Chapter 26: Unable to Accept Betrayal by One's Closest Kin

Lanhu County.

Wen Zhixia was taking her afternoon nap when she received a call from her mother, who said she had accidentally injured her leg and wanted Zhixia to come home. Zhixia abruptly opened her eyes and sat up in bed, “Did you go to the hospital? Get to the hospital right away. I’ll hurry back now.”

She quickly dressed, skipped her meal, and drove straight home.

“People these days! Can’t you watch where you’re driving?” someone shouted angrily as her car sped past, spraying water from the road.

Zhixia stopped, apologized hurriedly, and ran towards her house.

Bang, bang, bang—

She knocked hard on the door. “Dad, Mom, I’m home!”

Inside, her mother glanced at her husband, settled herself on the sofa, and draped a thin blanket over her legs. “Go open the door.”

“What about Mom? Is she alright?” The moment the door opened, Zhixia, panting, grabbed her father’s arm and asked urgently.

Before her father could answer, Zhixia had already rushed into the living room, seeing her mother on the sofa with her legs covered by a blanket. “How is it? Is it serious? Did you call an ambulance?”

She took out her phone, preparing to dial.

Her mother reached out and held her hand. “I tricked you. It was just a sprain. The doctor has already checked it and prescribed medicine.”

Zhixia, still breathless, was stunned for a moment. “So you’re okay?”

Her mother spoke with a note of sadness, “It’s because of you. You really are angry with us, disappearing for so long. I missed you so much that I had to use this method to bring you home.”

Faced with her mother’s words, Zhixia found herself momentarily lost for words.

She had never felt a sense of presence at home. Even though they were blood relatives, she had never felt particularly close to them. Since she and Gu Pingsheng started their business, it had felt like pouring money into a bottomless pit—millions spent, and still more needed. Perhaps her family truly believed she had inexhaustible wealth; over the years, everything in the house had to be the best, and whenever something didn’t please them, they would use family ties to pressure her. Zhixia grew weary, and the word “family” no longer held any hope for her. She rarely returned home.

“As long as you’re fine, take care of yourself. If you feel unwell, go to the hospital. I… I’ll leave now.”

Though this was nominally her home, Zhixia had never really lived here. Looking at her elegantly dressed parents and the spacious house, she felt no warmth at all. Rather than stay in awkward silence, she chose to leave.

“Since you’re here, stay for dinner before you go. Your brother will be back soon, we can have a proper meal as a family,” her father said.

“Yes, stay and eat before you leave. Gu Pingsheng should be working at this hour anyway, you’d have to cook for yourself if you went back. Eat first, then go,” her mother instructed her father, “Go get something to drink, Zhixia’s favorite peach juice.”

They avoided her gaze, exchanging a look between themselves.

Her father went to the kitchen, and Zhixia, who was adjusting her mother’s cushion, paused when she heard this. She had never liked peach juice; her brother Wen Lechuan was the one who preferred it.

Nevertheless, when her father returned and handed her the peach juice, she said nothing, took a gentle sip, and set it aside.

Her father watched her, uneasy. “Why aren’t you drinking? It’s freshly squeezed.”

“Drink more. Your father made it himself. Or are you so used to imported ones that your palate has grown picky?” her mother said.

“No, I’m drinking,” Zhixia replied, picking up the glass again, sipping until about a third was gone. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught her father’s furtive glance.

In that instant, her heart gave a sudden, inexplicable jolt.

She glanced covertly at her mother on the sofa; their eyes met. Her mother paused, then forced a smile.

Zhixia’s heart grew colder.

She set down the glass and, feigning carelessness, knocked over the remaining juice.

“Look at you, how can you spill juice just by drinking?” her mother complained, displeased. “Go and pour another glass.”

Her father immediately stood up, without a hint of hesitation.

“No need, I just remembered something urgent. I won’t stay for dinner today.” With that, she stood and headed for the door.

At that moment, her father came out of the kitchen. Zhixia caught a glimpse of powder clinging to his fingertips, and her head buzzed, her throat suddenly tightening.

She never expected much from family, but she could not accept being schemed against by those closest to her.

The door was locked; she couldn’t leave. Her head was already beginning to swim.

“For money?” she turned around, her voice hoarse.

Behind her, she clutched her phone, switched off the ringtone, and pressed the emergency call button.

Gu Xia Group, President’s Office.

Li Yueting entered to deliver documents. Gu Pingsheng was absent, but his phone lit up with a familiar, affectionate name: Xia Xia.

Li Yueting picked up the phone, gripping it tightly in her hand.

The door clicked open.

“…Make a copy of the cooperation intent form for me,” Gu Pingsheng said to someone beside him.

Hearing his voice, Li Yueting instinctively disconnected the call.