Chapter 109: Abandoning Husband and Child, Flaunting with a Wild Man in Public

For the first time in many years, Hua Qianjiao no longer feared the probing gazes of the crowd; she could face everyone’s scrutiny with calmness. She was no longer timid about being labeled as mentally diminished or foolish.

“Thank you all for attending the banquet after my recovery. Besides my parents wanting to dispel bad luck, there is an important matter I hope everyone will be aware of...” She glanced at the audience before her gaze settled on Qing Qi. Slowly, a faint smile curved her lips. Just as Qing Qi was about to approach, she spoke clearly, “I, Hua Qianjiao, hereby formally dissolve my engagement with Qing Qi, effective today.”

Her words stirred murmurs throughout the room. Qing Qi and his mother’s faces instantly shifted.

“...Though, perhaps many of you didn’t even know we were still engaged,” Hua Qianjiao said with a sarcastic yet witty tone. “But that doesn’t matter now. From here on, may our marriages and lives be separate and peaceful.”

In a corner, Ye Lanzhou sipped his wine quietly, watching the girl on the stage. He neither approached nor left, his thoughts unreadable.

Gu Pingsheng showed no interest in the alliance between the Hua and Qing families. His gaze, deep and inscrutable, was fixed instead on Wen Zhixia not far away.

She had secretly married another man abroad, behind his back!

This news was like a heavy stone crashing into Gu Pingsheng’s heart, nearly suffocating him.

How daring she was—to abandon her husband and child and flaunt herself with some wild man!

And to show off that diamond ring!

“Do you see the ring on her hand?” Gu Pingsheng glanced sideways at Zhou Anbei.

Zhou Anbei, having heard Wen Zhixia’s words earlier, didn’t dare answer hastily, sensing the storm brewing in Gu Pingsheng’s mood.

Gu Pingsheng furrowed his brows.

Hastily, Zhou Anbei nodded. “I see it.”

A dark shadow passed through Gu Pingsheng’s cold eyes as he narrowed them with a hint of menace. “Within three days, I want to see a bigger one.”

“...Mr. Gu, that may be a bit difficult... Yes, I’ll handle it right away.” Zhou Anbei’s unspoken words of hardship were cut off by Gu Pingsheng’s icy glare.

Later, Qing Qi privately confronted Hua Qianjiao. “What did you mean by that just now?”

Wen Zhixia, hesitating whether to stay, witnessed Hua Qianjiao raise her hand and slap Qing Qi. “This is what you and Lin Huixiang owe me. Or you can see it as compensation for saving your life back then. From now on, let’s part ways completely. Don’t ever appear before me again. I wish you infertility and a house full of children!”

Wen Zhixia raised her eyes slightly, realizing that the Hua Qianjiao who had returned to normal no longer needed her constant protection.

Wen Zhixia stepped outside, initially planning to find Xu Qichen, but spotted a familiar little toddler peeking shyly from behind a pillar.

The child’s eyes were large and round, dressed in pale yellow overalls, soft and adorable—like a plump, glutinous rice dumpling.

Wen Zhixia, fond of children, especially cute ones, reached out to offer him candy but realized she wore an evening gown without pockets. The sweets were in her coat pocket.

Feeling a bit regretful, she was suddenly cheered when the toddler toddled over and opened his chubby hand to reveal the small lion-shaped candy she had given him last time.

Surprised, Wen Zhixia crouched down. “You recognized me?”

She wanted to ask if he remembered her as the person from the hospital that day, but the child answered her question instead.

Gu Youzhi nodded obediently, his small chubby cheeks trembling. It was the first time Wen Zhixia met such an adorable child and she couldn’t help but pinch his cheek.

Unexpectedly, the toddler threw himself into her arms, nuzzling her neck, and called her in a baby’s voice, “Mama.”

Wen Zhixia was stunned, then chuckled softly. “Little dumpling, you can’t just call me that. Call me auntie.”

Gu Youzhi blinked his big eyes firmly. Though young, he was resolute: “Mama.”

Not auntie. Mama.

Wen Zhixia rubbed his soft cheeks teasingly. “If you call me mama, won’t I just kidnap you?”

Too young to understand what “kidnap” meant, the chubby toddler simply held her hand softly, repeating, “Mama.”

Hua Qianjiao approached and, seeing the child calling Wen Zhixia “Mama,” was stunned. “Wen Jie, did you and Mr. Xu have a child?”

Such a swift development caught Hua Qianjiao off guard.

Wen Zhixia stood up. “This child must have gotten separated from his parents. Ask around which guests brought children tonight.”

As she spoke, the toddler held her hand. The tall and small figures standing side by side really looked like mother and son.

Hua Qianjiao found the thought absurd and strange but nodded, sending a servant to inquire. “What should we do with the child now? For now, let the servants take care of him.”

Wen Zhixia hesitated, but the toddler clung tightly to her leg, unwilling to let go.

She bent down and poked his cheek. “What’s your mama’s name?”

The child looked puzzled, big eyes full of confusion. “Mama?”

