Back Then, I Adored You

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

“He is very important. There are many students in the class, but I think you are the most reliable, so you’ll be responsible for this matter. Don’t let me down. You know, even our President Chen planned to invite him to dinner in Xiang Hall this evening.”

Qin Zhi’ai had not yet fully awoken from her daydream, and when she heard Professor Zhu’s words, her brain was blank for a while before she finally replied, “Yes.”

After she replied, Professor Zhu continued over the phone, “The lecture is held in the conference hall. I’ll send you his contact information later, and remember to go there in advance.”

Professor Zhu must have been very busy, because after saying this, he immediately added, “I still have other things to deal with, I’ll hang up first.”

The very important figure he had just mentioned seemed to be extra special. Before hanging up, he reassured himself by emphasizing once more, “Xiao’ai, you must receive him well and you must come earlier. Don’t be late and remember to wear formal clothing!”

Immediately after hanging up the phone, Professor Zhu sent a text message.

When Qin Zhi’ai was going to save the information, she glanced at the location of the phone number and noticed it was from Shanghai. Because the man she loved was from Shanghai, this city, which had no relation to her, had become the deepest concern in her heart from the day she left. Every time she saw this word, she was dazed as she thought of him repeatedly. No one knew that, for her, Shanghai only mattered because of him.

…

Qin Zhi’ai arrived at the university before two o’clock.

When she entered the campus, she took out her cell phone and sent a text message to the phone number she had saved. “Hello, I’m the student in charge of receiving you to take you to the lecture. When you arrive, you can contact me and I’ll pick you up at the gate of the university.”

About ten minutes later, Qin Zhi’ai received a very polite and professional reply reading, “Received, thank you.”

The lecture was at 3:30, and there were still one and a half hours to spare before it began. It was extremely cold in Beijing during the winter. Qin Zhi’ai found a self-study room, then took a seat in the corner and played with her cell phone.

Her cell phone had been set to silent mode in advance, and at 3:10, she received a call from the person she would be meeting with.

There were many students in the study room reviewing their lessons. Qin Zhi’ai held her cell phone and quietly exited the classroom, making her way to the end of the corridor before answering, “Hello? Hello, have you arrived?

“I’m almost there. I’ll arrive in about ten minutes.” It seemed that the person speaking over the phone was currently driving, as he was polite, but not focused on the conversation.

Qin Zhi’ai felt familiar with the voice she had heard, but in that moment, she was unable to recall who he was. She paused for a while then proceeded to ask, “Could you please tell me which gate you will be arriving at?”

“The north gate.”

After hanging up, Qin Zhi’ai began running all the way to the north gate.

She had waited for about seven or eight minutes, then a car arrived slowly and stopped steadily at the school gate.

Just as Qin Zhi’ai was wondering if the person had arrived, her cell phone rang, and it was the same number. Before she answered, she saw an acquaintance, who she hadn’t seen for a long time, exiting the driver’s seat.

It was Xiaowang.

He was Gu Yusheng’s driver.

She was going to answer the phone, but she froze abruptly.

Xiaowang had heard the ringing of her phone then turned to look at her, waving, and said, “Hello.” He then walked past the front of the car to the door of the back seat and opened it.

Waiting to see the person who would be exiting the car, Qin Zhi’ai held her breath.