Chapter 110: The Divorce Papers He Gave You Are Fake

She looked up but hadn’t yet fully registered the figure before she was abruptly turned over and lifted, pressed against the marble washbasin. The gown she wore was thin, and though there was heating in the bathroom, the marble surface was icy cold. The chill made her want to pull away immediately after sitting down.

Yet, Gu Pingsheng, using his height and strength, pressed his long legs firmly against her knees, leaving her no chance to escape.

“Move away,” Wen Zhixia frowned and said.

“Move away, get lost, let go, go away, don’t bother me... What else can you say besides these, hmm?” His eyes dark and intense, he reached up to pinch her delicate chin. Before she could respond, his thin lips crushed down hard on hers.

Three years and three months—he had waited that long during her silence. And now, at last, she had returned.

He came in angry, initially intending to teach her a lesson. At first, he was determined to take her then and there. But the moment their lips met again, his heart softened despite himself.

She struggled, lifting her hands, but his large palm pinned them behind her back. His thin lips pressed against the corner of hers, their breaths mingling. His voice, low and hoarse, slipped out between his teeth: “Are you better now?”

He still worried about her illness, even though she no longer looked frail.

“Get lost.” Her hands were held fast; she tried to kick him but his long legs clamped around hers. He had never cared about appearances—this aloofness and pride he showed to the outside world was all a facade.

“Are you better or not? I’ve got all the time in the world. We can keep going like this as long as you want,” he said.

Wen Zhixia scoffed at his shamelessness. “What, you don’t care if I’m better, Gu? You’d rather save your new favorite than your own wife?”

Gu Pingsheng’s narrow eyes squinted. “Did you really marry that Xu Qichen?”

He didn’t fully believe it. After all these years, he knew her well enough to sense this was said just to provoke him. Yet, Xu Qichen had openly declared it, and that gnawed at him.

“A ring that big—didn’t you notice, Gu?” She lifted her chin, retorting.

Gu Pingsheng pressed his lips tightly, his deep, night-dark eyes fixed on her without blinking. He remained silent for a long while.

“If you’ve seen enough, then let go. I don’t want to cause misunderstandings with my ex-husband here in the bathroom.” She tilted her head back, her flawless neck as long and proud as a swan’s.

“Wearing a diamond ring just to spite me?” He rubbed his fingertip over her slightly swollen lips, his black eyes full of suspicion and denial.

He didn’t believe it—after pursuing her for so many years, she had only relented recently. How could she have married someone else in just three years?

“What are you doubting, Gu? Xu Qichen and I are in tune. You’re just my ex. What reason would I have to spite you?” Wen Zhixia’s lips curled into a sly smile. “Or do you think I’m only ever meant to marry you?”

It was still the face he loved, the look he adored, the lips he longed to kiss—but she could say things that struck like a dagger to his chest.

“Ex? Wen Zhixia, do you have a divorce certificate or have you gone to the civil affairs bureau to make it official? You’re still married to me; you can’t just call me your ex! Xu Qichen calling you his wife so intimately—that makes him an adulterer!” He was furious. She flaunted her affair with a wild man right before his eyes and still dared to call him her ex!

Gu Pingsheng had never felt so stifled in his life.

Wen Zhixia’s eyes flickered. “Impossible, Lawyer Xu—”

“Fake.” Gu Pingsheng cut her off flatly. “The divorce papers he showed you are forged.”

She had been imprisoned, and the fake certificate was brought by Xu, but it was actually Gu Pingsheng who had given the papers to Xu, whom he had hired at a high price. From start to finish, it was all a trap made to deceive her.

Wen Zhixia froze, clenched her jaw, then after a few seconds a faint smile played on her lips. “Pingsheng, let go of me first.”

She hadn’t called him by his given name in a long time, and the slight tremor in Gu Pingsheng’s heart made him loosen his grip a bit.

Then—

“Slap!”

Wen Zhixia’s sharp slap landed squarely on his face. “You’re shameless!”

He had even lied to her about the divorce!

How dare he deceive her like this?

Gu Pingsheng wiped the corner of his mouth with his hand, a wicked gleam flashing in his eyes. “That’s why I say Xu Qichen is nothing but an adulterer.”

As she angrily raised her hand to slap him again, Gu Pingsheng caught her wrist. “Xia Xia, come back with me.”

“Come back?” Wen Zhixia burst into a bitter laugh. “Didn’t you hear I’m already married abroad? Then let’s divorce again. What, Gu, do you not see that we have feelings for each other?”

If the divorce hadn’t been finalized, that was his deception.

Gu Pingsheng felt that if this had been anyone else, he might have just strangled her to silence her biting words.

Feelings for each other?

What feelings could she have with an adulterer?

“Xia Xia, are you trying to drive me crazy?”

Wen Zhixia jumped down from the washbasin and kicked his legs. “If you’re horny, go find your mistresses and side women. Don’t disgust me here.”

