Accidentally Marked My Ex’s Crush, the Ice-Cold Goddess O - Chapter 57: Office Kiss

Chapter 57: Office Kiss

While Jiang Ci received the message, the other three people also got similar text notifications from the Administration.

[A-Element Administration: Miss Jiang Ci, the five million violation fine has been paid. The five million you paid has been returned to your original account. Please check the message and your balance. If you have any issues, you can call the official phone number for inquiries.]

Five million had been paid, and fifteen million had been returned, meaning four people had paid the violation fine on her behalf.

Dr. Gu.

The first person Jiang Ci thought of was Dr. Gu. Last time, when explaining Qiao Yunchi’s matter to Dr. Gu, she mentioned not having enough money to pay the violation fine. So, Dr. Gu guessed yesterday that she was going to sell her car and secretly paid it for her. But who were the other three people?

While Jiang Ci was thinking, a staff member gently tapped the desk twice to get her attention, “Miss Jiang, Miss Jiang?”

“Sorry.” Jiang Ci closed her phone and looked up at the two people across from her, “The money issue on my side suddenly got resolved, so I don’t need to sell the car anymore. Sorry for wasting your time today.”

The two exchanged a glance, their expressions showing some helplessness.

One thought it was rare to come across such a big deal, and it had been going so smoothly.

The other thought it was rare to find a car they liked in such good condition, but now it all fell through.

Jiang Ci apologized again, “I’m really sorry.”

Jiang Ci knew her sudden notice was abrupt. She stayed there for over twenty minutes before leaving. The first thing she did when she got in the car was send a message to Dr. Gu: Did you pay the violation fine for me?

Right after, she sent a message to Xiao Ning: I asked Grandma to pay your violation fine. Did you get the message saying it’s been paid?

She had discussed this with Xiao Ning before.

After sending the messages, Dr. Gu replied first, sending a screenshot of a refund message and typing: I originally wanted to pay it for you, but the Administration’s message said your violation fine was already paid, and the money was returned to the original account.

Gu Feiran: Did you sell your car to gather enough money?

Dr. Gu had indeed guessed she was going to sell her car.

Jiang Ci: I didn’t sell the car. Someone paid it for me, but I don’t know who yet. I’m asking around.

Gu Feiran: Someone paid it for you?

Jiang Ci: Hmm.

Gu Feiran: Five million isn’t a small amount, and they’d need to know your birthday specifically. It might be your family who paid it. You could ask Dr. Jiang.

Right, Little Aunt.

Little Aunt knew she didn’t have enough money to pay the violation fine and also knew today was her birthday, so she might have paid it for her.

Jiang Ci: I’ll message Little Aunt now.

Jiang Ci exited her chat with Dr. Gu and sent a message to Little Aunt: Little Aunt, did you pay my violation fine?

Little Aunt might have been busy, as she didn’t reply.

Jiang Ci drove away first. While on the road, she received a message from Little Aunt.

Like Dr. Gu, Little Aunt sent a refund screenshot and said: This is Aunt Liu’s refund screenshot. She knew I was worried about your violation fine, so she secretly paid it for you, but it was returned.

Aunt Liu’s generosity was overwhelming, a true case of extending her love.

Jiang Ci felt grateful: When I have time, I’ll treat Aunt Liu to dinner and thank her in person.

Little Aunt: Hmm, you should.

Little Aunt sent another message asking: Xiao Ning is coming back today. She said she’ll land around four in the afternoon. Are you going to the airport to pick her up?

Jiang Ci: Yes, I promised to pick her up.

Little Aunt: Let me know when you pick her up.

Jiang Ci: Got it.

Both Dr. Gu and Aunt Liu received refund screenshots, and it wasn’t Little Aunt who paid either. That left two people.

The only two Jiang Ci could think of were Grandma and Xiao Ning.

Mother and Sister Jiang Xi’s bank cards had been frozen by Grandma long ago, and they relied on their own work for daily expenses. They probably didn’t have enough money to pay her violation fine. So now it depended on whether Grandma or Xiao Ning had paid successfully.

