Chapter 75: From Now On, We’ll Go Our Separate Ways

"Mr. Wen, my place is nearby too. Should we go to a hotel or... my place?" Jebon supported her, his voice low and suggestive.

Wen Zhixia pressed her hand to her forehead. "The hotel."

Jebon nodded. "Be careful then, don't fall. That car over there, that's yours, right?"

Wen Zhixia pressed her car key and the door slowly opened. Jebon helped her inside. Since both of them had been drinking, they called for a designated driver.

The driver was clearly experienced with this kind of job, especially at the Yulouchun Entertainment Club. He asked nothing, simply inquired about the address and drove them away.

Wen Zhixia rolled down the window. The cool wind rushed down her neck, making her shiver and clearing her mind a little.

"It's cold outside. Better close the window. Look at your hands, they're freezing," Jebon said, taking her hand and gauging her reaction. Seeing no resistance, he leaned in closer.

Wen Zhixia was different from his usual female clients. A woman with her looks would never lack male company, yet here she was, seeking out a man at Yulouchun. Something must have happened.

"You're not going home tonight, are you sure... everything's okay?" Jebon probed.

Wen Zhixia withdrew her hand, rolled up the window, and replied coolly, "Would you rather take me home?"

Jebon leaned in, their faces close enough that he almost brushed her lips. The closer he got, the more beautiful and aloof she appeared, making him wonder if she might show another side of herself.

"How could I bear to let you leave, Miss Wen? From the moment I saw you tonight, my heart's been racing. Touch here, see for yourself." He took her hand and placed it on his chest, moving his lips close as well.

A sudden screech ripped through the night.

The driver, monitoring the situation in the rearview, was startled when a car darted out and cut across their path, forcing their sedan to a halt.

Although traffic had thinned at this hour, such reckless behavior sent a chill down their spines.

Both Wen Zhixia and Jebon lurched forward from the sudden stop. Jebon steadied himself and checked on his client. "Miss Wen, are you alright?"

He pressed her shoulder, concern and tenderness written all over his face.

Tonight, after meeting these male escorts, Wen Zhixia truly understood: even deep affection can be feigned.

She looked through the window at the Bugatti that had aggressively overtaken and blocked them.

Its headlights blazed. The driver reflexively lowered the sun visor to see better and honked twice, but the Bugatti made no move to let them pass. "What does this guy want? Is he here for you?"

Jebon instinctively looked at Wen Zhixia, as if asking if she knew the person. After all, someone who could drive such a rare car had to be wealthy or powerful.

Honking erupted from the cars behind them, but the two vehicles in front remained motionless, forcing other drivers to change lanes and curse as they passed. "What's wrong with you? Think you own the road?!"

"Have some decency! Just because you have a fancy car!"

"Why not pull over if there's an issue? You're delaying everyone!"

Wen Zhixia gazed steadily at the Bugatti ahead. "Go around them."

But the driver dared not, fearing he couldn't afford damage to either car—especially since it was clear the Bugatti had no intention of letting them pass. "Maybe you two should handle this yourselves. If we wait any longer, the traffic police will show up."

Jebon looked at Wen Zhixia, probing, "Miss Wen, do you know this person...?"

Wen Zhixia didn't answer. Instead, she said, "Help me out."

Jebon hesitated, then got out first and opened her door.

Gu Pingsheng approached, his gaze icy. Ever since he'd learned Wen Zhixia had hired a male escort at Yulouchun, he'd been simmering with anger.

The car door slammed with a loud bang, betraying his fury.

Wen Zhixia watched the man stride over, her expression unchanged. Jebon noticed her coat was still in the car and draped his own jacket over her shoulders.

The unfamiliar warmth made Wen Zhixia raise her brows and glance at him.

Jebon smiled. "Don't catch a chill."

Wen Zhixia lifted a hand to adjust the coat, but before she could, Gu Pingsheng closed in and landed a heavy punch on Jebon's head.

Jebon staggered back two steps before regaining his balance. "Who are you? Why are you hitting people, you—"

"I'm her husband," Gu Pingsheng said darkly.

Jebon paused, clearly not expecting the real husband to arrive so soon. He could only look to Wen Zhixia for guidance. "Miss Wen?"

Wen Zhixia walked past Gu Pingsheng, brushing Jebon's cheek with her slender fingers. "Does it hurt?"

"A little," Jebon answered.

"I'll get you some medicine later," Wen Zhixia said.

Their private conversation made Gu Pingsheng clench his fist at his side. He turned, his deep eyes cold with rage. "Xiaxia, must you provoke me like this?!"

