Accidentally Marked My Ex’s Crush, the Ice-Cold Goddess O - Chapter 24: Comfort Her

Chapter 24: Comfort Her

Although the most pressing question had already been asked, Fu Xianqing did not let Jiang Ci leave. Instead, she asked Jiang Ci another question, “What do you think about Liu Xiting and Jiang Lan’s situation?”

Little Aunt and Aunt Liu?

Their relationship was an open secret in the Jiang family and the Fu family. Both families had tried to stop it and even made harsh threats to forbid them from being together.

But these days, with financial independence and mature thinking, family threats didn’t mean much. So, the two publicly said they broke up but continued their relationship in private.

Grandma knew about it. Two years ago, she sent people to pick up Little Aunt from work every day and didn’t allow her to go out on weekends.

During that controlled period, Little Aunt didn’t argue or make a fuss. She ate and played as if nothing happened.

Seeing this, Grandma stopped interfering, but not interfering didn’t mean she approved of their relationship.

Jiang Ci replied, “Madam Fu, I’m a junior. I have no right to meddle in such matters. Grandma will handle it on her side, and as for Aunt Liu, I believe Madam Fu has your own judgment.”

Fu Ruanyi made a tsk sound, looking ahead, “I really don’t like hearing you say polite words. Every word is true, every sentence is honest, but it just sounds unpleasant.”

Fu Xianqing didn’t share her granddaughter’s view and asked Jiang Ci, “From your perspective, do you support them being together or not?”

Jiang Ci said, “I support it.”

“Oh?” Fu Xianqing thought she’d keep saying polite words. “Why do you support them being together?”

Jiang Ci said, “The Jiang family and Fu family’s grudges are from the older generation. Little Aunt and Aunt Liu haven’t done anything wrong. Both are mature. Whether they stay together or break up, they can judge for themselves. Even if they can’t be together, I think Little Aunt and Aunt Liu won’t have regrets.”

This time, Fu Ruanyi didn’t comment on Jiang Ci’s words and seemed deep in thought.

Fu Xianqing leaned back gently in her wicker chair. A staff member came up behind her and gently massaged her shoulders.

The surroundings were so quiet that the sound of the stream’s water became clear again.

About five minutes later, Fu Xianqing suddenly spoke, her tone very serious, “I don’t care what you think of Liu Xiting and Jiang Lan. Jiang Ci, I’m warning you once: if you dare to meddle with Liu Xiting again or target our Fu family, I won’t let you off.”

She was talking about Jiang Ci asking Aunt Liu to act as a matchmaker.

The Fu family, like the Jiang family, held grudges.

Jiang Ci nodded, “I understand, Madam Fu.”

Fu Xianqing waved her hand, “You can go.”

Jiang Ci said, “Madam Fu, President Fu, I’ll take my leave.”

Leaving the horse ranch, on the way back, Jiang Ci kept thinking about Little Aunt and Aunt Liu. From Fu Xianqing’s attitude, she, like Grandma, strongly opposed their relationship.

The current calm was just because the storm hadn’t arrived yet. Once it swept over, it would stir up monstrous waves. She wondered how Little Aunt and Aunt Liu would fare then.

Jiang Ci looked out the car window and sighed deeply.

She hoped Little Aunt and Aunt Liu would be safe.

At a little past eight in the evening, Jiang Ci brought two portions of dry pot braised shrimp she made at home to the hospital.

One for Little Aunt, the other for Dr. Gu.

Jiang Ci placed the dry pot braised shrimp on Little Aunt’s desk and said, “Little Aunt, is Aunt Liu picking you up tonight?”

“No, she’s on a business trip,” Jiang Lan said, typing on her keyboard.

A wealthy client in a nearby city who sold gold jewelry was getting divorced. The property division was uneven, and the wife, a male mistress, and a female fourth party got into a fight. He called last night, specifically asking her to take the case. Liu Xiting initially refused and hung up.

But unexpectedly, the client sent several people to her doorstep at midnight, holding three gold bars as a deposit for the case.

Using gold bars as a deposit was rare these days.

Seeing the client’s generosity, Liu Xiting left at midnight and would probably be back in a week.

Jiang Ci nodded, “Oh,” and leaned down, saying, “I see. Little Aunt, I’ll take the other portion of dry pot braised shrimp to Dr. Gu. Eat this while it’s here, and message me before you leave work.”

Jiang Lan focused on her computer screen, recording patient details, “You’re picking me up? What, did Aunt Liu tell you to do this? She’s on a business trip and still giving you tasks.”

Jiang Ci shook her head, “It’s not Aunt Liu’s arrangement. I have something to discuss. You must message me before leaving work.”

Jiang Lan said, “Got it. Go deliver to Dr. Gu.”

“Okay.” Jiang Ci left with the lunchbox.

Jiang Ci left Little Aunt’s office, closing the door behind her.

On the way to Dr. Gu’s office, she saw Dr. Gu from a distance, wearing a mask, standing at the nurse’s station. Her tall, slender figure was bent over, seriously looking at something.

Her black hair, tied up at the back of her neck, was a bit messy, probably from being too busy to fix.

“Dr. Gu,” Jiang Ci called softly.

Gu Feiran was about to grab a pen to sign a surgical consent form when she heard someone call her. She turned and saw Jiang Ci.