After thinking it through, Jiang Ci went back to the company to discuss work matters with Grandma. Before leaving, she mustered the courage to ask, “Chairman, about mine and Xiao Ning’s violation fines…”

Qian Ying: “Your Little Aunt asked me to pay them for you.”

Little Aunt…

So, it all circled back to Little Aunt.

Jiang Ci: “Thank you, Grandma.”

Qian Ying remained unmoved by her calling her Grandma and looked up at Jiang Ci with a serious face, “I paid your violation fines on the condition that Jiang Ning agrees to come back to work. Otherwise, even if both of you were taken away, I wouldn’t have paid.”

Jiang Ci understood clearly, “Hmm, I know.”

After leaving the Chairman’s office, Jiang Ci stood at the door and let out a sigh of relief. No matter what, the violation fine was paid.

Around two in the afternoon, Jiang Ci set off to the airport to pick up Xiao Ning.

Xiao Ning had been abroad for years, coming back a few times in between. Every time Jiang Ci saw her off, she couldn’t help but feel heartbroken and want to cry, but she couldn’t let Xiao Ning see her tears, so she always held it in until she was on her way home to cry.

This time, she wouldn’t have to see her off again.

The flight landed almost on time. Before heading out, Jiang Ci bought a bouquet of roses and ordered two cakes. Today was both their birthdays, and they hadn’t celebrated together in a long time. Whether they ate the cakes didn’t matter; the important thing was the atmosphere.

“Sister.” Xiao Ning came out.

Jiang Ci smiled and walked over to greet her. Just like in the photos, her hair was dyed flaxen gold with layered wavy curls. Unlike the graduation gown, today she wore a white blouse and white trousers, looking much more polished and mature compared to last time.

Jiang Ci handed her the flowers, “Welcome back.”

Jiang Ning took the flowers and held them in her arms. Looking at Jiang Ci, she stepped forward and gave her a big hug, “I missed you so much.”

Jiang Ci gently patted her shoulder, “I missed you too. Little Aunt misses you, and so does Grandma. Let’s go home.”

Jiang Ning held on, reluctant to let go.

The driver nearby took her suitcase.

They hugged for a while before leaving the airport.

Once in the car, Jiang Ning leaned toward Jiang Ci and said, “Sister, was your violation fine paid by Grandma too?”

Jiang Ci: “Hmm, it was.”

She had just asked about it in the office this morning.

Jiang Ning propped her right hand on the armrest, resting her chin, and nodded, “No wonder I got a refund message right after paying. Little Aunt said you didn’t have money to pay the violation fine, so I thought you had gathered enough.”

Jiang Ci took out a bottle of mineral water, unscrewed the cap, and handed it to her, asking, “Where did you get the money to pay my violation fine?”

Jiang Ning took the bottle, holding it, “From savings and earnings. You sent me five hundred thousand every month. At first, I used one hundred thousand each month for daily expenses and invested the rest in stocks and gold. I lost one or two million at the start and didn’t dare tell you. Later, I started earning, so I stopped using the money you sent. I saved some and invested the rest.”

As she spoke, Jiang Ning took out her wallet from her bag and pulled out a bank card, “All the money you sent me over the years is in this card, plus extra from my investments. It’s all for you.”

Jiang Ci didn’t take it, “It’s yours, so keep it. I don’t have much money to give you now, and Grandma probably won’t either. You just returned and will need money for a lot of things. Keep it for yourself.”

Jiang Ning gripped the card tightly, lowering it, and said, “No way. If Little Aunt hadn’t mentioned during a call that you were sending me money and didn’t even have enough for your violation fine, I wouldn’t have known you were struggling like this. You have to take this money.”

“Little Aunt?” Jiang Ci changed the subject, “She’s so busy after work, and she still chats with you?”

Jiang Ning: “I video chat with Little Aunt once or twice a month, talking about you, Grandma, Sister Jiang Xi, and Mother. If you weren’t so busy with work and studies, I’d love to chat with you too.”

“Oh, right.” Jiang Ning suddenly remembered someone and leaned closer, “I heard Little Aunt’s partner, Aunt Liu, is from the Fu family. Is that true?”

