Back Then, I Adored You

Gu Yusheng had never thought he would fall in love with someone, and he had never fallen in love with anyone, either. He froze and didn’t know how to handle it when he encountered love.

He knew he had much to tell her, yet when he opened his mouth, nothing came out of his mouth. He was upset and looked up at the dark sky. He went quiet for a while and asked a question that had bothered him. “Do you really think of that guy as just your little brother?”

“Yes,” Qin Zhi’ai responded without any hesitation and a nod.

She didn’t think he was her little brother. In actuality, he was her little brother. The only problem was that she couldn’t tell him that.

Qin Zhi’ai was worried that night with Qin Jiayan would cause trouble for Gu Yusheng and Liang Doukou’s marriage. She immediately explained, “I’ve known him for many years and treat him like my little brother, no different than my real little brother. I never thought of anything romantic with him. Most times, I forget I should keep my distance from him.”

Qin Zhi’ai was worried that Gu Yusheng would not believe her. After the long explanation, she continued, “I couldn’t accept any guy younger than me anyway. I don’t see any guy younger than me as more than a friend.”

“Never thought of anything romantic with him” and “don’t see him as more than a friend.” Qin Zhi’ai seemed to be so sure what she was talking about. It sounded cruel, but perfect to Gu Yusheng.

He couldn’t help turning around and laughing at her serious look.

Qin Zhi’ai only remembered Gu Yusheng’s weak smiles, sneers, and snorts. He had never smiled so sincerely.

The look on his face was stress-free. He looked soft and gave off the vibe a gentleman should have.

Such a sincere smile had come out of nowhere. Qin Zhi’ai didn’t know how to react to it. She looked at Gu Yusheng’s gorgeous smiling face and swallowed down what she tried to say.

It became a little too quiet.

Gu Yusheng wore a smile on his face while Qin Zhi’ai zoned out. They looked at each other for a long time. He didn’t regain his composure until the water on the tree was blown by the wind and dropped onto his forehead. The smile on his face gradually disappeared as he turned around to look at a streetlight not too far from him.

He wasn’t sure if it was because she had tried so hard to explain that she wasn’t having an affair with that guy, but his bad mood became much better. He even sounded relaxed. “Whatever happened that day, let’s let it go.”

‘Let it go?’ Does that mean we’re going to pretend nothing happened and not talk about it anymore? Qin Zhi’ai thought to herself. It was just what Qin Zhi’ai had hoped for. She immediately nodded and responded with a smile. “Okay.”

Her reaction was quick, so quick that it made Gu Yusheng smile again. After that smile, he suddenly looked sad again. After two seconds, he suddenly asked, “Do you think I’m an *sshole?”

Hearing this question out of nowhere, Qin Zhi’ai was confused for a second. “Huh?” she muttered first, then slightly shook her head after seeing no attempt from him to explain his question.

She must think I’m a jerk. I’ve done so many cruel things to her, Gu Yusheng thought to himself.

She must see me as a jerk. I used to do so many cruel things to her… He stared at the lamp for a while, Gu Yusheng blinked his eyes and looked at Qin Zhi’ai. “Anyway, I don’t regret it. Even if I come back again, I’ll still do it.”

Even if he had done so many cruel things to her, those had been signs of his love for her.

Though they hadn’t been perfect, they had been genuine.

Gu Yusheng’s attitude had changed so quickly, and his words were baffling.

Qin Zhi’ai couldn’t understand what he had said at all, so she kept silent.

They sat quietly in front of the tombstone. Since Qin Zhi’ai had gone out in a hurry, she had only wore a thin skirt. It was extraordinarily cold halfway up the mountain after the rain, so she couldn’t help shuddering in the chilly wind.

Thinking about what had happened during her stay at his villa, Gu Yusheng came back to reality. He stood up and reached out to Qin Zhi’ai. “Let’s go home.”

Staring at Gu Yusheng’s hand, she raised her hand, held his, and stood up with his help.

She had thought that after she stood up, he would let her hand loose. Beyond her expectations, after she loosened her grip, he held her hand tighter. Then he stooped to pick up his suit jacket on the ground and led her to downhill.

Because of his fever, the warmth of his hand was hotter than usual.

The burning temperature, along with their clasped hands, went directly to her heart, causing her heart to beat more rapidly.

As a matter of fact, this was regarded as their first time walking hand in hand. And it turned out to be such a feeling…

…

Since Gu Yusheng and Qin Zhi’ai had both gone there with their own cars, so they had to drive back separately.

Gu Yusheng helped Qin Zhi’ai open the door to her car. Seeing her get in the car and fasten her seatbelt, he closed the door.

After she started her car and left, he got into his own car and drove behind her, keeping a safe distance.

…

It was four o’clock in the morning when they arrived back home.

With a high fever, Gu Yusheng was already exhausted. After taking a shower, he went to bed and quickly fell asleep.

Though Qin Zhi’ai felt exhausted, too, after showering, she dragged herself to put on makeup and then went to sleep.

She was worried about Gu Yusheng, so couldn’t sleep at ease. Occasionally, she reached out and touched his forehead. Gu Yusheng’s fever didn’t go away until dawn. Upon seeing his recovery, Qin Zhi’ai went to sleep relievedly.

They both slept soundly.

At one in the afternoon, Qin Zhi’ai once woke up. Seeing Gu Yusheng was still sleeping heavily beside her, she stared at him carefully for a while, then fell asleep with him again.

When she woke up the second time, it was already sunset. Bedside her, there was no one. Gu Yusheng had already gone.

Because she had overslept, Qin Zhi’ai felt groggy. After staying in bed for a long time, she got up to go to the washroom lazily. She came out, sat at the dresser, and put on her makeup again. Then she left the bedroom with her hand touching her empty belly.

Before she went downstairs, she heard the buzzing sound of the smoke detector. It was probably since the door to the kitchen wasn’t closed, but the smell of dishes was coming out of the kitchen.

Has the housekeeper come back from her vacation?

Feeling hungrier, Qin Zhi’ai ran downstairs quickly with her hand on the railing.