Back Then, I Adored You

Just two steps into the bathroom, Qin Zhi’ai saw Gu Yusheng lying in the bathtub with his head tilted and eyes closed, apparently asleep.

Qin Zhi’ai hesitated for a second before walking to the tub.

He’d poured out entirely too much body wash, and the room had an overwhelming scent. The tub was overflowing with foam, which was starting to stick to his face and hair.

The warm, soft light in the bathroom made the sprinkles on his cheeks show off his perfect and delicate skin. A few drops of water were hanging off his dark, long eyelashes. His face was breathtakingly handsome.

Qin Zhi’ai was enamored. She stared at him for a moment before asking softly, “Master Gu? Master Gu?”

He didn’t reply.

The water is so cold. If he sleeps like this, he’ll be freezing when he wakes up.

She didn’t have the strength to get him out of the tub, so she squatted down and gently touched his arm. “Master Gu? Master Gu?”

She waited until eventually his eyebrows moved slightly. A moment later, his eyelashes quivered. A drop of water fell from one as if it were a tear. Qin Zhi’ai’s heart trembled slightly as he slowly opened his eyes.

He stared at the ceiling not focusing on anything. He still hadn’t responded, so she said, “Master Gu, you can’t sleep in the bathtub. You’ll catch a cold.”

He seemed to have finally heard her voice, and when he eventually turned his head toward her she was sure of it.

He stared at her blankly, as if he didn’t recognize who she was. His expression didn’t change for some time, until finally he looked into her eyes and recognition flashed across his face.

Qin Zhi’ai was encouraged by his sudden change of expression and gently continued talking to him. “Master Gu, please get up…”

He didn’t move, nor did he speak. He fixed his gaze on her eyes.

His dark eyes started to twinkle in the light, and as if the light was becoming brighter his eyes became extraordinary, dazzling her as if stars had gathered in their deepness.

Unsure why he would look at her this way, Qin Zhi’ai called out, “Master Gu.” Gu Yusheng, who had not said a word to her all night, since she had entered the villa, suddenly said, “You’re finally back…”

You’re finally back?

Qin Zhi’ai watched as his face showed emotions of joy and excitement. She had never seen such expressions on him—they confused but mesmerized her.

He sat up slowly from the bathtub, gradually raised his wet hands, and reached out to touch her face, but he stopped within an inch of her cheek.

As if he was afraid of something, his fingertips trembled several times.

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and made up his mind. Finally, he touched her face.

Qin Zhi’ai suddenly felt alert feeling his wet fingers on her skin.

Before she could react, Gu Yusheng looked at her suddenly and softly smiled. “You’ve really come back…”