Jiang Ci nodded, “It’s true.”

Jiang Ning burst out laughing, “The Jiang and Fu families have hated each other for so long, and now Little Aunt is dating someone from the Fu family. I bet Grandma was furious when she found out.”

Jiang Ci chuckled along with her, “Grandma’s face did look pretty bad when she found out. But although Little Aunt and Aunt Liu are still dating, Little Aunt told Grandma they broke up, so don’t mention it in front of her.”

Jiang Ning made an OK gesture, “Got it.”

Jiang Ci: “Hmm.”

The driver took them to Xiao Ning’s place. Jiang Ci went up to help her unpack and even called two aunts to assist.

The four of them worked until past eight in the evening, only managing to unpack about a third of her things.

Jiang Ci, exhausted with hands on her hips, walked out and said to the aunts, “It’s getting late, you two can go home. Come back tomorrow morning to continue. Thanks for your hard work.”

The aunts nodded, “Okay.”

Shortly after they left, Jiang Ning handed Jiang Ci a piece of her clothing, saying, “Sister, go take a shower and change. We’ll go to the hospital later to pick up Little Aunt from work.”

Jiang Ci: “Alright.”

Before showering, Jiang Ci asked Little Aunt what time she’d finish work. Little Aunt replied it might be ten or ten-thirty.

It was just past eight, so they had plenty of time.

After showering, they went downstairs together. Jiang Ci drove Xiao Ning to the hospital to pick up Little Aunt. Xiao Ning had been to the hospital a few times during past visits, but it had been so long she’d almost forgotten.

Jiang Ning held Jiang Ci’s arm, saying, “I really don’t like hospitals. Coming here once is enough to dislike it.”

Jiang Ci: “Even though Little Aunt is a doctor, she doesn’t like it either.”

Jiang Ning: “Doctors are just working a job, after all.”

They smiled at each other, “Hmm.”

The elevator reached the General Surgery Department floor. They followed the people ahead and walked out to find Little Aunt’s office.

“Dr. Gu, can we schedule the surgery for the patient in bed three for next Wednesday? We’ll need to wait for an operating table that day.”

Gu Feiran, walking and talking, said, “Schedule it. He’s young, so the afternoon should work.”

“Okay, I’ll arrange it.”

Gu Feiran: “Hmm.”

As Gu Feiran discussed the surgery with her colleague, she looked up and met a guilty pair of eyes. Next to them was a pretty girl holding Jiang Ci’s arm, looking very close and affectionate.

When they nearly bumped into each other, Gu Feiran turned to continue talking with her colleague, passing by Jiang Ci.

In this situation, it wasn’t easy to explain face-to-face.

Jiang Ci took out her phone from her pocket and sent Dr. Gu a message: My sister, Jiang Ning, my real sister. She just returned from studying abroad today. We’re here to pick up Little Aunt from work.

After sending the message, Jiang Ci glanced back. Dr. Gu and her colleague had disappeared around the corner.

“Little Aunt.” Jiang Ning spotted Jiang Lan first.

Jiang Lan looked over at the sound, saw them, and her exhaustion seemed to lift. Holding back her joy, she walked over, saying, “Xiao Ci, Xiao Ning, you’re here. When Xiao Ci messaged, I thought you were just leaving.”

Jiang Ning let go of Jiang Ci’s arm and gave Little Aunt a light hug, “Long time no see, Little Aunt.”

Wearing her white coat all day and having been around patients, Jiang Lan didn’t hug too closely, saying, “Xiao Ning, long time no see. Welcome back. You’re finally staying this time.”

Jiang Ning: “Hmm.”

Jiang Lan let go of her, saying, “Let me wish you both a happy birthday first. I still have some work to finish, probably around ten-thirty. You two can walk around downstairs, and I’ll message you when I’m done.”

Jiang Ning: “Okay.”

Jiang Lan waved to them, “Happy birthday.”

Jiang Ning smiled, “Got it, Little Aunt.”

