Back Then, I Adored You

Gu Yusheng had been found. His condition was critical, but nearby villagers had rescued him. He had been admitted to the hospital in the nearest city, but there was no estimation of when he might regain consciousness. This is the only information Qin Zhi’ai had received from the military.

When Qin Zhi’ai had first heard the news that Gu Yusheng was missing, she had not cried. After having learned that he had been found, she had been unable to suppress all the emotions that she had been suppressing over the past few days, and tears rolled steadily down her face.

When Gu Yusheng finally regained consciousness, his child had already been in the world for 25 days. Without his cell phone, he was unable to reach Qin Zhi’ai.

……

When the baby was 30 days old, Qin Zhi’ai settled on a day to end her confinement period. She paid no heed to the housekeeper and caretaker, who both advised her against her decision to entrust the baby to both of them and fly to where Gu Yusheng was hospitalized.

……

The sunlight dyed the entire city golden as she arrived. By the time she had gotten to the hospital, it was twilight.

Qin Zhi’ai stepped into the hospital, rode the elevator upstairs, and arrived at Gu Yusheng’s room. Her heartbeat quickened inexplicably but, after taking a deep breath, she pushed the door open.

Gu Yusheng was lying on the bed with his eyes shut and seemingly in an exceptionally deep sleep. The sunlight glistened on his face, outlining his contours with a gold rim. Relieved to see that he was not attached to any life-support machines, Qin Zhi’ai stood quietly at the door for a few seconds before she slowly walked over to the bed.

Still trying to overcome the feeling that she was in a dream, she regulated her breathing, extended her hand, and gently touched Gu Yusheng’s cheeks. The warmth that greeted her fingertips made her realize that this man truly existed in this world.

Her eyes grew damp, and he was startled awake as she touched him. His long, curly eyelashes fluttered as he slowly opened his eyes. He then stared at the ceiling for a few moments before looking at her.

He stared at her intensely for a long time. “Xiao’ai, I’ve brought the most complete version of Gu Yusheng back to you,” he said.

That sentence was layered with emotions despite how lightly he conveyed it. Qin Zhi’ai blinked, and tears started streaming down her face as she grabbed Gu Yusheng’s hand and pressed her face against his chest.

As she listened to his strong, familiar heartbeat, she cried harder.

The following day, good news came their way: Gu Yusheng’s support mission had been a success. Two days later, Gu Yusheng was discharged and, anxious to get back to their baby in Beijing, they booked tickets to fly home that night.

Before they left, Gu Yusheng took Qin Zhi’ai back to the army base and into the canteen. Gu Yusheng wanted Qin Zhi’ai to join him at the team meal for everyone who had participated in the mission. They were all well acquainted, having spent the last few months together, and as they greeted Gu Yusheng all their gazes drifted to Qin Zhi’ai.

Gu Yusheng led Qin Zhi’ai to the last table in the canteen, where his oldest, closest comrades were sitting. After taking their seats, Gu Yusheng briefly introduced everyone to Qin Zhi’ai, and then it was Qin Zhi’ai’s turn. “This is my wife, Qin Zhi’ai.”

As Qin Zhi’ai greeted each individual at the table, a man sitting across from Gu Yusheng studied her thoughtfully. When she finished her greetings, he twisted his head to look at Gu Yusheng as if he had recalled something. “Is she your first love?” he asked.