Chapter 32: Taken

After finishing the breakfast made by the nanny, Gu Jia asked Xu Huanshan about his schedule for the day, then went to drop off Xu Ziyan at school.

After dropping off the child, Gu Jia directly called Wang Yan and told him to come pick her up.

Wang Yan drove over to pick up Gu Jia, and the two went to stake out near the hotel from yesterday.

He had already received word that Lin Youyou hadn’t left yet, so he was confident this time.

No matter how idle Xu Huanshan was, he still had to manage the company’s daily operations. It wasn’t until noon that Xu Huanshan finally showed up, late as ever.

He strolled into the hotel calmly, and shortly after, emerged carrying Lin Youyou on his arm.

Seeing this, Gu Jia was utterly heartbroken. Though she had thought about it all night, she was still clear-headed—she pulled out her phone and took a photo of Xu Huanshan and Lin Youyou’s intimate moment.

“Wang Yan, come have a drink with me.” After taking the photo, Gu Jia turned to Wang Yan beside her.

Wang Yan nodded and took her to a quiet bar.

After ordering some drinks, Gu Jia sat down and poured wine for both of them, raised her glass, and downed it in one gulp.

The liquor was strong; she choked violently from swallowing it all at once, coughing hard.

Wang Yan also drained his glass, then stepped forward and patted Gu Jia’s back.

Whether in marriage or romance, emotion always works this way—the one who loves most deeply gets hurt the most. Gu Jia’s heart was now dead ash.

As for why Xu Huanshan had cheated, Gu Jia had already figured it out yesterday—after all, the signs had been there for a long time.

It was simply that years had passed, the novelty was gone, and she was tired of her constant control over everything. Add to that his recent streak of good fortune, and the young, beautiful, vibrant girl’s subtle advances were enough to break his resolve.

Gu Jia said nothing, just kept drinking silently.

She had always been proud, always striving for perfection. Relatives and friends had always praised their perfect family and thriving business, filled with admiration, envy, and resentment. Though life had minor friction and career had minor setbacks, over the years they had supported each other, step by step, to where they were today—and she had always been proud.

She looked down on the women in her social circle who helped their husbands cheat, even though she herself had always been overly accommodating. While men ran around with other women, these women gossiped endlessly, assuming everyone else lived off their husbands—yet Gu Jia had climbed every rung on her own.

For all these years, what she had fought for, what she had held dear—her pride—had been slapped away in one blow by Xu Huanshan.

What does a woman, freshly shattered by her husband’s betrayal and a failed marriage, need? Everyone has their own opinion.

For Wang Yan, it was clearly to take her body and claim her heart.

Wang Yan obviously couldn’t just sit back—he wasn’t an idiot, not someone whose brain had been kicked by a donkey or crushed by a door.

When an opportunity arises, you seize it. All the trouble he’d gone through—flirting, introducing business deals, even babysitting—had all been for this moment.

Before, when their lives were happy and their family whole, he couldn’t push too hard. But now? Old Wang’s little Wang had been starving for this for a long time.

He reached out and snatched the wine glass from Gu Jia’s hand: “Gu Jia, look at me. Look into my eyes.”

Gu Jia was pulled from her thoughts by Wang Yan’s action and turned to look at him.

Wang Yan cupped her cheeks with both hands, his captivating eyes fixed on hers: “All this time, do you know what’s in my heart?”

Seeing her nod, he pressed further: “Then what’s in your heart?”

This had to be voluntary—no coercion, no taking advantage. That would be tasteless.

Looking into Wang Yan’s eyes—wise, weathered, and endlessly magnetic—Gu Jia found herself struggling.

Honestly, if not for her thoughts of her husband and child, Wang Yan’s charm would’ve won any ordinary woman long ago. Otherwise, why would a married woman keep flirting and gossiping with a single diamond man? The intent was obvious.

Her struggle came from multiple sides—her marriage, her child, and her feelings toward Wang Yan.

Xu Huanshan betrayed her first—so if she got involved with Wang Yan, wouldn’t that be revenge against Xu Huanshan? And what would Wang Yan think of that?

As a mother, wouldn’t she be failing her child? Even if he was young, he would grow up—wouldn’t she be failing to give him a positive example?

Like when, as a child, you burned your mouth on hot water—you had to psych yourself up, cautiously test it again and again before finally drinking it. Similarly, after one failure, Gu Jia instinctively avoided men.

But after a moment of struggle, Gu Jia realized: why overthink it? Through this time, she knew Wang Yan wouldn’t overanalyze things—and besides, her son called him “Dad” more easily than he called Xu Huanshan “Dad.” More importantly, right now she needed release, to be loved, to be cared for—overthinking was useless.

It was as if a burden had been lifted, a wish fulfilled. She stopped resisting, nodded to Wang Yan.