As they watched Little Aunt leave, Jiang Ning walked back to Jiang Ci, holding her arm again, saying, “Little Aunt is so busy. Let’s go eat something downstairs. I’ve been abroad too long and miss Chinese food. Even if we pick up Little Aunt later, it’ll just be cutting the cake for show. There won’t be much to eat, so we might as well have dinner now.”

Jiang Ci went along with her, “Alright.”

So they turned back downstairs, driving around to find a restaurant. Chinese, Western, Thai—she wanted to try all kinds of food, especially hotpot and barbecue, but those took too long. In the end, they settled on burgers and fried chicken.

Jiang Ci shook her head, “I’ll take you out to eat this weekend.”

Jiang Ning said happily, “Great.”

After buying food, they drove back. Jiang Ning sat in the back, eating fried chicken on the armrest, saying it tasted better than abroad.

Jiang Ci sat in the driver’s seat, replying to Dr. Gu.

Dr. Gu: Hmm.

Jiang Ci: When do you get off work?

Dr. Gu: In half an hour.

Half an hour—that was about the same time as Little Aunt.

Dr. Gu: You don’t need to drive me. I have a driver.

Jiang Ci: No way.

Dr. Gu: Your sister just returned from studying abroad, and it’s your birthday. Go home with her. You don’t need to drive me.

Jiang Ci: I’ll wait for you.

Dr. Gu: It’s not about today. Go back and spend time with your family. Happy birthday.

Jiang Ci: It’s on the way.

Dr. Gu: I’m not misunderstanding or overthinking. It’s a special day, so spend it with your family.

Her words softened Jiang Ci’s heart even more.

Jiang Ci put away her phone, glanced at Xiao Ning in the back seat devouring her food, frowned, and said, “Xiao Ning, I’m going to the bathroom. The car keys are here.”

Jiang Ning, mouth full of fried chicken, mumbled unclearly, “Hmm, got it.”

Jiang Ci couldn’t help but look again, moving the tissue box from the front to the armrest’s edge, “Wipe your mouth.”

Jiang Ning: “Got it.”

Jiang Ci opened the car door, jogged into the hospital lobby, and took the elevator to the General Surgery Department. When the doors opened, she instinctively wanted to run but, worried about causing unease, walked quickly to Dr. Gu’s office and knocked twice.

After knocking, Jiang Ci didn’t wait, pressed the handle, pushed the door open, went in, and locked it behind her.

Gu Feiran was writing a medical report. Hearing the urgent knock, she thought it was someone from the hospital, not expecting Jiang Ci.

Gu Feiran: “Why are you here?”

Jiang Ci walked slowly over, crossed the desk to Dr. Gu’s side, bent down, lifted her hands to hold Dr. Gu’s cheeks, thumbs resting on her chin, leaned down, closed her eyes, and kissed her lips.

As usual, there was no prelude. She bit the lower lip a few times, parted her teeth, and deepened the kiss.

Both held their breath, the intimacy surging.

Gu Feiran instinctively leaned back a bit, her senses filled with Jiang Ci’s pleasant scent. She let Jiang Ci kiss freely for a while before pushing her shoulders to break the kiss, saying, “You came all the way here just for this?”

Jiang Ci looked into her eyes, “Mainly to say thank you. I thought you’d just give me a birthday gift, but you even tried to pay my violation fine. Thank you.”

Gu Feiran: “You’re welcome.”

Besides thanks, Jiang Ci had one more thing to say.

That luxury brand watch, with custom engraving, required ordering well in advance.

This meant Dr. Gu had been preparing her birthday gift long ago. And knowing Jiang Ci couldn’t pay the violation fine, Dr. Gu didn’t mention it but quietly paid it for her.

Even if Jiang Ci was slow or foolish, she could understand this kind of care. Sometimes, she just couldn’t believe it.

That someone as outstanding as Dr. Gu would treat her so well.

Jiang Ci: “Dr. Gu.”

Gu Feiran hummed.

Jiang Ci’s heart tightened. After a moment’s thought, she leaned down again, kissing her. This time, she held Dr. Gu’s cheeks firmly, not letting her pull away. The kiss was more urgent, deeper, the heat and passion flowing between their lips.

