Back Then, I Adored You

“The second promise is to record a video of you slapping yourself across the face four times. I want you to return to me double what you did to my face that night!”

“Once you accomplish the second task, I will call the disciplinary office right away and tell them not to pursue your brother’s cheating incident for the time being. Upon your completion of the first task of ruining all of your chances with Gu Yusheng, I will let your brother off for good.”

“I can even guarantee that I will never cause trouble with you again.”

“If you disagree with these terms, that is fine, too, Ms. Qin. I have many ways to torment you!”

“Ten minutes. If I do not receive the video from you within 10 minutes, your brother can jolly well prepare to be expelled!”

After explaining her terms, Liang Doukou ended the call without giving Qin Zhi’ai a chance to respond.

…

Qin Zhi’ai’s entire body trembled with rage as she clutched onto her phone.

After some time, she finally turned around. Through the window of the disciplinary office, she could see her mother begging subserviently as she wiped away the tears on her face.

Qin Zhi’ai’s heart wrenched tightly, and her eyes turned red in an instant. She quickly shifted her eyes to stare at the cherry blossoms that were blooming some distance away. After some time, she looked down at her cell phone.

Should I do as Liang Doukou says?

Qin Zhi’ai’s grip around her phone was so strong that her knuckles bulged. Biting her lips, she finally clicked on her phone’s camera.

She swallowed hard, and, as if embracing her death, she reached out her finger to turn on the video function of her camera. But before she managed to touch the screen of her phone, it began ringing, and her finger clicked the button to answer the call.

Qin Zhi’ai looked at the caller ID and saw that it was Xiaowang calling her.

As it didn’t seem appropriate to hang up after accepting a call, Qin Zhi’ai hesitated for a moment before raising the phone to her ear. The voice she heard, however, turned out to be that of Gu Yusheng. “Where are you now?”

Upon hearing Gu Yusheng’s voice, Qin Zhi’ai’s mind went blank. Before she could fully digest the emotions in her heart, Gu Yusheng spoke once more, “Which part of H University are you at?”

How does he know that I’m at Jiayan’s school?

Qin Zhi’ai moved her lips in puzzlement but did not make a sound before Gu Yusheng cut off the call. From a distance, she heard Xiaowang’s voice calling out to her. “Secretary Qin.”

Qin Zhi’ai turned her head in the direction of his voice, and there stood Gu Yusheng, handing his phone over to Xiaowang and then making his way toward her.

In addition to Xiaowang, there were a few unfamiliar faces behind him.

Just moments ago, she had been angered by Liang Doukou to the point that she was at a loss for words. And now, Gu Yusheng had made a sudden appearance before her.

Qin Zhi’ai stared foolishly at her phone and stood rooted to where she stood in a daze.

When Gu Yusheng was 10 feet away from her, he noticed the aggrieved expression on her face. Her eyes looked watery as if she had just cried. Turning his head, he ordered the men behind him to stay put, and he hastened his steps toward her.

While they had not seen each other for only 10 days, it felt like a lifetime. They stared silently at each other for some time before Gu Yusheng stretched out his hand to remove a cherry blossom petal from on her hair. Speaking in a gentle voice, he said, “Did someone mistreat you?”

Qin Zhi’ai did not know whether it was his sudden appearance or that she could not grasp the meaning behind his words, but she continued to stand there and stare at him with teary eyes and a dumbfounded look on her face.