Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
His words were like an ice-cold bucket of water that splashed mercilessly onto Qin Zhiâai.
Her body shuddered and her mind went blank.
She thought that their last meeting two years ago, when he had asked someone else who she was, had already been bad enough. Little did she know that when they met again two years later, it would be even worse.
Qin Zhiâai stood behind the railing on the second floor. Her eyes were fixed on Gu Yushengâs leaving figure, yet she hadnât managed to catch how he had exited the room at all.
Her chest grew tight, her heart heavy. Every time it throbbed, the pain she experienced left her rooted to the spot.
When Qin Zhiâai recovered, she could only hear the faint noise of Gu Yushengâs car starting up outside. She was afraid that the housekeeper would suddenly return to the house and see the awkward situation that she was in, so she hastily turned back to the bedroom and closed the door. It was then that she realised that tears had already blurred her vision.
Qin Zhiâai waited until she had calmed down and the mist in her eyes had cleared up before she headed downstairs, pretending that she had just woken up.
âMiss, youâre awake?â The housekeeper saw her and paused his work immediately.
The housekeeper should have been addressing her as âMadam,â but Gu Yusheng had forbidden him from doing so. The only choice left was for him to call her âMiss.â
Qin Zhiâai wasnât bothered. She kept a serene expression on her face, responding with a hum of acknowledgment and walking towards the dining hall.
The housekeeper usually returned to his own work during Qin Zhiâaiâs meal times, leaving her with her food in peace. Today, however, the housekeeper stayed after he had served her dishes and stood still by the table.
Qin Zhiâai pretended not to notice any difference from usual. With great composure, she started eating her breakfast.
As she finished the porridge in her bowl, the housekeeper standing nearby grew nervous and looked hesitant, as if he had something to say to Qin Zhiâai. His lips moved several times, but he didnât manage to make even the slightest sound.
It wasnât until Qin Zhiâai put down her chopsticks that the housekeeper finally spoke up. âMissâ¦â
âDo we have contraceptive pills at home?â Qin Zhiâai didnât wait for the housekeeper to finish his sentence before interrupting him.
She had known what the housekeeper was going to say, yet there are some things that would strip her of her dignity if they came from the housekeeperâs mouth. Even though deep down she was perfectly aware that the housekeeper knew how much Gu Yusheng resented her, she was still reluctant to let others embarrass her in person.
Qin Zhiâai looked at the housekeeper and quietly added, âIf we do, please help me find them.â
The housekeeper was visibly stunned upon hearing her words, but he kept silent and did what Qin Zhiâai ordered him to do.
Qin Zhiâai calmly swallowed the pill. She took a tissue to dab her mouth dry and stood up gracefully to exit the dining hall.
Before she could reach the door, the housekeeper suddenly spoke again. âMissâ¦â
Qin Zhiâai stopped and turned around.
âMiss, Mr. Gu said that Old Master Gu will be going to Hainan tonightâ¦â The housekeeper hesitated for a few seconds before he continued, âMr. Gu also said that now that the person who supports you has left, he wants you not to bother him anymore.â
She thought that by taking the initiative to ask for the pills, she would have kept at least some of her own dignity. She hadnât expected that he had given the housekeeper other instructionsâ¦
Qin Zhiâaiâs fingertips trembled slightly, but she looked as composed as ever, as if the housekeeperâs words were meant for somebody else, and lightly asked, âAnything else?â