Back Then, I Adored You

“I don’t quite understand.” Qin Zhi’ai bit the chopsticks again and conveyed the words the doctor had told her, “My mother’s poor health is what’s keeping her in the hospital for observation, not the accident.”

If my mother stays in the hospital for two weeks, say, then they’d need to wait for that long in Shanghai?

Qin Zhi’ai then said, “Master Gu, after finishing your business in Shanghai, you could go straight back to Beijing.”

After having said that, Qin Zhi’ai realized that she hadn’t asked for leave from work, so she looked at Xiaowang and asked with some embarrassment, “Xiaowang, may I ask for another few days off?”

Xiaowang approved her request and then checked out and left the hotel.

Before they left for Shanghai, Gu Yusheng asked Xiaowang to drive Qin Zhi’ai back to the People’s Hospital on their way out of town.

When they dropped her off, Qin Zhi’ai stood at the door of the hospital and said goodbye to Gu Yusheng and Xiaowang. As they drove away, she turned around and walked into the hospital.

……

Gu Yusheng’s eyes had been fixed on Qin Zhi’ai through the rearview mirror. Only after she had turned around and entered the hospital did Gu Yusheng slowly look away, but at the last moment he suddenly saw a familiar figure getting off the bus across the street from the hospital.

The figure was a young and tall boy with a black school bag on his back and white earphones in his ears.

The boy’s face was not that clear, but there was something familiar about him. Gu Yusheng frowned as he couldn’t figure out who the boy was, but then suddenly he told Xiaowang, “Stop!”

Xiaowang was shocked by the sudden order and slammed hard on the brakes.

Gu Yusheng leaned forward suddenly and then pushed the car door open, quickly got out, and chased after the boy. In confusion, Xiaowang called after him, “Master Gu…”

However, by the time Gu Yusheng arrived at the bus station on foot, he had lost him. He stood in one spot, looking all around him.

After locking the car door, Xiaowang followed him in a hurry, calling out, “Master Gu, what’s wrong?”

Gu Yusheng didn’t answer.

“Master Gu?” Xiaowang called out again.

With so many people coming and going from all sides, Gu Yusheng continued scanning for the boy, but once he realized he was gone, he stopped looking, ignored Xiaowang, and went straight back to the car.

Xiaowang quickly followed him and opened the car door for him.

Before Gu Yusheng bent over and got into the car, he turned his head again and looked at the bus station.

Another wave of passengers had just come out, causing Gu Yusheng to finally give up his search.

……

Not long after Qin Zhi’ai had returned to her mother’s room, Qin Jiayan, who had gone to Nanjing to participate in a college league match, arrived at the hospital.

Their mother woke up in the evening.

Since Qin Zhi’ai had asked for leave from Xiaowang, but she was afraid of delaying Qin Jiayan’s match so, after they had dinner in the hospital, she urged Qin Jiayan to leave.

Their mother agreed with Qin Zhi’ai, thus shortly before half past seven Qin Jiayan agreed to leave for his match.

Qin Zhi’ai saw Qin Jiayan off. She accompanied him to the bus station across the street from the hospital and, after his bus left, she rushed back toward the entrance to the hospital.

After taking several steps, a man suddenly knocked her down. He quickly gave her a hand up and came close to her ear, whispering not “I’m sorry” but “Leave Hui Shi.”