Chapter 52: Feel It—How Much My Heart Aches

“Sister Wen.”
“Sister Wen!”
Hua Qianjiao watched as Wen Zhixia, who was peeling an apple for her, held the fruit without moving for ages. She waved her hand in front of Wen Zhixia’s eyes twice, but couldn’t bring her back to her senses, so she raised her voice.
Clearly lacking any sense of danger, she shouted loudly while Wen Zhixia was holding a knife, almost causing her to injure herself.
As it happened, Wen Zhixia lost control, and the fruit knife sliced a cut into her finger. At first, she felt nothing, but when the pain reached her nerves, her brows furrowed instantly.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.” Hua Qianjiao hadn’t expected that her loud voice would cause Wen Zhixia to cut herself, and she scrambled to fetch some tissue.
Ye Lanzhou entered the room just then, only to see Hua Qianjiao, utterly unaware of her condition as a patient, flailing her injured, plastered leg about, making him somewhat nervous.
Fortunately, Wen Zhixia pressed her hand down, “It’s nothing, just press with a tissue for a while. Don’t move around, or you might need your bones reset again.”
Wen Zhixia understood Hua Qianjiao’s temperament. With that mild threat, Hua Qianjiao obediently nestled against the hospital bed, not daring to move again.
Ye Lanzhou let out a quiet sigh and turned to find a nurse, bringing back two band-aids which he handed to Wen Zhixia.
Wen Zhixia nodded politely and thanked him.
“Sister Wen, what were you thinking about just now? I called you several times, but you didn’t hear me.” Hua Qianjiao asked.
Wen Zhixia’s gaze flickered slightly. “Some… unpleasant thoughts.”
“If you need help, you can tell me.” Ye Lanzhou placed the sliced fruit in front of Hua Qianjiao, then turned to Wen Zhixia and spoke softly.
Wen Zhixia laughed lightly at his words. “Because of Qianjiao?”
Hua Qianjiao heard her name and lifted her head.
Ye Lanzhou reached out and pinched her cheek. “She calls you sister; wherever I can help, I won’t refuse.”
Wen Zhixia looked at Ye Lanzhou, her expression shifting. The beauty of speaking among clever people was that nothing needed to be said too plainly.
“…She considers you her brother,” Wen Zhixia said after a moment.
Ye Lanzhou replied, “Brother and sister without blood relation.”
Wen Zhixia’s brows creased.
Hua Qianjiao listened to their riddled conversation, feeling vaguely that it concerned her. On impulse, she said to Ye Lanzhou, “You are my brother.”
Ye Lanzhou was momentarily stunned, then laughed, ruffling her hair. “You don’t understand.”
Her mind was as simple as a child’s, unable to grasp matters of love.
Hua Qianjiao pouted, dissatisfied with his tone as if coaxing a child.
“Since I’m your brother, should Qianjiao listen to her brother?” he prompted gently.
Hua Qianjiao nodded obediently.
Ye Lanzhou’s smile deepened.
Wen Zhixia watched, a strange feeling stirring within her, as if a little rabbit had fallen into a wolf’s den.
After finishing and confirming the precautions, Zhao Fuhe held her medical report as though it were a treasure.
The driver who had brought her asked, “Is the child healthy?”
Zhao Fuhe glanced at him. “I will inform Senior myself.”
Naturally, she disliked discussing her child with the driver, let alone having him relay the news.
The driver said nothing more, dutifully driving her back to Cheng Yaju.
Once home, Zhao Fuhe photographed the report and sent it to Gu Pingsheng, then stared at her phone, waiting for his reply.
Gu Pingsheng, in a meeting, saw his phone screen light up and casually swiped it open.
Li Yueting, seated beside him, caught sight of the bold words “Provincial Hospital Pregnancy Test Report” and instantly stiffened.
Zhao Fuhe, pregnant?
After the meeting, Gu Pingsheng returned to his office, sitting behind the wide desk, his brows lowered as he took a call.
“…President Gu, I’m sorry. It was my fault.”
Gu Pingsheng’s aura was cold and stern. “Useless. Even such a small matter could go awry!”
Faced with his scolding, the person on the other end dared not utter a word in reply.
Gu Pingsheng tapped his slender fingers on the desk, his long eyes narrowed. He said nothing more, nor did he hang up, simply letting time pass in silence.
Two minutes later, his voice, cold as frost, rang out. “Anything that shouldn’t exist, whether person or object, must return to its origin. Understand?”
The man on the other end fell silent for a moment. “Yes, I understand.”
After hanging up, Gu Pingsheng raised his hand for coffee, but the cup was empty. He called the internal line, ordering another.
“President Gu, your coffee.” Li Yueting entered, eyes lowered.
Gu Pingsheng heard something odd in her voice, his gaze pausing.
Li Yueting also glanced up at that moment, meeting his eyes, and tears fell instantly.
Gu Pingsheng’s sharp brows furrowed. Before he could speak, Li Yueting had turned and left without a word.
