Back Then, I Adored You

It was heart-wrenching for Qin Zhi’ai, as the only man she loved is marrying another girl.

She couldn’t deny that the deal was attractive enough, but now it had become even more tempting than before.

Liang Doukou and Qin Zhi’ai hit it off as soon as they met. On the following day, Qin Zhi’ai went through training, arranged by the management company, to imitate Liang Doukou’s voice. When everything was in place, Liang Doukou secretly flew in to receive treatment for her tumor. As for Qin Zhi’ai, she successfully moved in with Gu Yusheng in the place of the real Liang Doukou.

With regards to the story of Gu Yusheng and Liang Doukou, Qin Zhi’ai didn’t know much about it until she moved in.

Through her devious questioning, she learned from the housekeeper and the helpers working at the Gu Mansion that Old Master Gu and Liang Doukou’s grandpa had been brothers-in-arms. Back when they were in the military, Liang Doukou’s grandpa had once saved Old Master Gu’s life. As such, Old Master Gu doted on Liang Doukou more dearly than his own grandson, Gu Yusheng.

However, like many other couples, it was a single-sided love from Liang Doukou.

With all the pampering from Old Master Gu, Liang Doukou went all out to pester Gu Yusheng. Gu Yusheng didn’t know what methods she had used, but she had made it into his Grandpa’s good graces, and his Grandpa became so fond of her to the extent that he forced marriage on the two, and it had to be done by the end of the year.

When Liang Doukou and Qin Zhi’ai were discussing this, Liang Doukou specifically instructed her to retain her status as Mrs. Gu, whatever it took. If there were any new developments in her marriage, Qin Zhi’ai wouldn’t be getting a single cent.

Qin Zhi’ai supposed it must be difficult for Liang Doukou, fulfilling her long-time wish and getting Gu Yusheng to agree to the marriage. That could be why Liang Doukou needed a temporary substitute, as she was fearful that her sickness might cost her her marriage.

Before Gu Yusheng and Qin Zhi’ai met each other in the house, she foresaw there wouldn’t be a chance when she moved in for them to be together again.

Despite this, she was somewhat happy when the man she loved didn’t love the woman he was married to.

Back then, she fantasized about being the Cinderella in a fairy tale, wearing her glass shoes, dancing with her prince charming before the clock struck twelve. She was dreaming of a whole new romance.

Being in love with him for that many years gave her a tinge of hope, even though she knew she had to wake up from it eventually.

It wasn’t until the night when he forced himself on her without any hesitation and ordered the housekeeper to feed her contraceptive pills on the next day that she realized everything was a nightmare.

She figured out that all his heartless actions had been targeted only at the real Liang Doukou.

After all, it had nothing to do with her, since she was only a paid substitute; there was no reason for her to be upset about it.

But Qin Zhi’ai was the one who had been receiving all of his sarcasm, rejection, and detest, especially the insults and humiliations in bed. Those were the hardest to bear and hurt her the most.

After all, no one liked to be humiliated, not to mention that he was someone whom she held in high regard.

—

The roaring thunder outside the window brought Qin Zhi’ai back to reality.

She had been in her own world for so long that her hair was almost dry.

Qin Zhi’ai wrapped up all her emotions and restored to her usual calmness. Picking up the hair dryer, she continued to blow her hair dry and went to bed.

Before her bath, the weather was calm and tranquil. Now, it had developed to harsh and stormy weather.

She was unable to fall asleep immediately, probably due to Gu Yusheng’s return that night. She watched as the downpour of rain gradually subsided into drizzling before she finally drifted off to dreamland.

That night, Gu Yusheng had treated her such that she could hardly get out of her bed for the next few days.