Accidentally Marked My Ex’s Crush, the Ice-Cold Goddess O - Chapter 41: Dr. Gu Holds a Grudge

Chapter 41: Dr. Gu Holds a Grudge

Dr. Gu went to the bathroom to shower. When she came out, the trash can by the bed was full of used tissues and wet wipes, while the person on the bed was sleeping soundly, clearly exhausted.

Dr. Gu shook her head and walked over slowly.

She bent down to pull the blanket over her, then went to the closet to change into casual clothes and headed to the study to work on her paper.

Jiang Ci set an alarm before sleeping. At exactly 1:40, the alarm rang loudly. She opened her eyes, sat up in bed, got dressed, put the detector back in its bag, and went to knock on the study door.

Knock, knock, twice.

Jiang Ci pressed the door handle but didn’t go in. She just poked her head inside and said to the person, “Dr. Gu, I’m heading back to the company now.”

“Don’t you want to sleep more?” Dr. Gu asked her.

Jiang Ci explained, “There’s a lot of work at the company, so I can’t sleep. I’m really sorry about today.”

Dr. Gu said, “It’s fine, go ahead.”

Jiang Ci replied, “Okay, bye.”

While thanking Dr. Gu for being so understanding, Jiang Ci hugged her clothes, tossed the bag into the back seat, and hurriedly drove off. She had an important meeting at 2:30, and after that, she needed to go to the school to talk to Teacher Shi about revising her paper.

In the evening, Dr. Gu came back from a run. She pushed open the door to the living room and saw someone sitting on the sofa.

“Miss Gu,” Aunt Liu handed her a towel.

“Thanks,” Dr. Gu took the towel, wiping sweat as she walked over and asked, “Why are you here so late?”

Fu Ruanyi leaned against the armrest of the sofa, tilting her head with her hand supporting it. Her beautiful eyes glanced over as she said lightly, “You haven’t gone to see Grandma in days. She misses you but didn’t want to bother you with messages. She asked Aunt Liu how you’ve been, but Aunt Liu said she’s been on leave for a couple of days because of family matters. That made Grandma even more worried, so she ordered me to come check on you.”

“How have you been lately?”

Fu Ruanyi asked casually.

She was about to sleep when Grandma called her late at night, insisting she come check on Xiao Ran. She’s in her twenties and a doctor. Even if she can’t take care of herself, there’s still Aunt Liu. Why all the worry?

Dr. Gu smiled lightly, walked over to stand in front of her, and said gently, “I’ve been doing well. Thanks for coming all this way. Should I ask Aunt Liu to prepare the guest room for you?”

“Hmm, I don’t feel like going back and forth anyway,” Fu Ruanyi squinted, yawning, barely able to keep her eyes open.

Another sleepy one.

Dr. Gu thought of something, shook her head, told Aunt Liu, and went to her room to shower. She was sweaty from her run.

After showering, Dr. Gu wanted to talk to her more, but Aunt Liu told her that Miss Fu had already gone to bed.

Seeing this, Dr. Gu went back to her room to sleep.

The next day, the two sat at the dining table for breakfast.

Fu Ruanyi cut half a fried egg with her knife and fork, asking Xiao Ran, “How’s Little Aunt and Jiang Ning doing lately?”

The fact that Dr. Jiang and Little Aunt were together was known to both families. They claimed to have broken up publicly but were still together privately, which both families also knew. Neither side had interfered yet.

Mainly because Dr. Jiang and Little Aunt didn’t get involved in family businesses, so there wasn’t much conflict. Plus, Little Aunt was rarely around Grandma when she was young. Now that she’s grown, Grandma felt guilty, so even knowing Dr. Jiang was from the Jiang family, she tolerated it.

Dr. Gu answered, “They’re quite loving. As long as Little Aunt isn’t busy with work, she picks Dr. Jiang up from the hospital, sometimes even bringing flowers.”

