Chapter 82: Xia Xia, Don’t Cry

Gu Pingsheng, incensed by her, raised his hand, but in the end only curled his fingers into a fist and withdrew them, still brimming with anger. "I must have been blind to think you were harmless!" She could truly infuriate him at times! Her clever tongue flashed with those pearly teeth, yet the words she uttered made him want to set her straight.

As she was about to leave, Gu Pingsheng’s long arms swept her up from behind and tossed her onto the bed. Though she wasn’t tall, Wen Zhixia still felt dizzy for a moment; before she could react, he pinned her down. His kiss was fierce, overwhelming and domineering, like a storm sweeping over a mountainside, robbing her of breath.

“Gu... mm...” Wen Zhixia pushed against his chest, but a woman’s strength was naturally no match for his; in an instant, he pressed her arms above her head. His lips barely left hers, hot breaths mingling at the corner of her mouth. “Since you claimed you’re pregnant, how many days has it been since I touched you? Hmm? Xiaxia, if you keep defying me, is it because I’ve spoiled you too much, letting you say whatever you please?”

“Don’t touch me!” As he undid her collar with one hand, Wen Zhixia suddenly pushed him away.

Gu Pingsheng staggered back from her shove. Wen Zhixia pulled up the nearby quilt to cover herself, and as he steadied himself and came forward, she shouted angrily, “Gu Pingsheng, I don’t want this. Are you planning to force me?!”

His jaw tightened, truly enraged now. Gripping her chin, he growled, “Xiaxia, you are my wife!”

“Marital rape is still rape!” Wen Zhixia retorted.

Gu Pingsheng’s breathing was uneven; he felt an urge to throttle her. “Fine, very well. Rape, you say? I’ll oblige you!”

Wen Zhixia lost her composure for a moment. At times like this, a man shouldn’t be provoked—especially one like Gu Pingsheng, accustomed to controlling everything.

As they struggled, Wen Zhixia suddenly went limp. She closed her eyes, lying under him, but Gu Pingsheng tasted only bitterness.

She was crying.

She rarely shed tears—even in front of Gu Pingsheng. Wen Zhixia’s frailty was only surface deep; her inner strength rivaled any man’s. For such a person, tears were all the more wrenching and poignant.

Gu Pingsheng’s back stiffened, his arms bracing above her withdrew. Wen Zhixia turned away, curling herself up like a shrimp, a sob escaping uncontrollably from her lips.

Gu Pingsheng stood by the bed, looking at the woman turned away from him, sorrow and pain flickering in his deep eyes. His voice was dry as he spoke, “I...”

He walked around to her side, squatted, and took her hand. “Xiaxia, don’t cry.”

He whispered, “I was a bastard. I frightened you.”

Suddenly, Wen Zhixia sat up and ran toward the ward’s door. Gu Pingsheng paused, fearing her unstable emotions might cause problems, and hurriedly chased after her.

But hearing his footsteps behind her, Wen Zhixia suddenly stopped and turned, “Don’t follow me, Gu Pingsheng! Don’t! I’m fine, I just want some time alone. I don’t want to see you right now!”

Watching her retreating figure, Gu Pingsheng felt a suffocating blockage in his chest.

Li Yueting witnessed the scene and slowly approached Gu Pingsheng, speaking gently, “Miss Wen is just in a bad mood, President Gu. You needn’t worry too much. But as for Miss Zhao... she’s still unconscious, the doctors are examining her. President Gu... would you like to go see?”

Gu Pingsheng squeezed his fingers and turned, “Lead the way.”

Li Yueting lowered her eyes, “Yes.”

When Gu Pingsheng reached the ward door, the doctor was just coming out. “How is she?”

“It’s nothing serious, probably... her emotions fluctuated too much, so it’s a temporary fainting spell.” The doctor paused and continued, “But since she’s preparing for surgery, she must take care these days. If she catches a cold or fever, the operation will have to be postponed until she recovers.”

Gu Pingsheng cast a deep gaze into the ward. “I’ll leave her in your care. Since her health isn’t great, she’ll stay in the hospital until the surgery.”

At this, Li Yueting’s brows twitched slightly.

The doctor replied, “...It’s not necessary to be so cautious, but if President Gu wishes to err on the side of caution, it’s... not a problem.”

Wen Zhixia left the hospital, wandering aimlessly, not knowing how long she walked before receiving an overseas call.

She found a place to sit and answered.

“Qichen...”

“What’s wrong with your voice?” Xu Qichen heard the slight hoarseness and paused.

Wen Zhixia took a deep breath, making her voice sound as usual. “Nothing, maybe just a little cold.”

“Did something upset you?” Xu Qichen sighed, half helpless. “My little friend’s grown up, and now doesn’t want to tell me anything.”

Wen Zhixia laughed at his teasing, “You’re only three years older than me—why act so old? Who could bully me? I’m fierce.”

Xu Qichen, remembering their first meeting, couldn’t help but smile. “Yes, you’re right. I almost forgot.”

