Chapter 101: Should any issues arise, I, Gu Pingsheng, shall take full responsibility.

"Press it down, and contact someone to get the post deleted immediately," Gu Pingsheng said, his voice low as he gripped his phone.

Zhou Anbei pursed his lips. Although he knew this was a futile endeavor, he still obeyed the order.

However, the fervor of public opinion could not be solved simply by throwing money at it. Once the relevant keywords and search terms were blocked, it only stirred the rebellious nature of netizens, who perceived it as an attempt by the wealthy and powerful to manipulate public discourse.

Consequently, an even greater backlash soon followed.

No one can truly control public opinion, but those who seek to profit from it will always find ways to steer it. Zhou Anbei contacted several platforms in succession, but the results were negligible.

Wen Zhixia was awakened by a commotion coming from outside. The news that she was receiving treatment at the provincial hospital had leaked, and people had hung banners demanding she pay for her crimes in blood. At the same time, they began questioning the progress of the authorities, asking why the perpetrator had not yet been arrested and investigated.

Gu Pingsheng had arranged for several bodyguards to guard the entrance of the ward, allowing no one in except for the doctors and nurses they recognized.

Wen Zhixia picked up her phone. It was flooded with overwhelming vitriol and insulting messages. Naturally, she also saw the news that the woman she had struck was still in critical condition, hovering between life and death.

Photos from the scene were circulating everywhere online, along with images of the victim's parents kneeling at the entrance of the ward, praying for their daughter's safety.

Wen Zhixia closed her eyes, as if she could see the look of terror in that woman’s eyes at the moment of impact once again.

Shortly after she woke up, the police arrived to inquire about the circumstances. With the online uproar reaching a fever pitch, the police needed to publicly disclose their progress and investigative findings to quell the wild speculations of the public.

Before Wen Zhixia could speak, Gu Pingsheng arrived with a lawyer.

However, from beginning to end, Wen Zhixia never once looked at him. When she explained that her brakes had failed and she couldn't stop the car, leading to the accident, the police exchanged glances and noted it in the record.

The questioning lasted for a full hour, starting from why she had been driving in the first place. Wen Zhixia only said she was in a bad mood. The officers noticed that Gu Pingsheng’s expression darkened whenever she touched upon this topic, and they couldn't help but harbor suspicions.

The lawyer Gu Pingsheng had brought was an expert in criminal cases and frequently dealt with the police; he could tell immediately that the situation did not look optimistic.

After the police left, the lawyer spoke in hushed tones with Gu Pingsheng outside the door for a quarter of an hour before departing.

Wen Zhixia pulled back the covers and stood by the window. At a glance, she saw the banners at the hospital entrance demanding she face legal judgment. The wind whipped the fabric, making the words clear and striking to every passerby. The last time Wen Zhixia had seen a banner hung in her name, it was during a company-sponsored charity trip to an impoverished region.

Aunt Zhao came in. Seeing her gaunt figure, she sighed softly and said, "Ma'am, it's time to eat."

Wen Zhixia did not turn around. She asked, "Aunt Zhao, do you know... how the woman I hit is doing?"

Aunt Zhao hesitated, not answering.

Wen Zhixia turned her head, the wind catching the ends of her hair. "Tell me. After all... I am the one who caused this."

Aunt Zhao unpacked the food from the thermal container onto the table. "I heard she hasn't woken up yet. Her injuries are very severe; the attending physician has already issued three critical condition notices. Her family is almost... completely broken. I heard Mr. Gu discussing compensation with them. He wants a private settlement, but the other side refuses. They feel Mr. Gu is using his power to bully them. They don't just want compensation; they want..."

Aunt Zhao trailed off, as if unable to bear saying it aloud.

Wen Zhixia’s thick eyelashes trembled slightly, casting a faint shadow under her eyes. "They want me to go to prison, don't they?"

Aunt Zhao nodded.

Wen Zhixia was not particularly surprised. After all, the ancient adage of "a life for a life" had existed for ages. The woman she hit had suffered this disaster for no reason and was now fighting for her life; it was only natural that her family might even want to kill her with their own hands.

She wanted to see the victim. Whether it was out of a guilty conscience or a restless heart, she wanted to go.

The bodyguards at the door had been instructed to keep unauthorized people away from her ward, but they had not been told to keep her inside. Yet, when she actually tried to leave, they blocked her. "Ma'am, it... it is not safe outside. If you need anything, please let us handle it."

When the bodyguards had arrived, they had seen with their own eyes how much the crowd outside—especially the victim's family—hated her. If Wen Zhixia went out now, she would surely be torn to pieces.

"Go find me a nurse’s uniform. You can put on plain clothes and accompany me to see... the lady who was injured," Wen Zhixia said.

The bodyguard paused. "This... I must ask Mr. Gu for his opinion."

"Perhaps... you would prefer I just go out there like this," Wen Zhixia said coldly.

Whether she went in disguise or walked out as she was, it seemed like a choice, but in reality, there was only one option.

"Yes, I will go at once," the bodyguard replied in a low voice.

The critically injured woman was surnamed Song, named Song Yazhi. She was an ordinary office worker, working nine-to-five, living a life without surprises or accidents. It was said she was preparing to get engaged and was going to meet her fiancé's parents in a couple of days.

But after her boyfriend heard that she might never wake up, he waited for a few hours, then left and never appeared again.

Her parents kept vigil at the door of the ICU. Through the glass, Wen Zhixia saw Song Yazhi, who was covered in tubes, and whispered silently: "I'm sorry."

