Accidentally Marked My Ex’s Crush, the Ice-Cold Goddess O - Chapter 51: Buying Flowers to Apologize

Chapter 51: Buying Flowers to Apologize

Jiang Ci went upstairs to take a shower, changed clothes, and went to find Little Aunt. Unexpectedly, she ran into her at the staircase corner.

Jiang Ci: “Little Aunt, are you busy now? I want to ask you something.”

“Not busy. What’s the matter?” Jiang Lan said.

The two went to the terrace and sat down.

In early July, the night sky had a bright moon and sparse stars, twinkling brightly, but the breeze carried a restless heat.

Jiang Ci held a water cup, took a sip, and asked, “Little Aunt, do you still remember Aunt Chen Cuo?”

Chen Cuo, such a familiar name.

Jiang Lan leaned back in the chair, thinking hard. Chen Cuo, Chen Cuo, Chen Cuo—she repeated it silently a few times, then suddenly remembered. She looked at Jiang Ci and said, “Chen Cuo, isn’t that the one who almost married your mom over twenty years ago?”

Jiang Ci nodded lightly: “Yes, that’s her.”

Jiang Lan was a bit incredulous: “How do you know her, and why are you suddenly bringing her up?”

Back when Xiao Ci and Xiao Ning weren’t born yet, Chen Cuo stopped coming to the Jiang family. Xiao Ci couldn’t possibly know her.

Jiang Ci explained, “Over ten years ago, on the day Grandma passed away, she came. I asked Sister Jiang Xi who she was, and Sister Jiang Xi said she was the aunt who almost married Mom. I don’t know much about it, just heard Sister Jiang Xi mention it briefly.”

Jiang Lan: “Why are you asking about her now?”

Jiang Ci lowered her head, pulled a personal profile from her pants pocket, handed it to Little Aunt, and said, “Remember the blind date you introduced me to, Chen Wei? She’s Chen Cuo’s daughter.”

“What?”

Jiang Lan took the paper, puzzled, and opened the A4 sheet. Chen Wei’s detailed personal information came into view.

Twenty-five, rose-scented pheromone, omega.

Jiang Lan had only glanced at her qualifications and pheromone before, not paying much attention. Now, looking again: “Chen Wei, twenty-five years old. She’s also twenty-five, the same age as you and Xiao Ning?”

This meant that after the engagement was canceled back then, Chen Cuo got together with someone else. But all these years, there was no news of her getting married, nor did anyone know she had a daughter.

Jiang Lan still couldn’t believe it and asked, “How are you sure this Chen Wei is Chen Cuo’s daughter?”

Jiang Ci answered, “A couple of days ago, I met both mother and daughter. Chen Wei’s mommy, Chen Cuo, is indeed the Chen Cuo who almost married Mom. There’s no mistake.”

“Huh?” Jiang Lan was truly shocked.

Jiang Ci noticed Little Aunt’s expression and asked, “Little Aunt, why are you so surprised? After her engagement with Mom failed, isn’t it normal for her to marry someone else?”

Jiang Lan placed Chen Wei’s profile on the table and said, “Marriage is normal, no big deal. I’m just surprised that right after the engagement failed, she married and had a daughter. I thought she was still single all this time.”

Jiang Ci: “Why would you think that?”

It was an old story.

Jiang Lan thought for a moment, recalled the events, and slowly began, “Back then, your mom and mommy met and fell in love at school. Their love was intense. Before graduating, they got pregnant with Xiao Xi. Not only that, they hid it from the whole family and secretly gave birth. After graduation, your mom bought a house and car for your mommy, sending tens of thousands each month. They lived like that for years, and no one knew.”

Jiang Ci listened, her expression showing unconcealed surprise. The older generation’s boldness was truly unconventional.

She never imagined Mom and Mommy were so daring.

Jiang Lan: “But no matter how well they hid it, it couldn’t stay secret forever. When your mom reached marriageable age, the family started pushing for marriage. Your mom stalled for a while but couldn’t keep dodging. Forced to come clean, she brought Xiao Xi to your two grandmas and confessed. The scene was chaos—everyone was stunned. Your two grandmas suddenly had a granddaughter a few years old, and I suddenly had a niece a few years old. If we could replay that moment, it’d definitely be a bold, unforgettable chapter in the Jiang family history.”

Jiang Ci asked, “Little Aunt, what did you think when you saw Sister Jiang Xi?”

Jiang Lan spread her hands and said, “I thought it was great. Your Sister Jiang Xi was maybe four years old then, with big eyes, super cute. She called me Little Aunt right away, not shy at all. No matter what your mom and mommy did, I really liked her.”

