Chapter 74: How Could Any Man Resist?

“It’s over, everyone disperse.”
Two men emerged from the corporation’s building; evidently security staff, they began to scatter the crowd of curious employees, intent on untying the rope from Zhao Fuhe’s wrists.
But two bodyguards standing nearby reached out to stop them. “There’s still half an hour left.”
“What do you mean, ‘half an hour’? Who do you think you are, this isn’t a—” The security staff, indignant, tried to protest, but his colleague pulled him back, whispering, “Better check with the higher-ups first.”
His companion was more adept at reading the situation. When they’d received the call from the president’s office, they’d only been instructed to minimize the disturbance—nothing in their words suggested they wanted any conflict.
Besides, someone had brazenly put up a sign labeling Zhao Fuhe as the ‘mistress’ near Gu Xia Group, with bodyguards standing watch. Such a scene was hardly something just anyone could pull off.
Half an hour later, the two bodyguards, sunglasses in place, departed on schedule, and only then did security bring Zhao Fuhe to a car.
“President Gu, she’s been taken to a nearby hotel for now. Miss Zhao said… Young President Wen personally led people to Chengya Residence, said they’re taking back the house, and…” Li Yueting glanced at Gu Pingsheng, “And… she’s demanded that Miss Zhao repay every expense incurred after following President Gu, or else they’ll sue her for embezzling marital assets.”
Li Yueting had never imagined Wen Zhixia would go so far.
In high society, it wasn’t rare for the legitimate wife to lead people to beat, warn, or threaten the mistress, but to demand every penny spent to be returned was almost unheard of.
After all, no wife cared about the money her husband spent on the mistress; it was merely the tip of the iceberg. If the wife didn’t want a divorce, revenge was just to vent her anger; if she did, she’d use proof of infidelity to get a bigger share of the assets.
But Wen Zhixia—storming the house, demanding repayment, tying the mistress up and publicly shaming her—she was the only one to do this in all these years.
Gu Pingsheng leaned back in his chair, pressing heavily against his brow, murmuring, “Is she forcing me?” Rather fierce, to tie someone up so directly.
Li Yueting didn’t catch what he said, so she came closer and asked, “President Gu, what should we do about Miss Zhao? Security says Miss Zhao keeps crying, seems very upset. Would you like to… go see her?”
Gu Pingsheng stood up.
Li Yueting followed, instinctively thinking he was going to check on Zhao Fuhe, but hearing her footsteps, Gu Pingsheng only slightly bent his knees and said, “You handle it. I have something else to do.”
Li Yueting watched his departing back, and though there was no indication or evidence, she guessed where he was headed.
The place he said he had ‘something to do’ could only be Lanhu County.
Zhao Fuhe heard the door open, turned around with tearful eyes, but was bitterly disappointed. “Why is it you?”
Li Yueting entered. “Who did you expect? President Gu? I think President Gu is already on his way back to Lanhu County.”
Hearing that Gu Pingsheng had returned to Lanhu County, Zhao Fuhe’s gaze flashed with malice and hatred. “He doesn’t know I was humiliated by Wen Zhixia?”
Li Yueting smiled. “Anything I know, President Gu knows too. But compared to comforting you after you’ve been humiliated, I think President Gu cares more about whether Young President Wen lost her temper while humiliating you.”
“What do you mean?!”
Li Yueting’s words placed Zhao Fuhe in the most worthless position, successfully provoking her anger.
“Isn’t it obvious?” Li Yueting asked. “Security was right next to you—they could have rescued you immediately. But because Young President Wen instructed them to wait another half hour, President Gu didn’t let them cause any conflict with the men detaining you. Your dignity isn’t worth as much as Young President Wen’s mood. Why does she dare to treat you so brazenly? Because she knows she’s the wife, President Gu cares about her, and you’re just the scapegoat.”
“You’re lying!” Zhao Fuhe shouted angrily.
Li Yueting sat down, poured herself a glass of water. “Whether I’m lying or not, after this incident, you know the truth in your heart. I just don’t want you to keep deceiving yourself.”
“You’re here just to sow discord between us?!” Zhao Fuhe snapped.
“President Gu asked me to come.” Li Yueting said, “Don’t mind my bluntness, but one must see reality clearly to make decisions in their own favor. You were humiliated by Young President Wen—do you plan to just let it go?”
Zhao Fuhe clenched her fists. “What can you do?”
“If it’s only psychological humiliation and there’s no visible injury, how could President Gu ever pity you…” Li Yueting said with meaning.
Zhao Fuhe’s head shot up.
Lanhu County.
“Madam isn’t back yet?” Gu Pingsheng asked in a low voice.
The servant nodded. “Madam went out at noon and hasn’t returned since.”
Gu Pingsheng’s eyes darkened.
A few seconds later, he went upstairs. The things in the room showed no signs of being disturbed, clothes and skincare products were all untouched; she hadn’t left.
He glanced at the darkening sky outside, frowning.
It was winter now, night fell earlier and earlier.
She’d only had an incident yesterday—how could she not be more careful?
