Chapter 58: His Desire for Control Borders on Obsession

"Help me bathe." His thin lips pressed against her neck—provocative, intimate.

"Let me go first." The table was too hard, making her waist ache. She frowned.

He said yes, but didn't move an inch. Wen Zhixia pushed him, "My back hurts, move aside a little."

Gu Pingsheng's lips curved into a smile, "I'll carry you to the bed~~"

Their movements knocked the pastries she'd just made to the floor. Wen Zhixia shot him a reproachful glance. Only then did Gu Pingsheng release her, saying, "My mistake."

Wen Zhixia got off the table, went out to fetch things to clean up the mess.

Only after she left did Gu Pingsheng pick up the phone by the table. Though the screen was black, the call was still connected.

"I wonder, Director Zhang, what business do you have calling so late?"

Zhang Zhiyan's eyes darkened. "I didn't expect that after so many years, your methods would still be so unrefined."

Gu Pingsheng had deliberately made ambiguous sounds when answering, ensuring Zhang Zhiyan couldn't help but notice.

"Naturally, nothing compared to you, Director Zhang, inheriting your mother's homewrecker tendencies, always coveting others' marriages." Gu Pingsheng picked up the only pastry that hadn’t fallen, took a delicate bite. "I suppose you don't know, Director Zhang, that rose pastries are only truly flavorful when paired with green plum wine. Not everything matches—some things are just vulgar."

Zhang Zhiyan gripped his phone tight, then suddenly laughed. "Who can say in this world? Perhaps the pairing is delicious today, but maybe there are too few options. Try another, perhaps it would be even better."

Their words clashed, every exchange sharp as a duel—like two opponents with black and white pieces on a chessboard, neither willing to yield.

"A thousand pairings, yet before her, only green plum wine." Gu Pingsheng's voice was low.

Zhang Zhiyan narrowed his eyes. Gu Pingsheng ended the call.

Standing outside the study with a broom, Wen Zhixia hesitated for a few seconds, but did not enter.

The Guxia Group had just secured a major project with Far East Military, making them the talk of the business world. Gu Pingsheng’s name, along with the group, once again became the focus of attention.

He was only twenty-seven—yet to reach the age of thirty, already at a height many would never reach in a lifetime. His youth and success made him an object of envy.

Such a triumph naturally called for a celebration.

Guxia Group threw a grand banquet, inviting many prominent figures and officials.

Wen Zhixia learned of this the night before. That evening, Gu Pingsheng was exhilarated, holding her tightly, as if trying to meld her into his very bones.

He said, "It’s been twelve years."

Twelve years ago, at his mother's grave, he vowed that one day he would surpass the Zhang Group, making Zhang Zhanrong understand—neither the mistress nor her son could compare to the bond he shared with his mother.

Now, he had done it.

"Wen-jie, aren’t you happy?" Hua Qianjiao approached with a glass of juice, her smile bright.

Her father had told her that Guxia Group’s new project would elevate the company—a joyous occasion. Yet upon arrival she found Wen Zhixia’s face showed little delight.

"The company’s thriving; naturally I should be happy. It’s just…" She glanced around—the headquarters’ executives were almost all new faces. None of the old team, those who’d started with her and Gu Pingsheng, were in sight.

"Just what?" Hua Qianjiao asked.

Wen Zhixia raised her glass, shaking her head with a faint smile. "Nothing."

"Miss Wen." Chen Antai greeted her with barely concealed excitement, leaving his companions mid-conversation to approach.

Wen Zhixia smiled, "How have you been lately?"

A trace of shyness and awkwardness appeared in Chen Antai’s smile—emotions that should have long faded after years in business, but now surfaced uncontrollably. "Thanks for your concern; I’m well. Miss Wen, you… haven’t changed a bit."

"I’m no longer your boss; there’s no need for formalities. Let’s just meet as old friends," Wen Zhixia said, raising her glass.

Chen Antai joined her in a toast, but after a sip, he couldn’t help but add, "To us, you’ll always be Miss Wen. Without you, we’d have nothing."

Chen Antai, Zhang Yuan, and Li Lei lacked impressive degrees. In their youth, they were rash, offending others unknowingly—destined for a life of lowly positions. After botching a project for their superior, they were about to be fired, but Wen Zhixia, then a rival, gave them a chance and promoted them.

Wen Zhixia shook her head gently, "Your service to the company is the best repayment. What you have now has little to do with me."

Chen Antai opened his mouth to say more, but a commotion erupted in the crowd.

At the celebration, Qing Qi, heir of the Qing family, appeared before Hua Qianjiao with a bouquet, glowing balloons soaring behind him.

Hua Qianjiao covered her mouth in surprise, her eyelashes fluttering in confusion.