Regardless of the reason, she was the one who had caused this. Wen Zhixia felt she bore an inescapable responsibility.

"...Young Manager Wen?" Li Yueting looked at Wen Zhixia, who stood before the ICU in a nurse's uniform. Her eyes flickered, and she glanced around, nervously gripping Wen Zhixia’s arm. "Why are you here? The reporters and the family are looking for you. You should go back quickly."

Li Yueting was the one, besides Zhou Anbei, who had come to the ward to handle the settlement. The elderly Song couple knew she was the secretary of the Gu-Xia Group. When they walked over and suddenly saw her acting respectfully and nervously, urging a woman in a nurse’s uniform to leave, they began to grow suspicious.

"Don't let anyone see you, otherwise..." Before Li Yueting could finish, she saw the Song couple approaching. She immediately blocked their path to Wen Zhixia. "What do you want? Any talk of compensation can be directed to me."

Mr. Song asked, "Who is the woman behind you?"

"Is it... is it that murderer? It must be her." Mrs. Song suddenly remembered something. She shoved Li Yueting aside and tore the mask off Wen Zhixia’s face.

The bodyguard at her side stepped forward to shield Wen Zhixia.

"Help! Someone help! The murderer actually has the gall to show up here! Is she planning to kill my daughter a second time?! Come here! Where are the reporters? Come look at this! This murderer is here to kill my daughter again!!" Mrs. Song slapped her thighs and wailed, drawing the attention of many people nearby.

The reporters who had been lurking, hoping to dig up a story, seemed to come alive at her voice. They hoisted their cameras and rushed over.

Wen Zhixia put her mask back on and prepared to leave under the protection of the bodyguards.

But Mrs. Song grabbed her. "You murderer, you can't leave! You pay for my daughter’s life! Give me back my daughter! Just because you have money and power, you think you can treat other people's lives like nothing? Why did you do this? We have no grudge against you; why did you hurt my daughter?!"

Facing Mrs. Song’s tearful accusations, Wen Zhixia was buried in guilt. "I'm sorry."

"Who wants your apology? Can a single 'I'm sorry' make my daughter get better? You come with me to the police station! Go to the police station with me right now! Give me back my daughter!" Mrs. Song grabbed her arm, raining blows upon her.

The bodyguard tried to pull them apart, but Wen Zhixia stopped him.

"Are you the Wen Zhixia who fled the scene after the hit-and-run? What was your intention in coming to visit the victim? Why have you stayed hidden since the incident occurred?"

"Why are you impersonating a nurse to appear here? Is it because you were afraid to face the victim’s family?"

"We heard you are the wife of the president of Gu-Xia Group. Are you planning to use money to resolve this public opinion crisis? Do you think the family will accept your money, or do they want you to go to jail?"

Facing the reporters' relentless, soul-piercing questions, Wen Zhixia had no way to answer.

A social scandal like this would undoubtedly cause irreparable negative consequences for the Gu-Xia Group.

"I..."

"Confiscate the memory cards from their cameras," Gu Pingsheng said, striding forward. He pulled Mrs. Song's hand away, opened his overcoat, and pulled Wen Zhixia into his embrace, shielding her bright eyes and pressing her cheek against his chest.

The bodyguards behind him forced the reporters to hand over their memory cards, threatening to seize the cameras themselves if they refused.

"This was merely an accidental collision. My wife had no intention of harming anyone. But since the accident has happened, we will cover all of the victim's medical expenses and provide funds to improve the lives of her parents. If there are any issues, I, Gu Pingsheng, will bear the responsibility entirely."

His sharp, piercing eyes swept across the reporters and the Song couple, his gaze as deep as night and filled with an undeniable coldness. His voice was low enough for everyone present to hear clearly: "My wife is kind-hearted and in poor health. If she suffers any harm because of any of you present here, I will never let it go!"

His words were heavy, striking like a hammer.

No one could ignore the warning in his expression or the chilling finality in his tone.

Li Yueting looked at Wen Zhixia, who was wrapped securely in Gu Pingsheng’s protection. She bit her back teeth, but in an instant, she loosened her clenched fists and stepped forward. "Regarding the matters our reporter friends are concerned about, we will definitely provide the public with an explanation. Everyone has been here all day; Mr. Gu invites you all to the nearby dessert shop to sit, have some tea, and eat something. Please, follow me."

As Li Yueting handled the follow-up, Gu Pingsheng glanced at Zhou Anbei, who understood and followed along.

Gu Pingsheng wrapped his long arm around Wen Zhixia’s waist, lifted her up, and strode toward the ward.

Aunt Zhao, seeing Gu Pingsheng carrying her back, felt her heart settle. As long as she was safe, it was fine.

"Aunt Zhao, you go out first," Wen Zhixia said as she was set down.

Aunt Zhao looked at Wen Zhixia, then at Gu Pingsheng, and left.

Inside the ward, Gu Pingsheng removed her mask and saw a red mark on her cheek from the struggle. He touched it lightly with his thumb. "Why did you go out? Must you insist on making yourself suffer?"

"For the sake of your and the Gu-Xia Group's reputation, you should also sign the divorce agreement," Wen Zhixia said, raising her eyes.

Gu Pingsheng’s hand, which had been caressing her cheek, curled into a fist. His gaze was like a hook, and he laughed in his fury. "Xiaxia, you’ve forgotten—I have never cared about any reputation."

When had he ever cared about fame or status?

He had said he would not let go, and he would not allow her any chance to escape from him.

Gu Pingsheng believed he could control everything, but Wen Zhixia simply told him: "You will agree."