Back Then, I Adored You

Xiaowang looked at Gu Yusheng, saw him nodding approval, and replied to Qin Zhi’ai, “Sure, Secretary Qin.”

…

Qin Zhi’ai was not from Hangzhou but, when she’d attended the university here, she’d brought her mother to live near her after her father passed away. It made it much more convenient to take of her mother back then.

Although Qin Zhi’ai had not lived in Hangzhou for long, she did know a few good restaurants.

Once they’d been seated at a hotel restaurant, Qin Zhi’ai’s first instinct was to pass the menu to Gu Yusheng.

Gu Yusheng didn’t take it and said in a tired voice, “You can do the honors.”

Taking on the task, Qin Zhi’ai flipped open the menu and ordered a few specialty dishes and a pot of biluochun tea.

After a short while, the waiter served the dishes and three bowls of rice.

The aromatic food looked even more appetizing served on the restaurant’s beautiful vintage china.

Halfway through their meal, Xiaowang looked up at Qin Zhi’ai as though he had suddenly thought of something. “Secretary Qin, I just realized how perfect these dishes are that you picked out. All of these are Master Gu’s favorites.”

Gu Yusheng had already stopped eating and was leaning into his chair, sipping his tea quietly. Upon hearing this, his eyes widened slightly, and he looked over at the half-eaten food.

He hadn’t realized it before but, now that Xiaowang had mentioned it, he noticed, indeed, that she had ordered all his favorite dishes.

He had always been a picky eater, something those who didn’t know him well would never be aware of, much less what his tastes and preferences actually were.

In the next instant, Gu Yusheng’s gaze landed on Qin Zhi’ai’s face, who tightened her grip on her chopsticks.

She hadn’t thought too much about what she had ordered since everything there was good but, now with Xiaowang pointing it out, she realized she had ordered all his favorites.

Giving a tell like this was unusual for her, as she’d always been careful to separate her identity far away from someone else he knew.

Qin Zhi’ai pondered silently for a few seconds before smiling at Xiaowang and feigning surprise. “Is that so? These were all dishes I liked when I ate at Master Gu’s house, but I had no idea they were his favorites.”

“It’s definitely a coincidence that you two share such similar tastes,” the unsuspecting Xiaowang replied with his mouth full of rice.

“Yes, what a coincidence,” Qin Zhi’ai agreed with a smile, while glancing at Gu Yusheng out of the corner of her eye. Gu Yusheng was no longer looking at her but drinking his tea with his eyes looking down.

Perhaps it was her guilty conscience, but Qin Zhi’ai felt a change at the table. Biting into her chopsticks, she changed the subject. “After dinner, I’ll head over to the hotel next door to book two rooms for the both of you to get some rest, alright?”

Same as before, Xiaowang turned and looked at Gu Yusheng, who didn’t give a nod of approval but instead slowly sipped his tea and placed his cup on the table before replying casually, “It’s alright. Later, Xiaowang and I will head for Shanghai.”

After a brief pause, he asked, “When will you finish with matters here?”

Although the question was simple, Xiaowang clarified what Gu Yusheng was getting at. “Master Gu and I drove you here, but we need to drive to Shanghai for business, but if it’s convenient for us we could plan on stopping at Hangzhou to pick you up on our way back.”