After work, Gu Pingsheng had to handle some documents and a video meeting, which took time. By the time he finished, night had fallen.
Most cars in the underground parking lot had already left. Gu Pingsheng sat in his car, lighting a cigarette.

The phone vibrated—Li Yueting’s call. When he answered, a man’s voice spoke.
“Hello, this is Chunxi Road Bar. The lady who owns this phone is drunk here. If it’s convenient…”
Gu Pingsheng flicked his cigarette. Seconds later, the Bugatti sped out of the group’s parking lot.
Half an hour later, at Chunxi Road Bar.
Gu Pingsheng brought her out. Li Yueting wasn’t entirely unconscious; at least, before him, she tried to maintain her dignity.
“Ugh—”
Li Yueting squatted by the roadside shrubbery, unable to stand for a long while.
Gu Pingsheng stood tall and cold, two or three meters away, not approaching. He spoke, “I’ll take you home.”
Under the dim lights, Li Yueting looked at the handsome man not far away, her eyes red, reaching out to him.
Gu Pingsheng watched her gesture, unmoving.
Li Yueting laughed at herself, her eyes full of melancholy and loneliness. She leaned against a tree trunk, slowly standing up. “Zhao Fuhe is pregnant, isn’t she?”
Gu Pingsheng’s deep eyes narrowed, dark as night. “That’s not your concern.”
He turned and walked toward the Bugatti. Behind him, the sound of stumbling footsteps followed, then Li Yueting hugged him tightly from behind, her cheek pressed to his back.
People passing by glanced back, curious about the scene.
Gu Pingsheng reached to push her hands away.
“I could have had a child, too.” Sensing his movement, Li Yueting cried, “I could have been a normal woman. But I’ll never have my own child in this lifetime…”
Her sobs made Gu Pingsheng pause slightly.
“Zhao Fuhe can have your child, but I’ll never be a mother. Do you know how much that hurts? Pingsheng, I’m so sad. Tell me why. Why can I only stand by your side, never truly approach you? You said you’d take responsibility for me, care for me…” Li Yueting wept.
She pressed his hand to her heart. “Feel how much it hurts.”
Gu Pingsheng’s gaze darkened as he withdrew his hand. “You’re drunk.”
Li Yueting lowered her eyes, laughing softly. “Yes, I’m drunk.”
The Bugatti drove into the neighborhood. The security, recognizing the license plate, let him through without hesitation.
Though the neighborhood wasn’t large, its security was excellent, and its location was prime—ideal for both investment and residence.
Li Yueting lived in the best building, right by the fountain.
She stood by the fountain, wanting Gu Pingsheng to escort her upstairs. In the struggle, her foot slipped, and she fell into the pool, splashing water everywhere.
The security rushed to help, but Gu Pingsheng had already pulled her out.
Li Yueting clutched her stomach, pale. “My stomach hurts so much.”
Without delay, Gu Pingsheng took her to see a doctor.
Wen Zhixia prepared dinner. When she looked up, thunder rumbled outside, making her pause. She glanced at her phone to check the time, wanting to call and ask where he was.
But she hesitated, remembering the slippery roads in the rain; a phone call might distract him.
The kitten, frightened by the thunder, mewed and crawled onto her lap, burrowing into her arms.
Wen Zhixia cradled it, standing by the floor-to-ceiling window and watching the wind-tossed branches under the rain.
She didn’t know how long she waited. When the rain eased, she stood under the porch and called him, but the phone showed unreachable—no answer.
Wen Zhixia frowned, distracted, when the kitten suddenly leapt from her arms and darted into the rain.
She quickly set aside her phone. “Sweet Bean, come back!”
The usually obedient kitten, a snow-white dumpling, ran through the rain. Wen Zhixia had no choice but to chase after it.
“Sweet Bean! Come back, don’t run!”
Afraid it would disappear, Wen Zhixia didn’t even grab an umbrella, wearing only slippers as she ran from the porch.
The rain was slippery, her hair soaked and sticking to her cheeks.
Her footing slipped, and she fell by the roadside, scraping her palm on the asphalt. She gasped from the cold pain but still called out, “Sweet Bean, come back!”
The kitten finally seemed to hear her, its little legs slowing, its white fur now gray. It tilted its round head, staring at Wen Zhixia on the ground.
Wen Zhixia beckoned, “Sweet Bean, come here.”
The kitten whimpered, its head drooping, and ran to her side.
When Wen Zhixia picked it up, it looked back longingly at a distant car, inside which sat a larger Sweet Bean.
“Look at you, all dirty.” Wen Zhixia poked its head, gentle as ever despite her own disheveled state.
Grace and warmth, perhaps etched in her bones.
Zhang Zhiyan, sitting in his car, watched her lower her gaze and murmur softly to the kitten in her arms, unable to look away.
A black umbrella opened above her as footsteps sounded.
Wen Zhixia lifted her brows and met his eyes. “It’s you.”
