Chapter 40: Dressed to Impress, Accompanying Him as His Date

The front desk immediately contacted security to investigate, and the security team caught the man red-handed at the door.

“Sir, please show your ID.” Three guards surrounded him.

Gu Pingsheng fixed the three with a deep, penetrating gaze.

“Please show your ID. Non-guests are not permitted inside.”

Sitting at the dining table, Wen Zhixia heard the commotion outside. Her brows lifted slightly; her chewing paused for a moment, but after two or three seconds, she continued eating. After going so long on an empty stomach, even the simplest food became delicious.

Beep, beep, beep—

The phone in the suite rang; it was the front desk calling.

“Miss Wen, would you mind opening the door? The gentleman you mentioned says…he’s your husband.” The receptionist sounded bewildered, unable to tell who was telling the truth—or perhaps there was some misunderstanding here?

Wen Zhixia poured herself a glass of water and leaned back in her chair. “The reason I chose your hotel was for peace and quiet, and I value your service. If anyone can find out my room number and knock on my door to disturb me, then what purpose do you serve?” Her voice was calm, but her words carried a chilling rebuke.

She hadn’t even said anything particularly harsh, yet the receptionist felt as if she were sitting on needles. “I’m sorry, it was an oversight on our part. We’ll remove him immediately.”

“If you can’t resolve this, just call the police.” As the president of Gu Xia Group, Wen Zhixia did not believe he would ignore his own reputation and refuse to leave.

In reality, the receptionist looked at the man—handsome, stern, with sharp brows and star-like eyes—and thought, if men like this became escorts, business would surely be booming.

When the lobby manager learned of the incident, he agreed with Wen Zhixia’s suggestion. Without even meeting the man, he told the front desk to call the police.

Only when the police arrived did they come face-to-face with the man, and the sight of him gave the manager an ominous feeling.

“Mr. Gu… President Gu…” The look on Gu Pingsheng’s face was so dark, it seemed ready to drip water.

The police questioned the staff: “Who reported the incident? Where is the man suspected of illegal sex work?”

“It’s a misunderstanding—our staff made a mistake. There’s no escort here; sorry to trouble you.” The lobby manager, weighing the pros and cons, decided to deal with the immediate issue. As for how President Gu had become the “escort” the front desk spoke of, he’d have to investigate later.

Filing a false police report could be a serious matter. The lobby manager apologized profusely until the situation was finally smoothed over.

But for someone as dignified as President Gu to lose face like this—his mood was easy to imagine.

All day long, the shadow over Gu Xia Group was palpable. The atmosphere in the conference room was heavy; everyone could see that President Gu was in an exceptionally foul mood.

Each time a senior manager stood to report, they did so with extra caution, afraid any misstep would make them the next unlucky victim.

But Murphy’s Law tells us: if you fear something will happen, it becomes all the more likely.

“This is the result you came up with after a week of work?!” The project proposal smacked loudly onto the table. The room fell silent.

“I’m giving you two more days. If you can’t secure this project by then, pack your things and leave.” He pushed back his chair and walked out, face cold as ice.

After he left, the executives sat at the table, pale and dejected.

“Two days? I couldn’t get this done in two weeks… Looks like my days here are numbered.”

Chen Antai, sitting beside him, spoke in a low voice: “President Gu is just in a bad mood today. Don’t take his words too seriously.”

The executive gave a wry smile, then suddenly muttered, “It was young President Wen who landed this project and signed the deal two years ago. Now the deadline is near… Do you think her health is better yet? If she came back, maybe…”

“What happened to young President Wen’s health?” Chen Antai suddenly asked.

The executive was momentarily speechless, then chuckled. “Before she resigned, she wasn’t feeling well. I just remembered it, that’s all.”

It was no secret in the company. Wen Zhixia was always diligent, often working overtime, and naturally her health suffered. She even had a fever the day she resigned.

President’s Office.

“President Gu, please calm down—have a coffee.” Gu Pingsheng leaned back, eyes closed, massaging his temples.

Li Yueting set the coffee on his desk, then moved behind him to massage his shoulders and neck. “Is this pressure okay?”

As she spoke, he placed his hand over hers.

Li Yueting’s breath caught; her heart began to race. “President Gu…”

He opened his eyes, slowly removed her hand from his shoulder, and his lips parted coldly: “Leave.”

Li Yueting felt her pounding heart slow, then slow again. “I just want to quietly stay by your side, do nothing at all. Isn’t that allowed?” She pressed his hand against her heart. “I understand you better than any woman around you. I’m obedient, I won’t anger you. I’ll never mention things you don’t want young President Wen to know, nor use the child to trouble you…”

Knock, knock—

“President Gu, about earlier—”

The office door wasn’t fully closed. Chen Antai tapped it and inadvertently pushed it open, witnessing the scene inside. His pupils dilated for two seconds before he lowered his head. “Sorry, President Gu.”

