Accidentally Marked My Ex’s Crush, the Ice-Cold Goddess O - Chapter 33: Confession

Chapter 33: Confession

Qiao Zhenfei came to the company today, first to discuss work, and second to have Jiang Ci add Qiao Yunchi back on WeChat.

Although Jiang Ci already knew Qiao Zhenfei especially doted on Qiao Yunchi and wanted to give her the best of everything, Jiang Ci still didn’t expect that she would break the rift over a WeChat contact and come to her door.

After seeing Qiao Zhenfei off, Jiang Ci returned to Grandma’s office.

Qian Ying said to Jiang Ci: “Regarding the Qiao family breaking off the engagement, from today onward, forget about it. In the future, we and the Qiao family are still business partners. As for the matter between you and Qiao Yunchi, treat it as if it never happened. Whether you become friends or something else later, just remember one thing: you must not offend her.”

Jiang Ci: “Hmm, I understand.”

Qian Ying snorted coldly and said: “You may not have any redeeming qualities, but you’re better at understanding this than anyone else in the Jiang family. Though, you don’t really understand; you just want to take money from me. After all, your house, car, clothes, food, and daily expenses all use my money. Even the 500,000 you give to Jiang Ning every month comes from me.”

Jiang Ci nodded slightly, her expression serious: “Grandma, rest assured, whether it’s with the Qiao family or the Fu family, I will handle my responsibilities well and anything you arrange.”

Qian Ying stared at her with dark eyes and, after a long pause, said coldly: “If Jiang Ning comes back from abroad one day, I’ll make sure she properly thanks you, her second sister, for being so dutiful.”

“Get out,” Qian Ying dismissed her.

Jiang Ci didn’t say anything more, turned, and left. As soon as she stepped out, several WeChat messages popped up, sent by Qiao Yunchi.

Qiao Yunchi: Why did you suddenly add me back?

Her tone—did she not know?

Didn’t Qiao Zhenfei tell her about coming here today?

Jiang Ci: Aunt Qiao came to the company and asked me to add you back, saying our two families will still be partners in the future.

Qiao Yunchi: I see.

Qiao Yunchi: With my mommy’s personality, she probably wouldn’t say such nice words. She likely used a bit of coercion or enticement.

Qiao Yunchi: Sorry, I casually mentioned during a video call that I missed you, but I didn’t expect she’d go straight to you.

Qiao Yunchi: Are you still mad about the broken engagement?

Jiang Ci: I wouldn’t say I’m mad. I’ve already forgotten it.

Qiao Yunchi: Xiao Ci, I…

Qiao Yunchi: When we were together, I genuinely liked you.

Jiang Ci looked at the messages as she walked to the elevator, swiped her card, and with a beep, the elevator doors opened. She stepped inside.

Typing with one hand, she replied: Work hard.

Qiao Yunchi: Okay, you don’t want to talk.

Qiao Yunchi: About things between us, I won’t casually mention them to Mommy anymore. Don’t worry.

Jiang Ci: Thanks.

Qiao Yunchi: Take care of yourself too.

Jiang Ci put away her phone, looked up at the elevator’s display screen, and didn’t reply again.

Past nine in the evening, at the hospital.

It was rare to get off an early shift today. Gu Feiran returned to her office, organized patient files, checked the inventory of inhibitors and patches, then shut down the computer and left work.

Knock, knock—someone tapped on the office door.

At this hour, it was usually Jiang Ci coming to pick her and Dr. Jiang up, so Gu Feiran instinctively thought it was Jiang Ci. She went to open the door, only to find it wasn’t her.

“Little Aunt,” Gu Feiran greeted.

Liu Xiting hummed, walked straight in with a serious expression, and said, “Xiao Ran, I have something to discuss with you.”

Gu Feiran: “Okay.”

The office door closed again. Liu Xiting sat on the two-person sofa by the wall. Gu Feiran took a paper cup from the cabinet, filled it with warm water, and placed it in front of Liu Xiting, asking: “Little Aunt, what do you want to talk about? Is it about Dr. Jiang?”

Liu Xiting looked up: “It’s about you.”

Gu Feiran sat down: “What is it?”

Liu Xiting said: “I heard from your Aunt Jiang that Xiao Ci’s gland has mutated. It requires a top-tier omega or an S-class omega to reverse-mark her to have a chance at a cure. Otherwise, it’s a death sentence.”

Gu Feiran: “Hmm, that’s true.”

Though it felt a bit inappropriate, Liu Xiting still wanted to say: “Xiao Ran, I think you understand the situation between the Fu family and the Jiang family. Your Aunt Jiang and I are fine for now, but there’s bound to be a hurdle to cross later. Even if we ignore the Fu and Jiang families, just your mother is reason enough to distance ourselves from the Jiang family. So, regarding Xiao Ci’s condition, I don’t want you to get involved. I’ll find her the best gland specialist in the world or pay to resolve it. In short, no matter what, you must not get involved.”

When she opened the door and saw her Little Aunt with such a grim face, Gu Feiran had already guessed the purpose of her visit. Hearing these words now didn’t surprise her.

Gu Feiran replied: “Little Aunt, I understand your point, and I’m clear about the relationship between the Fu and Jiang families. But if we set those factors aside, could you watch Jiang Ci die before you?”

“I couldn’t,” Liu Xiting answered without hesitation.

Xiao Ci had been obedient, sensible, and well-behaved since childhood, raised single-handedly by Dr. Jiang, practically like half a daughter.

How could she watch her die in front of her?

Gu Feiran: “Neither can I.”

Liu Xiting fell silent.

If it weren’t a matter of life and death, Liu Xiting could argue a bit, but now that Xiao Ci’s life was at stake, how could she demand Xiao Ran ignore it? Yet, on Xiao Ran’s side…

Why did Xiao Ran have to match all the conditions perfectly?

