Back Then, I Adored You

Qin Zhi’ai fixed her eyes on Gu Yusheng’s back. She didn’t look away until he had stepped into the elevator.

Qin Zhi’ai glanced at Xiaowang in the rearview mirror and saw him unbuckling his seat belt, about to get out of the car. She said, “Drive me home, please.”

Qin Zhi’ai paused for a few seconds and realized her cell phone had no power. She added, “Or help me call a cab.”

Xiaowang remembered Gu Yusheng’s order from before he had left the car. He found it hard to tell Qin Zhi’ai, “Mr. Gu has asked me not to do so. I think you heard that, too. If you’re leaving now, he’ll blame me if he hears about it.”

Xiaowang was afraid that Qin Zhi’ai would insist on leaving. He hesitated for a second and tried to politely convince her, “Ms. Liang, your clothes are still wet, and we’re still a ways from home. Cars drive slowly in the rain. I think you should listen to Mr. Gu and take a hot shower and put on clean clothes so you don’t catch cold.”

Qin Zhi’ai could tell Xiaowang wouldn’t let her go. After hearing what Xiaowang had said, she only nodded without saying anything.

Xiaowang could tell that Qin Zhi’ai had decided to stay. He immediately got out of the car and opened the door for her. He passed the car key to a doorman and led Qin Zhi’ai into the Four Seasons Hotel.

They took an elevator to the top. Xiaowang led the way. They walked down a long corridor and turned quite a few times before they stopped in front of a suite.

Xiaowang passed the room card to Qin Zhi’ai and pointed at the door in front of her. “Ms. Liang. You can take a rest here. I’ll get your clothes.”

Qin Zhi’ai thanked Xiaowang and took the room card from him but didn’t open the door immediately. She waited until Xiaowang had turned around and walked into the elevator. She took a deep breath and swiped the card to open the door with trembling fingers.

It was quiet and dark inside, with no light or sound.

Qin Zhi’ai stood at the door and tried to see into the room. After looking around for a while, she released a long sigh of relief.

Gu Yusheng was not in the room.

She put her hand on her chest, patted her fast beating heart and walked into the suite.

She turned on the light and was ready to walk into the suite, but she suddenly stopped herself. She turned around and put on the safety lock. She tried to pull the door a few times to make sure no one could open the door from outside. She finally felt safe and walked into the bathroom.