Back Then, I Adored You

After the entire video had played, the living room fell silent. When Qin Zhi’ai still had not said anything, Old Master Gu continued. “Xiaokou had not switched back her identity with you when this video was recorded. You recorded this video to sabotage the relationship between Xiaokou and Yusheng. Am I right?”

What are all these photographs about? These stills show up, and now I’ve become a bad person?

Qin Zhi’ai immediately pulled herself out of her thoughts when she heard Old Master Gu’s question. She now realized what this video was about and, as a result, became angry, particularly when Old Master Gu was blaming her, but because it was him sitting in front of her, she took a deep breath to calm herself.

As nicely as possible, she responded, “Grandfather Gu, I will explain to you whether you believe me or not: This video was aiming to sabotage a relationship. It was intended to sabotage the relationship between Yusheng and me, not that between Yusheng and Liang Doukou. It was Liang Doukou in the video, not me.”

“Nonsense!” Grandpa Gu suddenly raised his cane and smacked the coffee table with it twice. “I know what kind of person Xiaokou is, and she is better than anyone else I know. I watched her grow up. You can fool Yusheng, but not me. These photos are enough evidence to tell me exactly what kind of person you are. My family does not allow someone like you to be a part of it. I came here today to get you out of my family!”

Old Master Gu then madly raised his cane and, while pointing it at the door, exclaimed, “You have 10 minutes to pack your stuff and leave.”

Qin Zhi’ai clutched her hands into fists and pressed her lips together. She sat on the sofa with a straight back and no intention to go anywhere. It was as if she hadn’t even heard him and, with dignity, she further explained, “Those photos are not what you think they are; in fact, those photos are stills. They were shot when I was Liang Doukou’s body double. They were taken from intentionally suggestive perspectives.”

“I have said I do not want to listen to your arguments! I asked you to get out of the house! Didn’t you hear me? Right now, out!” Old Master Gu had become incensed when he heard Qin Zhi’ai arguing with him instead of leaving.

Qin Zhi’ai had nothing else to say and remained silent. She had explained everything she could and didn’t know what else she could do to get him to believe her. While she sat on the sofa making no move to get up, he became enraged. Doing his best to control himself, he finally turned to Nanny Zhang and said, “Get her out of here.”

Nanny Zhang hesitated for a second, forcing Old Master Gu to growl, “Nanny Zhang!” She shot up and walked to Qin Zhi’ai, who looked up at Old Master Gu before Nanny Zhang could even touch her. With determination, Qin Zhi’ai stated, “I am not leaving. If you force me out now, I will come back again.”