Gu Pingsheng’s gaze darkened. He grabbed her leg and pulled her close with one hand, his strength immense. Their bodies pressed tight together, not an inch of space between them. His other hand rested on her slender waist.

“Want proof if I’ve got mistresses or not?” he said.

Compared to shamelessness without limits, ten Wen Zhixias could never match one Gu Pingsheng.

He could say anything, and while he appeared aloof and unapproachable in public, behind the scenes he was still that roguish troublemaker.

Wen Zhixia pressed her arms against his chest, refusing to let him get closer. “Let me go.”

“Let go?” His eyes hooked onto hers. “I’ve seen plenty of cases of caught adulterers, but never someone who brazenly flaunted their lover right beside them. A century-old reclusive family, a wealthy noble son, with a tangled family tree—you dare to stir up trouble like this? You’re smart, but when you’re angry you keep pushing, now are you blind?”

She was smart, but her cleverness wasn’t for scheming or playing people. The Xu family may have glitter and prestige, but that was never her way of life.

“We are one flesh and blood. I love him, so I’m willing to take the trouble for him.” She struggled slightly, but her words clearly angered him. His hand tightened on her waist as if to break her.

“Mr. Xu, the restroom inside is broken. Perhaps the servant should take you elsewhere,” said Zhou Anbei from outside, seeing Xu Qichen approaching.

Xu Qichen glanced at him, instantly recognizing him as Gu Pingsheng’s secretary. “My wife is inside,” he stated plainly.

No question, just a fact.

Zhou Anbei smiled coldly. “You’re mistaken, Mr. Xu. It’s under repair; no one is inside.”

Xu Qichen brushed past him. “Xia, are you in there?”

Zhou Anbei wanted to stop him, but given the man’s status, he dared not act rashly.

“I...uh...” Wen Zhixia hadn’t spoken when Gu Pingsheng kissed her. His eyes flickered as he leaned back, his back hitting the bathroom door with a sound.

Hearing the noise, Xu Qichen pushed the door open and entered, only to see the two locked in a heated kiss.

Xu Qichen clenched his fists at his sides. After a moment, he raised his hand and forcefully separated them, throwing a punch at Gu Pingsheng.

Raised in a noble family, Xu Qichen was unfamiliar with violence, but men often had a primal urge to fight over their women.

The complication was that both men believed Wen Zhixia was rightfully their wife.

Xu Qichen had been trained in self-defense by a master, while Gu Pingsheng relied on street-fighting experience. The tight space limited their movements, but the noise was loud enough to attract attention quickly.

Both were prominent figures; such a public brawl would ruin their reputations.

“Enough, Gu Pingsheng!” Wen Zhixia stepped in front of Xu Qichen, spreading her arms to block Gu Pingsheng’s incoming punch. If she hadn’t acted quickly, the blow would have landed squarely on her.

Gu Pingsheng glared furiously. “Are you trying to get yourself killed?!”

Xu Qichen held her close. “Don’t do such foolish things again.”

Wen Zhixia looked up at him. “Are you alright?”

Xu Qichen felt a tickle in his throat and tried to suppress a cough but eventually coughed out loud. “I’m fine.”

“Still saying you’re fine,” she said, steadying him.

Gu Pingsheng’s lips pressed into a tight line. He had seen women feigning weakness but never men. And Wen Zhixia actually bought it. “Mr. Xu is so weak—why doesn’t he just stay home?”

“Gu Pingsheng, enough!” Wen Zhixia turned away angrily.

“Did I say something wrong?” Gu Pingsheng pouted.

“The banquet’s almost over; let’s go back,” Wen Zhixia said, calming her breath as she spoke to Xu Qichen.

“Go say hello to your friends. I’m fine.” He tidied her hair, pausing when his gaze caught the redness on her lips.

Wen Zhixia noticed his stare and turned away, pulling out a tissue to wipe her lips in front of the mirror before reapplying lipstick.

Gu Pingsheng watched her the whole time. She said nothing, but it felt like a heavy blow to his chest.

She actually cared so much about that wild man, Xu Qichen?

Indeed, Wen Zhixia cared deeply—when they left, she held Xu Qichen’s hand tightly. The two emerged from the bathroom, their lips clearly bruised from passionate kisses. They clung to each other inseparably, and many whispered enviously about their relationship.

Several wealthy wives secretly sought Wen Zhixia’s advice on how to keep a husband.

How to keep a husband?

Wen Zhixia glanced at Xu Qichen, who coincidentally was looking at her with a playful glint, seemingly curious how she would respond.

He had obviously heard everything.

Wen Zhixia was speechless.

She had no such secrets to share.

Seeing her at a loss, Xu Qichen stepped forward to defuse the situation. “I’m the one enchanted by her. She doesn’t have to do anything.”

Everyone knew his status. A public declaration like this was a grand gesture that saved Wen Zhixia’s dignity. Anyone not envious would be lying.

Looking at her husband, it was unlikely he’d ever reach such an understanding.

For a moment, who wouldn’t want to live like Wen Zhixia?

