Back Then, I Adored You

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

He was naturally striking, and smiling like he did now made him even more charming.

Qin Zhi’ai was captivated, until he said, “Do you know that I’ve always been waiting for you?”

The soft smile remained on his face but, somehow, Qin Zhi’ai detected a hint of sorrow. A lump formed in her throat, choking her up. Swallowing hard, she shifted her gaze away from his face and replied in a low voice, “Master Gu, let’s get you out of the tub so you don’t catch a cold.”

Regardless of what she had said to him throughout the night, he had never answered her, yet suddenly he was surprisingly obedient. “Okay.”

With that, he struggled to get out of the bathtub. Still unsteady from drinking, Qin Zhi’ai gave him a hand.

After he stepped out of the bath, Qin Zhi’ai realized that Gu Yusheng had removed his underwear. Although she only took a fleeting glance and didn’t clearly see anything, her face burned in embarrassment.

Clumsily grabbing the showerhead, she adjusted the water temperature before handing it to Gu Yusheng.

Although she knew that he would not notice her shyness in his drunken state, she couldn’t look him in the eye when she said, “Master Gu, you should rinse the soap off your body.”

Gu Yusheng didn’t take the showerhead but instead stared at her intensely and passionately.

Qin Zhi’ai’s face was bright red. Afraid to look at him, she lowered her eyes, held the showerhead, and helped him rinse off before handing him a towel.

Gu Yusheng didn’t take that either and continued to stare intently at her.

In that moment, he was too drunk to tell if he was dreaming or hallucinating. He’d had too many similar dreams in the past.

On countless nights, I’ve dreamed that she would return. But every time I’ve reached out for her, all I grasped was air. Calling out “little troublemaker” I would always wake myself up, and I could never get back to sleep.

But tonight is different. The eyes of little troublemaker were so clear and spirited, and these eyes tonight are much more beautiful than those in my dreams.

Even caressing your face, feels real, as if I’m truly touching her.

Thoughts flowed through his mind and, as if he had just realized something, Gu Yusheng lifted his head and brushed against Qin Zhi’ai’s cheeks. Just as before, the touch was soft and smooth. Unable to restrain himself, he began to nuzzle against her cheek.

Qin Zhi’ai bit her lower lip, and her breathing became uneven, first because of his intense staring and now his touching her. To get out of the bathroom as quickly as possible, she helped dry him off with a towel.

When they were done, she tossed the towel into the dirty laundry basket. After draping the bath robe on him and knotting it, she spun around and grabbed his elbow, pulling him out of the bathroom toward the bed.

“Master Gu, you must be tired. I’m—I’m going to leave now.”

Even though his mind was foggy, Gu Yusheng’s expression changed drastically when she said she was going. He tightly grabbed Qin Zhi’ai’s elbow.

“You can’t leave. I forbid you.” As he spoke, he drew her into his arms and cuddled her.

“Don’t leave.”

As if he were an insecure child, his arms tightened around her as if he were trying to melt her into his body.