Back Then, I Adored You

After hanging up, Xu Wennuan took in Qin Zhi’ai’s expression and instantly understood what was going on. “What? You didn’t get the job again?”

“Yeah. I must really be jinxed. I think I’ve applied for three jobs this week, and the results are always the same: I didn’t get hired because the company is closing or is being acquired. It’s making me angry…”

“Then don’t go to work. It must be nice to stay at home and take care of your husband and child. If I had a choice, I would choose to be a good wife and mother at home, too.

“Do you know how tired I am working every day? I have to run around to so many places just to boost my performance…”

When Qin Zhi’ai heard this, she went silent for a moment. After a while, she gazed at Xu Wennuan and said seriously, “Nuannuan, if Brother Bancheng’s loan is too much for you, I can lend you the money instead of him.”

“Forget it, it’s a debt no matter who it’s from. Even if you’re the person lending the money to me, I’ll still have to pay you back.”

“Then how are things between you and Brother Bancheng now? Are there any new developments?”

Xu Wennuan was taken aback by this question. She quickly lowered her head to conceal the displeased look in her eyes; then she shook her head and answered without hesitation, “It’s not possible. Nothing will ever happen between the two of us. All I’m doing right now is praying that time will pass by faster so that I can quickly terminate the agreement that we made.”

“Nuannuan, I know what happened with Wu Hao was a huge blow to you, but you can’t condemn all the men in the world. You can’t spend the rest of your life alone…”

“Xiao’ai, you’re at it again. If you continue to say things like that, I might—” At this, Xu Wennuan suddenly clutched her chest and gagged.

“What’s wrong?” Qin Zhi’ai asked in a concerned tone.

“It’s nothing. Maybe the cake was too greasy—I feel like throwing up.”

Qin Zhi’ai was relieved after hearing this. She smiled and joked, “With how much you’ve been eating and now being queasy, it’s almost like you’re pregnant.”

Xu Wennuan’s fingers trembled slightly. Thereafter, she glared at Qin Zhi’ai as if nothing was wrong. “What are you talking about?”

Qin Zhi’ai laughed, and the two of them changed the topic.

…

After leaving SPK, Xu Wennuan declined getting a ride from Qin Zhi’ai. She flagged for a taxi and returned to Lu Bancheng’s apartment.

When Xu Wennuan passed by a pharmacy near the apartment, she recalled the conversation she’d had with Qin Zhi’ai and told the driver, “Sir, please stop here.”

After paying the fare, Xu Wennuan grabbed her shopping bags and walked back 200 feet to the pharmacy.

The person helping her was a middle-aged woman. “Miss, how may I assist you?””

Embarrassed, Xu Wennuan said in a small voice, “I want to know if I’m pregnant.”

The woman turned her head and said to her employee organizing shelves, “Pregnancy test kit!” Then, as the woman was filling out the form, she looked up at Xu Wennuan. “How many do you need?”

“Two.” A tinge of redness was visible on Xu Wennuan’s cheeks. The woman swiftly looked down, filled in the desired quantity, and handed the form to Xu Wennuan so that she could make her payment at the counter.

After leaving the pharmacy, Xu Wennuan slowly made her way back to Lu Bancheng’s apartment.

Xu Wennuan emerged from the elevator and walked to the apartment. She felt ill at ease as she keyed in the passcode and pulled the door open.

She entered the apartment and casually placed her shopping bags on the shoe rack. Bending down to remove her shoes, she heard footsteps approaching and, when she lifted her head attentively, she saw Lu Bancheng walking over from the kitchen with an apron on and a spatula in his hand.