Back Then, I Adored You

The taxi stopped, and Qin Zhi’ai took a step forward. Just as she was about to pull open the door, Gu Yusheng reached out by reflex and grabbed hold of her wrists.

Qin Zhi’ai’s body stiffened. Not daring to turn around, she felt her eyes fog up.

“Qin Zhi’ai.”

Gu Yusheng paused before finally saying, “Take good care of yourself.”

For all the years that I’ve known you, although I’ve never taken care of you, I would still want to tell you to take good care of yourself.

Qin Zhi’ai felt her eyes sting, and tears began to trickle down her cheeks. She moved her lips a few times before eventually managing to say, “I will.”

I will take good care of myself and our child.

Tears now poured down her face like pearls dropping from a broken necklace, but she forced herself to smile and, with a hint of happiness in her voice, said, “Master Gu, the same to you, as well. Please take care of yourself.”

In the future, perhaps I will never have the chance to hide behind you and watch you from afar.

Please take care of yourself when I am no longer by your side. My heart will only be at rest if you do…

Gu Yusheng pursed his lips hard and didn’t reply.

Take good care of myself?

Having been loved so deeply by you has meant everything to me. I expect no better days in my future.

Without you, what would be the point of taking good care of myself?

“Qin Zhi’ai—” Roiling emotions were building up in his chest, compelling him to call out her name once more, but before he could say anything, as if she were afraid of what he was about to say, Qin Zhi’ai cut him off abruptly. “Master Gu…”

To prevent him further opportunity to speak, she inhaled deeply and said, “Please treat yourself and others well.”

She intentionally stressed the word “others,” which Gu Yusheng understood to mean his grandfather.

Qin Zhi’ai swallowed hard and then enunciated clearly, “Do not make a decision that you will regret for the rest of your life…”

“Therefore… Therefore…” When she’d had dinner with Lu Bancheng earlier, he had told her many things that she had been unaware of, and she had been moved by his words. But ultimately, she decided to pretend that she had not heard these things because she didn’t want Gu Yusheng to let down and lose his only kin.

Despite her resolution, when she now had to say these words to him out loud, the amount of pain was beyond her imagination. “Master Gu, please agree to Old Master Gu’s and Miss Liang’s wishes, and enjoy life…”

Before she could complete her sentence, Gu Yusheng increased the force of his hands on her wrists. With one yank, he pulled her into his arms. He quivered unusually hard as he hugged her. But the embrace didn’t last long. Simple and cordial like a hug with any friend, he released her immediately after.

Not looking at her, he took a step back. In the next instant, he walked up to the waiting taxi, pulled open its door, and gestured gentlemanly to her with his hands to enter the taxi.

Qin Zhi’ai quickened her steps and walked over. As she entered the taxi, she clearly heard him say, “Take care.”

She didn’t reply nor look at him and, in a calm voice, told the driver her destination.

Leaning down below the roof of the taxi, he looked at her one final time. He then stood up, shut the door, and took a step back as the taxi drove off into the night.