Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Mrs. Gu? Was the housekeeper talking to her? Hadn’t Gu Yusheng asked the housekeeper to call her Miss?
Before Qin Zhi’ai had recovered from the shock of being call Mrs. Gu, the housekeeper had walked over to her and lifted her hand up to feel Qin Zhi’ai’s forehead. She smiled and said, “You don’t have a fever anymore. Mrs. Gu, do you still feel sick right now?”
Qin Zhi’ai shook her head. She had many questions to ask, but she didn’t know where to start. The housekeeper went directly to business before she could talk. This had happened three times today. “Mrs. Gu, your friend came over. She’s waiting for you downstairs. You can wash yourself and get dressed while I entertain her.”
Her friend?
Zhou Jing was the first one who flashed in her head. She had told Qin Zhi’ai that she had to switch back with Liang Doukou on the twelfth. Today was already the eleventh, so she must have come to discuss how it would be done in detail.
Qin Zhi’ai responded the housekeeper with an “okay.” She got off the bed and went to the bathroom.
When she was brushing her teeth, Qin Zhi’ai saw in the mirror above the sink that her makeup was all messed up, with black smears all around her eyes. The blackness had even spread down to her cheeks. She looked messy and horrible.
After the shower, Qin Zhi’ai sat in front of the vanity. She ran her fingers quickly over her face to finish her makeup, then stood up and walked to the closet. She picked out a dress. After she put it on, she turned around to check herself in the mirror. Finally, she made sure she was dressed okay, then went downstairs with a quick glance at herself in the mirror.
In one day and one night, she wouldn’t have to live in someone else’s identity. This Cinderella story would finally end.
Qin Zhi’ai had an old habit to look down before she walked downstairs, so she looked down while she walked to the stair railing. Jiang Qianqian was sitting on the enormous European style sofa, waving at her. She looked up and gave Qin Zhi’ai a bright smile. She said brightly, “Sis Kou, you’re awake?”
Qin Zhi’ai responded to her a smile of her own, but she didn’t say anything as she held the railing and slowly walked downstairs. She took a seat on the sofa across from Jiang Qianqian.
It was already fall in Beijing. The heating wasn’t on yet, so it was a little chilly. Since the housekeeper saw Qin Zhi’ai wasn’t wearing much clothing, she was worried that Qin Zhi’ai would get a fever again. She brought Qin Zhi’ai a thick sweater and put it on her. She asked, “Mrs. Gu, are you hungry? Should I bring something for you to eat?”
“No, thank you.” Qin Zhi’ai shook her head. “Can you just bring me a glass of water?”
Soon, the housekeeper brought her a glass of warm lemon water and placed it in front of her.
After she had waited for the housekeeper to leave, Qin Zhi’ai turned to look at Jiang Qianqian. She asked with a calm look on her face, “Why are here? What’s going on?”
“Nothing much. My oldest brother went to France a few days ago and brought a gift back for you. Yesterday, we went to grandpa’s house. You know how grandpa is very fond of you. He talked about you a few times at dinner. He said you haven’t visited him for almost half a month. I went to the bank nearby, and grandpa asked me to bring these bags of gifts for you after he heard I was coming by. These are all the foods you like.”
Jiang Qianqian pointed at the coffee table as she talked. Qin Zhi’ai saw gift boxes and bags piled on the table.