Back Then, I Adored You

Too many changes had taken place in the past 10 years, and Gu Yusheng wasn’t sure if the book rental store was still around, but he decided to give it a shot and led Qin Zhi’ai toward where it used to be. Qin Zhi’ai had loved that store; however, it was no longer a book rental store, but an actual retail bookstore.

A large advertisement was erected at the door promoting a recently published book titled Back Then, I Adored You. Gu Yusheng was familiar with the author because he had seen Qin Zhi’ai flipping through another book at home by the same author—Ye Feiye.

Qin Zhi’ai was puzzled about why Gu Yusheng had brought her to this bookstore. Gu Yusheng didn’t explain and merely took her hand again and took her inside. When they reached a corner, they saw a stash of old books. Most of the covers had rotted, and the pages inside were torn.

“Yusheng, why are you looking at these old books?” Qin Zhi’ai could not help asking as she stood watching Gu Yusheng squat down and flip through them.

Without answering, he continued to search patiently and, after a long time, stood up holding two books. He handed them to Qin Zhi’ai. “I can only find these two books. I bet the other one has been discarded.”

“Why are you giving them to me?” Qin Zhi’ai asked curiously. When she saw that Gu Yusheng had no intention of responding, she took the books and read the titles—Mister, Please Love Me and Devil Teacher, You’re Really Naughty.

Gu Yusheng watched Qin Zhi’ai staring at the books without any reaction and, as if reminiscing, said, “Girls who are slightly dirty-minded are cute!”

After hearing this, Qin Zhi’ai finally understood what was going on. She lifted her head and glared at Gu Yusheng. “So, the reason why you laughed that day was not because of the person who was on the phone with you—It was because you had heard what I said!”

Gu Yusheng raised his eyebrows. He reclaimed the books in her hands and tossed them back in the corner. Then, he took her hand and led her out of the bookstore. Once outside, Qin Zhi’ai suddenly took a step forward and stood in front of Gu Yusheng. Her dark eyes were wide open as she asked happily, “Yusheng, had you already started paying attention to me at that time?”

Gu Yusheng, who had been exposed, furrowed his eyebrows. He answered stiffly, “What are you talking about?” Then he released her hand and took two steps toward the car before emphasizing, “I just happened to hear that.”

If the young Gu Yusheng had no interest in girls back then, how could he possibly have just “happened to” have overheard my conversation with my friends? Explaining is concealing, and the only thing worth concealing is the truth. He must have already started paying attention to me by that time…

This realization made Qin Zhi’ai feel sweet all over. She chased after Gu Yusheng and, when she reached him, she tugged at his collar and continued saying, “Yes, yes, it was just a coincidence. You just ‘happened to’ hear that.”

It was still early when they returned to the car. Gu Yusheng and Qin Zhi’ai went to the theater where they had had two dates in the past and watched a literary film. When they came out, they drove to Chen’s for dinner.

When they left Chen’s, it was already after 9:00 p.m. Gu Yusheng and Qin Zhi’ai strolled down the pedestrian street hand in hand and walked toward the parking lot. There was still a long line at the bubble tea shop where Gu Yusheng used to buy her drinks. When they walked past the cafe where Gu Yusheng had shot a robber using Qin Yang’s gun, Qin Zhi’ai couldn’t help but ask, “Yusheng, why did you choose to enlist in the military back then?”