Gu Feiran glanced at her, looked away, pressed her thumb lightly on her pocket, took out the pen, signed her name as the lead surgeon, and asked tiredly, “What do you want?”

Jiang Ci stepped closer but kept some distance, “I made mildly spicy dry pot braised shrimp this time. Want to try it?”

Gu Feiran didn’t look up. A few strands of hair fell gently from behind her ear, slightly covering her thick lashes as she flipped through a patient’s file, “It’s so late, and you’re still bringing food to Dr. Jiang?”

Jiang Ci replied, “Last time, Little Aunt messaged me saying she wanted dry pot braised shrimp. I had something to discuss with her tonight, so I made it and brought it over.”

“Hmm,” Gu Feiran responded faintly.

Her tone sounded weak, and she looked exhausted.

Jiang Ci gripped the lunchbox strap and said, “I won’t disturb you then. Dr. Gu, get off work early and stay safe on your way home.”

Gu Feiran said, “Thanks.”

“No problem.” Jiang Ci turned and left with the lunchbox.

After Jiang Ci left, Gu Feiran slowly looked up, her beautiful brows furrowed, her eyes misty with a light haze.

Back in Little Aunt’s office, Jiang Ci shared the dry pot braised shrimp with the other doctors. They happily thanked her, took disposable chopsticks from a drawer, and started eating.

Jiang Lan took a bite, glanced at a patient’s file, and asked, “Dr. Gu rejected your dry pot braised shrimp?”

“Hmm,” Jiang Ci nodded.

Jiang Lan sighed and said gravely, “It’s not her fault. The ICU lost a three-year-old today. Severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia, a genetic disease. The surgery was successful, but the patient’s lungs were underdeveloped. Complications arose after using an artificial lung membrane, and resuscitation failed. Dr. Gu watched the child pass.”

Jiang Ci murmured softly, “So that’s why.”

No wonder Dr. Gu seemed sad earlier.

Jiang Lan poked her and said, “If you’ve got nothing to do, go check on Dr. Gu. Cheer her up a bit.”

Jiang Ci frowned, “Wouldn’t it be bad to bother Dr. Gu at a time like this? It’s better to let her have some quiet time.”

“What are you talking about? This is exactly when she shouldn’t be alone. Having someone with her is best.”

Jiang Lan took a bite of shrimp, too busy to peel it, chewing it with the shell, “Doctors don’t become emotionless just because they see life and death every day in the hospital. When their own patients pass, especially young ones, the emotional impact is greater. Thinking of those who should’ve had bright futures but lost their lives early, the heart bears more. If you can let it go, it might be fine in a day or two. If you can’t, it becomes a knot in your heart.”

Jiang Lan looked up at her, “Dr. Gu is the type who can let it go, but letting it go and not needing comfort are two different things. Understand now?”

Jiang Ci nodded, “I understand.”

Jiang Lan waved at her, “Go then. I’ll message you when I’m off work. By the way, what do you want to talk about? You’re dragging it out, insisting on waiting until I’m off.”

As she spoke, Jiang Ci was already out of the office.

Jiang Lan said helplessly, “This girl.”

In the office.

Knock knock, Jiang Ci tapped the door lightly.

After a moment, the person inside opened the door. Their eyes met, and Gu Feiran looked at her calmly, “Something up?”

Jiang Ci’s voice was soft, “Little Aunt told me to keep you company.”

She initially wanted to find a proper excuse, but after thinking of several, they all seemed like making trouble for no reason and might annoy Dr. Gu. So, she just said it directly.

“Hmm… come in,” Gu Feiran said.

“Okay.” Jiang Ci stepped in with small steps, stayed near the door, and kept looking at her.

Gu Feiran had work to do and didn’t entertain Jiang Ci. She sat down, stared at her computer screen, and said, “I don’t have time for comforting words. Sit if you want, leave if you don’t.”

“Okay, I won’t disturb you.”

Jiang Ci pulled over a chair, sat against the wall, and stayed quiet.

She didn’t play with her phone or make a sound.

Though she wasn’t allowed to say comforting words, Jiang Ci had some tact. Seeing Dr. Gu wanted water but her cup was empty, she quickly got up, took the cup to the water dispenser, and filled it with warm water.

Gu Feiran said thanks and continued working.

They stayed quietly like that for half an hour. Jiang Ci was focused on watching Dr. Gu when the office door was suddenly knocked on.

Judging by the frequency and force of the knocks, it didn’t seem urgent, so Gu Feiran stayed seated.

Jiang Ci opened the door. A somewhat familiar face appeared in her view, someone she seemed to have seen before.

“Dr. Gu…”

The person stopped mid-sentence when they saw it wasn’t Gu Feiran but Jiang Ci opening the door. Their gaze slowly moved past Jiang Ci to Dr. Gu in the office.

She wore glasses, her thin lips and cold eyes focused as she typed diligently.

“It’s you.”

The gaze returned to Jiang Ci. Xu Zhen recognized her.

She was the niece of Dr. Jiang, seen walking with Dr. Gu after work that evening, though he forgot her name.

Jiang Ci replied, “I’m Dr. Gu’s patient, here for a head injury. Please come in.”

She came up with this excuse earlier out of boredom.

She was worried someone might misunderstand her relationship with Dr. Gu.

But she didn’t expect someone would actually knock on Dr. Gu’s office door and ask who she was. What a coincidence.