Accidentally Marked My Ex’s Crush, the Ice-Cold Goddess O - Chapter 46: Kissed Her

Chapter 46: Kissed Her

The door opened, and a pair of familiar, beautiful eyes looked at her.

Dr. Gu was truly visibly stunning.

To ease the upcoming atmosphere, Jiang Ci curved her lips into a smile she thought was bright toward Dr. Gu.

Gu Feiran: “Why are you smiling so badly?”

Jiang Ci immediately flattened her lips: “…”

Before coming, she had practiced in front of the mirror, trying several smiles, and this one was the most satisfying. It shouldn’t be that bad, right?

Gu Feiran turned to walk inside: “Come in.”

Jiang Ci entered and closed the door behind her.

Dr. Gu was a meticulous and rigorous person. Every time Jiang Ci came here, the bedding was clean, smelling of sun-dried freshness. Tissues, water cups, mouthwash, and finger cots were always prepared in advance.

Such a wonderful Dr. Gu, yet she had to encounter someone like Jiang Ci.

Was it her misfortune or Jiang Ci’s luck?

Gu Feiran extinguished the aromatherapy and turned back, seeing Jiang Ci standing still at the steps, head lowered, looking deep in thought. She asked: “What’s wrong with you?”

Last night, she had the same expression. To say nothing was wrong was impossible.

Jiang Ci stepped forward, walked up the steps to the foot of the bed, and gently placed the detector on it. Looking directly into Gu Feiran’s eyes, she said: “Dr. Gu, regarding the gland mutation, there’s no medical conclusion yet. It’s not something we can solve in a day or two. You’re so busy, yet you make time every week to help me with tests. It’s too much trouble for you. So, I think we should stop these tests. If I die because of this one day, that’s just my bad luck.”

Gu Feiran: “Is this a decision you’ve thought through carefully?”

Jiang Ci nodded: “Hmm.”

Gu Feiran had no objections. She turned and went to the closet, searched for a bit, and took out a pair of white sneakers.

Holding the shoes by the heels, Gu Feiran handed them to Jiang Ci: “Change into these and come out with me.”

“What for?” Jiang Ci asked.

Gu Feiran: “Don’t you want to end this? I’m giving you the chance to end it—bridges return to bridges, roads return to roads.”

“Change your shoes and come out.”

Though unclear about Dr. Gu’s meaning, Jiang Ci took the shoes with both hands, followed her to the door, and put them on.

After Jiang Ci changed her shoes, Gu Feiran grabbed a bag, bent down to put Jiang Ci’s shoes from the entrance and the slippers she wore into it, held it, and said: “Let’s go downstairs.”

Let’s go downstairs, us?

The two went downstairs, and Gu Feiran led Jiang Ci to the artificial lake in the community.

At night, the lake wasn’t very clear, but faintly, you could see the rockery, pavilion, and numerous green plants inside.

Gu Feiran: “There’s a small bridge in the center of this lake. I don’t ask you to run the whole way, just half.”

Jiang Ci didn’t understand: “Run half?”

What did that mean?

Gu Feiran turned to look at her and said: “Don’t you like running away? Before, you always sneaked away. This time, I’m letting you run openly. Start from here, no time limit, no lap limit. Run as you like. When you’re done running or decide you really want to end this, come find me, take your things, and leave. I promise I won’t bother you again. I’ll delete WeChat and all contact info in front of you. If we meet at the hospital, I’ll act like I don’t know you. I keep my word.”

Gu Feiran: “Oh, and about the permanent marking. You don’t need to feel guilty for marking me permanently, feeling like you should take responsibility but don’t want to, hesitating back and forth. It’s unnecessary. I won’t cling to you just because you marked me, doing test after test with you, even if the tests fail. I’m not the type to cry two tears at your gravestone to prove how much I miss you.”

After speaking, Gu Feiran turned, walked to a nearby bench, bent down to sit, and placed the bag of shoes beside her.

Her arms rested on the armrest, supporting her head, legs crossed.

Gu Feiran: “Start running.”

Jiang Ci glanced at Dr. Gu, then began jogging slowly along the path. It was late at night, and no one was around.