Jiang Lan: “Of course, Xiao Xi was cute, but your mom and mommy got a harsh scolding from Grandma Qian. By then, your two grandmas had already chosen an engagement partner for your mom, and that was Chen Cuo.”

Jiang Lan: “Chen Cuo was the Chen family’s eldest daughter, a true prodigy. When this came out, the Chen family cut ties with ours, demanding an explanation. In the middle of the mess, Chen Cuo stepped up and said she didn’t mind that your mom had a daughter and that the families could still proceed with the engagement. Her mom was so angry she ended up in the hospital, scolding her for wanting a ‘used’ woman and to be a stepmom. But Chen Cuo insisted on marrying your mom, no matter how anyone tried to persuade her.”

“Uh… that’s really…”

Jiang Ci didn’t expect Aunt Chen Cuo to be so devoted to Mom.

Jiang Lan continued, “Chen Cuo didn’t mind, but your mom did. To get your grandmas to agree to her marrying your mommy, she knelt in the living room for three days and four nights, fainting and ending up in the hospital. When your mommy heard, she cried holding Xiao Xi. Before your mom woke up, she left a note and left.”

Jiang Ci interjected, “Mom must have found Mommy later, right? Otherwise, Xiao Ning and I wouldn’t exist.”

Jiang Lan hummed: “Found her. In less than two days, she found her. Your mommy, like your mom, was a hopeless romantic. Hearing your mom was searching the world for her, she showed up with Xiao Xi. You and Xiao Ning were conceived the night they reunited.”

Jiang Ci listened and suddenly fell silent: “…”

“Haha.” Jiang Lan still laughed thinking about it. “Your mom said Chen Cuo didn’t mind being a stepmom but would probably mind being a ‘current’ mom, so that night, she and your mommy made you and Xiao Ning. A month later, your mom showed the ultrasound to Grandma Jiang and Grandma Qian. They were so angry they didn’t know what to say. Then she went to the Chen family to apologize and call off the engagement. In the end, your two grandmas had no choice but to agree to their marriage. They didn’t care much—after all, Xiao Xi was a Jiang family child.”

Jiang Ci lowered her head, rubbing her forehead. What a mess.

Jiang Lan: “At first, Chen Cuo really didn’t mind your mom having a child. But when she heard your mommy was pregnant, she let go. But, calculating the time, Chen Wei’s age is the same as yours and Xiao Ning’s, and her birth date is close too. Could it be that in that one month, Chen Cuo married someone? I thought she was so devoted to your mom.”

Jiang Ci now understood the full story and felt clear. “Thanks, Little Aunt. I get it.”

Jiang Lan, feeling thirsty, picked up her water cup, took a sip, and asked, “By the way, why are you asking about this?”

Jiang Ci: “No reason, just ran into Aunt Chen by chance and got curious. Little Aunt, you should go rest.”

“Alright.” Jiang Lan picked up her water cup and was about to leave. She barely lifted her butt before sitting back down and asking, “Hey, Xiao Ci, how’s it going with Dr. Gu lately? Have you checked her background?”

Dr. Gu could afford a multi-million-dollar house, so her family must be well-off. In the past, Jiang Lan wouldn’t have cared, but now that Dr. Gu and Xiao Ci were so close, she felt the need to ask, just in case her background was too special.

Jiang Ci was a bit embarrassed, speaking slowly: “It’s going okay, I guess. I just made Dr. Gu angry again.”

Jiang Lan tsked and said, “Why did you make Dr. Gu angry again? I’ve known her for so long, and all the anger she’s ever had seems to come from you. Be nicer to her, be more patient. And don’t just see Dr. Gu as an S-grade omega who can reverse-mark you and treat your condition. Even as a regular friend or lover, Dr. Gu is a great person.”

Jiang Ci took it seriously: “Okay, I understand.”

She’d apologize to Dr. Gu when she got back.

Jiang Lan: “Alright, rest early. You’ve got work tomorrow morning. When Dr. Gu comes back, I’ll message you.”

Jiang Ci smiled: “Okay, thanks, Little Aunt.”

—

On Monday morning, Jiang Ci went to the company and had someone pull all the detailed development records of Boyuan over the years, as well as personal profiles on the Chen family and Chen Cuo.

Boyuan had focused on manufacturing for years, completely unrelated to pharmaceuticals, yet it consistently invested in the Qi Group for decades.

It seemed the pharmaceutical industry was quite profitable.

Jiang Ci stayed at the company all morning. At noon, she planned to visit the hospital to see if Dr. Gu was back. But as soon as she went downstairs, she got a notice from Teacher Shi, saying everyone needed to be in the office at 2 p.m. for a meeting to discuss their papers.

