Chapter 89: He Would Tie Her to the Operating Table If He Had To

Had enough of looking at me?! She said, had he had enough of looking at her?!

Wen Zhixia paused briefly. "...Mr. Gu, the way you look right now, you sound more like a bitter, wronged wife than I do. As if I've betrayed you."

He gripped her wrist tightly. "Isn't that what you've done?" he said. "You went to Yulouchun looking for a man. I'll take that as you wanting something new, acting out of spite. What more do you want, hmm? Do I need to find a rope and tie you up before you learn what it means to behave yourself?!"

His grip was forceful. Wen Zhixia furrowed her brow but couldn't pull her hand free. Just as she was about to speak, she felt something cool settle in the groove between her nose and lips, as if something had fallen. She lifted her eyes and reached up to wipe it away, but Gu Pingsheng had already pressed a tissue against her nose.

Wen Zhixia lowered her gaze and saw bright red blood at the web of his hand between thumb and index finger.

She was bleeding from the nose again.

Wen Zhixia stared blankly, lost in thought. Her nosebleeds were becoming more and more frequent. Did this mean her illness was worsening day by day?

No one is truly unafraid of death, especially after she had witnessed a loved one tormented by the same disease until they were no longer human.

Her face paled slightly, because even to this day, whenever she recalled the tragic horrors of her grandmother's final days, she still felt a lingering dread.

"It's nothing. The air's been a bit dry these past couple days. I'll have Aunt Zhao turn on the humidifier at set times every day from now on." Gu Pingsheng looked at her paling complexion, pulled out a wet wipe to clean the blood from her face, and spoke softly.

Wen Zhixia looked at him but said nothing for a long while.

Gu Pingsheng rubbed his fingertips together. "As for everything else, we'll talk about it later. But the surgery has to be put on the agenda. No matter how much you dislike Zhao Fuhe, she is still the most suitable candidate at this point. You can't throw a tantrum over this."

And he wouldn't allow her to, either. If it truly came down to necessity, he would tie her down and carry her onto the operating table if he had to.

Wen Zhixia went to the restroom. When she came out, Gu Pingsheng was gone.

Aunt Zhao said he had received a phone call and gone to the company.

Guxia Group.

"Mr. Gu, your speech at Sifang City University is at four thirty this afternoon. The time has been cleared on your schedule. Half an hour ago, the university called again to confirm the time with you, and I've already given them a reply."

Li Yueting followed behind Gu Pingsheng with documents in hand and pushed open the door to his office.

Gu Pingsheng nodded. He had originally planned to ask Wen Zhixia today whether she wanted to return to their alma mater, but thinking of her health, he abandoned the idea. Besides, she had never cared for such occasions.

And after all, it was only a simple speech.

If not for Professor Wang extending the invitation—and Professor Wang had always been regarded by Wen Zhixia as a beloved mentor—he wouldn't have agreed to attend at all.

"...Miss Zhao, she couldn't get in touch with you, Mr. Gu. She kept calling me crying all day yesterday..." Li Yueting set down the coffee while speaking quietly, covertly observing the change in Gu Pingsheng's expression.

Gu Pingsheng's deep eyes paused momentarily as he picked up a document beside him and flipped through it. "Go pick out a piece of jewelry and send it over."

"...Yes, sir."

After Zhao Fuhe left the office, she sent a message to Zhao Fuhe.

Not long after, Gu Pingsheng's phone vibrated. It was Zhao Fuhe calling.

There was, of course, a torrent of tearful complaints. "...Is it that as long as Senior Sister is around, you don't care whether I live or die? I—"

"Zhao Fuhe, what is your position? Do I need to remind you?" Gu Pingsheng asked in a low voice.

His words left Zhao Fuhe choking on her reply. She tightened her grip on her phone.

What position was she in? She was nothing more than a kept woman he supported on the side.

But—

"I gave you the most precious first time of my womanhood, and I've been devoted to you with all my heart. How can you treat me with such contempt?" Zhao Fuhe asked, her voice trembling with grievance.

Gu Pingsheng leaned back, pressing his entire spine against the chair. "As long as you behave yourself and obey, I naturally won't treat you unfairly."

"Then... could you come see me, Senior?"

Gu Pingsheng tapped his fingers lightly on his knee. After a long moment, he gave a faint "Mm."

Zhao Fuhe was overjoyed, but her joy quickly turned to dejection. "Unfortunately, Chengya Residence is gone. I passed by yesterday and saw people already moving things out. I didn't expect Senior Sister to sell the place so quickly."

"After your surgery, you can pick out a house to your liking." Gu Pingsheng gazed heavily out the window.

Only then did a smile return to Zhao Fuhe's face.

No woman who plays the mistress can forever refrain from scheming, fighting, or seeking advantages for herself—it's merely a matter of choosing the right moment.

