Back Then, I Adored You

The weather was unusually good on the day of Old Master Gu’s birthday.

He had been down with the flu two days earlier, and Dr. Xia had visited each day to give him an injection. Initially, Gu Yusheng had been worried that his grandfather would be unwell on his birthday, but unexpectedly, when he arrived at the Gu Mansion early that morning, Old Master Gu was all smiles as he sat on the sofa. Decked out in a bright red traditional Chinese dress that he had custom made for his birthday, he was going through some birthday practices to ensure good luck under the direction of Nanny Zhang, who was always one to follow traditions.

Old Master Gu’s high spirits weren’t even daunted upon seeing Qin Zhi’ai. Although he continued to ignore her presence, he did not make a cold expression as he had always done before.

Gu Yusheng and Qin Zhi’ai presented the birthday gifts that they had carefully chosen at the shopping mall the day before. Old Master Gu personally received Gu Yusheng’s gift and even unboxed it before the two of them. It was a clear, glistening jadeite longevity peach of exquisite quality.

Nanny Zhang could not help but sing praises over it from aside and, entertained by her, Old Master Gu could not stop laughing. After Nanny Zhang put aside Gu Yusheng’s gift, Qin Zhi’ai presented her birthday gift.

Old Master Gu did not accept it, as expected, but he also did not reject it and merely nodded at Nanny Zhang who stood beside him.

Qin Zhi’ai handed the gift to Nanny Zhang and said sweetly, “Grandfather, happy birthday.”

Old Master Gu took one look at Qin Zhi’ai’s smiling face and grunted without speaking. Subsequently, he began to urge Nanny Zhang to pack up and head to the Peking Hotel.

……

When Old Master Gu, Nanny Zhang, Gu Yusheng, and Qin Zhi’ai reached the Peking Hotel, many guests were also beginning to arrive.

With the support of Nanny Zhang, Old Master Gu stood in front of the entrance to receive the guests. As his grandson, Gu Yusheng naturally stood at his side and, although Old Master Gu did not acknowledge Qin Zhi’ai as his granddaughter-in-law, she stood beside Gu Yusheng.

As the guests greeted the Gu family, many were inevitably sizing up Qin Zhi’ai as they were entering. Those closer to Old Master Gu would go as far as to ask, “Old Master Gu, is this lady your granddaughter-in-law?”

Each time, Gu Yusheng would snatch the opportunity to reply, “Yes, she is my wife.”

Reluctant to start an argument with Gu Yusheng in the presence of the guests, Old Master Gu did not deny the statement. He simply continued to warmly invite the guests into the hotel as if the question had never been asked or answered.

……

The Gu family prestige went back for several generations in Beijing. With Gu Yusheng as the next patriarch of the family, along with his expanding businesses in technology, countless individuals had just recently started longing to establish ties with the Gu family.

Gu Yusheng’s parents had been a rising couple in Beijing society and business, but since their passing the Gu family had not been in the news for some time until Gu Yusheng began receiving more press.

Now that it happened to be the grand celebration of Old Master Gu’s 80th birthday, every reputable person in Beijing had made their way down to the event regardless of whether they had been invited or not. Some even made a special trip down from regions outside of Beijing.

Old Master Gu’s birthday bash was to be a happy event, so when the influx of uninvited guests showed up for the festivities, table after table was added to the immense grand hall of the Peking Hotel. Thousands more were soon sitting down and preparing to indulge in the feast.

Old Master Gu greatly enjoyed listening to Peking opera, so Gu Yusheng had invited the best Peking opera troupe in Beijing. They performed the exciting “Goddess Magu Presents Longevity” repeatedly as the guests socialized throughout the massive hall.

Even the air conditioner’s soft whirring sound added a casual, oriental ambiance to the party.

……