A row of willow trees was planted by the lake. Either untrimmed or growing too fast, Jiang Ci had to duck and occasionally push branches aside with her hand.

The lake seemed small during the day, but running half of it felt long.

On the first lap, Jiang Ci’s breathing grew rapid, long and short. When she passed Dr. Gu, she straightened her chest, steadied her breath, and kept running. Only when she was far enough did she gasp heavily.

On the second lap, coming down from the bridge, her shoelace came undone. Jiang Ci wanted to stop and tie it, but a quick glance showed Dr. Gu staring at her. So, she didn’t tie it, kicking her way forward until she was out of sight, then crouched to tie it properly.

Third lap, she was fine. Fourth lap, not so much.

By the sixth lap, Jiang Ci was panting heavily, her face flushed red, sweat dripping from her forehead, nose, neck, and back.

However long she ran, Gu Feiran sat there watching.

She didn’t know which lap it was when Jiang Ci practically walked, holding her waist, breathing heavily, her legs and body nearly spent.

“Miss, hello.”

Gu Feiran was watching Jiang Ci run near the willows when a long-haired girl in sportswear, wearing a headband and holding a small bottle of mineral water, approached from the left.

Since she was the only one here, Gu Feiran couldn’t pretend not to see. She looked up and said: “Hello.”

The girl politely asked: “It’s so late. Why are you sitting here alone? Are you in a bad mood?”

Gu Feiran: “Just idle, watching someone run.”

Watching someone run?

The girl turned to scan the lake. It was empty, and who would be running at this hour?

The girl said: “Miss, do you usually exercise? Want to add me on WeChat? We could run together or work out at the community gym.”

Gu Feiran declined: “No need. I’m only here today.”

Rejected, the girl thought to leave, but Gu Feiran was so stunning, too beautiful to seem real.

Missing this chance, who knew when they’d meet again?

The girl tried another approach: “I’m Li Xuan, a resident here, a designer. Want to get to know each other?”

Gu Feiran looked at the figure slowly walking across the lake, bending over, and politely replied: “Sorry, I’m in the middle of an argument. I’m not in the mood to get to know anyone.”

The girl cautiously asked: “Is it your girlfriend?”

Gu Feiran: “Not yet.”

Not yet, so an ambiguous relationship.

The girl stepped closer and said: “If she’s not your girlfriend and makes you so angry that you’re out here late at night, maybe she doesn’t truly care about you. Why not get to know me? It might lift your mood.”

“This… which lap is this?” Jiang Ci walked onto the bridge, hands on her hips, each step heavy as if filled with lead.

She hadn’t run like this even for the 800 meters in college.

Gu Feiran’s gaze followed her and said: “Then wait for her to come over. Ask her. If she agrees, I’ll add you.”

Ask her?

The girl followed Gu Feiran’s gaze and saw someone walking on the bridge with hands on their hips, slowly approaching.

Was she the ambiguous partner?

Jiang Ci walked for a bit, came down the bridge, and was about to start running again when she looked up and saw a girl standing by Dr. Gu.

Both were looking her way, but who was she?

Jiang Ci jogged over slowly. Before she got close, the girl approached and said: “Hello.”

Jiang Ci stopped, having run so many laps. Her face was flushed, lips pale, clothes soaked with sweat from top to bottom. She looked disheveled and had no energy to speak. Saying a single word felt like she might spit bl00d.

Seeing her state, the girl got straight to the point: “Hello, I want to add this miss’s WeChat, but she told me to ask you. If you agree, she’ll add me. So, do you agree?”

Add WeChat, needing her approval?

Jiang Ci struggled to gather her scattered thoughts, trying to process the logic of this question.

After a long pause, she said: “You want to add WeChat… why… why… why do you need my approval?”

The girl was stunned by the counterquestion and explained: “Uh, because, well…”

Did this even need explaining?

Jiang Ci: “Go ahead and add.”

The girl didn’t know what to say, feeling a mix of speechlessness. This beautiful, cool older sister with a stunning face was secretly in love, and the object of her affection was a blockhead.

No wonder she was so angry late at night. Anyone would be furious.

Gu Feiran looked over: “Done running? Made your decision? Good. You decide early, and I can go home early.”

