Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Her heart seemed to have been gripped tightly by something forcefully rubbing and pinching it. The intense pain spread through her veins quickly and fiercely, reaching all parts of her body.
She could not help but curl up into a ball and bury her face in the quilt. Her eyes filled with tears again.
After weeping silently for a long time, Qin Zhiâai turned on her phoneâs flashlight and inserted the room card on the wall at the entrance.
The sudden light in the room was too bright for her. She raised her hands to cover her eyes, stood still for a moment, and went to the bathroom.
After coming out, Qin Zhiâai boiled a pot of water. She poured a glass, cupped her hands around it, and bypassed the bed as she headed to the French door. She opened the door and went out onto the balcony.
At midnight, it was particularly quiet in the suburbs.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
With her mind preoccupied, Qin Zhiâai leaned on the balcony rail and took in a long night view of the entire manor.
The whistling wind blew from time to time, bringing with it gusts of chill. Qin Zhiâai shivered from the cold, but she did not want to go inside.
As she held the glass, the water became cold, and a faint smell of tobacco made its way from her left.
She turned her head intuitively toward that direction. Through the potted plants on the balconies, she saw Gu Yusheng standing on his balcony in a black windbreaker, staring at the scenery in the distance and smoking silently.
Itâs already three oâclock in the morning. Why is he still in Xiaowangâs room?
Qin Zhiâai frowned slightly with confusion. Then she noticed Gu Yusheng snuffing out the last of his cigarette, taking out another one from his cigarette case, putting it between his lips, and lighting it.
Now Qin Zhiâai frowned more forcefully as she became suspicious. Standing on her toes and probing her head toward Gu Yusheng, she saw, as expected, many long and short cigarette butts scattered on the balcony.
Is he that addicted to cigarettes?
Qin Zhiâai pursed her lips gently. Before turning her head, Gu Yusheng, standing upright, seemed to have sensed her gaze. He turned his head sideways slightly, and their eyes met.
He didnât think she was still awake. The moment he saw her, he froze.
Qin Zhiâai was also stunned, but within two seconds she composed herself and greeted him. âMaster Gu.â
Hearing her voice, he slightly raised his handsome eyebrows, took the cigarette he just lit from his mouth, and asked, âHavenât you slept yet?â
Of course I canât say I have insomnia because of him. After pausing for a moment, Qin Zhiâai answered, âTV makes me energetic.â
He put the cigarette in his mouth again and muttered, âOh.â
Qin Zhiâai did not know how to continue the conversation, so she stopped talking.
Neither of them spoke, and silence blanketed the balconies.
With the chilly wind blowing, Qin Zhiâai felt cold all over, and her hands around the glass were so cold that they had become stiff.
She was just about to tell Gu Yusheng that she was going back to her room when he looked up at the scattered stars in the sky and suddenly said, âSecretary Qin, pour me a glass of hot water, too.â His voice was almost inaudible in the wind, but she still heard it.
âOh, okay,â Qin Zhiâai responded in a hurry. She then added, âWait a minute, Master Gu.â She pushed the door and returned to her room.