Back Then, I Adored You

“You scoundrel!” Old Master Gu thundered with rage. Shuddering, Xiaowang swiftly latched the door.

Qin Zhi’ai could not clearly hear the conversation, but she heard arguing and a teary voice. Then, Liang Doukou was screaming “Grandpa” and “Yusheng.”

Holding their breath, all the secretaries could hear the commotion in Gu Yusheng’s office. Xiaowang escorted Qin Zhi’ai through the office, protecting her from the stares and whispers as they headed to the elevator.

As the elevator door opened, a loud crash could be heard from inside the office. It sounded like a chair was hurled at the wall.

Qin Zhi’ai’s heart quivered and, as she stepped into the elevator, she turned to look back at Gu Yusheng’s office.

Who threw that? What was it? Did Old Master Gu attack Gu Yusheng?

……

Qin Zhi’ai’s wrist was not seriously burned. The elderly doctor applied a topical to her wrist, and prescribed a medication, telling her to read the instructions. He then hurried her out of the room.

Xiaowang took the prescription and returned to the first floor with Qin Zhi’ai. He pointed for her to rest on a chair and went to get her medication.

The hospital was not busy this afternoon, so Xiaowang returned quickly with the medicine. Before he could say anything, his phone started ringing in his pocket. Whipping it out, he took one look at it and immediately answered. “Master Gu.”

Xiaowang stepped just far away enough from Qin Zhi’ai so that she couldn’t hear anything that Gu Yusheng was saying on the other end. A minute into the call, Xiaowang said, “Secretary Qin is all right. They applied some medication, and I just got her prescription filled. The doctor said she’ll be fine in a few days.”

“Okay… Okay… Got it. I will bring Secretary Qin over now.”

Upon hanging up, Xiaowang passed the medication to Qin Zhi’ai and said, “With your current clothes in the state they’re in, Master Gu has instructed me to take you over to Baisheng to pick out some new ones before we head back to the office.”

Baisheng? But all they sell are luxury items…

As if he could read her mind, Xiaowang continued, “Master Gu also said that the company will reimburse the expenses, as this is considered to be a work-related injury.”

Not wanting to appear pretentious or ungrateful, Qin Zhi’ai thanked him and accepted the offer.

Baisheng was some distance away from the hospital, and with the usual traffic jam on Second Ring Road, Xiaowang and Qin Zhi’ai were silent for much of the drive.

Recalling how he had made Qin Zhi’ai apologize and clean up that afternoon, Xiaowang was afraid she might be upset with him. “Secretary Qin, the reason I made you apologize and clean up this afternoon was because I wanted to quickly appease her and resolve the situation. I was afraid that she was not going to let up on you. I hope you don’t blame me for acting so horribly.”

Qin Zhi’ai had not expected Xiaowang to bring this up. She turned and flashed him a smile. “I would never blame you. In fact, I should be thanking you,” she said.

Qin Zhi’ai was not a fool. She knew Xiaowang was protective of her as if he were her brother.