Half a month flew by quickly, and Qin He spent every day watching the baby.
The little baby had been quite ugly at birth, but now, as if his features had fully developed, he grew more handsome with each passing day.
Gu Qichen still visited every day, but she had now completely shut the balcony door closest to the entrance.
Ming Yuzhu, now with a baby grandson, held the baby and beamed with joy day after day.
At noon, twelve o'clock.
Qin He fed the baby and then took a walk in the back garden.
In the past few days, she had finally settled on a name for the baby.
His surname was Qin, and his given name was Wanchuan.
Qin Wanchuan’s nickname, following her mother’s suggestion, was Lele.
She had walked in the back garden for a while when a maid from the house ran out.
“Miss, a guest is here to see you.”
“Did they say who it was?” Qin He asked.
In the past few days, Yan Chen and Xiao Liyan had both visited. These two were Gu Qichen’s friends, and Qin He guessed they were sent by Gu Qichen to inquire about the reason.
She did not want too many people to know that she had regained her memory, so she simply had the maid say she was not home.
This was an obvious lie, and precisely because of it, after Yan Chen and Xiao Liyan visited twice, they understood her desire not to meet and did not come again.
“It’s someone quite old. He said he’s your master.” the maid replied.
Qin He was startled. Had Liu Xing’an arrived?
Since going to Haicheng to rest during her pregnancy, then encountering an attack and returning to Qingcheng, Qin He had not seen her master for nearly three months.
Qin He hurried back into the house, instructing the maid on the way, “Go and prepare Pu’er tea.”
When she reached the living room, Liu Xing’an was sitting on the sofa, and Ming Yuzhu was sitting opposite him, chatting.
Both looked up and saw Qin He returning. Ming Yuzhu stood up.
“He’er, your master has arrived.”
Qin He smiled at Ming Yuzhu, “I know, Mom. I’ll entertain him here. You should go and rest.”
Ming Yuzhu, who never interfered too much in Qin He’s affairs, got up, bid farewell to Liu Xing’an, and went upstairs.
The living room was quiet. Soon, a maid brought over the brewed tea.
Liu Xing’an took a sip and looked displeased.
“The tea is good, but it wasn’t brewed properly.”
Qin He chuckled, “Master, please don’t be so picky. Not everyone has the time to slowly brew a cup of tea.”
“Good tea must be brewed slowly. I used to go up the mountain every day to collect dew to brew Huangshan Maofeng. Without hardship, how can one obtain a truly good cup of tea?” Liu Xing’an said.
Qin He’s eyes flickered slightly.
“Master, you are my master. You’re not here to speak on behalf of Gu Qichen, are you?”
Liu Xing’an raised an eyebrow slightly, “I’m someone who upholds justice, not favors relatives. Didn’t you know that?”
Qin He replied with a hint of helplessness, “Why does Gu Qichen have justice on his side?”
Liu Xing’an snorted, “He’er, you and that kid Gu went to Country L together to invite me. I witnessed the entire process of your courtship. That kid Gu used to loiter in that United Department in Xicheng District every day just to catch a glimpse of you. Later, he saved your life several times—”
Qin He sighed softly.
Liu Xing’an continued with a frown, “Anyway, I think this kid’s efforts were even more diligent than when I was young and pursuing your mistress. Since you agreed, why do you suddenly regret it?”
After Liu Xing’an finished his lengthy speech, he noticed that his apprentice, who usually loved to argue with him, was silent.
He frowned and thought for a moment, “He’er, even if we don’t like him anymore and don’t want to be in a relationship with him, we still have to give that kid Gu a reason.”
Qin He looked at Liu Xing’an, “Master, my father passed away early. I truly regard you as an elder. Some things, even my mother doesn’t know—”
Qin He spoke in a low voice, recounting her past with Gu Qichen.
Now that she had regained her memory, those humble stories she had thought belonged to others, one by one, seeped into her heart.
“I’ve regained my memory now, Master. It’s like I have memories from two personalities. I need to sort out what I truly want right now.” Qin He took a deep breath.
She had always been proud, and with the recovery of her memory, her love for Gu Qichen also returned.
An incurable love. However, the depth of her later love was matched by the depth of her later hurt.
“Perhaps I was bitten by a snake once and fear a well rope for ten years, but I think this reason is sufficient,” Qin He said softly.
As she spoke of the years of her married life with Gu Qichen, Liu Xing’an remained silent.
However, the veins on his forehead throbbed intensely.
“Good heavens, so that kid Gu was such a scoundrel!”
Qin He smiled, but there was no mirth in her eyes.
“Master, we are both me, so why is there such a big difference in how he treated me before and after my amnesia?”
If she were to fall in love with Gu Qichen again, perhaps Gu Qichen would discard her cheap love like a broken shoe once more.
“But He’er, what Gu Qichen compensated later was actually quite—” it was considered repaying the past debt.
“I understand. That’s why I’ve been unwilling to see him. It’s not that I have any issues with him. I just need to sort out my own heart. At least, I need some quiet time.”
Qin He finished speaking and looked at Liu Xing’an.
“Master, during the two years I was married to Gu Qichen, he didn’t just hurt me; he also hurt my family. My mother and brother were both affected because of me.”
At that time, she was immersed in her own emotions and didn’t have the perspective to see the impact she had on others.
If she hadn’t lost her memory, she might have only ever looked at Gu Qichen.
She wouldn’t have known about the tragedy that befell her brother, or that her mother worried herself sick over her.
Thinking about it this way, perhaps this amnesia was a good thing after all.
Liu Xing’an was silent for a long time, and finally sighed softly.
“Do not advise kindness without experiencing others’ suffering. I understand this principle.”
He stood up. “He’er, no matter what decision you ultimately make, Master will support you.”
A genuine smile spread across Qin He’s face.
“Thank you, Master.”
Qin He walked Liu Xing’an to the courtyard.
“Master, after some time, I’ll go visit Mistress at the siheyuan.”
“Come sooner. Your mistress talks about you every day.”
Liu Xing’an said, then added, “Don’t worry, I’ll call you discreetly when that kid Gu isn’t around, and then you can come over. You can have as much quiet time as you need.”
A warmth flowed through Qin He’s heart.
“Got it, Master.”
Watching Liu Xing’an leave, Qin He returned to the house.
It had been over half a month since she returned to the Qin family, and Gu Qichen still waited outside the Qin family’s door every day.
Qin He felt a pang of sympathy. After all, that was Gu Qichen, someone who never compromised or yielded.
Recently, many rumors had been circulating in Qing City, saying that the Gu Corporation was in internal chaos.
When Qin He saw the news, she thought of what Gu Ranran had said the last time she visited.
Gu Qichen had not returned home for a long time, nor was he managing the company’s affairs.
He was currently waiting for her to give him an answer.
Until that answer was given, Gu Qichen would likely continue to wait like this.