Back Then, I Adored You

…

Gu Yusheng only learned about his grandfather’s hospitalization the day after it had happened, when he returned from his Shanghai business trip. One of the staff at the Gu Mansion called him in the afternoon to ask him to come over for dinner with Qin Zhi’ai.

Upon reaching the Gu Mansion, Gu Yusheng and Qin Zhi’ai noticed that there was a new middle-aged woman present.

With Nanny Zhang and the two younger nannies, isn’t there already sufficient manpower at the Gu Mansion? Why did they hire another person?

Gu Yusheng sized up the woman suspiciously before turning to look at Old Master Gu, who clearly had no intention of introducing them and stared straight at the TV as he sipped the hot tea that Nanny Zhang had just served.

After dinner, they sat in the living room and watched TV for some time. When it was almost nine o’clock, Gu Yusheng and Qin Zhi’ai prepared to leave, and that was when Old Master Gu finally spoke for the first time since they had arrived.

“Ah Xia, go back to their place with them.”

Gu Yusheng and Qin Zhi’ai exchanged a look before turning to look at Old Master Gu. As if the two of them did not exist, Old Master Gu continued to focus on the TV. Standing beside Old Master Gu, Nanny Zhang explained with a bright smile, “Ah Xia was specially hired by Old Master. She is a professional caretaker for pregnant ladies.”

Perhaps because he heard “Old Master,” Old Master Gu gave a hard cough. Gu Yusheng eyed Qin Zhi’ai and gave her a smile before sweeping one glance at Old Master Gu. Qin Zhi’ai knew what Gu Yusheng was thinking and immediately thanked Old Master Gu sweetly. “Grandfather, thank you.”

“If it weren’t for Xiaozhang’s relentless nagging, I wouldn’t have bothered to even look for one!” Old Master Gu grunted with attitude. Standing up, he leaned on his cane and glared viciously at Nanny Zhang over her slip of tongue before walking toward the master bedroom.

When Old Master Gu was some distance away, Qin Zhi’ai closed in on Gu Yusheng’s ear and whispered, “Grandfather is such a cute tsundere.” Right after she said this, she heard a loud cough next to her. Shocked, Qin Zhi’ai shut her mouth immediately and turned to look at Old Master Gu, who had returned without anyone realizing it.

Old Master Gu maintained a straight face and, without even looking at them, said quickly, “Find some time, and settle your plans quickly.”

Neither Qin Zhi’ai nor Gu Yusheng managed to catch the meaning behind Old Master Gu’s words. With a puzzled look in their eyes, they both exclaimed simultaneously, “Huh?”

Old Master Gu replied with a grunt before turning and making his way back to the master bedroom. After pushing open the door, he realized that the couple was still standing foolishly on the spot and so, he continued to say, “The Gu family is very particular about etiquette and formalities. We will not do away with the betrothal process, as well as the dowry.” When he had finished what he wanted to say, Old Master Gu slammed the door shut.

Gu Yusheng and Qin Zhi’ai, who finally managed to react, exchanged a look and, in the next second, Gu Yusheng picked up Qin Zhi’ai, causing her to squeal out. Old Master Gu was listening to the commotion from inside his bedroom and began to chuckle.

After Gu Yusheng and Qin Zhi’ai had left with the caretaker, Old Master Gu came out from his bedroom. As Nanny Zhang passed Old Master Gu his medication, she smiled and said, “Young Master and Miss Qin were overjoyed when they left.”

With a poker face, Old Master Gu gave a grunt of acknowledgment and, after some time, he looked up and asked, “What does tsundere mean? Tsundere? Am I a tsundere?”