In the early winter of Sifang City, it was already quite cold for someone as sensitive to the chill as Wen Zhixia.

She wore a vintage, ladylike tea-dress with a notched-lapel embroidered trench coat over it, cinched at the waist with loose dropped shoulders—casual and languid, fresh and elegant. Anyone would believe she was a college girl from nearby.

Wen Zhixia leaned against a bare tree by the roadside, listening to the endless clamor of vendors hawking their wares.

This was the busiest commercial street in Sifang City University. Though not all its patrons were students, students were certainly the main customers.

The things here were cheap and good. Food, drink, entertainment—whatever you wanted, you could find it. It was also a mandatory pilgrimage spot for young couples on dates.

The noisy sounds mingled with students haggling with shopkeepers. One young girl was particularly amusing. She'd taken a liking to a dress; the shopkeeper wanted a hundred and twenty, and she bargained down to a hundred. When the shopkeeper ignored her and said it couldn't be sold at that price, she changed her tune: "A hundred and ten. Can't go any higher."

The shopkeeper pointed at the sign on the door that read "Clearance Sale—No Haggling." "Didn't you see this, young lady? A hundred twenty is a hundred twenty. If you don't want it, then leave it."

"How about a hundred fifteen? Just five yuan off. Surely that's okay, boss?"

The shopkeeper was at his wit's end with her pestering. "You're really that short five yuan?"

The girl grinned and nodded. "Yeah, I'm broke."

In the end, the girl got her victory. Wen Zhixia watched her gleefully claim the dress like she'd conquered the whole world.

Wen Zhixia was somewhat transfixed. She thought this must be what it felt like to be truly alive—unfettered, ordinary yet unrestrained.

She had never enjoyed much peaceful campus life. Between part-time jobs, studying, and later building a business with Gu Pingsheng, all of that had occupied her complete attention. Besides, Mr. Gu—he'd only started looking respectable and proper in recent years. In the old days, his temper had been restless and volatile, and only she could calm him down.

"Miss, would you like to try some candied hawthorns? All handmade—if they're not sweet, they're free." Seeing that she seemed to be waiting for someone, the old man selling tanghulu beside her warmly beckoned.

Wen Zhixia paused, looking at the syrup glistening in the sunlight, the scarlet hawthorns nestled within. Though she hadn't tasted them, her teeth already seemed to ache from the imagined sourness.

Wen Zhixia shook her head.

"Sorry, did I keep you waiting? I went back to school to get a certificate and didn't expect it to take so long." Shen Wenyan ran over, panting, explaining himself to her.

As he spoke, he reached out to smooth the hair that had fallen across her chest.

Wen Zhixia pulled out a tissue and handed it to him. "Wipe your sweat. No need to rush over like that."

Shen Wenyan's gaze landed on what she was wearing today, and a grin spread across his face. "You look so beautiful today... Let me take you to get something to eat. What would you like? That place's egg-stuffed pancake is really good—made fresh, it's delicious. We could... you don't like it?"

He tugged her forward, but saw that Wen Zhixia looked rather unenthusiastic.

It wasn't that Wen Zhixia didn't like the food—rather, following Shen Wenyan's gaze, she saw the stall he was talking about. Its hygiene was questionable. Her stomach wasn't what it used to be; in recent years, she'd eaten only fine, carefully prepared food, and naturally her standards for what she consumed had risen.

Otherwise, in the end, she'd be the one to suffer—her stomach screaming in pain was not a pleasant experience for her.

"Then what about oden? Grilled meat? Rou jia mo? Egg-stuffed pancake?"

He rattled off a long list of snacks, but with each one, the disappointment in his heart grew heavier.

Wen Zhixia started to speak. "If you like—"

"I know. Wait for me, I'll go buy it for you." Shen Wenyan caught sight of something in his peripheral vision and hurried off in a few quick steps.

Wen Zhixia stood where she was, somewhat helplessly tucking back the hair the wind had blown astray, standing in front of a small stall and watching the vendor make cotton candy.

"Little President Wen?"

Chen Antai had initially thought it was just a similar silhouette from behind, but upon drawing closer, he realized it really was Wen Zhixia. He couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.

Wen Zhixia turned around. "Xiao Chen, it's you."

She hadn't expected to run into an acquaintance here.

Chen Antai looked at her outfit. "Why is Little President Wen standing out here? Did you come with Mr. Gu?"

Hearing his words, Wen Zhixia paused briefly. "No, I came with a friend to look around."

Chen Antai didn't think much of it. He smiled. "Mr. Gu is giving a speech at Sifang City University today. I thought you two might have come to visit the old campus together."

