Chapter 122: I Have Already Lost My Wife, What Else Is There to Fear?

Wen Zhixia’s phone vibrated incessantly on the table, a relentless bombardment of messages that never seemed to stop. The people nearby cast suspicious glances at her device.

"Director Wen, is... is something urgent going on?"

Wen Zhixia squeezed her wine glass, picked up the phone, and said, "I need to take a call. You all go ahead."

With that, she walked out. Once inside the restroom, she looked at the messages Gu Pingsheng had sent. Each one contained only a single character, filling the screen one after another:

I—MISS—YOU—XIA—XIA
MISS—THE—LIGHT—FRAGRANCE—THAT—FILLED—THE—ROOM—WHEN—YOU—WERE—SWEATING

He was a man who excelled at sweet talk and was never afraid to abandon his dignity in front of her.

When he was pursuing her, he made it known to everyone. Back in high school, he had barely restrained himself; after all, a good student like Wen Zhixia was the apple of every teacher’s eye, watched so closely that the slightest stir would lead to a lecture. If Gu Pingsheng had truly crossed the line then, he likely wouldn't even have been able to sit next to her, let alone avoid becoming a target for the faculty.

But once they reached university, he became an eagle with spread wings, flying without a shred of restraint.

While the boys in her dormitory or major were still asleep, he would get up early to buy her breakfast and stand waiting downstairs. He was handsome, tall, and broad-shouldered; standing under the trees in a trench coat, he was a sight to behold. He was also incredibly fashion-conscious and changed his outfits frequently, claiming he was afraid she would get tired of his appearance. He utilized every advantage he had, especially that face of his.

"Hey, could you do me a favor and knock on door 405? Tell Wen Zhixia that Gu Pingsheng is waiting for her."

He had asked over a dozen passing girls, charming them with a smile until they agreed without hesitation.

Back then, he had been acting like a hooligan, infuriating Wen Zhixia to the point where she wouldn't answer his calls, reply to his texts, or even acknowledge him in person. To win her back, he had no choice but to patiently turn himself into a "wife-waiting stone" downstairs day after day.

Upstairs, when the dormitory door was knocked on for the seventh time, her roommates finally reached their breaking point. They pushed her out and sent her to Gu Pingsheng, telling them to sort their business out themselves and stop collateral damage.

When Wen Zhixia saw him, she pursed her lips and turned to leave. Gu Pingsheng quickly stepped forward, blocking her path. His long, narrow peach-blossom eyes shimmered with affection as he held up his hands. "Little Bookworm, I bought you breakfast."

Wen Zhixia had no interest in his breakfast and tried to walk around him.

Gu Pingsheng rubbed the bridge of his nose and blocked her again. "I apologize. Next time, I promise I won't talk nonsense or... lay a hand on you. It’s your favorite xiaolongbao—it’ll get cold if you don’t eat it."

He had gone out of the school gates early in the morning just to buy them, keeping them warm against his chest the entire way back. They were still lukewarm.

Wen Zhixia could see it clearly: he apologized with ease, but he didn't truly believe he had done anything wrong. He was becoming increasingly thick-skinned and shameless. He hadn't just tricked her into watching a Japanese movie; he had also... he had touched her!

"Get lost!" Wen Zhixia was furious just looking at him.

"I really know I was wrong, hm?" Being tall, he bowed his body and brought his handsome face close to hers, whispering, "I’m truly sorry, really, truly. But you have to understand my position, don't you? You were sitting right in front of me—if I didn't have any reaction, would I even be a man? I only act like that with you."

Look at him—did that look like an apology?!

*Only* with her... was she supposed to be grateful for that?

Wen Zhixia tried to push his face away, but she misjudged her strength, and the gesture turned into a slap across his cheek. The xiaolongbao he had protected against his chest fell to the ground.

In that instant, not only was Gu Pingsheng stunned, but Wen Zhixia’s face went pale; she didn't know how to react.

Gu Pingsheng was never a man with a good temper. Wen Zhixia had seen more than once how vicious he could be in a fight. If someone else had touched his face, he would have likely dislocated their arm on the spot.

Time seemed to freeze. Afraid to look him in the eye, Wen Zhixia turned and ran.

*Click.*

The restroom door was pushed open from the outside. Since it was attached to the private room, the dim lighting outside made the restroom’s overhead lights seem blindingly bright.

Wen Zhixia had forgotten to lock the door. Hearing the noise, she paused in the middle of blocking his number.

Gu Pingsheng locked the door behind him. He glanced at her phone and her defensive posture, offering a mocking smile. "What’s wrong? Did you do something wrong and now you’re afraid of me?"

Wen Zhixia paused. "Why did you come in here?"

Gu Pingsheng approached her with intense aggression. The restroom was small, and his proximity made Wen Zhixia feel suffocated.

"Why didn't you reply to my messages?" He braced his arms against the vanity, boxing her in.

"You!"

"Shout louder, so all your employees can know... what kind of 'good deeds' we're up to in here." A wicked smile played on Gu Pingsheng’s lips.

She bit her lip, and he leaned in shamelessly, his hot breath brushing against her cheek. "Did you see the messages?"

Wen Zhixia turned her face away. "Director Gu, if you exhaust yourself like this, aren't you afraid of premature aging?"

"Hm?" What exactly was he exhausting?

Wen Zhixia swept a cold, indifferent gaze over his face, thinking how good he was at playing the fool. "Go away. I’m afraid of catching a disease."

Gu Pingsheng paused for a few seconds before the realization hit him.

"What did that secretary of Xu Qichen’s tell you?"

Wen Zhixia pushed his face away. "Why is Director Gu leaning so close? I have a husband."

Gu Pingsheng ran his tongue over his back teeth. "That’s perfect. I happen to like things a little thrilling."

Before Wen Zhixia could grasp the danger, Gu Pingsheng had lifted her onto the vanity. His long legs forced hers apart, and he even picked up her phone, setting it aside to start recording.

"In a moment, I’ll send the video of our 'negative-distance' interaction to that sickly weakling and see if he still wants you."

His current behavior had nothing to do with the persona of an elite businessman or a corporate tycoon; Wen Zhixia could easily believe he was a common thug.

Wen Zhixia’s eyes widened as she stared at him. "You wouldn't dare!"

"I’ve already lost my wife, what else do you think I wouldn't dare to do?" He loosened his tie, bit down on her lip, and clamped a large hand onto the back of her neck, his voice low and dangerous. "Xia Xia, don't force me. Have you slept with Xu Qichen? Hm? Tell me, has he touched you the way I’m touching you now?"

His body pressed firmly against hers, allowing her to feel the clear change in him.

Inside the private room:

"Why has Director Wen been gone so long? Is something wrong?" someone asked.

"Probably a private matter. I saw her phone vibrating non-stop earlier."

"Don't overthink it, everyone. Come on, let's pick some songs and get the party started."

Ye Lanzhou swirled his wine glass. While replying to a message, he glanced toward the restroom and smiled with an unreadable expression.

Wen Zhixia raised her hand to slap him, but Gu Pingsheng caught it, pinning it behind her back. He pressed her waist, forcing her spine against his abdomen. "If you were my wife, a slap would be a slap. But since you keep calling Xu Qichen your husband, if you hit me again, I’ll make sure you can’t get out of bed tomorrow. Do you believe me?"

"Gu Pingsheng, have you no shame?!" Wen Zhixia struggled, unable to break free. "I’ll report you for sexual harassment!"

The door to the private room opened from the outside. Ye Lanzhou looked at the person standing there, stunned, and cursed under his breath.