Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Several people were seated inside Qin Zhi’ai’s room. The first to run up next to her bed was Xu Wennuan. “Xiao’ai, you’re awake!”
The housekeeper brought over a bowl of ginger soup, sat down next to her bed, and thoughtfully fed the soup to her.
At noon, a nurse brought the lively baby to Qin Zhi’ai’s room. Nanny Zhang was the first to carry the baby and took her directly to Old Master Gu, who was overjoyed to have a great grandchild. Regretfully, as he was getting on in years, his decreasing physical strength made him afraid that he wouldn’t be able to hold the baby properly, so he settled on making cute faces at her while Nanny Zhang held her. After he played with her, Nanny Zhang then took the baby to Qin Zhi’ai.
In addition to Xu Wennuan, Xiaowang, Lu Bancheng, and even the housekeeper and the caretaker were all there and, as Nanny Zhang carried the baby to Qin Zhi’ai, everyone leaned forward to have a closer look.
The baby was not afraid of strangers and did not make a whimper. Her big black eyes were wide open as she looked around with curiosity. Once in Qin Zhi’ai’s arms, the baby first stared at her mother for some time before a bubble formed in her mouth, just as had happened when she had first seen Qin Zhi’ai the previous night.
Finding it adorable, a smile crept over Qin Zhi’ai’s lips and eyes as she lightly grazed her baby’s cheek. In response, the baby’s eyes narrowed slightly and her lips puckered a few times.
Qin Zhi’ai had not managed to have a good look at the baby after the labor, but now in her arms she examined all her features. She clearly saw the shadow of Gu Yusheng in their child, making Qin Zhi’ai suddenly remember the news that Gu Yusheng’s leader had brought to her when he had visited her the previous evening. The thought made her heart wrench and her eyes turn red.
With Old Master Gu present, Qin Zhi’ai did not dare reveal too much emotion. She slowly managed to suppress the heartache that was brimming high into her chest while nuzzling and talking to her baby. Within an hour, the baby was sleeping soundly in her mother’s arms.
Afraid of preventing Qin Zhi’ai from getting her rest, her visitors began to leave. As they were saying their goodbyes, Qin Zhi’ai instructed the housekeeper and caretaker to escort Old Master Gu and Nanny Zhang to their car, and then she stopped Xiaowang, who was about to leave the room with Lu Bancheng and Xu Wennuan.
When only Xiaowang, Qin Zhi’ai, and the baby were left in the room, Qin Zhi’ai placed the baby down beside her on the bed and then held up a digital recorder that was next to her pillow. “Did Yusheng leave this recorder with you before he left?”
Xiaowang nodded his head lightly. “Yes. Master Gu left that for me to give to you, just in case you might experience anything unexpected during the delivery.”
“In that case, beyond the recorder, is there anything else he told you?”
After a moment of silence, Xiaowang said, “Master Gu left behind a will with your name written on it.”
Qin Zhi’ai’s nose stung, and she lowered her eyes. “Anything else?”
“Master Gu also left behind some suggestions for the child’s kindergarten, elementary school, and middle school…”
So he actually made all these arrangements before he left, and I wasn’t even aware…
Qin Zhi’ai felt a lump in her throat, making her feel terrible. She nodded her head lightly without saying a word. After Xiaowang left, she picked up the recorder and turned it on. Gu Yusheng’s soft, calm voice echoed in the room.
“Xiao’ai, wait for me to return and to ask for your hand in marriage. And Xiao’ai, take good care of little peanut and yourself while I’m not there. I do not wish to return and not see the two of you. My life will only be complete if I have both of you with me for the rest of my life.”
