Back Then, I Adored You

No one knew whether to cry or laugh as they watched Little Peanut. Qin Zhi’ai waved her hands and signaled for Qin Jiayan to take her before she pulled Xu Wennuan over to take a seat on the sofa.

“Lately, Little Peanut has mastered the skill of controlling her uncle.” Xu Wennuan lifted the cup of black tea that the butler had served and took a sip.

Qin Zhi’ai looked down and smiled slightly. “When Yusheng and I went on our honeymoon, we’d left her in Jiayan’s care. Who would have expected things to turn out like this? We simply couldn’t do anything with her. You have no idea. Some time ago, Yusheng was busy and so I called Jiayan to come with Little Peanut and me to meet her teacher where she’ll be attending classes. Jiayan merely spoke a few words with the teacher before Little Peanut snagged an opportunity to bite the teacher…”

“Pfft!” Xu Wennuan, who was sipping her tea, could not help but burst out laughing.

Qin Zhi’ai, who was seated beside her, took a side glance at her and, as if she was reminded of something, she changed the subject. “Alright, enough about Little Peanut. Let’s talk about you. Do you know who the biggest investor is behind your spa?”

Xu Wennuan pulled out a tissue and was about to wipe tea from the corner of her lips when she heard Qin Zhi’ai’s question. She paused for a moment before she slowly wiped away the liquid from her lips and shook her head as she replied to Qin Zhi’ai, “I have no idea.”

“Doesn’t he ever attend any annual meetings or team-building events?” Qin Zhi’ai gradually frowned as curiosity grew in her heart.

“He never…” Xu Wennuan paused for a moment before she continued. “Not to mention the annual meeting and team events, he doesn’t even attend meetings with upper management where the critical decisions are made. He rejects video conference calls. We don’t even know his email address. We’re completely clueless about him.”

“Your boss is a weirdo…” Qin Zhi’ai could not help but complain before she raised her cup of tea from the coffee table and drank some. Turning her head, she noticed Xu Wennuan looking down at her cell phone. Thinking that she was chatting with the friend whom she’d met through the game, she asked, “Is there any development between you and that online friend of yours? What’s his name again? Zero?”

Xu Wennuan paused her typing on the keyboard and, after several moments, she said in a low voice, “No. Zero Degrees is just a friend I know over the internet. He did help me out a fair bit, but other than that we haven’t interacted much. Nothing will develop between us.”

“You’re no longer young. You should think about settling down. You can’t possibly stay single like this for your whole life.” Qin Zhi’ai was unaware of the things that had happened between Xu Wennuan and Lu Bancheng and, as she spoke, she could not help but sigh in regret. “I initially thought that there would be some sparks between you and Brother Bancheng. To think that neither of you are attracted to each other and after helping each other out, you went your separate ways when you no longer need each other…”

Bancheng…

Xu Wennuan couldn’t remember how long it had been since she’d heard this name. Qin Zhi’ai’s sudden mention of him dazed her. Before she could get a grip on her emotions, the butler, who had gone into the courtyard moments ago, ran back. Standing by the door, he said, “Madam, Mr. Lu is here.”

“Speak of the devil.” Qin Zhi’ai smiled and rose from her seat. Before she could walk over to receive him, though, Lu Bancheng had already stepped into the house.