Back Then, I Adored You
chapter-2

His words were like an ice-cold bucket of water that splashed mercilessly onto Qin Zhi’ai.

Her body shuddered and her mind went blank.

She thought that their last meeting two years ago, when he had asked someone else who she was, had already been bad enough. Little did she know that when they met again two years later, it would be even worse.

Qin Zhi’ai stood behind the railing on the second floor. Her eyes were fixed on Gu Yusheng’s leaving figure, yet she hadn’t managed to catch how he had exited the room at all.

Her chest grew tight, her heart heavy. Every time it throbbed, the pain she experienced left her rooted to the spot.

When Qin Zhi’ai recovered, she could only hear the faint noise of Gu Yusheng’s car starting up outside. She was afraid that the housekeeper would suddenly return to the house and see the awkward situation that she was in, so she hastily turned back to the bedroom and closed the door. It was then that she realised that tears had already blurred her vision.

Qin Zhi’ai waited until she had calmed down and the mist in her eyes had cleared up before she headed downstairs, pretending that she had just woken up.

“Miss, you’re awake?” The housekeeper saw her and paused his work immediately.

The housekeeper should have been addressing her as “Madam,” but Gu Yusheng had forbidden him from doing so. The only choice left was for him to call her “Miss.”

Qin Zhi’ai wasn’t bothered. She kept a serene expression on her face, responding with a hum of acknowledgment and walking towards the dining hall.

The housekeeper usually returned to his own work during Qin Zhi’ai’s meal times, leaving her with her food in peace. Today, however, the housekeeper stayed after he had served her dishes and stood still by the table.

Qin Zhi’ai pretended not to notice any difference from usual. With great composure, she started eating her breakfast.

As she finished the porridge in her bowl, the housekeeper standing nearby grew nervous and looked hesitant, as if he had something to say to Qin Zhi’ai. His lips moved several times, but he didn’t manage to make even the slightest sound.

It wasn’t until Qin Zhi’ai put down her chopsticks that the housekeeper finally spoke up. “Miss…”

“Do we have contraceptive pills at home?” Qin Zhi’ai didn’t wait for the housekeeper to finish his sentence before interrupting him.

She had known what the housekeeper was going to say, yet there are some things that would strip her of her dignity if they came from the housekeeper’s mouth. Even though deep down she was perfectly aware that the housekeeper knew how much Gu Yusheng resented her, she was still reluctant to let others embarrass her in person.

Qin Zhi’ai looked at the housekeeper and quietly added, “If we do, please help me find them.”

The housekeeper was visibly stunned upon hearing her words, but he kept silent and did what Qin Zhi’ai ordered him to do.

Qin Zhi’ai calmly swallowed the pill. She took a tissue to dab her mouth dry and stood up gracefully to exit the dining hall.

Before she could reach the door, the housekeeper suddenly spoke again. “Miss…”

Qin Zhi’ai stopped and turned around.

“Miss, Mr. Gu said that Old Master Gu will be going to Hainan tonight…” The housekeeper hesitated for a few seconds before he continued, “Mr. Gu also said that now that the person who supports you has left, he wants you not to bother him anymore.”

She thought that by taking the initiative to ask for the pills, she would have kept at least some of her own dignity. She hadn’t expected that he had given the housekeeper other instructions…

Qin Zhi’ai’s fingertips trembled slightly, but she looked as composed as ever, as if the housekeeper’s words were meant for somebody else, and lightly asked, “Anything else?”