"Qianjiao, I was wrong in the past…"

From a distance, Wen Zhixia watched Qing Qi, who was suddenly humble and seeking reconciliation with Hua Qianjiao, feeling a strange unease.

"The Qing family has hit some trouble with their investments."

Gu Pingsheng appeared at her side, speaking suddenly.

Wen Zhixia’s gaze sharpened. "You mean… Qing Qi’s actions today are to curry favor with the Hua family?"

Her words were not a question. Once she heard of the Qing family’s crisis from Gu Pingsheng, this was her first thought.

Gu Pingsheng didn’t nod or shake his head, only replied ambiguously, "Or perhaps… Young Master Qing has come to his senses in time."

To rein in at the edge of the cliff, to cut losses swiftly.

How could a Cinderella like Lin Huixian compare to the treasured daughter of the Hua family? This was no fairy tale.

Wen Zhixia frowned. She didn’t want Hua Qianjiao to become a pawn in Qing Qi’s power games. "I once thought Qing Qi, at least, was honest in not loving her, never hiding his feelings for another woman, nor using her. I thought his character was decent. But now, it seems his path was just too smooth before; he didn’t need tricks. Now, at the first sign of trouble, his true colors show."

"You don’t like Lin Huixian anymore?" Hua Qianjiao asked naively.

Qing Qi placed the flowers in her arms, "You’re the most important."

Hua Qianjiao looked at the flowers and slowly smiled; she loved receiving them.

This scene stirred much gossip. After all, it was at Guxia Group’s celebration, and Qing Qi had turned it into his own stage—almost as if he were seizing another’s nest.

But seeing that even the host, Gu Pingsheng, said nothing, the guests naturally held their tongues as well.

Only one person's expression darkened—Ye Lanzhou.

"Compared to Qing Qi, I think you’re far more suitable," Wen Zhixia said, approaching Ye Lanzhou, who drank alone.

Ye Lanzhou gave a cold smile. "You think I’m a fair match? Comparing me to him?"

Wen Zhixia took a glass from a passing waiter. "Since you admit you have feelings for Qianjiao, why not be more proactive? Why let her see you as only a brother?"

"She can’t tell what love is. With Qing Qi, it’s just child’s play." Ye Lanzhou drained his glass.

Just children playing house—what could she understand?

Wen Zhixia swirled her wine, "Qianjiao is pure. If she keeps being tangled with Qing Qi, she’ll end up hurt."

Ye Lanzhou didn’t say whether he took her words to heart; he simply watched Hua Qianjiao, happy with her flowers.

"Is that person over there looking for you?" Ye Lanzhou noticed a man with a wine glass standing nearby, repeatedly glancing their way, hesitating as if about to approach but always holding back.

Wen Zhixia followed his gaze. The man, seeing her look over, froze, then raised his glass in greeting and finally, after a moment’s hesitation, walked over.

From across the hall, Gu Pingsheng, busy with guests, kept glancing at Wen Zhixia. When he saw her with an unfamiliar man, his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly—so subtle that only the most observant would notice.

Wen Zhixia had an excellent memory. The man before her seemed familiar, but she couldn’t immediately place him. "You are…?"

"So you do remember me." The man smiled.

Wen Zhixia nodded, her eyes reflective, but some thin veil prevented her from recalling at once.

"I’m Liu Zijian. Long time no see, Wen." His voice was tinged with nostalgia.

Liu Zi Jian.

"Wen, c-could I… could I go out with you?" A square-faced boy, clutching a box of chocolates, held them out to her, nervous and hopeful.

Summer at school—cicadas, birdsong, a boy’s confession—all merging into one vivid scene.

Wen Zhixia finally recalled who this was—a classmate from No. 2 High School.

"It’s been a long time."

"You haven’t changed," Liu Zijian said, looking her over.

Wen Zhixia couldn’t remember what he looked like back then, so she simply smiled.

Liu Zijian didn’t seem to mind—he knew he hadn’t left any deep impression on her. Still…

His youthful confession had left an indelible mark on his own life.

He glanced toward Gu Pingsheng. "I didn’t expect you two to end up together. I thought someone as smart as you would see through things sooner."

Wen Zhixia raised her brows, catching the implication. "See through what?"

Liu Zijian didn’t answer directly but asked, "Do you know why I went abroad so suddenly?"

She said nothing, quietly waiting.

"It was because of Gu Pingsheng," Liu Zijian said with a mix of reminiscence and irony. "Even in high school, his methods foreshadowed the man he is now. Your brief hesitation that day resulted in his repeated targeting. Later, his little clique began to retaliate—I couldn’t even study in peace. That’s why I had to leave. You were a beautiful girl of seventeen, as cold as the moon, but haven’t you ever wondered why so few boys confessed to you? Why so few even dared approach?"

