Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Gu Yusheng did not ask Lu Bancheng what he wanted. Instead, he stood up slowly, took his coat, and left.
If he had not harbored so much hope, he might not have been so disappointed right now.
Thinking about it, tonight was probably the worst he’d felt since the time he had met her again at South University.
Gu Yusheng drove around Beijing City Lake a few times before heading toward the water fountain he liked to visit.
The night wind whistled. It was the coldest time of the winter, and he was only wearing a thin sweater, but he didn’t feel cold.
He tossed coin after coin into the fountain, making one wish after another until he became tired. Squatting by the fountain, he lit a cigarette and held it between his fingers without taking a drag.
The cigarette smoke made his eyes ache.
What should I do? I still feel she is the little troublemaker I’m looking for.
Never mind, I can play along with her. One day, I’ll find the definitive answer.
It’s just that… It’s just that I really miss little troublemaker and I want her back.
On the night that Qin Zhi’ai returned to Beijing, Xu Wennuan related to her what Gu Yusheng had said and asked her to explain what was going on.
Qin Zhi’ai glossed over the details and didn’t give much information. Sensing that she was reluctant to talk about it, Xu Wennuan didn’t press her.
……
Qin Zhi’ai reported to work at Hui Shi the next day, and for the next few days Gu Yusheng was nowhere to be seen.
Gu Yusheng wasn’t in charge of the day-to-day operations at Hui Shi, as he was constantly busy at his own company. The only reason he had even frequented Hui Shi was because he had long suspected that she was the one he’d been looking for.
Now that he thinks I’m not who he’s been looking for, he probably won’t even bother to show up at Hui Shi anymore unless there’s some important business happening?
This was good for Qin Zhi’ai, because now she would only need to ensure that she does her job well. There would be no reason to interact with him anymore. Their relationship would be simple and professional.
But sometimes, things don’t go according to plans, just like how she had thought her story with Gu Yusheng was about to begin when he gave her his phone number half a year ago. She later realized that that was actually the end of their story.
This time, however, was different from eight years ago. She thought that after their conversation that night, Gu Yusheng would have eliminated the possibility of her being the person he is looking for, and the short interlude after their reunion would truly end. But at this critical moment, an unexpected twist of fate made their paths intertwine more than ever.
Qin Zhi’ai would always remember that day. It was December 23rd, two days before Christmas.
Since their conversation that night, she had not seen Gu Yusheng for 21 days.
That day, the weather was exceptionally horrible, and the mist was thick. China Telecom even sent out a message to remind subscribers about the Code Blue weather alert.
She was down with a mild flu and, when she woke up that morning, her head hurt more than usual. She had wanted to drop by the pharmacy to grab a box of flu tablets but, being afraid that she’d be late for work, she gave up the idea.
When she reached the office, most of the staff from the secretaries’ office was already there. Everyone was huddled together and discussing their plans for Christmas.