Chapter 91: The One You're Holding Is Senior Wen, So Who Is She?

The Sifangcheng University Town basked in the winter sunset, its century-old campus standing in quiet dignity as students hurried between buildings. Generation after generation had set sail from this place, and even the winter winds brushing their faces carried a vibrant vitality. In this vast city, if one were to seek the most passionate and hopeful group, the destination could only be this university.

Gaining admission here was a symbol of scholastic success, and departing its halls meant stepping into the world with a starting point far ahead of most. The university had fostered countless elites across society, but among those who, within a decade, forged a path of their own and became widely admired, the two founders of the Gu Xia Group stood out.

Yet, there was a difference: Wen Zhixia, during her tenure, was seldom seen in public except in business circles—most public appearances were left to Gu Pingsheng. She disliked the limelight, and besides, Gu Pingsheng was a man; she was content to let all the glory and accolades rest on his shoulders.

Since he had been invited by Professor Wang, it was only proper for him to make an appearance.

“You’re becoming more and more difficult to invite these days. If Zhixia hadn’t already resigned, we wouldn’t have troubled you for this, President Gu,” Professor Wang remarked.

Gu Pingsheng’s lips curved with a hint of a smile. “If you’re so reluctant to see me, Professor, perhaps... I should leave?”

Professor Wang glared at him.

The vice principal, approaching, took over the conversation. “President Gu, you must be joking. Professor Wang has been talking about you nonstop. That’s just how he is. Come, let’s go inside and rest a moment. The students should all be here by now. Once they heard you were coming, their enthusiasm was palpable.”

Gu Pingsheng was well aware of Professor Wang’s temperament; after all, the two had never quite gotten along. Years ago, Gu Pingsheng saw the old man as an obstacle in his pursuit of Wen Zhixia, who constantly encouraged her to follow an academic path, hoping she might one day become a professor and find a like-minded colleague to teach and live out a peaceful life together.

How could that not infuriate Gu Pingsheng, who had pursued Wen Zhixia with such vigor? Everyone knew the professor was against him.

Professor Wang, for his part, had never approved of Gu Pingsheng’s unrestrained and rebellious character, finding him unreliable. His prized student deserved someone better, someone who would not cause her future grief. In his eyes, a young woman should pursue the highest education, broaden her horizons, and meet the best people. Wen Zhixia, with her quiet and studious nature, was perfectly suited for academia—why should she endure the hardships of entrepreneurship with this unruly youth?

All these years later, any mention of Wen Zhixia still sparked disputes between them.

As for Wen Zhixia herself, she was searching for a seat, rubbing her nose and sneezing—a sound remarkably similar to the little kitten at home, which, paired with her gentle, fair face, could soften anyone’s heart.

“Are you catching a cold?” Shen Wenyen found their seats and, grasping her hand, helped her sit. It wasn’t a front-row seat, but it was near the aisle.

Zhixia measured the distance to the stage and, with a slight flutter of her eyelids, realized that if Gu Pingsheng scanned the audience, he would likely spot her. She wondered if she should avoid causing a scene at her alma mater, especially since some of the professors present might have taught her.

Lost in thought, searching for a reason to leave, she saw Gu Pingsheng stride in from the entrance, Professor Wang following behind.

She immediately lowered her gaze.

Professor Wang was her mentor, as respected as a father. She had no wish to tarnish his image of her.

Before entering, Gu Pingsheng had received an email containing information about Shen Wenyen. As applause thundered, his eyes swept the hall, easily locating Shen Wenyen—and, beside him, Wen Zhixia.

He had come today at Professor Wang’s invitation, thinking she would avoid the crowd and the fatigue, never expecting her to arrive with another young man.

Yes, a young man—a boy barely able to support himself. And yet, he had been caring for her with such meticulousness that even she might not realize it: everything she wore and used was the finest, and if her mood soured, she would simply ignore him or refuse his touch.

A young man fresh to society—aside from providing novelty, what else could he offer her?

Even though Gu Pingsheng had mastered the art of composure, the temperature around him seemed to drop, and his dark eyes sharpened with a chilling edge.

In the first rows, students exchanged glances.

“Was it just me, or did Senior Gu just give us a murderous look?”

“You’re not alone—I saw it too. Was our applause not enthusiastic enough, or did he not want us to clap at all?”

“You’re overthinking it. He just has an imposing presence. None of that matters, though—don’t you think Senior Gu is incredibly handsome? The perfect gentleman in a suit, the restrained, ascetic type. I’m glad I came today—I need a few more photos…”

Compared to the male students, who were keen on his business insights and entrepreneurial journey, many of the female students were more interested in the man himself. After all, TV drama CEOs are just actors—Gu Pingsheng was the real thing.

No beer belly, no receding hairline, no oily demeanor, no arrogance—apart from being a little cold, he was perfection incarnate. Especially that face; how many regretted not being born a few years earlier to witness his wild and carefree student days.

Watching the starry-eyed girls, Professor Wang found Gu Pingsheng all the more troublesome—why did men need to be so attractive? It only encouraged trouble.

“He’s looking this way—is he? Is he?” A girl sitting in front of Wen Zhixia tugged her boyfriend’s sleeve anxiously, smoothing her hair in excitement.

Her boyfriend was less than pleased. “You have a boyfriend, you know.”

“Oh, I know, but everyone likes a handsome guy. I’m just looking. It’s not like he’d ever notice me. Didn’t the professor say his wife was a classmate, beautiful and brilliant, whom he courted for ages before finally winning her heart? They started a business together—no ordinary woman can compare to that.”