Gu Pingsheng withdrew his hand, his gaze icy as he looked at Chen Antai. “Don’t you know any manners?!”

“My apologies, President Gu. I didn’t see anything.”

Li Yueting met Gu Pingsheng’s frosty gaze, clenched her hands, then spoke loudly enough for Chen Antai to hear: “Thank you, President Gu, for reminding me. I didn’t realize there was something on my clothes.”

Gu Pingsheng didn’t want any rumors to spread. Whatever had actually happened, only she could smooth over.

“Secretary Li, you may leave. Chen Antai, stay.”

After Li Yueting left, Chen Antai put a report on the desk. “This is the report you wanted to review from the meeting.”

Gu Pingsheng took it and leafed through it, saying nothing.

Chen Antai stood before the desk, unable to guess why he’d been asked to stay.

Only after Gu Pingsheng finished reading, setting the report aside as if finally noticing another’s presence, did he tap the table twice with his knuckle. “Sit.”

Chen Antai pulled out a chair and sat across from him. “President Gu, do you have further instructions?”

“Zhang Yuan is doing well at the subsidiary. I recall you two used to be quite a team.” Gu Pingsheng said.

Chen Antai’s heart sank. He had guessed that being kept behind wouldn’t bode well, but he hadn’t expected that earlier scene would prompt Gu Pingsheng to transfer him immediately.

“I understand company policy, President Gu. No rumors will leave this room,” he said seriously.

Gu Pingsheng stared at him in silence for a few seconds, making Chen Antai even more nervous as the moment stretched on and his uncertainty deepened.

“In business, nothing is more dangerous than a ticking time bomb,” Gu Pingsheng said slowly, sipping his coffee.

Chen Antai’s heart hit rock bottom; he understood the implication. His transfer was inevitable.

Everyone at Gu Xia Group knew that after Wen Zhixia resigned, the company was entirely under Gu Pingsheng’s control: once he made a decision, no one could change it.

Chen Antai got up, but when he reached for the door handle, he couldn’t help but say, “President Gu, I know it’s not my place, but I must say this: I admire your achievements, but you shouldn’t hurt young President Wen.”

Some people are like the bright moon—beyond reach, but always admired.

Such was Wen Zhixia to Chen Antai, and to others transferred by Gu Pingsheng.

This feeling had nothing to do with romance, and yet it seemed deeper and more enduring.

After leaving the office, Chen Antai packed his things. Since the HR order hadn’t come, he waited an hour and then went to ask.

The HR manager turned around, puzzled. “What transfer order?”

Chen Antai hesitated. “President Gu hasn’t given any instructions?”

Now the manager was even more confused. “Manager Chen, if you’ve nothing to do, don’t joke around with me. I haven’t heard of any transfer orders. If you have questions, maybe… just ask President Gu directly?”

He was swamped with work as it was.

Back in his office, Chen Antai looked at his already packed “belongings,” uncertain what Gu Pingsheng truly intended.

At the hotel.

Wen Zhixia’s phone was delivered by a staff member; it was obvious who had arranged it.

As soon as she turned on her phone, Hua Qianjiao’s call came through. “Sister Wen, why are you only picking up now?”

Wen Zhixia didn’t explain, simply saying her phone had run out of battery and she’d forgotten to turn it on after charging. “Was there something urgent?”

“Oh, I just wanted to ask if you’re free tonight. Come have dinner at my house. My brother just returned from abroad—I’d like you to meet him. It’ll be more fun with everyone together.”

Wen Zhixia nodded. “Alright.”

“Then it’s settled. I’ll have the chef prepare your favorite dishes.”

Wen Zhixia chuckled. “Thank you, Jiao Jiao.”

Hua Qianjiao was childlike and straightforward—she did everything with pure sincerity, which made people lower their guard and feel at ease.

What Wen Zhixia didn’t expect was that the “brother” Hua Qianjiao mentioned turned out to be Ye Lanzhou. And Ye Lanzhou had brought someone else along—Gu Pingsheng.

If she hadn’t already stepped into the hall, where Hua’s parents had seen her and greeted her, she would surely have found an excuse to turn back.

She simply didn’t want to see Gu Pingsheng right now.

“I heard President Gu made quite a scene at the hotel this morning. What happened?” Ye Lanzhou greeted Hua’s parents with a smile, but when facing Wen Zhixia, it was as if he didn’t notice Gu Pingsheng at all. His tone was playfully mocking.

Gu Pingsheng ignored him, standing up as Wen Zhixia walked past, leaving him alone.

“Zhixia, you’re just in time. Lanzhou just arrived, let me introduce—” Hua’s father began, but Ye Lanzhou interrupted, laughing, “Uncle, we met yesterday.” He turned to Wen Zhixia, smiling, “Mrs. Gu.”

“Wen Zhixia,” she replied.