Jiang Ci didn’t know how to respond. She staggered toward Dr. Gu, bent down, knelt on the grass, and collapsed onto her lap, gasping for breath.

Gu Feiran lifted her leg to push her off but glanced down. Seeing Jiang Ci’s pitiful state, she turned her face away coldly but didn’t move her hand.

The girl saw this, understood, and left without disturbing them further.

Gu Feiran: “Thought it through? Answer.”

Jiang Ci lay there, catching her breath for ten minutes before it evened out slightly. She asked: “How many laps did I run?”

Gu Feiran: “Exactly ten.”

Ten laps.

She thought it was twenty. Only ten?

Jiang Ci stayed still, lying there.

Her damp hair clung to her face, making her jawline sharper, her ears red from root to tip.

Gu Feiran: “Say your answer.”

At the start, she had energy, ran slowly, and could think. Later, her brain lacked oxygen, her legs disobeyed, and she had no idea what she was doing.

Now, her mind was blank. She even forgot what Dr. Gu had said at the beginning.

Gu Feiran: “Ten laps and you still haven’t figured it out. Looks like you’ve made your decision, so…”

Jiang Ci slowly opened her eyes, staring blankly at the ground, murmuring: “I’m not running anymore.”

As she spoke her answer, a gentle night breeze blew, cool and soothing, brushing over her skin.

It swept away her exhaustion and thoughts, lifting Gu Feiran’s dark hair by her ear and scattering her heart across the ground.

…

The first thing Jiang Ci did when she got back was shower. She used body wash two or three times, washed her hair twice, and made sure there was no sweat or bad smell before coming out.

Afterward, her body and mind crashed onto the sofa. In less than half a minute, she fell asleep.

Gu Feiran brought a glass of milk from outside, intending to give it to her. Seeing Jiang Ci asleep, she placed the milk by the lamp, went to the closet, grabbed a blanket, spread it on the right side, and lifted part of it.

Then, she stood, walked to the sofa, bent down, slid one hand under Jiang Ci’s back, the other under her knees, and carried her.

At the bedside, she gently placed her down.

Jiang Ci slept soundly, unaware of anything.

Gu Feiran pulled the blanket over her, walked around, grabbed the remote, turned off all the bedroom lights, and went to sleep.

The next day, Aunt Liu knocked and came in, gently waking Jiang Ci: “Miss Jiang, Miss Gu asked me to wake you at 8:30, worried you might have urgent matters. But if you have nothing pressing, you can keep sleeping.”

Jiang Ci tried to sit up but felt sore all over. She collapsed back onto the bed, her calves and thighs aching, possibly strained.

Aunt Liu asked with concern: “Miss Jiang, are you okay?”

Jiang Ci gritted her teeth: “I’m fine, no problem. Thank you, Aunt. I’ll rest a bit and be okay.”

Aunt Liu: “Then rest, Miss Jiang. I won’t disturb you. If you want something for lunch, tell me, and I’ll make it. If you’re too sore, I can call for a massage.”

Jiang Ci, feeling it was too much trouble, declined: “No need. I’ll sleep it off. It’s not serious.”

Aunt Liu smiled: “Miss Gu specifically instructed this. Don’t be shy. Contact me if you need anything.”

Jiang Ci: “Thank you.”

Aunt Liu: “No problem.”

Then Aunt Liu left.

Jiang Ci lay back, closed her eyes, and recalled running ten laps around that lake. With that energy, she should’ve just not brought it up with Dr. Gu or apologized after the first lap.

Jiang Ci sighed, rolled over, and reached for her bag to get her phone and check for important work messages.

As she propped herself up, her hand pressed on her phone. Surprised, she picked it up. It was indeed hers, fully charged, though it was at 45% yesterday.

—Dr. Gu.

Jiang Ci thought, her expression softening.

She opened WeChat and work apps. There were a few work messages, not many, all handled last night.

After replying, she saw five unread messages in the bottom left of WeChat. Scrolling up, they were from Dr. Gu and her assistant.

Jiang Ci checked Liang Nian’s messages first.

Liang Nian: Boss Jiang, I investigated.