With a sneer, he replied, “Don’t be fooled. Men like him never have just one woman. Even if they don’t mean to, so many young, beautiful women throw themselves at them—how many can resist?”

She responded with almost blind faith, “You don’t know anything. Senior Gu isn’t like that. Don’t make things up.”

He, busy with his game, relented, “Fine, I’ll say no more.”

Wen Zhixia listened quietly, lost in thought.

“Zhixia, are you all right?” Shen Wenyen asked, noticing her distraction.

She shook her head. “It’s nothing.”

As the host introduced him, Gu Pingsheng took up the microphone. After an impromptu speech about his entrepreneurial journey, he suddenly changed course: “…today, the most important person in my life is also here…”

At his words, half the audience instantly guessed it must be the woman who had founded the company with him—their senior.

“Our senior’s here too? This is incredible. Professor Wang praised her to the skies, and now we can finally see her in person.”

“Where is she? Outside?”

“Senior! Senior!”

Students began to chant spontaneously.

Gu Pingsheng’s lips curved slightly, and as the sound of high heels approached, a graceful woman appeared on stage, bouquet in hand.

Cheers erupted. Gu Pingsheng turned.

At the sight of Zhao Fuhe, his brows drew coldly together, his eyes dark and piercing.

Zhao Fuhe approached him step by step, her smile gentle and composed.

“Oh, oh, oh!” The students cheered, as if witnessing a live drama.

“That must be Senior Gu’s wife—so elegant, and beautiful too. No wonder she’s held his heart for all these years.”

“A perfect match.”

“Is she really that pretty? I’m not so sure…” One girl, seeing everyone else so enthusiastic, fell silent.

“Actually, President Gu’s wife looks a bit like you, Zhixia.” Shen Wenyen glanced at Zhao Fuhe on stage, then turned to Wen Zhixia.

Wen Zhixia looked at the woman on stage, lips pressed together, a cold, mocking smile tugging at her mouth. The most important person in his life?

Yesterday, he swore she was the only one in his heart, and today, it was another woman? Had he grown a new heart overnight?

Annoyed, Wen Zhixia said quietly to Shen Wenyen, “I have something to do. I’ll go on ahead—you stay and enjoy the lecture.”

Shen Wenyen hesitated. “…I’ll come with you.”

But Wen Zhixia, knowing his admiration for Gu Pingsheng and not wanting to deprive him of the experience, refused. “No need. I’ll go by myself.”

“But…”

She did not wait for his protest, standing up and preparing to leave.

Zhao Fuhe, catching Wen Zhixia’s departure from the corner of her eye, sneered inwardly. So what if she was the legitimate wife? In front of everyone, the woman standing beside Gu Pingsheng was still herself.

“Xia Xia!” Gu Pingsheng seized the microphone and called her name, striding down from the stage toward her.

The hall erupted in commotion; phones flashed as students captured the scene. The aloof speaker from moments before was now stumbling after a woman as if terrified she might escape.

What was happening?

Wen Zhixia frowned, pausing only briefly before quickening her pace.

“Wen Zhixia!” Gu Pingsheng called again.

The university leaders looked on in confusion—except for Professor Wang, who watched Zhao Fuhe with a cool gaze.

“Professor Wang, what is going on?” the vice principal asked.

Professor Wang smoothed his jacket. “What do you think is happening? Men—they’re all the same.”

The vice principal was left speechless.

“You’re… Senior Wen!” The same girl who had doubted Zhao Fuhe’s beauty suddenly stood up, excited. “It really is Senior Wen!”

She had thought the woman on stage was not nearly as stunning as the rumors claimed. Now, seeing Wen Zhixia, she realized they were not the same at all.

“Senior Wen?”

“So she’s Senior Wen? Then who’s that woman on stage?”

“Yeah, what a letdown. I was recording the whole thing, thinking I’d captured a real-life fairy tale, but it was all fake.”

As the students voiced their disappointment, Zhao Fuhe’s smile froze. She had never claimed to be Wen Zhixia—they had misunderstood. How could she be blamed for their mistake? She was their senior after all, just two years ahead.

Gu Pingsheng seized Wen Zhixia’s wrist, drawing her to his side. “The lecture isn’t over—why are you leaving?”

She struggled, but he bent down, his lips brushing her ear. “Professor Wang and the university leaders are right in front. Do you really want rumors to spread after returning to your alma mater?”

She paused, and so, led by Gu Pingsheng, was brought up to the stage.

They walked side by side: he in a perfectly tailored suit, she in a pale trench coat that revealed the edge of a vintage skirt—together, the very image of a storybook couple.

Professor Wang glanced at Wen Zhixia, then at Zhao Fuhe, his dislike for Gu Pingsheng deepening. He had never misjudged a man—this scoundrel was not the right one for Wen Zhixia.

“Senior Gu, is the woman you’re holding really our Senior Wen?” a girl in the third row suddenly stood and asked.

Gu Pingsheng looked at Wen Zhixia, nodded, and took the microphone. “Allow me to introduce my wife, Wen Zhixia. She doesn’t enjoy the spotlight, so please be gentle with her.”

The hall burst into cheers. Wen Zhixia glanced at Gu Pingsheng’s hand gripping hers, thinking he must feel awkward—standing on stage between two women and still managing to sound so affectionate.

Meanwhile, Shen Wenyen sat below, as if struck by lightning. He had never dreamed that the Zhixia he called by name was actually Gu Pingsheng’s wife—the mistress of the Gu Xia Group.

He recalled with embarrassment how he had eagerly told her about being hired by the company.

But not everyone had forgotten Zhao Fuhe. “Senior Gu, if you’re holding Senior Wen, then who is she?”