Chapter 66: Xia Xia, This Isn’t Surveillance

Lanhuxian County.

The little kitten, no one knew how it managed to clamber onto the bed with its short legs, woke Wen Zhixia by licking her cheek, its soft touch feather-light against her skin.

Its fluffy fur brushed her sensitive nose. “Achoo…” Wen Zhixia sneezed.

She sat at the edge of the bed, scooping the little creature into her arms and poking its round head with her finger. “Didn’t I tell you, you’re not allowed on the bed?”

She had always left it out in the living room, but once, distracted, she’d carried it into her room, and since then, the kitten had learned to find its way there with uncanny intuition.

“Meow.” The kitten called out to her, its tongue licking her neck.

The kitten’s adorable, clingy personality made Wen Zhixia think of Hua Qianjiao—both loved to seek affection, and even the way their eyes looked up at you was the same.

Gu Pingsheng pushed open the door and saw the tranquil scene of woman and cat sitting at the head of the bed. Wherever she was, it seemed to perfectly embody the serenity of peaceful years.

The kitten seemed especially fond of licking her neck today. Following its gaze, Gu Pingsheng noticed the marks left from last night’s passion on her slender, fair neck.

He couldn’t help but recall what had happened in the bathtub the previous night: black hair and white gauze floating and sinking in the water, making one’s thoughts swirl in desire.

“Are you feeling unwell anywhere?” He came over, lifted the kitten from her arms, placed it on the floor, and used his long, slender fingers to smooth her hair.

The kitten, displaced from her warm embrace, shook its head and meowed in protest.

Wen Zhixia wanted to get out of bed and pick it up again, but the man before her gave her no chance. His fingers brushed over the still-visible love bites on her neck, his deep eyes shadowed. “No pain?”

Last night, seeing her in her wedding dress had made him lose control. She had tried several times to make him stop, pinching his waist, but had no idea how dangerous her actions were.

“Move aside.” No matter how gentle he was otherwise, when it came to this, he became unyielding, never giving her the chance to refuse.

Gu Pingsheng produced a jar of ointment from his other hand, his gaze as dark as the night. “We applied medicine yesterday. Today… let’s put it on again.”

Wen Zhixia, both embarrassed and annoyed, shot him a sideways glare.

He seemed not to notice, reaching to lift the covers.

“Gu Pingsheng!” Wen Zhixia pressed his hand down, her usual gentle voice now tight with mortification. “I’m fine.”

She was thin-skinned. If not for her exhaustion yesterday, half asleep and half awake, she would never have agreed to the ointment, let alone now while fully conscious.

“Let me check.” He tried to inspect the marks.

Wen Zhixia slapped his hand away. “If you keep pushing—!”

In the end, he dared not truly provoke her. He left the ointment for her. “Apply it yourself, then come down for breakfast.”

Fuming, Wen Zhixia hurled a pillow at him, unwilling to pay him any mind.

He caught it with a laugh. No matter how cold a man might appear, after being satisfied, even he could become remarkably good-tempered.

When the door closed, Wen Zhixia eyed the ointment sitting quietly by the bed, then tossed it into the nearby drawer with irritation.

After washing up, she hesitated, then sent Xu Qichen a message to apologize for the abrupt interruption yesterday.

She checked her phone, but Xu Qichen had yet to reply. Wen Zhixia paused, wondering if he hadn’t seen it or simply didn’t want to respond. Either way, calling now would only make things awkward.

After a moment’s thought, she decided to let it go for now.

She walked to the top of the stairs and immediately saw Gu Pingsheng downstairs, sleeves of his shirt rolled up, apron on, revealing strong forearms as he set sandwiches out on the dining table.

Sensing her gaze, Gu Pingsheng beckoned her over.

As she approached, he guided her to sit at the table and stole a quick kiss at the corner of her lips. “Did you put on the ointment?”

Wen Zhixia pushed his handsome face away. “You’re annoying.”

Three years of marriage, and he never tired of teasing her about bedroom matters, always amused by her embarrassment. No matter how many times, her usually composed face would flush with colors unseen in daily life.

Like a touch of wine, making her beautiful without her knowing it.

They had just held their wedding ceremony yesterday. He had planned to spend the day at home with her, but with the Far East project pressing, he had to go to the office as usual.

Wen Zhixia said little. She never interfered with his career, understanding his ambition and drive; this man was born a conqueror.

After the wedding, they received many gifts, all delivered home by Gu Pingsheng’s people.

Once he left for work, Wen Zhixia sat on the carpet and began unwrapping gifts.

One beautiful box after another, large and small, opened to reveal treasures—none as precious as the peacock brooch from Xu Qichen, but all expensive. One gift stood out: a clever little detection device, custom-made to look like a keychain, inconspicuous. Wen Zhixia wouldn’t have known what it was if not for the instruction manual beside it.