Wen Zhixia remained silent. Liu Zijian continued, as if finally unburdening a long-held truth, "Because of Gu Pingsheng. His possessiveness was almost pathological—he ruthlessly cut off anyone who tried to get close to you, male or female, until only he was left in your world. Maybe at first you didn’t notice, maybe you only saw him as a classmate, but over time, his constant presence would inevitably stir other feelings."

Wen Zhixia’s gaze faltered.

"His need for control is nearly morbid," Liu Zijian continued, recalling how Gu Pingsheng had confronted him, so paranoid and willful. "Think back—how many people in your life can you truly trust?"

Wen Zhixia lowered her eyes, her long lashes veiling her thoughts. She smiled gently, "It’s been years. I hope you enjoy yourself tonight."

Liu Zijian frowned, "You don’t believe me?"

Her smile didn’t waver. "If you still mind what Pingsheng did to you back then, let me apologize on his behalf."

He stared at her, searching her face for meaning. "…Why are you apologizing?"

"We’re married, a single entity." Her voice was clear and elegant. "We’ve been married three years."

As one, she could apologize for his past deeds.

Her words brought Liu Zijian no comfort. "Wen Zhixia, a man like him isn’t fit for close friendship, let alone daily companionship. He’s too calculating. You and he—"

"What are you talking about?" Gu Pingsheng walked over and naturally slipped his arm around Wen Zhixia’s shoulders, his eyes deep.

His arrival made Liu Zijian swallow his words. Before leaving, he glanced at Wen Zhixia again. "…Just make sure you know what you’re doing."

Make sure this is someone worth entrusting your life to.

With that, Liu Zijian left without another word for Gu Pingsheng.

Gu Pingsheng watched his retreating figure, took a sip of wine. "You know him?"

Wen Zhixia looked up at him. "A classmate from No. 2 High School, Liu Zijian. Don’t you remember?"

After a moment’s thought, Gu Pingsheng seemed to recall.

"He told me some things just now," Wen Zhixia said.

Gu Pingsheng’s expression was unchanged. "Oh? What did he say?"

"He told me… why he went abroad."

Gu Pingsheng twirled his glass, his gaze profound. "It’s time to open the champagne."

He took her hand, and together they poured the champagne, the fragrance wafting through the hall.

"Is that…"

A man exiting the restroom spotted Wen Zhixia on stage, blinking as if doubting his eyes.

"Don’t you recognize young Miss Wen?" Another executive, thinking he was drunk, teased him.

He hesitated. "…I just saw Wen Zhixia go into the restroom a moment ago."

Wen Zhixia went in, he came out, but then how…?

"Did you drink too much? Miss Wen’s been here the whole time."

"Maybe I was mistaken…" But even as he doubted his own sobriety, he saw another "Wen Zhixia" appear in the crowd. He quickly nudged his companion to look.

Two women, dressed identically, with the same hairstyle and even matching nail polish—both resembling Wen Zhixia. They exchanged a look. "What’s going on?"

Soon others noticed as well. But some, having seen Gu Pingsheng bring Zhao Fuhe to previous banquets, only smiled knowingly.

Just then, Wen Zhixia, having set down the champagne, saw Zhao Fuhe not far away—dressed exactly like herself. Her expression barely changed as she turned her cool gaze to Gu Pingsheng.

He hadn’t noticed Zhao Fuhe. Seeing her look over, he gave a small, sharp smile. "Hmm?"

"President Gu’s junior has come to congratulate you personally," she said, glancing at her gown. "How many of these dresses did you prepare?"

Her gown had been delivered to her by Gu Pingsheng’s people, but now Zhao Fuhe appeared in a nearly identical dress—how could she not see the mockery in it?

Gu Pingsheng’s eyes swept the hall, finally spotting Zhao Fuhe and her matching attire.

Among the crowd, Li Yueting watched the scene impassively, especially Wen Zhixia’s reaction, sipping her wine.

Amid the curious crowd, Zhao Fuhe walked gracefully toward Gu Pingsheng and Wen Zhixia, presenting a gift. "I heard, Senior, that you were holding a celebration here. I happened to be nearby for a friend’s wedding, so I thought I’d stop by."

Gu Pingsheng kept his hand on Wen Zhixia’s shoulder, his gaze deep, not reaching for the gift.

Zhao Fuhe smiled slightly, set the gift aside, her every movement poised and familiar.

So familiar, Wen Zhixia felt as if she were looking in a mirror.

Only then did Zhao Fuhe seem to notice Wen Zhixia beside Gu Pingsheng. She smiled, "So, Senior Wen is here too."

The words were loaded—the hostess of the Guxia Group’s celebration, yet Zhao Fuhe spoke as if Wen Zhixia’s presence was unexpected.