Back Then, I Adored You

“We’ve already settled the issue and he has been reinstated…”

“Miss Qin, please forgive us. We’re truly sorry about this incident.”

The men whom Gu Yusheng had brought to the office were reputable and powerful. At a loss as to how she should react to their diplomatic apologies, Qin Zhi’ai subconsciously turned to look at Gu Yusheng.

Catching her glance, Gu Yusheng finally reacted and shot Xiaowang a look. Xiaowang then proceeded to smoothly escort the two men out of the waiting room. Gu Yusheng followed them, as the other two men who had remained in the dean’s office joined them.

After a short while, they all shook hands. It was clear that the men were taking their leave and that they were particularly polite and respectful toward Gu Yusheng.

After all the men had left, Gu Yusheng and Xiaowang returned to the waiting room.

Before Xiaowang could speak, the usually reticent Gu Yusheng was surprisingly all smiles and the first to speak to Qin Zhi’ai’s mother. “Mrs. Qin, you must have been shocked today. Now that everything has been settled, allow me to have you all driven home.”

Xiaowang’s words stuck in his throat as he stared wide-eyed at Gu Yusheng with a look of horror on his face. After some time, he finally managed to control his expression.

Gu Yusheng walked out of the school and to his car, escorting Mother Qin along the way. Before Xiaowang could get to the car, Gu Yusheng had already pulled open the car door and, still with a gentle smile on his face, said, “Mrs. Qin, please be careful as you get into the car. I don’t want you to knock your head.”

As he spoke, he even lifted his hands to shield her head.

Xiaowang’s eyes bulged upon witnessing the scene before him, and his mouth gaped wide open. Master Gu’s behavior was something he’d never seen before.

After getting into the car, Xiaowang started the engine and pulled away from the curb. After a short distance on the road, Gu Yusheng retrieved a bottle of water, twisted the cap off, and handed it to Mother Qin, saying, “Mrs. Qin, please have some water.”

Hearing this caused Xiaowang to tremble, and his foot slipped off the accelerator and hit the brakes. He managed to steady the car but, throughout the journey, he was continuously sizing up Gu Yusheng through the rearview mirror.

Throughout the years he had worked for Gu Yusheng, he had seen his many faces in a variety of scenarios. He could be cold and unresponsive, and he could mock and sneer. He had seen him yell at others in rage, to the point of becoming violent. But Xiaowang had never seen Gu Yusheng try to impress anyone like he did Mother Qin.

…

As Gu Yusheng and Xiaowang had done such a huge favor for Qin Jiayan, Mother Qin considered them her saviors, so when they were almost at her home, out of embarrassment for imposing on them, as well as to express her gratitude, she invited them to her apartment for dinner.

While Gu Yusheng thanked her and expressed uncertainty about imposing, he secretly pinched Xiaowang’s elbow hard.

The pain made Xiaowang draw a deep breath, while Mother Qin said it was no imposition, after which Xiaowang said, “Master Gu, we should go up. It would be bad to turn down the kindness of Mrs. Qin…”

Gu Yusheng, who silently couldn’t wait to join the Qin family, shot him a look that told him off for being so reticent. He then looked apologetically at Mother Qin and replied gracefully and humbly, “Mrs. Qin, we shall impose upon you then.”

Witnessing Gu Yusheng’s courteous mannerisms through the rearview mirror, Xiaowang suddenly wanted to cry.

Making a living is so difficult these days.

I work overtime. I go on business trips. I take the fall for my superior.

Now I’m pinched…

Xiaowang was emotionally drained and felt as though he couldn’t bear his job any longer.