"If you hadn't shown up, you wouldn't be angry," Wen Zhixia replied calmly.

The implication was clear: his anger was his own doing.

Gu Pingsheng's eyes grew colder. "Come home with me."

"Why are you so obtuse, Mr. Gu? With your new flame by your side, who cares about an old love? Since you won't agree to a divorce, let's just live our separate lives. When you finally sign the papers, there'll be nothing left between us."

Gu Pingsheng gripped her wrist tightly. "You'd bring my child to fool around with other men? Wen Zhixia, have I spoiled you so much that you don't even know your boundaries anymore?"

His words made Wen Zhixia laugh. "Do I need your indulgence? With or without you, I am still myself. As for boundaries... perhaps you should remind yourself more often. I don't need your lectures about what I do!"

If she were a caged bird living off a man, she might have kept silent. But she was Wen Zhixia—Miss Wen—the one Gu Pingsheng had once begged to love him. She owed him nothing.

He had deceived her feelings, betrayed her trust. Why should she endure? He wasn’t the only one allowed to see other people. If she wanted to play, there were plenty of men to choose from. She was not destined for a lifetime as a housewife.

Gu Pingsheng reined in the darkness of his eyes. "Come home with me. The issue with the child is my fault. If you have something to say, let’s discuss it at home—"

"You don't know? The child is gone." She tucked a strand of windblown hair behind her ear, her voice flat.

Gu Pingsheng choked on his next words, unable to speak for a moment. Finally, his voice returned, hoarse. "Was it because of that kidnapping?"

She had cherished the child so much. Gu Pingsheng could think of no other reason. When he'd seen her at home, she showed no sign of grief, so he’d assumed the child was fine. But now she told him, calmly, that the child was gone.

Grief clouded his dark eyes. "Why didn't you tell me before?" He gripped her shoulders. "Why only now?"

Their eyes met, and Wen Zhixia saw pain and sorrow in his gaze. Yet she couldn't tell if they were real or feigned. After all, no one knew better than her how little he had wanted this child.

"Anyone watching you now would think you actually looked forward to this child," she said, shaking off his hands. "Let’s stop pretending for each other. I'm tired of the act. If you have time to spare, go find your sweet little classmate. When you decide to sign the divorce agreement, we can talk."

She turned away. "Jebon, let's go."

Jebon took her hand, but Gu Pingsheng seized her other wrist, gripping so hard he left a glaring red mark. Wen Zhixia winced, her delicate brows knitting. "What, are you planning to get back at me for your classmate?"

He wanted retaliation for her having tied up Zhao Fuhe?

Gu Pingsheng had never imagined she could be so formidable when angry.

Perhaps she'd been accommodating for too long, so those around her assumed she would always be gentle and reasonable—elegant and generous.

"Gu Pingsheng, what are you doing? Let me go! Gu Pingsheng—"

He’d tried to speak calmly, but her sharp tongue left him speechless, especially with that pretty boy on the side. His patience snapped.

He swept her up and carried her to the car. As she struggled, he strapped her in with the seatbelt, locked the passenger door, and when she tried to escape from the driver's side, he was already there.

Jebon, who had finally met a beautiful, wealthy woman, watched helplessly as she was taken away. He was unwilling, but Gu Pingsheng's icy glare rooted him to the spot as the Bugatti sped off before his eyes.

The force of the car's acceleration pressed Wen Zhixia back against the seat. Before she could recover, she watched the speedometer climb rapidly, soon surpassing the city’s legal limit.

"Stop the car! Gu Pingsheng!" Wen Zhixia gripped the seatbelt.

Gu Pingsheng stared ahead, silent as if he hadn't heard her.

She raised her voice. "Gu Pingsheng, are you insane? Stop!"

Her words seemed to slowly draw him back to reason. He eased off the gas, but at the crucial moment, a car driving the wrong way forced him to swerve. They crashed into the roadside guardrail.

At the moment of impact, he instinctively shielded her with his body. Shards of glass cut his brow, leaving a bloody gash.

Crimson blood trickled down his resolute face.

Wen Zhixia looked up at the man leaning over her, her long lashes trembling.

Half an hour later, the battered Bugatti pulled up outside Lanhu Manor.

Wen Zhixia went upstairs without a word, gathered her things, and headed straight for the guest room.

Downstairs, Gu Pingsheng watched her retreating figure, pressing his brow heavily.

"Sir, let me get the first aid kit for you," Aunt Zhao said, seeing the wound on his face.

Gu Pingsheng waved her off. "You all go rest."

"Have you eaten dinner?" Aunt Zhao asked.