Her addition made it clear—whether she didn’t want to be overshadowed by any title, or simply out of pride—anyone could see that at this moment, she had no wish to acknowledge the title of “Mrs. Gu.”

Ye Lanzhou observed the couple with amusement; it was rare to see Gu Pingsheng rendered so powerless.

At the dinner table, even Hua Qianjiao sensed something was off. “Sister Wen, why didn’t you come with President Gu today?”

Wen Zhixia raised her head calmly. “President Gu is busy.”

Not with work, but with other matters.

Hua Qianjiao wanted to ask more, but Ye Lanzhou filled her bowl with food. “Jiao Jiao, eat more.”

She nodded and promptly forgot what she’d wanted to ask.

Hua’s parents, experienced in such matters, could guess the situation from the couple’s demeanor and offered some words of wisdom about marriage.

Gu Pingsheng tried to soften his tone; Wen Zhixia curled her lips as if her attitude had eased. But after so many years, he alone knew whether she had truly softened or was merely being polite for Hua’s parents’ sake.

“There’s a charity auction tomorrow. Zhixia, if you’re free, could you accompany Jiao Jiao? I’d feel better with you there,” Hua’s father said.

Wen Zhixia looked up slowly; Hua Qianjiao immediately protested, “I don’t want to go!”

She hated the way outsiders stared at her at such events; crowds always made her uncomfortable.

Hua’s father paused, but in the end, stood firm.

“Why do you suddenly want Jiao Jiao to attend the charity auction?” Wen Zhixia asked.

“Our family is sponsoring the event—we have to send someone. The doctor suggested she needs more exposure and interaction with others. This is a good opportunity.” For the sake of his daughter’s recovery, Hua’s father would persist, no matter how reluctant.

His main reason for inviting Wen Zhixia was this: she was steady and discerning, adept at handling situations, and genuinely protective of his daughter. With her there, he could rest easy.

Wen Zhixia did not refuse his request.

When she left Hua’s house, Gu Pingsheng caught her just as she was about to drive away. “Xia Xia, can we talk?”

Ye Lanzhou stood behind him. In front of others, Wen Zhixia didn’t shake off his hand, just pushed it aside. “I’m tired, President Gu. Please don’t keep me from resting.”

Gu Pingsheng frowned. “If you’re tired, let’s go home.”

Wen Zhixia laughed, her tone bright and mocking. “If you’re in need of a woman at home, there are plenty you can choose from. Why come to me for trouble?”

He stroked her cheek, his deep eyes reflecting her image. He coaxed, “Don’t say such things. Lanhujun is our home, not anyone else’s. I know you were frightened yesterday. It was my fault for leaving—I apologize, alright?”

Wen Zhixia slowly removed his hand. “Gu Pingsheng, you don’t even know why I’m angry. What’s the point of apologizing?”

“Then tell me—what are you angry about? Tell me what I can do to make it right, and I’ll do it.”

Do as she says?

Wen Zhixia laughed in exasperation. “Why not just have me write the script for you to follow?”

She said, “Sometimes, I really don’t know which of your words I should believe.”

She could no longer see through him. The young man who once promised never to deceive her, who swore forever, seemed long gone—replaced by the impenetrable, inscrutable President Gu.

Gu Pingsheng’s obsidian eyes bored into her. “Xia Xia, are you always honest with me? No lies, no pretense?”

He stepped closer, his long fingers tracing her soft lips. “You say you don’t know which of my words to trust. These lips, the words they say…” He broke off, gave a derisive laugh, then tightened his hold on her waist, pulling her against him. “Stop this. Come home with me.”

“Let go,” Wen Zhixia said coldly.

He gazed at her deeply.

At this, Ye Lanzhou cleared his throat, breaking the tense silence. Any further and things would only worsen.

“President Gu, why don’t you give me a ride home first?”

Earlier, when Ye Lanzhou mentioned to Gu Pingsheng that he’d be at the Hua residence and Wen Zhixia would also be there, President Gu had driven over himself, offering to give him a lift.

Ye Lanzhou had guessed then that Gu Pingsheng had ulterior motives. Seeing him today, he understood perfectly—President Gu was simply eager to placate his wife.

Ye Lanzhou’s interruption gave them a chance to cool down. Gu Pingsheng watched as Wen Zhixia drove away, his gaze sharp as a hook.

On the day of the auction.

Zhao Fuhe of Cheng Yaju received an invitation. The courier said a Mr. Gu had asked him to deliver it. “Mr. Gu hopes you’ll accompany him to the event, dressed to the nines, as his date.”

Ever since she’d spoken up during Gu Pingsheng’s phone call two days ago, he hadn’t answered her calls or replied to her messages. She’d been feeling neglected and dejected, but now it seemed he’d merely been too busy.

He still had her in his thoughts.

As the courier left Cheng Yaju, he got a phone call. “Did you deliver the item?”