Zhao Fuhe’s arm and leading her away.

His steps were so long she struggled to keep up. “Senior…”

He brought her to the stairwell, a place seldom used, ensuring privacy.

“Why are you here?” he asked in a low voice.

Zhao Fuhe looked wounded. “Senior, I came for my prenatal checkup. I felt a bit unwell this morning. I know you’re busy, so I didn’t want to bother you with such small matters.”

His gaze dropped to her stomach, his eyes deepening. “You’re not feeling well?”

She nodded pitifully. “It’s my first pregnancy—I have no experience. I want to give you a healthy, lively child, so since knowing I was pregnant, I’ve been extra careful about everything, putting the child’s health above all.”

She clutched his hand. “Just now, seeing you troubled by your wife hurt me so much. Though I have no right to blame her, seeing her treat you like that… I really hate myself for being useless. If only I’d met you sooner, I’d have cared for you as a wife should, never losing my temper. You’re a soaring eagle—your career should be your focus. Leave the household to me…”

She leaned on his shoulder as she spoke.

But Gu Pingsheng placed his arm against her shoulder, putting distance between them. “Since you’re pregnant, don’t overthink. Go home and rest.”

Zhao Fuhe bit her lip softly. “Then… will you come keep me company today?”

He traced her brow with his finger. “How will you take care of me while you’re pregnant?”

“Senior, that’s not what I meant,” she protested, cheeks flushing red.

He just looked at her, half-smiling.

She playfully hit him. “You’re dreadful! I’m off for my checkup.”

Men enjoy coquettishness, especially those who love to be in control. They delight in women who cling to them like a dependent vine—Zhao Fuhe had learned this art in the Junyue Club.

Coming out of the stairwell, Zhao Fuhe brushed past Li Yueting, who had not yet left. Li Yueting quickly masked her cold expression with a smile, but Zhao Fuhe only glanced at her indifferently before walking away.

Li Yueting watched her haughty retreat, fists clenching in secret.

After her checkup, Zhao Fuhe found the elevator out of order. Though the floor wasn’t high, she still needed to climb three flights. Holding her stomach, she cursed the hospital’s incompetence.

“The east stairs are less crowded, Miss Zhao. You should take those to avoid being jostled,” a voice behind her offered with a touch of amusement.

Zhao Fuhe turned and saw Li Yueting. “Why are you still here?”

“President Wen isn’t feeling well, and President Gu refuses to leave her side. As his secretary, I have to run between them both,” Li Yueting explained.

Zhao Fuhe nodded, playing the hostess. “Thank you for your hard work, Secretary Li.”

Li Yueting smiled demurely. “I hope Miss Zhao will look after me in the future.”

“As long as you’re willing to help behind the scenes, I won’t forget your efforts,” Zhao Fuhe replied.

Secretary Li nodded. After she left, the coldness in her eyes gradually accumulated.

Gu Pingsheng was on a long call with the corporation, which had already lasted over an hour.

“President Gu, there’s trouble…” The driver had tried calling several times but kept reaching a busy line, so he came in person.

Gu Pingsheng frowned, his gaze darkening.

The driver saw he was on the phone, but the matter was urgent. “Madam—something’s happened to Madam.”

Gu Pingsheng quickly ended his call and strode away.

In truth, the incident hadn’t befallen Wen Zhixia, but Zhao Fuhe. Yet, because it involved Wen Zhixia, the driver, who had served Gu Pingsheng for years and knew how much she mattered to him, reported everything large and small.

At the emergency room, Gu Pingsheng’s pupils contracted sharply at the sight of Wen Zhixia’s bloodstained hands. He checked her over anxiously. “Where are you hurt? Where is it?”

Wen Zhixia’s lashes trembled.

The breathless driver caught up, managing only to say “emergency room” before Gu Pingsheng had rushed off, leaving him no chance to explain. “President Gu, it’s Miss Zhao—Zhao Fuhe—who’s hurt.”

Wen Zhixia watched his expression closely, wanting to see his reaction to Zhao Fuhe’s accident.

Yet she could read nothing unusual from his face. “Zhao Fuhe?”

The driver glanced at Wen Zhixia and hesitated. “Yes… Zhao Fuhe somehow fell at the stairwell. At the time, only Madam was there. Others heard cries for help and brought Miss Zhao to the ER.”

Just then, Li Yueting, who had witnessed the incident and finished the admission paperwork for Zhao Fuhe, arrived. “President Gu, President Wen.”

He glanced at the admission slip in her hand, but only briefly.

“Who is the patient’s family?” A nurse in a mask emerged from the emergency room.

Li Yueting and the driver both looked at Gu Pingsheng.

Wen Zhixia’s lips curled as she pushed his hand away. “Are you the family, President Gu?”

He took her hand, looked at Li Yueting, and said, “Since Secretary Li handled the admission, let her take care of the rest.”

Li Yueting paused; clearly, things were not going as she’d planned.

“It was Wen Zhixia—she pushed me! Only the two of us were there. Who else could it be?” Zhao Fuhe, pale and tearful, accused Wen Zhixia as she was wheeled from the ER to her room.

Li Yueting’s eyes flickered. She summoned Gu Pingsheng and Wen Zhixia. “President Gu, Miss Zhao is very agitated and insists—” she looked at Wen Zhixia, “insists President Wen pushed her down the stairs. As she requested, the doctor has… called the police.”

Wen Zhixia raised her brows. “She says… I pushed her?”