Isn’t mama me?

Wen Zhixia looked at him and suddenly recalled the little kitten she had once cared for, always gazing at her with big round eyes. She realized that this kind of cuteness wasn’t limited to pets but included innocent little children too.

“Let’s keep him for now. When his parents find out he’s missing, they’ll be frantic,” she reasoned.

Hua Qianjiao nodded and crouched down to stroke the child’s cheek. “This kid is quite good-looking. His parents must have done well.”

“Has the Qing Qi matter been settled?” Wen Zhixia asked.

Hua Qianjiao shrugged. “More or less. But he asked me to give him one more chance, said he realized he truly loves me.”

Wen Zhixia was about to ask her opinion when someone spoke first.

“Will you agree?”

It was Ye Lanzhou.

Hua Qianjiao stiffened, her back tense, and didn’t turn around.

Ye Lanzhou walked calmly over, his footsteps clear as he stood before her.

She kept her head lowered, but his gaze burned down on her. Taking a deep breath, she lifted her smile. “Brother Lanzhou, long time no see.”

“If you had told me you were alive sooner, we would have met long ago,” Ye Lanzhou said, his tone heavy with a hint of reproach.

He had worried for her all this time, thinking she had met with misfortune. For three years, he had been consumed by regret, blaming himself for quarreling with a young girl three years ago. But she had survived and even thrived after the disaster.

Yet she had kept it all from him.

“I didn’t—didn’t I send you an invitation?” Hua Qianjiao mumbled guiltily, eyes shifting.

Ye Lanzhou said nothing, simply staring at her.

The intensity made Hua Qianjiao’s scalp tingle. “Alright, I’m sorry. Don’t be mad.” She tugged at his sleeve.

Normally, he should have shrugged her hand off. His anger was far from spent, but—

In the end, he just grasped her hand. “Let’s talk.”

With that, he pulled her along.

Before leaving, Ye Lanzhou glanced at Gu Youzhi, who was holding onto Wen Zhixia’s hand. His eyes flickered briefly.

After they left, Wen Zhixia looked down at the toddler, uncertain how best to handle him.

Meanwhile, downstairs, Zhou Anbei whispered something into Gu Pingsheng’s ear. Gu Pingsheng slowly set down his wine glass, a faint, inscrutable smile playing on his lips. He cast a sidelong glance at the unable-to-escape Xu Qichen, feigning intoxication as he walked off to sober up.

The servants reported back: no guests had brought children to the banquet.

Wen Zhixia paused. “No one?”

Then how did this child get in?

As she hesitated, the toddler suddenly tugged her hand, wanting to leave.

Assuming he was leading her to his parents, she followed without hesitation.

But the little guy brought her to the Hua family’s courtyard.

The sudden shift between warmth and cold sent a chill through Wen Zhixia, who was only wearing her gown without a coat. She shivered, calling to him with trembling teeth, “Little dumpling~~”

A servant at the door quickly brought her a coat but was stopped by a pair of long, slender hands.

Gu Pingsheng draped his coat over Wen Zhixia’s shoulders. Before she could react, he turned her around and said, “Raise your hand.”

His coat was long, reaching his knees. When Wen Zhixia wore it, it enveloped her completely.

He lowered his gaze and zipped it up.

Zhou Anbei also brought a small coat for Gu Youzhi, matching the color of his overalls, and dressed the child before stepping back.

Wen Zhixia looked intently at the man who had suddenly appeared. She tried to move her arm to refuse, but he zipped the coat up abruptly, nearly brushing her chin.

Warmth spread through her body as they finally faced each other.

“Still cold?” His eyes were deep, probing.

Wen Zhixia lifted her gaze. “I…”

“Daddy, mama,” Gu Youzhi said in his soft voice, pointing at Wen Zhixia. Though his words were unclear, he meant to say: Daddy, this is mama.

Gu Pingsheng lifted the child up, understanding his meaning, and gently rubbed his nose. “Good boy.”

Wen Zhixia had sensed something familiar about the toddler from the start. Seeing this scene, she suddenly understood the source of that feeling.

This little one resembled Gu Pingsheng somewhat. She recalled hearing at the Hua residence that he had a child.

They had been together for so many years. He had refused to have children, yet now... the child was already so grown. How ironic.

A picture of a devoted father and son seemed a bit out of place. Since the toddler had found his family, Wen Zhixia saw no reason to continue playing the good Samaritan. She turned around and happened to see Xu Qichen approaching. She smiled faintly at him.

Xu Qichen walked over and touched her slightly chilled cheek. “Why are you out here? If you don’t want to stay inside, we can leave.”

No matter how grand the banquet, to the Xu family it was trivial. If she wanted to leave, she could anytime.

That was the Xu family’s confidence.

Wen Zhixia shook her head. “I’ll wait until the banquet ends.”

In her heart, this banquet at the Hua family was different from any other.

They spoke softly, their temperaments and personalities alike, even their appearances strikingly similar. Gu Pingsheng’s narrow eyes narrowed further as Wen Zhixia’s gaze remained fixed on him from the moment Xu Qichen arrived.