It was a new detection gadget, not yet on the market: simply turn it on, and it would indicate the presence of monitoring devices within twenty meters.

Wen Zhixia found it interesting. She had no need for it herself, but it would be useful for Gu Pingsheng.

She switched it on with one hand, reading the instructions with the other.

When the detector flashed, Wen Zhixia paused—the red light was on, indicating a surveillance device nearby.

Why would there be surveillance at home?

Wen Zhixia scanned the room but saw nothing amiss. Was the device malfunctioning?

Despite her doubts, she got up and paced the house, stopping in the corner of the living room—an open area with a clear view of the space. If there were a camera there, it would cover the entire room, including the entrance.

She froze for a moment. She’d been living here every day; how had she never known about a surveillance device? Who had installed it?

Who could it be, other than her and Gu Pingsheng?

Cameras at home were not unusual, but Gu Pingsheng had never mentioned it. To install them without her knowledge could not simply be explained as a safety measure.

Wen Zhixia gazed quietly toward the camera’s hidden spot, then fetched a folding ladder and removed the concealed camera from the wall, placing it on the table.

Meanwhile, in the parking lot, Gu Pingsheng received a call from Zhao Fuhe. Her voice was calm, showing no trace of yesterday’s hysteria.

“Senior, I’ve prepared your favorite dishes…”

Wearing his Bluetooth earpiece, Gu Pingsheng gazed deeply out the car window, not answering.

But Zhao Fuhe, as if certain he was listening, continued, “I’ve thought it through. As long as I can stay by your side, I’ll do anything. I just hope you’ll come see me today.”

After speaking, she fell silent, as if leaving him time to consider.

“To Cheng Yaju,” Gu Pingsheng said in a low voice to the driver.

On the phone, Zhao Fuhe’s delighted voice came through. “Then I’ll wait for you at home.”

The driver glanced at Gu Pingsheng in the rearview mirror, then quickly looked away.

The door to Cheng Yaju was left open. Gu Pingsheng stepped inside, bathed in the honeyed glow of lamplight and the thick scent of incense that filled the air with a languorous intimacy.

A woman in casual home clothes sat on the sofa, her features gentle as she lowered her gaze to sip tea.

“Senior, you’re here. I just finished making tea.” Hearing his footsteps, Zhao Fuhe turned, and for a split second, Gu Pingsheng thought he was seeing Wen Zhixia.

Wen Zhixia often went bare-faced at home, but Zhao Fuhe had painstakingly made up her features to resemble her, and with the right clothes and setting, what was once a mere resemblance now seemed even closer.

Gu Pingsheng’s eyes darkened as he sat opposite her.

Zhao Fuhe poured them each a cup, smiling sweetly. “Please try it, Senior.”

He took a sip. “Not bad.”

Her smile brightened. “I heard you liked tea, so I learned especially for you. But only later did I realize it’s actually Senior Wen who’s fond of tea. Look at me, I can’t even keep that straight. How silly.”

Gu Pingsheng turned the cup in his slender fingers. It was true: Wen Zhixia was the tea lover, and she brewed it better than any master.

They were facing each other at first, but in a flash, Zhao Fuhe had moved to his side, half-pressing against him, her fingers caressing his chest through his shirt. “Senior, let’s have another child…”

Gu Pingsheng pressed his hand to his forehead and shook his head forcefully.

“Pingsheng~~”

He heard Wen Zhixia’s voice in his ear, tinged with pride after embarrassment. In bed, she always tried to stifle any sound, and he would coax her, lips to her ear, to call his name.

The cool light of the moon stained with blush, always so stirring and beautiful.

Staring at the woman before him, Gu Pingsheng pressed her down onto the sofa. Zhao Fuhe wrapped her arms around his neck, trying to offer him a kiss.

But at the last moment, Gu Pingsheng suddenly grabbed her throat. “What did you do?!”

“Cough, cough…” Zhao Fuhe clutched his hand. “Senior, you’re hurting me.”

He shook his head, tightening his grip.

As Zhao Fuhe’s face flushed from lack of air, the scent he’d noticed upon entering still lingered in his nostrils.

The fragrance was far too strong, ill-suited to her makeup and clothes today. His eyes went cold as he strode over, tossed the incense into the trash, and opened the windows.

The rush of cool air cleared his head.

“Senior, I just want a child.” Zhao Fuhe got up and hugged him from behind, pressing her cheek to his back. “I don’t care about anything else—I just want a child that belongs to us.”

Gu Pingsheng pried her hands off, his expression dark. “Is this your bargaining chip?!”

Zhao Fuhe knew he wasn’t one to be threatened, but only with a child could she feel secure. She didn’t truly love children, but this child was her best leverage.

“Is it bargaining, in your eyes, for me to want a child with you? Why can you be so gentle to Senior Wen, but not show me the least kindness? I came to you with a clean slate; you brought me to your side. Why must I be so lowly, waiting here every day for the rare times you remember me?” Zhao Fuhe’s tears fell as she spoke.

