Back Then, I Adored You

Before the housekeeper could reply, Qin Zhi’ai said, “Yusheng has me sending him frequent text messages.”

She spoke warmly as she walked steadily into the living room as though nothing had happened. She put the snack she’d been carrying on the coffee table, picked up her cell phone, and began to mutter the content of a text message under her breath as she tapped the screen.

“Yusheng, I got up late this morning. I went to the Gu Mansion for lunch and arrived late. As Grandfather waited for me, he had refused to eat but, the minute I entered the room, he immediately ran over to the dining table and pretended as if he had been eating for a long time. Hehe, Grandfather is still as cute as ever.”

“The weather in Beijing was particularly good today. I went to Xiangshan Park with Grandfather in the afternoon. Well, I met someone whom I didn’t want to see, but Grandfather was very protective of me and Liang Doukou was dumbfounded upon seeing this.”

“Did you see the photos I just sent you? That’s what I’m taking with me on delivery day. I suppose you would have already returned by then. If I show signs of labor, you must remember to bring that bag.”

Upon hearing these words, tears fell from the eyes of the housekeeper who was standing in a corner. Raising her hands, she wiped the corner of her eyes and yelled, “Mam…”

“Yusheng, little peanut has been such a glutton lately. I have to eat five meals a day. She even kicked me twice earlier. When you’re back, you’ll have to take revenge for me.” Qin Zhi’ai ignored the housekeeper and continued tapping out her text messages on her phone.

“Yusheng, I’ve thought of a very nice name for little peanut. How about Shen’ai? Gu Shen’ai… Am I brilliant or what?”

“Mam…” The housekeeper stepped forward and touched Qin Zhi’ai’s arm.

Qin Zhi’ai stopped composing her next message and turned to look at the housekeeper. She smiled as usual and asked, “Is dinner ready? I’m getting a little hungry.”

The housekeeper moved her lips as if she wanted to comfort her, but Qin Zhi’ai didn’t give her a chance to speak and whispered again gently, “Is it ready?”

“It’s ready.” The housekeeper did not dare look at Qin Zhi’ai’s calm appearance. Unable to bear it, she turned her head away and nodded lightly.

Qin Zhi’ai smiled again and walked to the dining room. Sitting at the table, she looked at the spread of sumptuous food and picked up her cell phone to snap a photograph to send to Gu Yusheng. “Yusheng, this is my dinner…”

After she sent the message, she picked up the chopsticks and focused on eating her meal. Her appetite was good, and she ate half a bowl of rice, more than usual for her. When she was done, she placed her chopsticks down and asked the housekeeper if she wanted to accompany her on a stroll.

As they walked, Qin Zhi’ai saw a huge swath of blooming lavender in the backyard. She took a photograph of it for Gu Yusheng. “Yusheng, I was the one who tended this lavender. Isn’t it beautiful? Quick, tell me you like it.”

Tears were streaming down the housekeeper’s face. Upon noticing, Qin Zhi’ai’s brow furrowed. She stared at the housekeeper for a moment and then said abruptly, “Don’t be sad. Yusheng will be fine.”

The housekeeper teared up even more frantically. Qin Zhi’ai reached out her hand and wiped the tears away on the housekeeper’s cheeks. “I’m really not lying to you. Yusheng even told me last night that he will be back next week. He’ll be with me when I give birth to little peanut. Don’t let your imagination run wild. He’ll definitely be fine.”

As she spoke, her voice became softer, as if she were mumbling to herself, repeatedly saying, “Yes, he will definitely be fine. He’ll be fine. He’ll be fine…”