Liang Nian: Chen Wei, 25 years old, just returned from studying abroad, single-parent, mother is Boyuan’s chairman, Chen Cuo.

Chen Cuo? How could it be her? A coincidence of names? But if it’s a coincidence, how to explain Boyuan’s chairman?

Jiang Ci was stunned.

She hadn’t seen that name in years. She never imagined Chen Wei was her daughter. Unbelievable.

Grandma probably didn’t know she had a daughter, especially one almost the same age as Jiang Ci.

Jiang Ci replied to Liang Nian: Find a photo of Chen Cuo and send it if you have one.

Liang Nian: Okay.

Jiang Ci then checked Dr. Gu’s messages.

Dr. Gu: Take the detector if you want. Leave it if you don’t.

Sent after 8 a.m.

Jiang Ci closed her phone, lay for another hour, got up, washed up in the bathroom, changed, and left Dr. Gu’s house. She took a taxi to the company since her legs couldn’t drive—she worried about pressing the wrong pedal.

At the company, the first thing Jiang Ci did was see Grandma and said: “Chen Cuo has a daughter. Did you know?”

Qian Ying was startled by the name: “Chen Cuo, which Chen Cuo?”

Jiang Ci showed her a saved photo on her phone and said: “Back then… the fiancée you chose for Mother.”

When Jiang Ci said this, Qian Ying saw the photo, her expression wavering slightly: “How old is her daughter?”

Jiang Ci: “Twenty-five, a month younger than me.”

Qian Ying, incredulous: “A month younger?”

Jiang Ci nodded: “Hmm, I checked her detailed info. Xiao Ning and I were born July 22, she’s August 22, exactly a month apart.”

Exactly a month. What a coincidence.

Back then, those two scoundrels got pregnant before marriage, giving birth to Jiang Xi. Chen Cuo didn’t mind her having a daughter and still wanted to marry. They thought she was so devoted. Turns out, she went and had a child with someone else.

Qian Ying said: “How’s Boyuan doing lately?”

Jiang Ci replied: “Boyuan used to do clothing. These past two years, they’ve entered resource processing, focusing on pharmaceuticals, with some partnerships and investments with the Qi Group.”

Qian Ying: “Alright, I got it. Go handle your work.”

Jiang Ci bent to take her phone and left.

It was Monday. Jiang Ci took her team to the Qiao Group to discuss cooperation. This time, she not only met Qiao Yishu but also the Qiao Group’s chairman, Qiao Zhenfei.

Jiang Ci stood before the desk, nodding: “Chairman Qiao.”

Qiao Zhenfei didn’t look at her, flipping through files: “I thought with your brain, you couldn’t pull off this project. Surprisingly, you did. Unbelievable.”

Qiao Yishu stood nearby.

Jiang Ci: “For our cooperation, I naturally put in extra effort. If this project succeeds, it benefits us both.”

Qiao Zhenfei: “After the failed engagement, you didn’t hesitate to partner with Fu Ruanyi. I thought you were delusional. But you not only got her, you sealed the deal.”

Jiang Ci replied: “The project was urgent. Jiang Group couldn’t wait, so we had to take that route.”

Qiao Yishu glanced at her. Today’s Second Miss Jiang seemed steadier than the one she met before.

So, she played favorites based on who she faced.

Qiao Zhenfei sneered: “Take that route? I think you took the best route. Besides our Qiao family, plenty of companies in Linjiang could do this project. But you went to the Fu family just to slap my face, didn’t you?”

Jiang Ci hurriedly explained: “Chairman Qiao, I absolutely didn’t mean that. Please don’t misunderstand.”

Qiao Zhenfei: “Didn’t mean it back then? Now that I’ve said it, even if you didn’t mean it, you do now.”

Jiang Ci said again: “It really wasn’t my intention.”

For this useless alpha from the Jiang family, Qiao Zhenfei had despised her since learning she dated Qiao Yunchi.

If she hadn’t seduced Qiao Yunchi, how could Qiao Yunchi carry such a stain?

Qiao Zhenfei finished the files, closed them, and said dismissively: “Enough. Don’t stand here being an eyesore. Leave.”