He called her phone, but no one answered.
He called again, still no response.
Gu Pingsheng’s brow grew tighter. A few seconds later, he called the police to ask whether the three kidnappers had been caught.
The police replied officially: “Please remain calm. We are currently pursuing the suspects with full effort. As the three have left the province, our investigation has become more complicated, but we have basically narrowed down their location and are searching…”
“Wen, your phone kept ringing just now,” Hua Qianjiao said at the dinner table, noticing Wen Zhixia’s phone on the table after she returned from the restroom.
Wen Zhixia glanced at it, then turned it face down, acting as if she hadn’t seen anything.
Her action made Hua Qianjiao tilt her head and look at her more closely. “Wen, you still haven’t told me—why is your forehead injured?”
Wen Zhixia paused, chopsticks in hand. “It’s nothing.”
“Wen, are you troubled by something?” Hua Qianjiao asked, putting a wild mushroom in her mouth.
“It’s nothing.” Wen Zhixia repeated the same three words.
Hua Qianjiao puffed her cheeks in disgruntlement. “Is it because you think I’m dumb, so you won’t tell me anything? I tell you everything, why won’t you share when you’re upset?”
She grew angry, munching on the nearest wild mushrooms, stuffing her mouth until she resembled a puffer fish.
Wen Zhixia poured her a glass of water, “Slow down. It’s not that I won’t tell you—if I did, it’d just make another person unhappy… By the way, what are you eating?”
Only then did Wen Zhixia notice Hua Qianjiao had nearly finished off the wild mushrooms.
Hua Qianjiao found them delicious and tried to pick up the last few for Wen Zhixia, but failed after several attempts and shook her head, her mind growing woozy. Soon she began to see little elves dancing in her plate.
“Wen… Wen, where are we?” Why are there elves?
Wen Zhixia hurried over to steady her, calling for the restaurant manager, “What was used in this dish?”
The manager didn’t know and wanted to call the chef, but Wen Zhixia had no time to wait, instructing them to help get Hua Qianjiao to the hospital.
Ye Lanzhou, knowing Hua Qianjiao was at this restaurant, detoured over. As he entered, he saw Wen Zhixia supporting the staggering Hua Qianjiao. “What happened?”
“Possibly food poisoning. Perfect timing—you can take her to the hospital.”
Ye Lanzhou wasted no words, scooping her up and placing her in the back seat. Wen Zhixia went ahead to drive.
In the car, Hua Qianjiao sat rigidly upright, staring straight ahead.
Ye Lanzhou was startled by her state. “Qianqiao?”
“Qianqiao, what’s wrong?”
Hua Qianjiao ignored him.
Ye Lanzhou glanced at Wen Zhixia driving. “You’re sure it’s food poisoning?”
Wen Zhixia couldn’t answer for sure—she wasn’t a doctor. “She was fine before eating, but after the mushroom dish, she started saying she saw elves…”
Suddenly, a car ahead changed lanes, and Wen Zhixia braked hard.
“Ugh—”
Hua Qianjiao clutched her head tightly, speaking her first words since getting in, “Slow down, slow down, I’m going to spill!”
Wen Zhixia glanced back through the mirror. “What’s going to spill?”
“My milk tea—I can’t let it spill,” she said, holding her head firmly.
Wen Zhixia and Ye Lanzhou exchanged glances in the mirror. Clearly, Hua Qianjiao was hallucinating—she now believed she was a cup of milk tea.
So whenever the car accelerated or braked, as long as it wasn’t smoothly driving, she’d fearfully clutch her head.
Ye Lanzhou placed a hand on her head. “Don’t worry, I’ll hold it steady for you.”
Wen Zhixia watched Ye Lanzhou’s gesture and smiled silently.
In the hospital room, the doctor diagnosed Hua Qianjiao with mushroom poisoning from overconsumption, but thankfully, she’d been brought in promptly and was not in serious danger.
Even so, Father and Mother Hua rushed in, for Hua Qianjiao was their life; any mishap terrified them.
Hua Qianjiao alternately claimed to be milk tea or to see elves, restless on the hospital bed but unable to move with an IV in her hand. Ye Lanzhou sat by her side, chatting with her about elves.
She played, he laughed.
Wen Zhixia quietly told Father and Mother Hua, “Young Master Ye is very good to Qianqiao.”
Seeing the scene, Father and Mother Hua nodded. Ye Lanzhou was indeed a good child.
With Ye Lanzhou and her parents by Hua Qianjiao’s side, Wen Zhixia seemed redundant.
She walked out of the hospital alone, gazing at the bustling crowd around her, yet her heart was empty.
Her parents had been sent away, her brother was no longer by her side, and the husband she once thought would love her forever was no longer hers alone. When Wen Zhixia suddenly turned back, she realized she’d worked so hard for so many years—how, in the end, did she still have nothing?
No, not nothing.
She still had money.
With money, there’s no need to fear loneliness.
After all, there weren’t only men like Gu Pingsheng in the world. She could find another—one obedient, gentle, and who wouldn’t give her attitude.