“Senior can give Wen such a grand wedding—why not show me just a little mercy? Aren’t we both your women?”

“So that’s why you drugged me?!” Gu Pingsheng said darkly.

“I didn’t want to, but ever since I lost the baby, you haven’t touched me again. I… it was the only way I could think of.” Zhao Fuhe sobbed.

“Go wash your face.” After a pause, he spoke.

Zhao Fuhe grabbed his hand. “I know what you want, Senior. I’ll help you achieve any wish you have, but I have one little wish of my own.”

Since having a child was off the table, Zhao Fuhe quickly shifted her approach.

Gu Pingsheng asked, “What do you want?”

“I’ve always dreamed that, one day, when I found someone I love, we’d travel together, just the two of us,” she replied.

Gu Pingsheng’s eyes darkened.

“President Gu originally planned to take Miss Wen on a trip after the wedding, but because of a Far East military project meeting the next day, he had to postpone it. But if the meeting goes well, he’ll have a few days free. Miss Zhao has been cooped up at Cheng Yaju for ages—why not take her out, too? It would help foster feelings between you.” Li Yueting’s words echoed in his mind.

“So that’s your condition?” Gu Pingsheng asked in a low voice.

Zhao Fuhe clenched her fingers. “Yes.”

“President Gu, we’ve arrived.” The driver glanced at the man in the back seat, lost in thought and wreathed in smoke, and gently reminded him.

Gu Pingsheng only replied with a faint “Mm.” After that, there was nothing but the sound of his slow, dark breaths, smoke swirling around his deep-set eyes, making them impossible to read, as if he’d fallen into a bottomless abyss.

“President Gu, something on your mind?” the driver ventured.

Gu Pingsheng shot him a cold glance.

The driver fell silent, not daring to speak again.

“You can go back now.” He wanted to be alone for a while.

Gu Pingsheng only returned to Lanhuxian County an hour later.

Only a small lamp was on in the living room; everything else was shrouded in darkness.

Wen Zhixia sat on the sofa, petting the cat, seemingly oblivious to the approaching footsteps.

“Why not turn on more lights? It’s so dark—you could trip.” He flipped on all the lights and, walking toward her, caught sight of what was on the table before her.

It was the miniature surveillance camera she’d dismantled. Gu Pingsheng glanced up at the corner of the living room ceiling; sure enough, it was gone.

His eyes narrowed sharply, his voice dry but calm. “...I forgot to tell you, there was a break-in in the neighborhood recently. I had cameras installed.”

“Gu Pingsheng, I’m not a three-year-old.” She lowered her gaze, her hand pausing on the cat.

“You… don’t trust me?” He sat down, gripping her shoulders.

Wen Zhixia asked, “When did you start surveilling me?”

One word—“surveillance”—made Gu Pingsheng’s brows knit. “Xiaxia, it’s not surveillance.”

She looked up, her lips curving in a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “If it’s not surveillance, then what is it? Tell me.”

She was never one to make a scene, even when angry.

“I want to know you’re safe, to know what you’re doing at home. It’s because I love you, but in your eyes, it’s surveillance?” He pressed her shoulders.

Wen Zhixia gave a bitter laugh. “So now it’s my fault?”

“I should have told you in advance. I didn’t think—”

“Gu Pingsheng, you’ve become a stranger to me. You weren’t like this before.” Sometimes, he felt like someone she no longer knew.

Years in the business world had worn away the once-bright youth, leaving nothing but the cold, fathomless President Gu.

Seeing the disappointment in her eyes, Gu Pingsheng felt as though a needle had pierced his heart. He said hoarsely, “Xiaxia, I’m still me.”

She pushed his hand away and said nothing more.

He took a deep breath, stood up, grabbed his coat, and headed for the door. There, he paused. “I’ll stay elsewhere for a couple of days.”

Shocked, Wen Zhixia turned. She hadn’t expected him to address it this way—a casual “I’m only concerned about you” to dismiss the surveillance, and when she hadn’t even said much, he wanted to leave to “cool off”?

She stood up, but a wave of dizziness forced her back to the sofa.

By the time she regained her senses, Gu Pingsheng was gone.

“I’ll be gone for a couple of days. Find a time to have Hua Qianjiao come keep her company. I don’t like her being alone.” In the car, Gu Pingsheng called and spoke gravely.

Ye Lanzhou, though unsure what had happened, could guess from Gu Pingsheng’s manner. “It’s rare for President Gu to entrust his most cherished person to someone else.”

“Wait until you’ve won over the Hua family’s young lady before you make snide comments,” Gu Pingsheng replied, pinching the bridge of his nose.

Ye Lanzhou: “…”

“Let’s talk business. Compared to a few years ago, your situation isn’t looking great. You’re a little too obsessed with Wen Zhixia. I once thought her presence would help your condition, but now… I’m starting to doubt my judgment.”