Back Then, I Adored You

Through the rearview mirror, Qin Zhi’ai could see Liang Doukou biting her lips and staring fixedly at the motionless cars.

By the time they arrived back in the city from Xiangshan, it was already five in the evening. Instead of returning to the Gu Mansion, Qin Zhi’ai headed straight to Gu Yusheng’s villa. When she arrived, the housekeeper and the caretaker went to prepare dinner. The thought of having to give birth in two weeks compelled Qin Zhi’ai to go upstairs and pack the things she needed during labor.

After packing, Qin Zhi’ai took a photo and sent it to Gu Yusheng with a short message. “Everything is ready.”

Perhaps it was because she had done a lot of walking that afternoon, but Qin Zhi’ai was hungry. She placed the bag she had packed on the bedside table and then proceeded downstairs with her phone in her hand.

Dinner wasn’t ready yet, so Qin Zhi’ai sat on the sofa in the living room and started eating some healthy snacks. After a few mouthfuls, the doorbell rang. As the housekeeper and caretaker were both busy in the kitchen, Qin Zhi’ai rose and headed toward the door with a snack in hand.

Just as she arrived at the entrance and grasped the doorknob, the housekeeper came walking in, asking, “Madam, who is it?” Qin Zhi’ai’s mouth was full, so she merely turned around and tilted her head at the housekeeper before she opened the door.

Standing outside was a middle-aged man in military uniform.

For some inexplicable reason, Qin Zhi’ai’s heart thumped loudly the moment she saw him. She inevitably tightened her grip around her snack and asked in a small voice, “Who are you looking for?”

“Hello, I am…” The man gave her a simple introduction of himself as Gu Yusheng’s ex-leader. He then asked, “Can I ask, are you Gu Yusheng’s wife, Qin Zhi’ai?”

Qin Zhi’ai pursed her lips. She looked at the man for a moment and then nodded lightly. “Yes.”

She found herself unable to continue asking him what business he had with her after vocalizing that one word.

The man also seemed to be having difficulty opening his mouth. He stood soundlessly before Qin Zhi’ai for a long before he shut his eyes, gritted his teeth, and allowed everything to gush out. “Mrs. Gu, there’s something we have to let you know about. Comrade Gu Yusheng was involved in an accident during a mission three days ago. He sustained serious injuries, but we lost contact with him. We have sent people to look for him…”

It was probably because she was pregnant that the man’s words sounded so euphemistic. “It’s been three days, but all our efforts have been futile. Don’t worry, though: We will continue looking for him, and we will contact you the moment we get any news. However, we still want you to prepare yourself for the worst…”

Qin Zhi’ai did not know when or how the man left—All she knew was that she was standing in a daze at the door when she returned to her senses. The door was wide open, and the chilly autumn wind seemed to relax her.

Behind her, the housekeeper had heard everything the man had said and was watching Qin Zhi’ai with a worried look. When Qin Zhi’ai did not move for a long time, she cautiously called out, “Madam?”

Qin Zhi’ai turned around to look at the housekeeper when she heard her voice. Her gaze and expression were exceptionally calm, worrying the housekeeper even more. “Madam…”

Qin Zhi’ai did not wait for the housekeeper to finish her sentence. She suddenly raised her hand and covered her belly. Then, as though she was sharing some happy news, she smiled slightly while saying, “Little peanut is moving again…”

Her words were so normal that the housekeeper grew apprehensive. Her eyes reddened with tears. “Madam, please don’t…”