Zhang Zhiyan had met many women in his life, but never had he felt this way before. She was clearly bedraggled, soaked, dirty from her fall, neither she nor the kitten clean, and yet, as the rain fell, she smiled gently and said, “It’s you.”

Before meeting her, he could never have imagined that a woman could simply stand there and make him feel as though time had stilled into peace.
“I was nearby for some business and happened to see you. The world’s best-smelling dogs are German Shepherds, with about 220 million olfactory cells, but cats have 240 million. So it probably smelled something familiar and rushed out.”
Zhang Zhiyan looked at her scratched hand. “Let me take you home; your injury needs tending.”
Night had fallen. He wanted to take her home; Wen Zhixia hesitated, about to refuse.
“With your hand, you can’t treat it yourself. Unless… you’re afraid I’ll do something?” He laughed heartily. “I fancy myself a decent gentleman.”
With that, Wen Zhixia had no room to refuse.
The living room was close to the dining table. Zhang Zhiyan paused when he saw the covered dishes but quickly returned to normal.
Wen Zhixia set the kitten in its little bed. The energetic creature was now very quiet.
“Leave it to me, I’ll wash it. Hurry and change your wet clothes. Later, I’ll treat your injury.” He was so familiar, as if a frequent guest.
Wen Zhixia nodded, told him where the bathroom was, and went upstairs.
Zhang Zhiyan watched her disappear around the corner before picking up the kitten and heading to the bathroom.
Inside, the kitten’s toiletries were neatly arranged, showing the owner’s meticulous care.
Indeed, Zhang Zhiyan had noticed from the moment he entered—the house was warm and inviting, never dull or cold, making anyone feel instantly at home.
“Achoo.”
“Achoo.”
Wen Zhixia took a hot shower, changed into soft, clean clothes, but kept sneezing.
She rubbed her nose with a tissue, reddening it. The sneezing made her eyes water, making her look as if she’d been crying.
“Does your hand hurt?”
Zhang Zhiyan wrapped the kitten in a towel and came out, just in time to see her rubbing her nose, eyes red.
Wen Zhixia waved her hand. “I’m fine, just a little… achoo, achoo, achoo…”
She sneezed three or four times in succession.
“Achoo, achoo…” Perhaps it was contagious, but the kitten’s sneezing matched hers perfectly, even the sound.
Zhang Zhiyan watched the kitten rub its face after sneezing, then compared it to Wen Zhixia’s nose-rubbing, and couldn’t help but laugh.
Wen Zhixia glanced at him, her upturned eyes seeming to ask: What are you laughing at?
Zhang Zhiyan cleared his throat. “Where’s the medicine cabinet?”
Wen Zhixia pointed.
“I’ll help you treat your wound.” He took the medicine box and said.
“He’s not back yet?” Zhang Zhiyan asked as he treated her injury.
Wen Zhixia nodded slightly, saying nothing.
“My father…” Zhang Zhiyan paused, “I heard he came to see you.”
The sudden mention reminded Wen Zhixia of Zhang Zhanrong’s visit and of how he and Gu Pingsheng were actually brothers.
“As for my relationship with Gu Pingsheng, I thought he’d told you early on. Surprising he never mentioned his family, but it’s understandable—when he left home, he said he’d never have anything to do with the Zhang family again.”
He wrapped her hand in gauze. “Do you want to know why he left home?”
Wen Zhixia looked at him, not answering, then after a few seconds said, “It’s late, Mr. Zhang…”
“Zhixia, calling me ‘Mr. Zhang’ is too distant. Call me Zhiyan.” Zhang Zhiyan suddenly said.
Wen Zhixia paused, then under his gaze, replied, “Zhang Zhiyan, it’s late. Don’t let me delay your work tomorrow.”
“Though I know you’re trying to send me away, hearing you call me something other than ‘Mr. Zhang’ is a reward in itself.” Zhang Zhiyan stood, smiling.
Never making anyone uncomfortable, always smiling with warmth—perhaps a habit born of lifelong gentlemanly education.
Outside, the rain had come suddenly and departed just as quietly.
A Bugatti and a Maybach brushed past each other. The men inside exchanged a glance in that instant.
Zhang Zhiyan’s lips curled in a smile, ambiguous and meaningful.
Gu Pingsheng’s hand gripping the steering wheel tightened minutely.
Because, the only reason for Zhang Zhiyan’s direction was clear.
After Zhang Zhiyan left, Wen Zhixia lay on the sofa, sinking into a hazy sleep. Perhaps her blanket was too thin, for she shivered, sensitive to the cold.
The kitten jumped onto the sofa, its soft fur pressed to her, its little tongue licking her neck.
The abnormal warmth made the kitten mew twice in succession.
Wen Zhixia vaguely heard it, but was too exhausted to open her eyes.
The Bugatti stopped at the door. Gu Pingsheng didn’t get out immediately, gazing at his phone where Wen Zhixia, eyes lowered, quietly tidied Zhang Zhiyan’s sleeve.
“Click.”
The faint sound of the door opening, in the silent night, was especially clear.