Back Then, I Adored You

“Yes, Master Gu.” After Xiaowang swiftly replied to Gu Yusheng, he gave Qin Zhi’ai a look, motioning her to do as Gu Yusheng had instructed. Then he followed the smiling salesperson to the counter for the purchase.

……

As Qin Zhi’ai walked up to Gu Yusheng, she took several glances at his handsome face while sitting down opposite him.

He heard her approaching, but he didn’t open his eyes.

They were the only two in the lounge area and, even with music softly playing in the background, the atmosphere around them was quiet.

Just when Qin Zhi’ai settled into the awkward silence, in an elegant and pleasant voice, Gu Yusheng suddenly said, “I’m sorry for the things that happened today.”

His eyes were closed as he apologized. She shook her head a few times and then added, “Never mind, Master Gu.”

He didn’t speak again, as if he were asleep.

Qin Zhi’ai didn’t speak again either.

Gu Yusheng’s phone eventually broke the silence. He frowned a bit while taking out his phone, opened his eyes to read the screen, and answered it.

Not knowing what the person over the phone was saying, Qin Zhi’ai heard Gu Yusheng’s reply, “The Majestic Clubhouse? Okay, I see. I’ll meet you there later.”

After hanging up the phone, his eyes fell on Qin Zhi’ai.

She looked down but could still see his hand resting on the back of the sofa. She saw that it was extensively bruised, with areas swollen red.

Those injuries? Did Old Master Gu actually hurt him?

Qin Zhi’ai bit her lower lip and dared not ask.

He eventually turned away and looked through the glass storefront window at the people going up and down in the elevator.

When Xiaowang returned after paying for the clothing, Gu Yusheng motioned for him to hand the clothes to Qin Zhi’ai and for her to go change into them. After Qin Zhi’ai returned from the dressing room, Gu Yusheng got up from the sofa and told Xiaowang, “Send Secretary Qin back to work. I still have something to deal with, so I’m going to leave now.”

Gu Yusheng looked at Qin Zhi’ai again and then took out his car key and left.

After the salesperson packed her stained clothes, Xiaowang and Qin Zhi’ai left Baisheng together.

On the way back to the company, Qin Zhi’ai turned her head sideways and curiously asked Xiaowang, “Master Gu has an engagement tonight. Why aren’t you going with him?”

“No, it’s not so much an engagement as it is Master Gu’s old military pals are coming to Beijing today and he’s entertaining them.” Then Xiaowang sighed as if concerned. “Master Gu has been in such a foul mood. I’m sure he’ll be drinking tonight, but at least it’s with his brothers. It could do him some good.”

A look of worry flashed across Qin Zhi’ai’s eyes.

No wonder he’s been so cold today. Of course, he’s a man of few words, but today he had almost none.

But it turns out he’s gathering with his old military pals.

Old friends… He was so sad the other day just because he had met Qinyang by chance…

“Secretary Qin, here we are.” Xiaowang’s voice prompted Qin Zhi’ai to get out of the car. She grabbed her bag, said “thank you,” and stepped on the curb.

Xiaowang had other things to deal with, so he wasn’t going back to his office now. Qin Zhi’ai stood and watched him drive away until he was finally out of sight. She then entered the office building.