Jiang Ci messaged Teacher Shi privately: Teacher Shi, I’ve revised my paper. Do I still need to go today?

Teacher Shi: Come. No one can take leave.

Jiang Ci: Okay.

Jiang Ci had to change her plans, heading to the school for the meeting first. Before going, she sent Dr. Gu a message asking if she was back.

By the time she reached the school, Dr. Gu hadn’t replied. She must be really angry.

At 2 p.m., all her senior and junior colleagues were present. Teacher Shi sat at the head and started the meeting.

Jiang Ci listened while replying to work messages under the table.

Teacher Shi saw but didn’t care, continuing with other topics. When she reached a key point, she tapped the table to get Jiang Ci’s attention: “I’m getting old and can’t stay up late. A hundred-thousand-word paper takes me days to read, even as a novel, let alone all of yours. So, revise as I told you. If you think your writing is good, come talk to me directly. Don’t argue with every comment I make, thinking I’m picking on you. Most of you are direct PhD students, smart enough to know I’m not deliberately making things hard or tripping you up.”

“Yes, Teacher Shi is right.”

“No way, Teacher Shi, we wouldn’t dare.”

“Teacher Shi, we definitely don’t think that.”

Everyone quickly agreed.

Teacher Shi: “I don’t care what you think. I’m laying it out here, so do as you see fit. Also, ladies and gentlemen, even though Jiang Ci is an alpha with a pheromone disability, her paper was written and revised long ago. So, even if she’s on her phone during the meeting, ignoring me, I don’t mind.”

Everyone turned to look at Jiang Ci.

Jiang Ci, mid-message: “…”

Jiang Ci closed her phone and slowly looked up, seeing resentment and anger in everyone’s eyes.

Teacher Shi: “Don’t look at her, look at me. What’s the point of staring at her? Is her face a paper?”

Everyone turned back to Teacher Shi.

Jiang Ci exhaled quietly. Teacher Shi was stirring the pot, putting her on the spot.

Knock knock. Teacher Shi tapped the table twice and said, “Revise your papers quickly. Don’t waste time. Also, tomorrow, the school is holding a big meeting for PhD students in the auditorium. Everyone must attend. Papers can be delayed by one day. Remember, no phones or devices allowed. If caught, you’ll be detained.”

A junior sister raised her hand: “Teacher Shi, can we take leave?”

Teacher Shi nodded: “Of course.”

The junior sister smiled immediately: “Then, Teacher Shi, I have something important tomorrow and need to take leave.”

Teacher Shi: “Go ask the principal.”

The junior sister’s smile froze.

Teacher Shi looked at the young ladies and gentlemen: “You can take leave, but you need to talk to the principal directly. If the principal agrees, you’re good. If not, get your family to talk to the principal. If your family tries and the principal still says no, donate some money to the school, pull some strings, and the principal will definitely agree.”

Everyone, except Jiang Ci, looked ashen.

Teacher Shi: “Don’t always think meetings are a hassle or boring. When you enter your family companies’ management, you’ll become the kind of person you hate. A heads-up: tomorrow’s meeting will have some surprise guests in the auditorium. You’ll see who they are when you get there.”

“Got it.”

“Ugh, another meeting.”

Jiang Ci was still replying to messages, not listening. As she was texting, Little Aunt suddenly messaged: Dr. Gu is back. Remember to apologize properly tonight and don’t make her angry again.

Jiang Ci: Okay, got it.

Jiang Ci exited the chat and ordered a large bouquet of roses online, scheduling pickup for 4 p.m. She’d drive to the flower shop then.

At 4 p.m., Jiang Ci finished the meeting, left the school, and arrived at the flower shop on time to pick up the roses.

The roses looked nice, the bouquet neatly trimmed with no wilted or crushed petals. She hoped Dr. Gu would like them when she gave them to her. But plans never keep up with changes.

As soon as Jiang Ci got to the company, Grandma called her to the office, saying there was a dinner at 8 p.m. with industry bigwigs, including Chen Cuo. She should go to network and get familiar, as it might come in handy later.

Jiang Ci calculated the time. Starting at 8 p.m., it’d end by 10 or 11 at the latest.

That’s usually when Dr. Gu gets off work.

Jiang Ci agreed: “Okay.”

At 7:50 p.m., Jiang Ci arrived at the dinner. After entering, no matter how others looked at her, she greeted everyone first and then sat next to Chen Cuo.

Jiang Ci: “Aunt Chen, we meet again.”

Chen Cuo leaned back casually, her right hand on the table, holding a glass of white wine. “Jiang Xi and Jiang Ning aren’t here. Is Grandma Qian planning to hand the company to you?”

Jiang Ci smiled lightly: “Hard to say. It’s all up to Grandma. She favors Sister Jiang Xi more.”