Wen Zhixia drove to Yulouchun Entertainment Club.
In business, socializing was inevitable, and Wen Zhixia had been introduced to this place by several wealthy ladies.
Unlike Junyue, which mainly served male clients with female attendants, Yulouchun catered to female patrons.
Frankly, it was a place for women to play with men. Many wealthy wives were regulars here. Since their husbands could seek women, more and more wives had begun to look for young, handsome men for themselves, maintaining appearances while enjoying their own pleasures.
The first time Wen Zhixia came, she hadn’t realized how different it was from ordinary clubs, until men—some seductive, some fresh, some dominant, some submissive—sat beside them to drink. Only then did she realize the nature of the place.
Back then, Gu Pingsheng had stormed in with a dark face, dragged her out, and forbade her from ever returning to such places.
At that time, Wen Zhixia’s heart was entirely with Gu Pingsheng; she agreed without hesitation.
But now—
She browsed a tablet displaying all the male hosts’ photos. Grey avatars meant they were off work or on leave this year, red meant they had clients, green were available for selection.
Wen Zhixia pointed at a man with an open, cheerful smile. “I’ll take him.”
“Excellent choice, Miss. He just joined this week, has only served one client—still quite clean. I’ll call him over…”
Wen Zhixia paused, brows slightly furrowed, but ultimately said nothing.
Soon, the man arrived, accompanied by several wealthy ladies Wen Zhixia had met before.
“I thought I’d misheard, but it’s really Young President Wen.”
“Young President Wen, you’re a rare guest…”
“Indeed. It’s been three years since we last saw you here. We thought you weren’t like us, but now…”
“A woman should treat herself well. Why let husbands sneak around while you suffer at home? You’re just making yourself miserable. Sister, I must say, Young President Wen has great taste—not only is Gu Pingsheng handsome, this host you picked is quite a looker too.”
They chatted as they took seats; Wen Zhixia said nothing.
She wasn’t fond of noisy crowds—otherwise, she’d have chosen a semi-private booth. But in this decadent atmosphere, even she could numb herself for a while, shelving her troubles.
“Young President Wen, I’m Jaybon.” Among the women, Wen Zhixia was the youngest and most beautiful, with a notable background. Just as wealthy men preferred young, attractive women, male hosts favored beautiful, young female clients.
Jaybon, despite being new, was skilled at charming women.
The wealthy ladies praised him, but since Wen Zhixia had chosen him, they only bantered, their hands busy with their own escorts.
“Miss Wen, any plans for tonight?” Jaybon poured a drink, took a sip himself, then held the glass to Wen Zhixia’s lips.
Wen Zhixia pushed the glass away. “I don’t drink. Can you dance?”
Jaybon hesitated, glanced around, listened to the lively music outside the booth, and whispered in her ear, “What kind of dance do you want to see? If you prefer somewhere quiet, I can dance just for you.”
To avoid official scrutiny, Yulouchun never allowed guests and male hosts to book rooms inside the club.
“Oh, look at you—so eager to please our Young President Wen? Ready to give yourself away?” Among women, risqué jokes were as common as among men.
“Miss Wen, there’s a five-star hotel ten minutes away. We could make do for now, haha…” someone suggested, “Or, even a parked car would do.”
Jaybon stared at Wen Zhixia, awaiting her reply. Unlike his warm smile in photos, in person Jaybon exuded a seductive androgyny, somewhere between masculine and feminine.
Wen Zhixia glanced at the other wealthy ladies’ male hosts—most seemed to share this quality. She wondered if it was an occupational trait.
“You seem impatient,” Wen Zhixia remarked.
Her words made the wealthy ladies laugh, and the other hosts look over. There was no hint of flirtation or jest in her tone, only a simple question.
Jaybon was momentarily stunned, then smiled. “With a beauty as outstanding as Miss Wen, what man could resist?”
Wen Zhixia looked at him, took out a card. “There’s a hundred thousand in here.”
Jaybon reached out, delighted.
Wen Zhixia raised the card slightly, gesturing to the center of the booth. “Dance for me.”
“Miss Wen really knows how to have fun. Since we’re dancing, why not raise the stakes? I’ll add another hundred thousand—for a striptease,” a wealthy lady said, appraising Jaybon.
During the wild dancing, Gu Pingsheng’s calls came incessantly. Wen Zhixia crooked her finger at Jaybon, signaling him to answer.
When Gu Pingsheng heard a man, breathless and disheveled, pick up, with Wen Zhixia chatting nearby, his expression darkened murderously.
“Where is she?!”
Jaybon, hearing the accusatory tone, instantly guessed the caller’s identity. Seeing Wen Zhixia unmoved, he gave the location.
Gu Pingsheng, icy cold, grabbed his car keys and headed out.
A servant hurried to bring his coat. “President Gu, it’s cold outside, you should—” But before she finished, Gu Pingsheng had vanished.
At Yulouchun Entertainment Club, Wen Zhixia, a little tipsy but still clear-headed, was escorted out by Jaybon.