Fu Ruanyi wasn’t optimistic about their relationship and said, “If Little Aunt hadn’t been flying around the world, never settling down, she wouldn’t have missed that Jiang Lan was from the Jiang family and gotten involved with her. I think Little Aunt should end it quickly to avoid heartbreak later, dragging us to drink with her.”

Dr. Gu disagreed, “Little Aunt is almost forty and a top-tier alpha. At her age and level, finding someone she likes and who’s suitable is hard. Even ignoring the feud between the Fu family and the Jiang family, I support them being together.”

Fu Ruanyi looked at her, accusing, “You’re biased because you’ve worked with Little Aunt from the Jiang family for so long. I knew I shouldn’t have let you work at that hospital.”

After saying that, Fu Ruanyi couldn’t help but warn her, “Xiao Ran, I’m telling you, the Jiang family, starting from their Grandma, has no good people. Especially Jiang Ci from the Jiang family. If you meet her, don’t bother with her.”

“What’s wrong with her?” Dr. Gu asked casually.

Mentioning her, Fu Ruanyi felt an unexplained anger, even an urge to punch her twice. “This Jiang Ci, both Grandma and I have met her. Grandma’s evaluation of her can be summed up in one phrase: wolf-hearted with a crane’s appearance.”

Wolf-hearted with a crane’s appearance?

Grandma gave her that kind of evaluation, but it was pretty accurate. Grandma’s eye for people was indeed sharp.

After all, that person once innocently said the reason for making her take birth control was to avoid getting pregnant right after a broken engagement, sparing her from public criticism.

In reality, this second Miss Jiang was worried about being exposed by her ex’s fans, getting trending for cheating and disloyalty, and affecting the Jiang Group’s image.

A natural alpha failure could be forgiven by the public since it wasn’t her choice, but “cheating” was her own doing, and the public backlash would be much worse.

Dr. Gu knew her intentions, so she only mentioned the ex to Jiang Ci without exposing her real thoughts.

Mainly because Dr. Gu didn’t want to get pregnant either. Otherwise, how would she explain a child to Grandma, Mother, Mommy, and Sister? Telling the truth or lying would both be a dead end.

Now with their pheromone tests, if it worked, they’d continue testing. If not, that person didn’t care, treating it like a one-night thing. Overall, she just felt there was someone helping her without any expectations.

Thinking about it, they were both getting what they needed.

Fu Ruanyi said to Dr. Gu, “Jiang Ci is three parts cunning and ruthless, seven parts patient and dormant. The Jiang family’s line broke with Qian Ying. Of her two daughters, one went crazy for love and hasn’t been seen in years, and the other became a doctor with no interest in the Jiang Group. In Jiang Ci’s generation, the eldest, Jiang Xi, is soft-hearted and couldn’t handle the business world’s schemes, disappearing a few years ago. The youngest is still in school. Only Jiang Ci, who seems honest, inherited Qian Ying’s ruthlessness and patience. Grandma and I tested her. She doesn’t seem calculating, but when she is, it’s all small, careful schemes.”

Dr. Gu asked, “Is that a good evaluation?”

Though Fu Ruanyi didn’t want to praise Jiang Ci, she said something positive, “It is. After all, the Jiang family’s current state, with their Grandma’s age and health, can’t hold up for long, no matter her ambitions. Without someone ruthless, the Jiang family will collapse sooner or later.”

“But…” Fu Ruanyi’s tone shifted, her eyes sharp, “Jiang Ci’s doing well. She first cozied up to our Fu family, and now she’s working with the Qiao family. If she wins over the Qi family too, the Jiang Group might actually rise again.”

Dr. Gu had a question she’d always wanted to ask, and since they were on the topic, she asked, “I remember Grandma said not to do any business with the Jiang family. Sister, why did you agree to work with the Jiang Group?”