Gu Feiran reassured her: “Little Aunt, I’ll handle this matter carefully. Pretend you don’t know about it, and it’s best not to tell Dr. Jiang either. I’ll keep it from Jiang Ci as well.”

Liu Xiting first sank into heavy thought, then let out a long sigh after a while, saying helplessly: “Your grandma used to tell me all the time that the Fu and Jiang families are forever incompatible, and we must never have any ties. I never expected that not only would I fall in love with a Jiang family daughter, but now even the Fu family’s most cherished little granddaughter would get entangled with them. If your grandma knew, she’d probably break both our legs.”

Gu Feiran chuckled lightly: “True.”

They chatted for a bit. Liu Xiting didn’t want to persuade anymore. No matter the choice, it couldn’t outweigh Xiao Ci’s life, so it was better, as Xiao Ran said, to pretend she didn’t know.

Liu Xiting drank the water in the cup in one gulp, crushed the paper cup in her palm, and tossed it into the nearby trash can, throwing the matter out of her mind as well.

Liu Xiting walked to the door and opened it: “Xiao Ci?”

Gu Feiran followed and instinctively looked over. Jiang Ci stood there, fist raised as if about to knock, holding a lunchbox in her other hand, contents unknown.

Since Jiang Ci came here often, the door was usually locked or opened by Dr. Gu. It was Jiang Ci’s first time seeing someone other than Dr. Gu, especially since it was Aunt Liu.

Jiang Ci slowly lowered her hand, glanced at both of them, her gaze finally settling on Liu Xiting, and said: “Aunt Liu, did you come back from a business trip today?”

Liu Xiting nodded: “Hmm, I came back today. I had something to discuss with Dr. Gu, so I stopped by.”

Jiang Ci: “I see.”

Dr. Gu had previously explained her relationship with Aunt Liu, so Jiang Ci wouldn’t misunderstand. Still, seeing them both come out of the office now made her a bit surprised.

Liu Xiting placed a hand on Jiang Ci’s head, ruffling it affectionately, and said: “Take good care of yourself. Don’t worry too much. With Dr. Gu here, you’ll be fine. I’ll help you too.”

Jiang Ci’s heart warmed, her gaze softening: “Hmm.”

Liu Xiting lowered her hand and said to both: “I’ll take Dr. Jiang home tonight. Xiao Ci, you take Dr. Gu home. There may be fewer cars at night, but still be careful.”

Jiang Ci: “Okay, I understand.”

Liu Xiting hummed, glanced at Xiao Ran, then walked away with heavy steps, her back visibly full of worry.

Once Aunt Liu was out of sight, Jiang Ci looked at Gu Feiran with a probing gaze.

She didn’t say a word, but her eyes were full of questions.

Gu Feiran stepped out, locked the door, and said: “When I explained it to you before, didn’t you believe me?”

Jiang Ci: “I believe there’s nothing between you and Aunt Liu now, but I’m curious about what kind of relationship you have. Your age difference doesn’t seem like friends, and it’s even less likely you’re relatives. Aunt Liu’s surname is Liu, yours isn’t Liu or Fu, but Gu. There’s no connection. Are you lifelong confidants across an age gap? Or is there some secret doctor-patient relationship?”

Gu Feiran turned toward the elevator: “Guess for yourself.”

Jiang Ci followed, carrying the lunchbox: “I can’t guess. Dr. Gu, how about a small hint?”

Gu Feiran: “How’s your body feeling today?”

She changed the subject.

Since Dr. Gu clearly didn’t want to talk, Jiang Ci sensibly stopped pressing and replied: “My body’s fine, everything’s normal. By the way, Dr. Gu, something happened today that I want to confess to you.”

Confess?

What could warrant that word?

The elevator arrived with people inside. Before stepping in, Gu Feiran said quietly: “Talk about it in the car later.”

Jiang Ci: “Alright.”

Leaving the hospital building, Jiang Ci handed the lunchbox to Gu Feiran, ran a short distance, and drove the car over.

Parking was tough around the hospital.

Beep, beep—Jiang Ci honked twice.

Gu Feiran opened the passenger door and got in.

Tonight’s dinner was light: a fruit and vegetable salad, steamed shrimp, and scrambled eggs with loofah.

There was also a cup of cabbage-tofu soup, truly healthy.

Gu Feiran asked her: “What do you want to confess?”

Jiang Ci glanced at the rearview mirror, signaled, and switched to the left lane, saying: “This afternoon, I added my ex back on WeChat.”

Gu Feiran placed the fruit and vegetable salad on top and stirred it with a fork: “The reason for adding them back?”

Jiang Ci explained the reason for adding her back in full detail. After finishing, she added: “Though I added her back on WeChat, I’ve set it to block her messages, so there won’t be any contact.”

Gu Feiran had heard a bit about the Qiao and Jiang families from her sister. The two families had planned a marriage alliance for business, but the engagement was broken because Qiao Yunchi backed out at the ceremony.

As for Jiang Ci and Qiao Yunchi, they had once been in love.

Gu Feiran: “Miss Qiao probably genuinely liked you.”

Her tone was calm, but Jiang Ci couldn’t help glancing at her and said: “That’s all in the past.”

Gu Feiran picked up the fork and took a bite of banana with salad dressing, which tasted quite sweet: “I don’t mind. You don’t need to be so nervous. It’d be strange if you hadn’t been in a relationship in your twenties.”

Jiang Ci asked her: “Has Dr. Gu been in one?”

Gu Feiran: “No.”

None?

Jiang Ci thought someone as beautiful as Dr. Gu would have had many relationships, but to her surprise, not even one. Unbelievable.

But if she’d never been in a relationship, why did she say her kissing skills were bad?