Back Then, I Adored You

The knock on the door made Qin Zhi’ai think Xu Wennuan had forgotten her key, so she headed to the door in her silk tank top and bare feet.

When the doorbell started ringing continuously, she hurried to let Xu Wennuan in. She opened the door without turning on the light in the living room or checking through the peephole to see who was there.

Without looking, she said, “Nuannuan, did you forget your…” Qin Zhi’ai suddenly went silent.

It was Xu Wennuan, but she was drunk and totally passed out on Lu Bancheng’s back.

The presence of Lu Bancheng did not surprise her, but the person behind him did. It was Gu Yusheng, in a black trench coat, dress pants, and dress shoes. His outfit made him look tall and slim, much slimmer than the last time she had seen him.

He stood there casually with his eyes cast down and looking sleepy. In one hand he was carrying Xu Wennuan’s purse, and in the other he was holding his phone next to his ear. He was on a call, responding simply, “Okay,” and “Got it.”

Qin Zhi’ai could not clearly see the expression on his face in the dimly lit hallway, but she could sense his coldness and confusion.

After standing at the door for a few moments with Xu Wennuan on his back, Lu Bancheng cleared his throat.

Qin Zhi’ai quickly composed herself and immediately looked away from Gu Yusheng. She moved to the side and said in a quiet tone, “Please.”

As Lu Bancheng began to walk in, he stopped himself. “Well, do I need to change my shoes?”

This was the first time Xu Wennuan had brought Wu Hao to the apartment she rented with Qin Zhi’ai, and they did not have men’s slippers.

Qin Zhi’ai shook her head. “No, no need.”

“Okay,” Lu Bancheng responded and walked inside.

Qin Zhi’ai had not remembered to turn on the light until Lu Bancheng walked past her. She immediately reached out, fumbled around the wall, and turned it on.

In the light, she covertly turned her head to look at Gu Yusheng, who was still standing at the door on the phone. She noticed that his skin was fairer than that of a woman.

Holding the door open, she hesitated for a second before following Lu Bancheng inside and closing it. She did not dare interrupt Gu Yusheng.

Lu Bancheng put Xu Wennuan on the sofa. As he was about to leave, she turned her body and almost fell off. Lu Bancheng immediately reached out to hold her.

Before Qin Zhi’ai could help him, she caught a reflection of herself in the large mirror in the living room. She stepped back and blushed seeing herself in her pajamas. She quickly told Lu Bancheng, “I need to change clothes.”

Lu Bancheng did not realize what was going on until after she ran into her bedroom and closed the door.

After changing, Qin Zhi’ai heard Xu Wennuan mumbling in the next room, “Water, water, water.”

Lu Bancheng stood in front of the sofa looking around. Upon hearing Qin Zhi’ai’s bedroom door open, he said, “Hurry up. Can you get her some water?”

Qin Zhi’ai walked to the kitchen without saying anything. As she did, she glanced at the door, where Gu Yusheng was still on the phone.