Chen Cuo: “I think you’re more suitable.”

Jiang Ci replied, “Grandma is the biggest shareholder. She has the final say. I can’t interfere.”

Chen Cuo didn’t say more, sipped her white wine, and after a while said, “If you can secure an indispensable position in the Jiang Group, I think I’d work with you. The collaboration might interest you. Consider it.”

Jiang Ci turned to Aunt Chen. Her eyes hid emotions, hard to read, but she didn’t seem to be lying.

The Jiang Group’s industries didn’t overlap with Boyuan, but if they wanted to, it wouldn’t be hard to connect.

For now, it was just talk, and whether they’d collaborate was another matter. Jiang Ci gave a verbal promise: “I’ll try my best. If I reach that position, I hope we can work together smoothly, Aunt Chen.”

Chen Cuo gave a soft hum as a reply.

The dinner ended past 10 p.m. Jiang Ci drove herself, sober, and sped to Dr. Gu’s office, but Dr. Gu had already left work.

Jiang Ci sighed, returned to her car, and sat still for a minute, glancing at the vibrant roses in the passenger seat.

If she gave these flowers to Dr. Gu tomorrow, they probably wouldn’t look as good.

The next day, Jiang Ci arrived on time at the school auditorium for the PhD meeting.

She was late, so her colleagues sat in the back, leaving the front row for her.

Jiang Ci looked around, had no choice, and sat down.

At 10 a.m., the meeting started. The principal, vice-principal, and various mentors filed in and took their seats.

The meeting was called an exchange, but it was really about the job trends for alphas, omegas, and betas, encouraging them to aim for high-level roles to drive social progress.

Survival of the fittest was nature’s law and the rule among alphas, omegas, and betas.

Halfway through, the principal said, “Today, our school invited several outstanding representatives to speak. First, let’s welcome an outstanding graduate, top omega, Zhang Liya, the top graduate from the philosophy department.”

The audience erupted in applause. Jiang Ci clapped along.

Philosophy department, ideological education.

Jiang Ci listened attentively for ten minutes. The content was complex, covering changes in social leadership from alphas to omegas to betas, and shifts in social rules.

The gist was that alphas and omegas were society’s main leaders now, while betas were followers.

The student spoke for half an hour and stepped down. The next person was someone Jiang Ci didn’t expect.

Qi Yusi. It was her.

The principal: “Qi Yusi, top alpha, outstanding graduate from Linjiang Medical University’s gland department.”

The audience clapped.

Qi Yusi, in a black suit, walked to the podium. Since Jiang Ci sat close, Qi Yusi saw her in the front row right away.

Their eyes met. Jiang Ci nodded lightly in greeting.

Qi Yusi was surprised to see Jiang Ci here, and as a soon-to-graduate PhD from Linjiang University.

She’d changed a lot over the years.

Qi Yusi glanced once, then began her speech: “Hello, everyone. I’m Qi Yusi, top alpha, gland department graduate. I’m honored to be invited to give a simple speech. About glands, I don’t need to say much—you all know they distinguish alphas, omegas, and betas, their ranks, and our genes…”

Qi Yusi spoke for half an hour and stepped down.

Her main point was that glands were an uncrossable rule among alpha, omega, and beta genes. From the moment of differentiation, life changed, and survival of the fittest ruled the world.

The alphas and omegas in the room, taught this concept since age eighteen, understood.

Betas… understood but didn’t respect it.

Who wants to admit they have inferior genes?

Two more people spoke after.

The principal: “Our final speaker, an S-grade omega. For certain reasons, we won’t disclose her name, profession, or institution. Let’s welcome her.”

An S-grade omega. The audience buzzed with discussion.

“S-grade omega, my gosh, I’ve never seen one in real life. Is this for real?”

“Wow, today’s an eye-opener.”

“I heard S-grade omegas have a natural fragrance even without releasing pheromones. I wonder what it smells like.”

“If we could take photos or record, I’d snap a picture for my socials.”

Under everyone’s eager gazes, the S-grade omega, holding a speech draft, appeared in a white shirt, black long fitted skirt, and high heels.

“Wow, that’s an S-grade omega.”

“Her figure is amazing.”

“Why’s she wearing a mask? Not letting us see her face?”

“Yeah, no name, no identity, and now no face? So secretive.”

The speaker stopped at the podium. The moment she looked up, Jiang Ci recognized her by her eyes.

Dr. Gu.

She never expected it’d be her.

Gu Feiran saw Jiang Ci too but pretended not to, lowered her head, opened her draft, and began: “I’m honored to be invited to speak at your school. My talk is simple, not as profound as the others. My theme is youth.”