“Are you feeling better?” Wen Zhixia asked.

Xu Qichen hummed, “Much better. You should take care of yourself, too. Being ill... isn’t pleasant.”

He only meant to say a few words, but Wen Zhixia’s lips stiffened for a moment.

“Don’t keep things bottled up. You can always tell me, even if I’m abroad. I don’t want to be the last to know, like when you started your business with Gu Pingsheng.” Xu Qichen’s tone carried some resentment; back then, she’d hidden everything from him, just saying she’d found a job she liked. He was ill at the time, so he believed her.

Later, as she gained a foothold and began to appear publicly, he finally caught wind of it.

“Mr. Xu, how can you hold a grudge for so long?” Wen Zhixia laughed. “You remember it so clearly after all these years. I... honestly, I forgot.”

When every minute of rest seemed a luxury, who had time to complain to others?

Wen Zhixia didn’t return to the hospital.

She went to Jade Tower Spring, but didn’t expect the person in the private room to be Gu Pingsheng, not Jie Bang or some newcomer—she had no idea when he’d arrived.

At the moment she saw him, Wen Zhixia turned to leave.

But just then, Jie Bang arrived.

The three of them were in the same semi-open room, and the atmosphere was heavy.

Jie Bang already knew Gu Pingsheng’s identity. He hadn’t seen the couple together at Jade Tower Spring before, as he hadn’t worked there long.

“Ms. Wen, perhaps you’d like to come back tomorrow?” Jie Bang glanced at Gu Pingsheng.

Wen Zhixia bent to take some wine. “I can’t come today?”

Jie Bang handed it over and poured, “Jade Tower Spring always welcomes you, Ms. Wen. It’s just...”

Wen Zhixia’s slender fingers traced the rim of the glass, but before she could touch it, someone snatched it away.

“Not suitable to drink before surgery,” Gu Pingsheng said, pouring the wine out.

Jie Bang looked at Wen Zhixia.

She paused, “Gu Pingsheng, what are you really after?”

“That’s what I should ask you, Mrs. Gu. Have you forgotten you’re married?”

Their gazes locked, neither yielding.

“Ms. Wen certainly knows how to enjoy herself—surrounded by handsome men. Is this one new? Never seen anyone in a suit here before; that’s something fresh. Going for the abstinent type? Let’s see how you look with those clothes off—show your sister, hmm?”

A drunken woman spoke as she approached. The woman beside her glanced at the man sitting in the shadows, unable to see his face clearly, and assumed he was a new male escort at Jade Tower Spring.

After all, Wen Zhixia already sat with Jie Bang, so three people sharing a room—who would imagine Gu Pingsheng was her husband?

“Such a pretty face—how old are you this year?” The drunken woman reached to touch Gu Pingsheng’s handsome face.

Wen Zhixia paused, but ultimately said nothing. She knew Gu Pingsheng’s temper well enough; it was rare for him to restrain his anger.

And, as expected—

“Ow, what are you doing?!” The drunken woman’s wrist was twisted painfully, Gu Pingsheng’s face dark as he looked at her.

“What’s going on? Even the male escorts dare to lay hands on clients now? Call your manager!” her companion shouted.

Jie Bang tried to intervene, but it was too late.

The lobby manager rushed in, and Wen Zhixia blinked her thick lashes.

“What happened?” the manager asked as he entered.

The woman with the injured wrist yelled first, “What happened?! I want to ask you—how do you train your newcomers? He dares to lay hands on guests—this is Jade Tower Spring’s standard?”

“Mrs. Wang, please, all our new hires go through three rounds of training,” the manager said with a smile, glancing at Jie Bang and Gu Pingsheng. “Who upset Mrs. Wang?”

Jie Bang looked at Wen Zhixia—he honestly didn’t know how to answer, so he shook his head. “Not me.”

Wen Zhixia’s expression was enigmatic, but she said nothing.

“You must give me an explanation for this, or else!” Mrs. Wang hiccuped, “I won’t let this go.”

The manager’s gaze was fixed on Gu Pingsheng, yet he had no recollection of this newcomer—at Jade Tower Spring, male escorts rarely wore suits unless specially requested, and even then never so impeccably.

“You—come here and apologize to Mrs. Wang. Tonight, you’ll accompany her!” The manager, though puzzled, assumed he was a rebellious new hire.

With a crash, Gu Pingsheng kicked over the table, sending its contents to the floor in a shattering mess.

Everyone except Wen Zhixia was startled by the loud noise.

Mrs. Wang and her companion looked extremely displeased. “Unbelievable—a male escort dares to show attitude to the client. Fine, fine, fine...” She repeated the word, then said coldly, “I’ll see just how tough you are. Manager, I want him—tie him up and bring him to my room!”

The manager hesitated.

Click—the lights in the room turned on, no longer dim.

Wen Zhixia tossed the remote aside and played with her phone, uninterested in the fray.

Gu Pingsheng stood in the center, adjusting his cuffs. “You must be blind!”