Jiang Ci nodded: “Then I’ll go.”

Qiao Yishu said: “Chairman, I’ll see her out.”

Qiao Zhenfei: “Hmm.”

They walked out of Qiao Zhenfei’s office, one after the other.

Qiao Yishu quickened her pace to walk beside Jiang Ci and said: “You’re much more polite in front of Chairman Qiao.”

Jiang Ci glanced at her, her expression softening, sighing helplessly: “What choice do I have? She’s Qiao Yunchi’s mother and the Qiao Group’s chairman. I can only act this way.”

Hearing her mention Qiao Yunchi’s mother, Qiao Yishu asked intentionally: “You still like Qiao Yunchi?”

Jiang Ci shook her head: “No.”

Qiao Yishu: “But your words show you still care about her.”

Jiang Ci slowly lowered her gaze to the floor, thought for a moment, and said: “Not really care. I just feel our time together was absurd, our breakup was absurd, and calling off the engagement was absurd. Everything felt like we were pushed along.”

Qiao Yishu stared at her profile and asked softly: “If you had another chance, would you be with Qiao Yunchi?”

Jiang Ci: “No.”

“…I see.” Qiao Yishu’s voice was low.

They took the elevator downstairs. Qiao Yishu escorted Jiang Ci to the company entrance and added: “About calling off the engagement, Qiao Yunchi actually feels sorry. She hopes you can move on soon. Maybe someone else will come along.”

Jiang Ci: “Hmm, thanks for your concern, Sister Yishu. I have company matters to handle, so I’ll go.”

Qiao Yishu nodded: “Bye.”

Jiang Ci: “Bye.”

Jiang Ci got into a car and left. Qiao Yishu stood there until the car disappeared before returning to the company.

Jiang Ci worked late. Past 9 p.m., her WeChat buzzed. She opened it to see messages from Little Aunt and Aunt Liu.

Little Aunt: Xiao Ci, come eat.

Aunt Liu: Xiao Ci, come eat.

Jiang Ci replied to both: Okay.

Her car was still at Dr. Gu’s parking lot, so she hadn’t driven all day. Leaving the company, she took a taxi to the hospital. When she arrived, Dr. Gu and Little Aunt were standing together. Aunt Liu wasn’t there, likely getting the car.

Jiang Ci first looked at Dr. Gu. Her face was calm, her eyes cold, looking like she hadn’t cooled off.

Last night’s matter wasn’t fully clarified by either of them.

Jiang Ci greeted: “Little Aunt, Dr. Gu.”

Jiang Lan said: “Your Aunt Liu came back from a business trip today. Dr. Gu and I finished an early shift, so we’re going to eat together.”

Jiang Ci nodded: “Hmm, good.”

She agreed, sneaking another glance at Dr. Gu.

The three stood at the intersection for a bit until Aunt Liu drove up. Little Aunt took the passenger seat.

Jiang Ci and Dr. Gu sat in the back, half a person’s distance between them, very distant.

Aunt Liu and Little Aunt loved barbecue. It was Monday, so the restaurant had few people and available seats.

They ordered a four-person meal. Jiang Ci and Aunt Liu grilled while Little Aunt and Dr. Gu ate.

Perhaps because Aunt Liu and Little Aunt were too busy lately to eat barbecue, they barely talked during the meal, focusing on eating. Only at the end did they say a few words.

After dinner, Aunt Liu drove Dr. Gu home first.

Aunt Liu and Little Aunt offered to take Jiang Ci home, but she declined. She got out with Dr. Gu, saying: “It’s late. No need to trouble you. I’ll take a taxi from here. You go back.”

“Hey…” Jiang Lan tried to stop her.

Aunt Liu held Little Aunt back, glanced at Dr. Gu, and said: “Alright, we’ll go. Bye.”

Jiang Ci waved: “Bye.”

After seeing off Little Aunt and Aunt Liu, the two walked back side by side in silence until they reached the bedroom. Jiang Ci followed Dr. Gu in, closed the door, grabbed her hand as she reached for the light, pinned her against the glass wardrobe, lowered her head, tilted it, and kissed her.

Gu Feiran felt the warmth on her lips and slowly lowered her eyelids.