“Is the child safe?” Gu Pingsheng’s voice overlapped with hers, both urgent.

Wen Zhixia turned her head.

Li Yueting hesitated. “The child is safe, President Gu. Would you like to see her?”

He nodded, but before leaving, took Wen Zhixia’s hand. “Let’s go together.”

Li Yueting’s gaze lingered on their joined hands.

Inside the ward, Zhao Fuhe burst into tears at the sight of Gu Pingsheng. The nurse urged her to calm down for the sake of the baby.

A detective came to take statements. “Which of you is Wen Zhixia?”

“I am.”

“The victim claims you took advantage of her unawareness to attack her, pushing her down the stairs and nearly causing a miscarriage. Did you do this?” the officer asked.

Zhao Fuhe sobbed, looking at Gu Pingsheng. “Senior, you must stand up for me.”

Wen Zhixia found this amusing and, instead of answering the officer, asked Zhao Fuhe, “Miss Zhao, what do you want my husband to do for you?”

“Senior sister, I have no enmity with you. Why are you so cruel, trying to kill my child? Is it because you have no children yourself, so you can’t bear to see others give birth?” Zhao Fuhe wept pitifully, playing the wronged victim.

She was determined to blame Wen Zhixia.

The phrase “because you have no children” struck a nerve—Wen Zhixia truly was childless.

And it was a sore point that had caused many arguments between her and Gu Pingsheng.

At this, Gu Pingsheng’s eyes turned steely cold.

“You just said we have no enmity. So why would I want to hurt your child? What motive would I have?” Wen Zhixia’s voice was cool and logical.

Motive?

Of course, Zhao Fuhe had her suspicions: because the child was Gu Pingsheng’s. If Wen Zhixia were jealous and sought a chance to get rid of the baby, it wouldn’t be impossible.

“There was only you at the scene. Who else could it be?” Zhao Fuhe cried.

Wen Zhixia’s lips curled. “If I hadn’t saved you, your child wouldn’t have survived.”

“Don’t pretend! You only saved me to cover your tracks. If my child and I weren’t lucky, we’d both be dead by now! My child almost never had a chance to see this world—you’re heartless!” Zhao Fuhe wailed.

Wen Zhixia frowned at her insistent accusations.

“Enough,” Gu Pingsheng said sternly. “Xiaxia could never do such a thing.”

Zhao Fuhe looked at him, incredulous, as if struck. “Senior?”

This was their child. Their child had almost died because of Wen Zhixia, yet he still stood by that vicious woman!

“That’s the end of it. Focus on your recovery,” Gu Pingsheng said.

Zhao Fuhe seemed devastated. “My child nearly died, and you tell me to let it go? Was this my fault?”

“Secretary Li, handle things here. My wife isn’t well—I’m taking her back,” Gu Pingsheng said, entrusting the rest to Li Yueting as he led Wen Zhixia out.

The hospital room door closed behind them.

Wen Zhixia looked at the long corridor outside. “Don’t you think Zhao Fuhe’s words just now sounded like the complaints of a woman who doesn’t trust her man?”

“Nonsense,” Gu Pingsheng frowned.

She gazed at him, distracted. “Pingsheng, whose child is Zhao Fuhe carrying?”

His hand clenched at his side, eyes smoldering with anger. “By asking that, you’re already doubting me. What answer do you want?”

He pressed her cheek, a bit too hard. “You once told me that suspicion is the worst thing between a couple. But now, you’re doubting me, Xiaxia. You’re doubting me.”

He repeated it, his words laced with suppressed fury.

Back in the ward, after the police left, Li Yueting looked at Zhao Fuhe, who sat weeping on the bed.

“The doctor says your condition is still unstable. For the sake of your baby, you need to pull yourself together and recover.”

“It was that wretched Wen Zhixia who tried to hurt me!” Zhao Fuhe suddenly shouted. “There were only the two of us—who else could it be?”

Li Yueting’s eyes flickered. She’d always thought Zhao Fuhe was too cautious, never daring to confront Wen Zhixia head-on. In such cases, a catalyst was needed.

What Zhao Fuhe cared about most—the thing she couldn’t tolerate losing—was the baby that secured her place with Gu Pingsheng.

So Li Yueting had tampered with the east stairwell beforehand.

She hadn’t expected the child to survive.

Still, even if the baby wasn’t lost, this would deepen Zhao Fuhe’s hatred for Wen Zhixia, and make Wen Zhixia suspicious of Gu Pingsheng—a double victory.

“I’m very sympathetic to your situation. But Wen Zhixia is, after all, President Gu’s wife. Even if he wants to protect you, he can’t. President Wen is skilled at dealing silent blows—many in business have suffered at her hands. If you want to keep your baby safe, I’m afraid…”

“I won’t let her harm my child!” Zhao Fuhe ground out.

Li Yueting smiled faintly. “Of course. A mother must be strong. For your child’s sake, you must fight. Wen Zhixia has been childless for years—perhaps she cannot bear children. Even if President Gu feels loyal to their shared career, he must want a child of his own.”

Zhao Fuhe stroked her belly. “You’re right. Senior loves this baby. I can’t just wait for disaster.”

Lanhu Manor.

The kitten mewled at Wen Zhixia’s feet, but she didn’t respond.

After a long time, she picked up her phone. “…Help me find out if the child Zhao Fuhe is carrying is really Gu Pingsheng’s.”