Wang Yan saw her nod, let go of her, and called the server to settle the bill.

After paying, Gu Jia didn’t resist—she willingly let Wang Yan hold her as they left.

Outside, since they’d been drinking, they flagged down a taxi and returned to Wang Yan’s home in Junyue Fu.

From catching Xu Huanshan and Lin Youyou, to drinking, to paying the bill, not much time had passed—it was still bright daylight. Gu Jia needed release, and Wang Yan was ready. Such a perfect time—failing to act now would be absurd.

He opened the door, kicked it shut, and they immediately embraced.

What’s unattainable always seems better—Wang Yan had long desired her. Now that his wish was fulfilled,

Gu Jia was utterly exhausted, her throat dry, her voice hoarse. In all these years with Xu Huanshan, she had never known such pleasure.

Finally, he had won her over—won the beauty. Wang Yan, satisfied, lit a post-coital cigarette and held Gu Jia against the headboard.

Gu Jia nestled in Wang Yan’s arms, tracing the muscles that spoke of male strength.

“You know I can’t show my face in this. Do you want me to recommend a lawyer?” Wang Yan asked.

Gu Jia replied: “No, I’ll talk to him first. If that fails, we’ll see.”

“Alright. Then what about us?”

Seeing Gu Jia silent, Wang Yan said: “I won’t waste time with empty words. You know I like Ziyan too. Let’s just live together—the three of us.”

“After you finish the paperwork, I’ll transfer some of my assets to you.”

Gu Jia opened her mouth to speak, but Wang Yan cut her off: “I know you don’t care about money. This is my guarantee for you and Ziyan—so you can rest easy.”

After hearing him, Gu Jia fell silent, only holding him tighter.

They lingered a while longer, then Gu Jia went to take a shower.

She dressed in front of Wang Yan without shame: “Next time, you pick up Ziyan. Stay here tonight—don’t go back.”

Wang Yan understood and nodded. “Alright.”

Dressed and ready, Gu Jia left and returned to her own home.

Of course Gu Jia wasn’t unheartbroken.

The vows they once made still echoed in her ears—from their youthful days to now, a woman still graceful though past her prime. How could one afternoon erase all that?

Otherwise, why would Gu Jia in the drama look so broken? On one hand, their love had shattered her heart. On another, the family and career she’d built over half her life had collapsed. On yet another, she didn’t know how to face the future—she was lost for a moment.

Wang Yan’s appearance perfectly filled the void left by these consequences.

There was love that lasted till death—but clearly, that wasn’t theirs.

They’d been together longer than seven years. Their original love had become nothing but nostalgia; what held them together now was the kinship forged through shared storms and mutual support, and their duty to the family.

On Wang Yan, Gu Jia felt, at least a little, the flutter of youth. The more Wang Yan’s image filled her heart, the farther Xu Huanshan faded.

He treated Ziyan very well—she didn’t have to worry about anything.

Originally, thinking of her failed marriage, Gu Jia had felt utterly hopeless.

But after today’s release, combined with everything before and Wang Yan’s declaration—it was perfect in every way, far superior to Xu Huanshan.

Aside from a slight pang of regret and nostalgia for lost love, she had no other thoughts.

As for her lingering sadness and nostalgia—how long they’d last under Wang Yan’s strength was questionable.

Back home, Gu Jia ate a light meal, then sat quietly on the balcony, watching the night scenery, her mind replaying scenes like a film.

Xu Huanshan, who had spent the whole afternoon with Lin Youyou, finally walked through the door.

Seeing Xu Huanshan, Gu Jia instinctively asked: “You’re back? Why so late again?”

“Things piled up these past few days,” Xu Huanshan offered an excuse.

Gu Jia stared into his eyes for a moment, then pulled out her phone, found the intimate photos she’d taken today, and handed them to him.

He’d already lined up his escape route—she didn’t want to ask endless useless questions anymore. What good would it do? Some betrayals can be forgiven by some people—but not by her, Gu Jia.

Xu Huanshan took the phone, glanced at it once, and dropped it with a startled “clatter.” He opened his mouth to speak.

Gu Jia’s eyes were red: “Let’s get a divorce.”

Though she’d thought about it all night, been counseled by Wang Yan all afternoon, and spent hours rebuilding herself, women are emotional—saying those words made her remember the past, and tears spilled down.

“Wife, let me explain, I—” Hearing this, Xu Huanshan rushed to speak.

“What are you going to say?”

“How you met her?”

“How you slept with her?”

“Xu Huanshan, you’re something else—cheating and not even bothering to hide it? Were you that desperate?”

Gu Jia’s furious words left Xu Huanshan speechless.

Xu Huanshan lowered his head. Yes—what could he say? The deed was done. What good would more words do?

