Back Then, I Adored You

Her heart seemed to have been gripped tightly by something forcefully rubbing and pinching it. The intense pain spread through her veins quickly and fiercely, reaching all parts of her body.

She could not help but curl up into a ball and bury her face in the quilt. Her eyes filled with tears again.

After weeping silently for a long time, Qin Zhi’ai turned on her phone’s flashlight and inserted the room card on the wall at the entrance.

The sudden light in the room was too bright for her. She raised her hands to cover her eyes, stood still for a moment, and went to the bathroom.

After coming out, Qin Zhi’ai boiled a pot of water. She poured a glass, cupped her hands around it, and bypassed the bed as she headed to the French door. She opened the door and went out onto the balcony.

At midnight, it was particularly quiet in the suburbs.

With her mind preoccupied, Qin Zhi’ai leaned on the balcony rail and took in a long night view of the entire manor.

The whistling wind blew from time to time, bringing with it gusts of chill. Qin Zhi’ai shivered from the cold, but she did not want to go inside.

As she held the glass, the water became cold, and a faint smell of tobacco made its way from her left.

She turned her head intuitively toward that direction. Through the potted plants on the balconies, she saw Gu Yusheng standing on his balcony in a black windbreaker, staring at the scenery in the distance and smoking silently.

It’s already three o’clock in the morning. Why is he still in Xiaowang’s room?

Qin Zhi’ai frowned slightly with confusion. Then she noticed Gu Yusheng snuffing out the last of his cigarette, taking out another one from his cigarette case, putting it between his lips, and lighting it.

Now Qin Zhi’ai frowned more forcefully as she became suspicious. Standing on her toes and probing her head toward Gu Yusheng, she saw, as expected, many long and short cigarette butts scattered on the balcony.

Is he that addicted to cigarettes?

Qin Zhi’ai pursed her lips gently. Before turning her head, Gu Yusheng, standing upright, seemed to have sensed her gaze. He turned his head sideways slightly, and their eyes met.

He didn’t think she was still awake. The moment he saw her, he froze.

Qin Zhi’ai was also stunned, but within two seconds she composed herself and greeted him. “Master Gu.”

Hearing her voice, he slightly raised his handsome eyebrows, took the cigarette he just lit from his mouth, and asked, “Haven’t you slept yet?”

Of course I can’t say I have insomnia because of him. After pausing for a moment, Qin Zhi’ai answered, “TV makes me energetic.”

He put the cigarette in his mouth again and muttered, “Oh.”

Qin Zhi’ai did not know how to continue the conversation, so she stopped talking.

Neither of them spoke, and silence blanketed the balconies.

With the chilly wind blowing, Qin Zhi’ai felt cold all over, and her hands around the glass were so cold that they had become stiff.

She was just about to tell Gu Yusheng that she was going back to her room when he looked up at the scattered stars in the sky and suddenly said, “Secretary Qin, pour me a glass of hot water, too.” His voice was almost inaudible in the wind, but she still heard it.

“Oh, okay,” Qin Zhi’ai responded in a hurry. She then added, “Wait a minute, Master Gu.” She pushed the door and returned to her room.