The child and he became mere background scenery.

“Mama.” The ignored toddler saw Wen Zhixia no longer paying attention and softly reached out, wanting to be held.

Xu Qichen seemed to notice the father and son behind him for the first time, glancing at Wen Zhixia with a questioning look, as if asking about the child’s term of address.

Wen Zhixia pursed her lips, furrowing her brow.

Gu Pingsheng set the child down, and Gu Youzhi climbed onto Wen Zhixia’s leg, pulling all his candies from his pocket and offering them up, tilting his head back.

In a child’s world, things were simple. Giving all his favorite candies to Wen Zhixia was his way of asking her to stay with him.

Wen Zhixia looked at his innocent expression, unsure how to respond.

Xu Qichen held her hand, looking at Gu Pingsheng. “Mr. Gu must be busy, but he didn’t forget to bring his child to the banquet. Truly a respectable father. But I wonder, in such a gathering, why is the child’s mother absent?”

Gu Pingsheng cast a deep glance at Wen Zhixia, his thin lips parting. Though answering Xu Qichen, his eyes never left her. “How do you know the child’s mother is not present?”

Wen Zhixia hesitated, sensing a hidden meaning.

“Is that so?” Xu Qichen smiled faintly. “If there’s a chance, I hope to meet her.”

At these words, Gu Pingsheng finally looked at Xu Qichen’s face. “...Mr. Xu, if you don’t mind, I’d like to have a private word with Xia Xia.”

Direct and unyielding, leaving little room for refusal.

Xu Qichen met Gu Pingsheng’s gaze with unreadable expression, neither consenting nor refusing.

“I have nothing to discuss with Mr. Gu. It’s cold; let’s go inside,” Wen Zhixia said, gripping Xu Qichen’s hand.

Xu Qichen nodded and led her back to the hall.

The little boy looked on pitifully as Wen Zhixia left, his nose and eyes twitching red from holding back tears.

Zhou Anbei watched Gu Pingsheng and Gu Youzhi in the courtyard, uncertain whether to approach.

“Mr. Gu, just received news that madam has opened an advertising company, and it will be launching soon...”

Gu Pingsheng withdrew his gaze as a servant returned his coat.

“Are you alright?” Xu Qichen rubbed her hands.

Many present had witnessed the tender moment, envious of their close relationship.

“My wife is frail. As her company opens, I hope everyone will support her,” Xu Qichen said. He rarely attended such events and preferred to keep a low profile, making it difficult for many eager to curry favor. No one expected to meet him in person at a Hua family banquet or learn of his wife’s advertising business.

“Not at all. I’ve heard Miss Wen is highly capable. We’ll have plenty of opportunities to cooperate,” some savvy guests had already begun networking, eager not to fall behind.

The atmosphere quickly grew warm and lively.

Power was a strange thing. No matter how deep a pit one had fallen into, how wretched or despised, if one could rise again in splendor, all past shadows were forgotten as if they had never existed.

Climbing over others is human nature; submitting to the strong is instinct.

News of the advertising company’s opening spread, promising a grand event.

Wen Zhixia smiled softly at Xu Qichen, whispering, “When did you become so cunning? You planned to use this chance for advertising, didn’t you?”

“Capitalists love using other people’s money for their own ventures. Isn’t that the exploitation class you talk about?” He teased her.

Wen Zhixia called him exploitative after witnessing him drive the acquisition price, already at rock bottom, down several more percent without any wiggle room.

It was just a joke, but he used it to tease her.

Wen Zhixia shot him a glare. “So stingy.”

Xu Qichen laughed and tapped her forehead, the moment tender and affectionate.

Gu Pingsheng sipped his wine, a sudden tightness pressing on his chest.

Thanks to Xu Qichen, Wen Zhixia, who hadn’t involved herself in business for years, once again mingled with various executives. Unlike the struggles of her first venture, where she met constant resistance, most executives now willingly extended olive branches.

The largest order came from—Gu Xia Group.

Gu Pingsheng entered with his wine glass and casually handed over a quarter’s advertising contract to her.

Everyone present knew of their relationship. Now, with Xu Qichen involved, the triangle was even more intriguing.

Wen Zhixia turned her head and accidentally brushed against his wine glass, spilling red wine on her gown. She frowned.

Gu Pingsheng reached out with a tissue to help, but Xu Qichen stopped him.

The atmosphere among the three was tinged with subtle tension.

Wen Zhixia paused. “I’ll go to the restroom to clean up. You two talk.”

“Mr. Gu, your phone.” Zhou Anbei approached, handing over Gu Pingsheng’s phone.

Gu Pingsheng glanced at Xu Qichen, nodded slightly, and turned to answer.

Xu Qichen came from a privileged background, with a life ordinary people couldn’t imagine. His demeanor and actions carried an air of dignity. Gu Pingsheng was different—hardened by life, willing to use any means to achieve his goals.

Wen Zhixia was tending to the wine stain when footsteps sounded behind her, and the door suddenly locked from the inside.