But even if it was useless, he had to say something—he couldn’t just be sentenced outright. He began using his usual charm, pouring out his emotions.

“Wife, when we first met, we—”

He spoke of the hardships they’d endured from meeting to now, of all the love and beauty they’d shared, of their old vows, of their imagined future—children marrying, grandchildren born—of the dreams they’d once dreamed together, of his own inner journey toward betrayal.

Finally: “Wife, I promise I’ll change. There won’t be another time. Wife, give me one more chance.”

Watching Xu Huanshan finish his endless speech, Gu Jia looked at him: “I don’t believe a single word you said.”

A flash of inspiration struck him—he thought of Ziyan: “Wife, for Ziyan’s sake, forgive me once more. Give me one more chance.”

CRACK—he dropped to his knees, grabbing Gu Jia’s arm: “Just once, please, wife. I beg you.”

“When you cheated, why didn’t you think of Ziyan? Now you remember? Stop dreaming, Xu Huanshan.”

Seeing Gu Jia’s resolve was final, Xu Huanshan stopped struggling and exploded instead.

He stood up suddenly and shouted: “Why are you always so aggressive? From dating to marriage to starting the business—every decision, every step, wasn’t it all your doing?”

“Have you ever even looked at me?”

“Including this company, this ‘Mr. Xu’ of mine.”

“You want to climb higher—I just wanted to be the most beautiful firework.”

“Don’t you know what’s going on in this company? Finances? You decide. Company direction? You decide. Every big or small matter—I only sign after you’ve signed.”

“Everything—from company growth to Ziyan’s education, to what I eat, drink, wear—you control everything. Isn’t everything always your way?”

“Xu Ziyan is your youngest son; I am your eldest. Have you ever considered my feelings?”

Gu Jia, tears streaming down her face, said: “You finally told the truth. So this is how you’ve always seen me.”

“There’s an irreconcilable rift between us. It seems that even without this girl, there’d be another.”

“Life has been unbearable for a long time—you’ve long grown tired of it.”

“Then perfect—let’s divorce. We’re both freed.”

Xu Huanshan fell silent; Gu Jia said nothing. The room was utterly still.

After a long while, she calmed herself, wiped away her tears, and said: “The fireworks factory is yours; the tea factory and the dessert shop are mine. Ziyan comes with me. Sell the apartment and split the proceeds. What do you think?”

Xu Huanshan had no objections: “Do as you wish.” He had wronged Gu Jia and the child first—what right did he have to object?

Let’s be honest, Lin Youyou was indeed useful.

Wang Yan elevated him, while Lin Youyou whispered sweet nothings in his ear.

Children all have rebellious tendencies; adults who can’t control themselves only make things worse.

Xu Huanshan made only a token effort to salvage things. As Gu Jia said, he truly didn’t want to carry on. He had felt all the joys Lin Youyou offered—the carefree ease, the unbounded freedom—and he was done with Gu Jia.

People must never get carried away—they must stay grounded. Never mind how he attracted Lin Youyou; he never asked himself what funded their lavish travels, where all this came from, and yet he had the audacity to say, “I just want to make the most beautiful fireworks.”

All of this, Wang Yan was merely a catalyst. He gave Xu Huanshan a taste of success, a spark of confidence. He subtly altered his character, giving him choices, opening paths. The rest belongs squarely to that little bitch, Lin Youyou.

Seeing Xu Huanshan offer no rebuttal, Gu Jia didn’t want to stay another second: “I’ll see a lawyer tomorrow. Let’s handle the paperwork.”

She turned and walked out, slamming the door with a loud “bang.”

Outside, Gu Jia sent Wang Yan a message, then went upstairs only after confirming Xu Ziyan was asleep.

Wang Yan looked at Gu Jia, standing at the door, eyes red from crying, and sighed.

“I’ll get some wine. Have a drink.”

He spoke lightly, as if he had a future, a path ahead—but how could one so easily sever ties with the past without sorrow?

He brought out several bottles, wrapped his arm around Gu Jia, and sat on the balcony, drinking one glass after another.

He listened as she recounted the past, venting her fury at Xu Huanshan.

At this moment, Gu Jia needed to get drunk.

Hearing the “bang” of the door, Xu Huanshan didn’t know whether to feel relief or regret. He couldn’t help but ask himself: Was this truly right?

He had long wanted to escape Gu Jia’s control; as his business grew more successful, this desire intensified.

Now that he’d finally done it, he still felt deep reluctance. People only learn to cherish what they’ve lost.

At this point, no more words would change anything. He must look forward.

A real man never looks back.

He calmed himself, glanced around—the house was filled with traces of Gu Jia. He feared seeing her things would soften his heart, so he didn’t want to stay.

Xu Huanshan went straight downstairs, got in his car, and drove to find Lin Youyou.