Mrs. Wang had her back to him, so she hadn’t seen his face, and the manager didn’t recognize him, only thinking his bearing was far too distinguished for a male escort.

“Gu—Gu... President Gu.” It was Mrs. Wang’s companion who recognized Gu Pingsheng; she’d greeted him with her husband at the last Gu Xia Group celebration banquet, so his face was familiar.

Still, she never—no one ever—expected Wen Zhixia would bring her husband to Jade Tower Spring and hire a male escort.

Mrs. Wang turned then, seeing Gu Pingsheng’s face, and was utterly stunned. She stared at Wen Zhixia on the sofa, speechless, only regaining her voice after a long moment, sobered instantly. “Ms. Wen, you...”

Wasn’t this playing them for fools? Bringing your own husband to Jade Tower Spring!

The manager, slow as he was, realized the newcomer couldn’t be ordinary. He smiled, “Since you all know each other, let’s bring drinks and clear up this misunderstanding.”

Mrs. Wang and her companion were happy with this solution, but Gu Pingsheng had no intention of being conciliatory—being mistaken for a male escort and harassed by a woman at Jade Tower Spring was humiliating, and the culprit...

He cast a cold glance at Wen Zhixia, who sat indifferent, anger boiling in his chest until he could barely breathe. “Are you done playing, Mrs. Gu?”

Wen Zhixia lifted her gaze. “If President Gu has had enough, you can leave first. After all, you’re not a twenty-three or twenty-four-year-old anymore.”

Gu Pingsheng’s hand clenched at his side. He was only twenty-seven, twenty-eight by lunar years—did she think he was old?

He looked at Jie Bang, then suddenly pulled Wen Zhixia up from the sofa.

His movement was abrupt; Wen Zhixia’s phone nearly fell, her brows furrowing.

Before she could utter something even more provoking, Gu Pingsheng wrapped his arm around her waist, his eyes dark and cold. “You’d better not make me any angrier, or else...”

He said, “I’ll show you whether I can measure up to those young men you talk about!”

With that, he strode out, carrying her.

Mrs. Wang and her companion exchanged relieved glances—if Gu Pingsheng had pursued the matter, it would have been troublesome.

But no one knew if today’s events were truly over, or if the couple’s quarrel simply left them no time to deal with the others.

Either way, apologies would be necessary afterward.

After such an incident, neither felt like continuing their evening.

Gu Pingsheng placed Wen Zhixia in the car, his expression dark as he pinned her against the seat. “Are you done causing trouble?!”

“If President Gu hadn’t come himself, none of this would have happened. Are you blaming me?” She remained calm in the face of his anger.

They returned to Lanhu County.

Aunt Zhao watched Gu Pingsheng ascend with a grim face, Wen Zhixia following, expressionless.

“Madam, is President Gu...?”

“It’s nothing. You all can rest,” Wen Zhixia replied.

In the bathroom, Gu Pingsheng stood under the shower.

Wen Zhixia came to retrieve something, and at a glance saw the bathroom door open and the man standing beneath the spray.

She knew the words she’d spoken at Jade Tower Spring were meant only to provoke him. Gu Pingsheng was in his prime, both in energy and physique.

He’d loved training as a student and never slackened after starting work, so even with long hours at the office, his figure remained impeccable.

Broad shoulders, narrow waist, long legs—a textbook inverted triangle. No wonder Mrs. Wang, experienced as she was, set her sights on him.

Still, Wen Zhixia thought, perhaps it was precisely because of this that women were always drawn to him.

Amid the steam, his eyes met hers.

He turned off the shower and strode toward her, still dripping.

Wen Zhixia blinked rapidly and, as he drew closer, turned away, taking her serum and preparing to leave.

But since she was already there, and Gu Pingsheng had set the stage, he wouldn’t let her go.

His burning chest pressed against her back, arms wrapped around her from behind, lips at her ear. “Did you get a good look?”

Wen Zhixia’s back stiffened. “Gu Pingsheng, aren’t you childish?!”

She’d only said he couldn’t compare to twenty-three or twenty-four-year-olds, and he’d brazenly left the door open?

“If you want some weakling, whatever you like, your husband will show you, hmm?” His lips brushed her cheek. “Who knows you better than I do—and I don’t even charge.”

His breath and actions made Wen Zhixia tremble slightly.

“Doesn’t President Gu think it’s beneath him to compare himself to a male escort?”

“As long as Mrs. Gu likes it, I don’t mind.” He was never one to care about pride—otherwise, how could he have won her over years ago?

Even so, Wen Zhixia pushed him away, turned, and raised her brows. “So, as long as I like something, President Gu will do it?”

Gu Pingsheng’s lips curled. “Yes.”

Wen Zhixia’s smile was radiant and clear.

She was stunning when she smiled; even after so many years, Gu Pingsheng still loved it. He reached out and stroked her cheek.

Wen Zhixia placed her hand over his, a scene that should have been tender—but then she spoke:

“Let’s get a divorce, Pingsheng.”