Wen Zhixia paused slightly. She hadn't heard Gu Pingsheng mention this at all, and she was somewhat surprised that a man who loathed public speaking so much would agree to come. He'd always said these so-called success speeches were nothing but empty, flashy nonsense of little real use—that no one in their right mind would ever tell you their true recipe for success, let alone the hidden tricks and inside knowledge they kept close to their chest.

In the end, it was all just platitudes and boilerplate, meant to give a shot of adrenaline to those desperate or impatient for fame and fortune.

"This is my girlfriend, Guan Tong." Chen Antai took the initiative to introduce the young woman beside him to Wen Zhixia, then added, "She's also a student of Sifang City University—graduated just last year."

Guan Tong knew that Chen Antai was an executive at Guxia Group. Hearing him address the woman before them with such deference as "Little President Wen," she knew her background was no ordinary matter. She smiled and offered a greeting. "Hello, Little President Wen."

Wen Zhixia nodded.

"If Little President Wen has the time, why not... join us for a meal? I've already booked a restaurant," Chen Antai asked cautiously and meticulously.

Guan Tong felt somewhat displeased at his words. They rarely got to go on a date, and here he was, inviting another woman in the middle of it.

Wen Zhixia declined politely. "My friend is still nearby. You two go ahead—there will always be another chance. Don't waste your date time. Go on, don't let me hold you up."

Chen Antai felt a hint of regret, but he knew Wen Zhixia had never cared for crowds, and today's occasion truly wasn't suitable for such an invitation. "Then we'll be off. Take care, Little President Wen."

Wen Zhixia said okay.

Chen Antai left with his young girlfriend.

Once they'd walked a fair distance, Guan Tong tugged at Chen Antai's sleeve. "Who is that woman? Why do you look like you're kneeling before an empress when you see her?"

So deferential, so full of attentive care as if terrified of making a single mistake—anyone would think she was the moonlight of his heart.

"That 'Xia' in Guxia Group comes from her name. Who do you think she is?" In this world, besides her, who else could make all of them address her with such respect as "Little President Wen"?

Guan Tong froze, then slapped her forehead. "Wen Zhixia! She's Wen Zhixia!"

Her head must have been filled with paste a moment ago—how else had she failed to realize that Little President Wen was Wen Zhixia herself?!

"What are you doing?" Chen Antai grabbed her as she turned to head back.

Guan Tong was worked up. "Going back, of course! I need to get her autograph and take a photo with her! I've always worshipped her, and now I've finally seen her in the flesh! Can you believe it—my goddess isn't just incredibly capable, she looks like a fairy too!"

Back when she was in school, she'd heard plenty about Wen Zhixia's exploits and had idolized her to no end. Of course she was excited now.

It was just her rotten luck—the woman had been standing right there in front of her, alive and in person, and she hadn't recognized her at first glance.

"Don't embarrass yourself. Little President Wen doesn't like being disturbed. There'll always be another chance to meet." Chen Antai said.

Guan Tong thought it over. If she suddenly rushed back like that, being too enthusiastic, it did indeed seem a bit strange. Though she felt a tinge of regret, just knowing she'd seen her in person still filled her heart with joy.

"You were so careful around her just now—are you afraid of her?"

Chen Antai replied, "Little President Wen treats people very well. Why would I be afraid of her?"

"Then do you like her?" Guan Tong asked.

This time Chen Antai paused, and his answer was quite candid. "I like her. But... not in the way a man likes a woman. It's more like... a drop of red at the brow, a drop of blood at the heart's tip—a cherishing. Without her, none of us would be where we are today."

Perhaps they'd still be drifting through life in mediocrity, with no idea when they might ever see the light of day.

"Here." Shen Wenyan placed an exquisite little sugar figurine in Wen Zhixia's hand. It bore a slight resemblance to her.

"This is..."

Shen Wenyan scratched his head. "I had it made from a photo of you."

Wen Zhixia's lips twitched slightly. "That shop is still around, huh."

Back then, the first time she'd ever eaten a sugar figurine, it had also been here—except the person then had been Gu Pingsheng, and that figurine had been made by his own hands.

"What?" Shen Wenyan hadn't caught what she said.

Wen Zhixia breathed out, a thin mist forming in the air before her. "Nothing."

"Why don't we go to the university in a bit?" Shen Wenyan suddenly suggested.

Wen Zhixia lifted her gaze. "Didn't you just come from the university?" Why go back?

"There's a lecture at the school. Do you know who's come?" Shen Wenyan was somewhat excited.

Wen Zhixia suddenly remembered what Chen Antai had said earlier—Mr. Gu is giving a speech at Sifang City University.

"It's the president of Guxia Group. I told you before, he's an alumnus of our school. The school invited him back to give a lecture. I just got two tickets through a friend—we can go together."

Wen Zhixia's instinct was to refuse. Knowing Gu Pingsheng's temperament, if he saw her in the audience with another man, there was no telling what he might do in public.