Gu Pingsheng sat on the sofa, his face grim. "Bring me two bottles of wine from the cabinet."

The two servants exchanged glances, wanting to offer advice but, seeing his expression, swallowed their words.

Gu Pingsheng drank in silence, not touching the food they brought. He sent them away, wanting to be alone.

"Ma'am, are you awake?" Aunt Wang asked softly at the guest room door, holding a glass of milk.

"Come in," Wen Zhixia replied.

Aunt Wang set the milk beside her, but lingered, watching Wen Zhixia read, hesitating to speak.

Wen Zhixia looked up. "Is there something else?"

"Ma'am, Sir's face is still wounded... and since coming home, he's been drinking non-stop. Maybe you should go down and talk to him? He still has to work tomorrow—no one can keep this up forever," Aunt Wang said.

Wen Zhixia turned another page indifferently. "You forget, our Mr. Gu is a master of time management. He knows what he's doing. Go rest."

"But... yes, ma'am. You should rest early too."

She wanted to say more, but Wen Zhixia raised a hand to dismiss her.

After Aunt Wang left, Wen Zhixia closed her book, lifted the covers, and stood by the window, her fingers unconsciously brushing her flat belly.

It was strange—there had never truly been a life there, but she couldn't shake the sense that it had once existed.

Lost in thought, her phone rang. It was Hua Qianjiao, sounding herself again, no longer babbling from hallucinations.

"Are you feeling better?" Wen Zhixia asked.

"Mm, but the doctor won't let me leave the hospital. I have to stay another night for observation. I only had a bowl of porridge tonight, Lan Zhou won't let me eat," Hua Qianjiao replied.

Wen Zhixia chuckled, "You deserve to go hungry for a bit, eating whatever you please. Young Master Ye is doing it for your own good."

Hua Qianjiao pouted. "Did Mr. Gu blame you for getting rid of that awful woman?"

"No," Wen Zhixia said, looking at the night outside. "He didn't say a word. Maybe... he doesn't know yet. Or perhaps he's made other plans."

"What other plans?" Hua Qianjiao asked, not shy about her curiosity.

"Let's not talk about him. Who's with you at the hospital?"

"Lan Zhou."

Wen Zhixia wasn't surprised. "Qing Qi didn't visit?"

"Qing Qi called my dad, said he's on a business trip and couldn't come, but he sent me my favorite flowers," Hua Qianjiao replied.

He called her father, not her, and sent flowers—a perfunctory gesture in Wen Zhixia's eyes.

"Is Young Master Ye with you now?" Wen Zhixia asked.

"Yes."

Wen Zhixia paused, then asked, "Jiaojiao, if you could go on a trip, would you rather go with Lan Zhou or Qing Qi?"

Hua Qianjiao didn't hesitate. "With Lan Zhou."

Wen Zhixia wasn't surprised. "Why?"

Hua Qianjiao tilted her head, thinking. "Because Lan Zhou is really nice."

She meant that Qing Qi often upset her, while Lan Zhou always indulged and cared for her, making her feel at ease. But she couldn't quite put it into words.

From the moment Wen Zhixia asked the question, Ye Lanzhou stopped peeling fruit, quietly waiting for Hua Qianjiao's answer.

When she said his name, his eyebrows lifted a fraction.

Between clever people, there was no need to explain intentions. Outwardly, Wen Zhixia was asking about travel, but really she wanted to see which man Hua Qianjiao would subconsciously choose.

Hua Qianjiao didn't yet understand, but it was enough that Ye Lanzhou did.

Later that night, as Wen Zhixia went downstairs for water, she saw Gu Pingsheng asleep on the sofa. She hesitated, but did not approach.

The next morning.

Gu Pingsheng was awakened by his ringing phone. He pressed his temples before answering.

"Mr. Gu... the DM president's flight was delayed. He wants to reschedule the meeting," Li Yueting reported.

Gu Pingsheng rubbed his forehead. "Arrange it as you see fit."

"And... Miss Zhao is currently at the hotel. She tried to return to Chengya Residence last night to get some things, but the door was locked. She can't go back and is quite upset..."

"You care a lot about her, don't you?" Gu Pingsheng's voice was cold.

Li Yueting paused. "No, I just think Miss Zhao seems rather pitiable."

"Your job is secretary. The company hired you for work, not to play the saint."

He hung up and asked Aunt Wang if Wen Zhixia was up yet.

Aunt Wang swallowed nervously before replying, "Ma'am left early this morning."

Gu Pingsheng paused mid-drink. "Did she say where she was going?"

Aunt Wang replied, "She said... she didn't want to see you. Said she was going out to find a man who could make her happy..."