Fu Ruanyi replied, “They’re practically throwing money at us. Why wouldn’t we take it? The Jiang Group’s project is artificial intelligence with great prospects. Their Grandma had foresight, gathering a lot of tech talent. Once the product is developed and hits the market, money will flow in like water. Our Fu family took the biggest share.”

Fu Ruanyi added, praising Jiang Ci, “After the failed engagement with the Qiao family, she immediately sought our Fu family’s investment, using Little Aunt’s connection. She clearly wanted to use this project as a stepping stone to build ties with the Fu family, letting the outside world know that despite the feud, business is business, and cooperation is possible. This could change how people view our families’ relationship. Say what you will, but her boldness in approaching us despite the feud is something no other Jiang family member could match.”

It sounded like Sister was praising her.

Dr. Gu took a sip of milk and said, “If this second Miss Jiang can tough it out in the business world, Sister, you might end up being great partners with her.”

Fu Ruanyi scoffed, “That’s for later, and it depends on how she toughens up. If she ends up like Jiang Xi, running off halfway, I wouldn’t even bother looking at her. Even now, seeing her makes me want to punch her.”

“Why?” Dr. Gu didn’t understand.

Fu Ruanyi shrugged, “No idea. I just don’t like her. She feels off somehow.”

Dr. Gu quietly spread peanut butter on her bread, added a banana slice, and didn’t dare ask more about Jiang Ci.

After breakfast, Dr. Gu went to her room to change for work.

Fu Ruanyi waited for the driver at home before leaving.

The first thing Dr. Gu did at the hospital was change and do rounds, which took nearly an hour. When she returned to her office to grab things for a meeting, her neck suddenly felt hot—her heat cycle had started.

She quickened her pace back to the office, took a few suppression patches from the cabinet, put them in her pocket, and peeled one open to stick on the gland at the back of her neck. The burning, out-of-control feeling gradually eased, and her breathing slowly returned to normal.

Suppression patches and inhibitors worked differently for different levels of alphas and omegas, with varying effects.

The suppression patches Dr. Gu used were exclusive to S-level omegas, only available at specific places. Individuals couldn’t buy more than a hundred at a time and needed to show an S-level omega certification.

As for inhibitors, they were rare for both alphas and omegas, especially for top-tier and S-level ones. Most relied on suppression patches or temporary marking by others.

Dr. Gu stood by the cabinet for a moment, got a call urging her, and grabbed her things to head to the meeting.

Since leaving Dr. Gu’s place, Jiang Ci was so busy she hadn’t contacted her or picked her up from the hospital.

During a break, she remembered and sent a WeChat message to check in, only to be shut down by Dr. Gu’s cold reply.

Jiang Ci: I’ve been too busy to pick you up from the hospital. Sorry, I’ll come find you when I’m done.

Dr. Gu: It’s not a big deal.

Jiang Ci: Little cat stunned, half-circle eyebrow emoji

Qiao Group.

Jiang Ci brought company staff to discuss a partnership.

Though the broken engagement had caused tension with the Qiao family, they didn’t make her wait hours in the meeting room without water, unlike Fu Ruanyi. Instead, the Qiao family arrived on time.

“President Jiang.”

The person was Qiao Yishu, the president of the Qiao Group and Qiao Yunchi’s cousin, whom Jiang Ci had met at the engagement ceremony.

Jiang Ci stood up, “President Qiao.”

They walked toward each other. Qiao Yishu spoke first, “This is the first time we’ve met since the engagement ceremony, right?”

Jiang Ci nodded, “Yes.”

Qiao Yishu looked her up and down, saying, “You’ve changed a lot since then, more mature.”

Jiang Ci said politely, “It’s just formal clothes today. I’m the same as before, no real change.”

“How is there no change?”

Qiao Yishu said meaningfully, “Back then, the President Jiang I knew had no say in the Jiang Group, just a college student attending classes on time. Now, not only have you secured a deal with the Fu family, our decades-long rivals, but you can also calmly come to our Qiao Group to discuss cooperation. That kind of mindset shift doesn’t happen overnight.”

