Back Then, I Adored You

Just as most new mothers are drawn to anything involving babies, Qin Zhi’ai’s attention was instantly drawn to the scan. She looked at it and pointed to an area, asking hesitantly, “Is that the baby’s mouth?”

“Isn’t it here? I think the mouth is here.”

“That doesn’t look like a mouth. What about here?”

“Xiao’ai, here’s the baby. You’re pointing at the center of the baby. The baby’s mouth should be either here or here; the mouth can’t be in the center. And that area should be the baby’s butt.”

“Gu Yusheng, are you saying our baby’s mouth is on the butt?”

“I did not mean…” As they exited the hospital and headed to the curb where Xiaowang had parked the car, Gu Yusheng suddenly stopped talking. Instinctively, he turned around and saw a car rushing directly at Qin Zhi’ai, who had just stepped off the curb. With no time to think, he instantly pulled her back into his arms and off the road.

Before they could stabilize themselves, the car sped by them and then careened back onto the main street. With his chest visibly pumping from fear, he grabbed Qin Zhi’ai by her shoulders. Examining her face, he asked, “Are you hurt?”

Qin Zhi’ai’s face was drastically pale and, while struggling to catch her breath, she barely managed to say, “I’m… fine.”

Overwhelmed by the danger he’d just witnessed, Xiaowang ran over. “Master Gu!” After calling out his name, Xiaowang turned and, looking at Gu Yusheng’s arm, exclaimed, “You’re hurt.”

Following Xiaowang’s eyes to Gu Yusheng’s arm, Qin Zhi’ai said, “Yusheng…”

“I’m fine.” Gu Yusheng had calmed down considerably after he had made sure Qin Zhi’ai was not hurt. He shushed Qin Zhi’ai from asking more questions and then unbuttoned his cuff and rolled up his sleeve. Seeing just a minor scratch, he took a tissue from Xiaowang and wiped the blood off his arm. He then held Qin Zhi’ai by her shoulder and said to Xiaowang, “Let’s get in the car.”

Gu Yusheng opened the door for Qin Zhi’ai. As she got in, he turned around to look in the direction the car had sped away. He knew it was long gone.

After Qin Zhi’ai was seated, Gu Yusheng closed the door and walked to the other side of the car. Instead of opening the door, he stopped Xiaowang, who was about to open the driver’s door and get in. When Xiaowang realized that all the car doors were closed, he knew Gu Yusheng wanted to talk to him privately. He lowered his voice and asked, “Yes, Master Gu?”

Gu Yusheng told Xiaowang the car’s plate number and said, “Can you check on that car?”

How did Master Gu catch that plate number so fast?

Admiring Gu Yusheng’s ability, Xiaowang replied, “Yes, Master Gu.”

…

With flowers blooming in the new Beijing spring, the weather was perfect. As it was still early, and Gu Yusheng did not have any pressing work, he suggested a walk around the Mother and Baby Lifestyle store when they were halfway home. Although the baby was not due for some time, Qin Zhi’ai knew she would not want to go out after her belly got bigger, so getting prepared now was a good idea.

Qin Zhi’ai nodded at Gu Yusheng, who in turn asked Xiaowang to stop the car at the curb near a taxi stand. He then took the car key from Xiaowang and drove Qin Zhi’ai to the store.