Back Then, I Adored You

The more Qin Zhi’ai listened, the more her heart ached.

She could not help but raise her head and turn around to look at her sleeping baby. It might have been better if she hadn’t looked at her, because the moment she did, tears started flowing down her face.

It was not until now that she discovered that she was afraid that there was no other man in this world who could move heaven and earth for her. He was a reticent man, and his personality wasn’t always the best, but he knew how to take care of her better than anyone else. Just like last night—even though he had not by her side when she had been giving birth to their baby, he had still been able to protect her through his presence within her.

Two days later, Qin Zhi’ai and the baby were discharged from the hospital, and they returned home for Qin Zhi’ai’s confinement period.

She had not taken her phone with her when she had gone to the hospital, so Qin Zhi’ai had reestablished her routine of sending messages to Gu Yusheng every day. Most of them revolved around their baby.

Old Master Gu did not know about Gu Yusheng’s present situation, but the housekeeper and the caretaker who lived with Qin Zhi’ai both knew about it. It worried both of them, and they acted cautiously around her, as if nothing had happened. After some time, though, they realized that Qin Zhi’ai was acting much calmer than they were, as if Gu Yusheng’s leader had never come by that day. After the dangerous labor she had gone through, her appetite was healthy, and she ate anything that the housekeeper and caretaker gave her. She had not shut herself in her room to cry secretly, as one might expect. She slept soundly, woke up early, and led a life of routine. She stayed by her baby’s side around the clock, and it was during moments when she used her phone that the housekeeper and caretaker would exchange looks and sigh softly.

When the baby was five days old, Gu Yusheng had been missing for eight days. That evening, Qin Zhi’ai headed downstairs for dinner with the baby. The news was coincidentally playing on the TV in the dining room. They happened to be reporting on the casualties from the minefield at the Yunnan border. Two mines had exploded in the minefield, resulting in one death, 30 injured, and 12 people who were disabled.

Qin Zhi’ai halted midway through her meal. She could not help but lift her head and stare at the TV. The housekeeper and caretaker, who were both standing by the side, realized what was happening at this point. They unanimously exchanged a look. Then, the housekeeper reacted quickly and said, “I think my drama series is starting. I’m going to change the channel…”

“That’s right,” replied the caretaker, who picked up the remote control and changed the channel herself. Qin Zhi’ai maintained her pose, staring fixedly at the TV.

The housekeeper became worried and tried to change the topic. “Madam, do you want more fish soup? I’ll get another bowl for you.”

Qin Zhi’ai returned to her senses. She glanced at the housekeeper for 30 seconds before shaking her head belatedly. She set aside her chopsticks, stood up, and took the baby with her. “I’m going upstairs to change little peanut’s diaper,” said Qin Zhi’ai. Then, before the housekeeper or caretaker could respond, she rushed upstairs and returned to her bedroom.

The housekeeper followed her uneasily and then knocked on the door for a long time, but there was no response. She then pushed open the door without further contemplation.

The baby was on the bed sleeping soundly under a blanket. Sitting beside her, Qin Zhi’ai was sitting beside her and tapping away on her phone, sending text messages again.

The days spent waiting were arduous; however, in this instance, no news meant good news. When the baby was eight days old, Qin Zhi’ai received news regarding Gu Yusheng.