Back Then, I Adored You

Qin Zhi’ai’s tone was gentle and sweet, making Gu Yusheng that much more fearful. He took the initiative to admit his wrongdoing before Qin Zhi’ai could finish reciting everything. “Xiao’ai, I was wrong…”

Ignoring him, Qin Zhi’ai placed the first document on the coffee table and picked up the second one. In the same tone as before, she stared at the black ink on the white paper and continued reading out loud.

Gu Yusheng was panicking at this stage, causing him to uncharacteristically plead, “Xiao’ai, I really know that I was wrong to do that. Please don’t be angry. I’ll do anything you want me to as long as you don’t make me sleep in the guest room tonight…”

When Qin Zhi’ai, who had just set aside the second document and picked up the third and final one, heard this plea, she turned her head to look at him. “Okay, go sleep in the guest room tonight.”

“I…” Gu Yusheng wished he could bite off his tongue.

Am I crazy? I can’t believe I told her the punishment I feared the most…

His brain got into gear as he said, “Xiao’ai, I was just afraid that work would be too tiring for you. I…”

Their daughter first looked at her mother innocently from Gu Yusheng’s embrace and then at her father, before breaking out into a smile.

Qin Zhi’ai ignored Gu Yusheng, twisted her head to look at the last document, and started reciting the content in a clear voice.

“I know that it was wrong of me to go behind your back and make the decision for you, but that’s only because there are so many bad people in this world…”

Qin Zhi’ai’s volume increased along with Gu Yusheng’s quibbling. Their daughter raised her finger to her lips and started sucking on it. As her gaze shifted between the two people in front of her, her smile grew wider.

“Xiao’ai, working is really tough, and I’m scared that you’ll suffer injustice. Moreover, I want you to depend on your husband. Other people can only do that in old age, but you can depend on me now. Isn’t that something you would enjoy? You must keep in mind that there are many women in this world who wish they could depend on their husbands, but instead it’s the other way around for them. These women are miserable…”

Qin Zhi’ai, who had just finished reading the last document, tilted her head to gaze at Gu Yusheng as he continued making his case.

“And even more, you must know that not all faithful men are rich. Likewise, not all rich men are faithful. As for me, I’m faithful and rich, and I’m willing to let you live off me. There aren’t many men like me, so, Xiao’ai…”

He’s the one who resorted to unscrupulous means behind my back, and he’s the one who’s wrong. So how is he managing to turn this around and compliment himself?

Qin Zhi’ai’s long, curled eyelashes fluttered lightly.

Live off my husband? That’s fine. I’ll do that…

Qin Zhi’ai tossed aside the document in her hand. She then inched toward Gu Yusheng’s elbow, opened her mouth, and forcefully bit down. Gu Yusheng sucked in some cool air to lessen the pain, and their daughter, who was pressed against his chest, started laughing so hard seeing her father’s expression that drool was dribbling down her chin.

When Qin Zhi’ai released his elbow, Gu Yusheng started complaining as if he’d been severely wronged at the sight of his daughter laughing so merrily. “Little peanut, your mother is bullying me.”

Not understanding what he had said, she brought her face closer to the elbow that Qin Zhi’ai had just bitten and opened her mouth wide. Knowing that she was trying to imitate Qin Zhi’ai by biting him, he gently explained to his daughter, “Little peanut, it’s not right to bite other people. You can’t learn from your mother. Moreover, Daddy will be in pain if you do that…”