Back Then, I Adored You

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio  Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

All her clothes were in Hangzhou. Qin Zhi’ai knew she’d be bringing it all back to Beijing after the Chinese Lunar New Year, so she’d already planned to pack as little as possible.

Qin Zhi’ai’s bed was piled with things she had decided she didn’t need to take.

She was so tired after packing that she grabbed it all in her arms and tossed it in the cabinet. As she walked to the bathroom to take a shower, she noticed a small gift box on the floor.

She stopped and stared at the box for a long time before picking it up.

She didn’t open it, but she knew it contained the ring she had found in Gu Yusheng’s backyard.

( Boxno vel. co m ) She had forgotten about the ring in the suitcase when she gave her bank card and gifts from Gu Yusheng to Liang Doukou.

Qin Zhi’ai squatted on the floor to pick up the box. She stared at it for a long time before picking it up, placing it on the bed, and walking to the bathroom.

After her shower, Qin Zhi’ai turned off the lights and got in bed, but she couldn’t fall asleep.

She tossed and turned before finally sitting up and turning on the lamp on the nightstand. She picked up the gift box, examined it at eye level, and then slowly opened it.

The diamond twinkled so brightly in the light that she found herself squinting.

She turned her head toward the window and stared into the night for a long time. She finally closed the gift box, placed it on the nightstand, and turned off the light. Once under the blanket, she closed her moist eyes.

Qin Zhi’ai had to catch the train at 10:00 a.m.

……

She got up before 6:00 a.m. After dressing and brushing her teeth, she walked to the nightstand and picked up the box with the ring. She tucked it into her coat pocket and left with her suitcase.

Qin Zhi’ai took the subway to the South train station. Instead of going to the waiting room, she walked to a nearby courier service.

Once inside, Qin Zhi’ai asked for a shipping form and filled in Gu Yusheng’s name and address as both the recipient and the sender.

She placed the gift box inside a small box, taped it up, and handed it to the clerk. Before paying, she watched him print out and stick a label on the package. She thanked him, turned to leave, and looked back at the package several times as she walked out with her suitcase. Once outside, she walked to the train station.

Qin Zhi’ai got on the train at 9:45 a.m. The train left at exactly 10:00 a.m.

Five hours later, Qin Zhi’ai arrived at the Hangzhou East train station. As she waited for a taxi, she checked the package’s status and saw that it was out for delivery.

Gu Yusheng should be receiving that ring shortly.

That was the last item from him in my possession.

Nothing else connects us anymore.

Qin Zhi’ai stood on the curb until finally flagging down a passing taxi.

Once inside, her heart became ten times heavier.

Every heartbeat drained her, and she was numb from the pain.

…

Lu Bancheng was convinced that Liang Doukou’s body double departure would affect Gu Yusheng for the rest of his life.

He did not expect Gu Yusheng to return to work the next day like nothing had happened.