As the couple basked in the spotlight, praised for their devoted love, Gu Pingsheng’s eyes darkened beyond measure. Anyone unaware might think someone had foolishly angered him.

“Gu, shall we go back now?” Zhou Anbei had heard the commotion in the bathroom and had seen Wen Zhixia shielding Xu Qichen. He understood where Gu Pingsheng’s anger came from.

“Tell me, who do you think is more handsome—me or him?” Gu Pingsheng suddenly asked.

For a moment, Zhou Anbei thought he must be hearing things.

Who would expect such words from the esteemed Gu Pingsheng?

“Gu, pardon me?” Zhou Anbei swallowed nervously, seeking confirmation.

Gu Pingsheng shot him a look. “Go get your ears checked tomorrow!”

With that, he strode out.

If he stayed any longer, this woman would give him a heart attack.

Zhou Anbei was left speechless.

Lanhu County.

Gu Youzhi, who had been sent back early, was playing in the living room with Sweet Bean. Since birth, Sweet Bean had lived at home; his father told him she was their mother’s pet.

Hearing Gu Pingsheng’s voice, he eagerly looked over his shoulder, hoping to see Wen Zhixia.

Gu Pingsheng had told the driver to bring him back first and said his mother would return today.

He padded around Gu Pingsheng in his fluffy slippers but saw no sign of Wen Zhixia. His little mouth puckered as he tugged on Gu Pingsheng’s clothes, calling, “Mama, mama.”

He had barely spoken a few words before, but in recent days he had called “Mama” countless times.

Gu Pingsheng bent down to lift him up, and the two sat on the sofa while Aunt Zhao placed freshly brewed tea on the table.

“Mama... will come back after some time.”

Hearing this, the little boy’s face drooped, his eyes dimming. He slid off Gu Pingsheng’s lap, lowered his head, and climbed upstairs to his room alone.

Aunt Zhao felt sorry for him. At such a tender age, children needed their parents’ love.

“Madam… are you still unwilling to forgive Gu?” Aunt Zhao hesitated to ask softly.

Forgiveness?

Gu Pingsheng took a deep breath. With that wild man already “in the house,” her heart was clearly far away. She turned cold whenever she saw him; forgiveness was out of the question.

He pressed his fingers to his forehead. “I’ll go check on him upstairs.”

In the room, Gu Youzhi lay on the bed, holding a photo of Wen Zhixia, gazing at it with a pitiful expression.

Gu Pingsheng sat beside the bed and scooped him up. “Want to see her?”

The boy nodded obediently.

Gu Pingsheng thought Gu Youzhi resembled Wen Zhixia in high school—especially in that shy, gentle way. But now...

Thinking of today’s events, his chest felt heavy, as if stuffed with cotton.

Right now?

Right now, he was just angry.

“I’ll take you to Mama’s company. She’ll be there. You can stay with her, and I’ll pick you up tonight.”

Gu Youzhi only heard the first part and nodded eagerly. The latter part about being picked up didn’t register with him; it seemed unimportant.

The next day, Wen Zhixia stepped into the company lobby to find the staff, who should have been preparing for tomorrow’s tailoring, gathered together playing.

Since it wasn’t working hours yet, she thought nothing of it, assuming they were just horsing around.

But just as she was about to check the office, a small child came running over, tightly hugging her leg, calling out “Mama” in a baby voice.

“Really Gu’s child, huh? Gu’s beautiful wife’s child looks like a little star, all rosy and delicate.”

“Yeah, I first thought it was a pretty little girl. Such a young age and already a potential heartbreaker—imagine how many girls will be enchanted when he grows up...”

“…”

Wen Zhixia listened to the compliments. While she admitted the little bundle was adorable, how did he become her child?

“Mama, hug.” Gu Youzhi looked up, stretching out his tiny arms, eyes full of expectation.

Wen Zhixia almost reached down instinctively, but reason caught her just in time. She crouched down. “Little one, who brought you here? Where’s your dad?”

As she knelt, the little one snuggled into her arms. “Want Mama.”

Wen Zhixia felt unsure how to respond. After all, this was a baby who knew nothing, and there was no reasoning to be had.

“Who sent him?” Wen Zhixia asked the staff.

“Well... half an hour ago, a car stopped at the door. He came down on his own, holding a photo of you, saying he was here to find Mama,” an employee replied.

Wen Zhixia immediately knew who must have done this. She stood and grabbed her phone to call him directly but hesitated as the call connected. Instead, she took the child into the office.

Closing the door, she finally spoke out: “Gu Pingsheng, what exactly are you trying to do?!”

What kind of trick was this, sending the child here?!

In the car, Gu Pingsheng adjusted his tie. “I have a meeting today. You look after him.”

Wen Zhixia opened her mouth to refuse; she had no fondness for babysitting. But—

“Mama, hungry.” The little one tugged at her clothes pitifully, holding his tummy.

“You haven’t eaten yet. He’s not picky; you should eat more with him.”