Jiang Ci replied, “Taking technology and money to the Fu family, it’d be strange if they didn’t want it. They’re not that foolish.”

“Oh?” Qiao Yishu raised her tone, adding pressure, “Is President Jiang saying our Qiao family is foolish for not taking the money offered?”

Jiang Ci smiled without warmth, extending her hand to Qiao Yishu, “President Qiao, you misunderstood. That’s not what I meant. I meant last time we didn’t cooperate, but I hope this time we can work well together for a win-win.”

Qiao Yishu glanced at her hand, then lightly shook it, pressing further, “President Jiang didn’t answer my question directly, so I’ll assume that’s what you meant. Don’t worry, I’ll pass your words to Chairman Qiao.”

Jiang Ci stayed calm inside but said a few kind words, “Sister Yishu, I really didn’t mean that. Please, sit, let’s talk about our cooperation.”

Jiang Ci let go, bent down, and pulled out a chair for her.

Qiao Yishu didn’t refuse, sat down, and her assistant placed documents in front of her as others began taking their seats.

Qiao Yishu looked at Jiang Ci, “Cooperation is easy to discuss. A nod from both sides is enough. I’m more curious about your thoughts on the broken engagement. If you still care and hold a grudge, we can put cooperation on hold.”

Jiang Ci nodded with a slightly unnatural smile, “Sister Yishu, I wouldn’t say I hold a grudge. I’d say Yunchi and I weren’t meant to be. After the engagement ended, her fans were happy, she got new roles and endorsements, and everything’s going well for her. That’s great, and I’m happy for her. I also hope she continues to shine in her career.”

“Really?” Qiao Yishu asked.

Jiang Ci nodded sincerely and firmly, “Really.”

Qiao Yishu saw no hint of pretense in her expression and slowly started to believe her.

After all, before the engagement, Jiang Ci had genuinely been in love with Yunchi, deeply so. Her words didn’t seem fake.

Qiao Yishu opened the file, “Alright, if you say so, we can talk cooperation.”

Jiang Ci said, “Good.”

The cooperation with the Qiao Group wasn’t as high-stakes or long-term as with Shengding Group, so once confirmed, they’d need to start preparations quickly to avoid losses.

The discussion went smoothly. Qiao Yishu had no issues with Jiang Ci’s plans and proposals, and they could sign the contract in a few days.

Hours later, Jiang Ci left the Qiao Group. Qiao Yishu saw her off, “Today, I’m a bit impressed by you. As a double-degree doctoral student, you didn’t study for nothing. You’ve thought things through carefully.”

Jiang Ci gave a wry smile, “If I didn’t think carefully, when it comes time to lose money, I wouldn’t have enough tears to cry.”

Qiao Yishu laughed at her words, saying, “If Yunchi didn’t already have someone she likes, I’d actually think you two were quite a match.”

Jiang Ci froze, blurting out, “Yunchi really has someone she likes?”

At the wedding, she didn’t believe it. Little Aunt’s words made her believe a bit, but not fully, since Yunchi and Dr. Gu didn’t seem that close.

Qiao Yishu thought she still cared about Yunchi. Seeing her reaction, she smiled, waved, and said, “Go back. Come for the contract signing next time.”

Then she left.

Jiang Ci stood for a moment, got in the car, returned to the company to report to Grandma, and messaged Dr. Gu.

Jiang Ci: What time do you get off tonight? I’ll pick you up.

Dr. Gu was replying to a message from the director when she saw Jiang Ci’s message pop up and replied: Not sure, probably around eleven.

Jiang Ci: Alright, I’ll come.

Dr. Gu: It’s late, no need to force it. If Miss Jiang falls asleep again, I won’t know where to find you this time.

Jiang Ci thought: …

Dr. Gu really holds a grudge.