—

Jiang Ci left Dr. Gu’s office and happened to meet Little Aunt. They went downstairs to the parking lot together.

Jiang Ning had almost finished eating and got out of the car to stretch. Seeing them, she walked over, saying, “Little Aunt, you’re finally off work. Let’s go home.”

“Hmm, let’s go celebrate your birthday,” Jiang Lan said with a smile.

Jiang Ning held her arm, “Great.”

The three got into the car. Jiang Ci drove, while Little Aunt and Jiang Ning sat in the back, chatting and occasionally asking Jiang Ci, who was driving, a question.

When they got home, it was too late, and Grandma was already asleep. They didn’t disturb her and sat at the dining table, lighting candles on both cakes and making wishes with their eyes closed.

Jiang Lan took out her phone, telling them to sit together, “I’ll take a photo of you two to send to Jiang Xi and your Mother and Mommy.”

“Okay.” Jiang Ning moved her chair to sit close to Jiang Ci.

Wearing birthday hats, they closed their eyes to make wishes. Jiang Lan snapped a few photos and sent them to Sister Jiang Xi and their two mothers.

Jiang Xi replied to Little Aunt and sent a message to Jiang Ci and Jiang Ning: Xiao Ci, Xiao Ning, happy birthday. I hope you’re always happy, healthy, and blessed.

Their mothers had sent birthday wishes early that morning and now sent them again: Happy birthday. Sorry we can’t be there with you. Wishing you two little ones happiness and health. Take good care of Little Aunt and Grandma.

Jiang Ning saw it, sent an OK, and said, “Sister, happy birthday. Let’s cut the cake.”

Jiang Ci didn’t check the messages and started cutting, “Hmm.”

They cut both cakes. Jiang Ci ate from hers and Xiao Ning’s. Jiang Ning ate from hers and her sister’s. As for Jiang Lan, to avoid being accused of favoritism, she ate a piece from both cakes.

Eating cake late at night was a bit heavy.

After eating, the three went to their rooms to rest.

The next morning, around seven, Jiang Lan called them down to have breakfast with Grandma. Although Xiao Ning had just returned and needed to adjust to the time difference, it was better to have her first breakfast back with Grandma before going back to sleep.

Usually, only Qian Ying ate breakfast at home. With three more people suddenly, the aunt had clearly prepared too little.

The aunt said, “Sorry, I’ll make some more.”

Jiang Ning stopped her, saying softly, “Aunt, no need. This is enough for me. I’ll go back to sleep soon anyway, and eating too much might keep me up. No trouble.”

The aunt: “Okay.”

As soon as the aunt left, Qian Ying said, “You studied abroad for years, costing tens of millions, and now another five million when you returned. How do you plan to repay this five million? Work at the company and pay it back slowly, or find your own path and earn it yourself?”

Hearing her mom say this again, Jiang Lan put down her fork and knife, “Mom, Xiao Ning just got back. Let her rest.”

Qian Ying: “Rest? Hasn’t she rested and had fun abroad for years? If you want to rest, go back to school abroad and let Jiang Ci send you money. That way, you can rest forever and never work. But you’ll still owe me the five million.”

“Mom,” Jiang Lan couldn’t help but want to speak.

Qian Ying stopped her, “Don’t play the good guy here. If she wants to leave, I won’t stop her.”

Jiang Ning said, “I want to join the Jiang Group. I don’t need Grandma to arrange it. I’ll apply with my resume myself.”

Qian Ying: “Fine.”

The whole family was stubborn, and Jiang Lan couldn’t persuade them, so she let them be, as long as the family stayed together.

After breakfast, Qian Ying went straight to the company.

Jiang Ci drove Little Aunt to work and dropped Xiao Ning off at her place, where things still needed unpacking.

On the way, Jiang Ci asked, “Xiao Ning, are you really going to apply to the company yourself without Grandma’s help?”

Each department at the Jiang Group had different education and skill requirements. With Xiao Ning’s qualifications, getting in wasn’t hard, but starting from the bottom would be tough.

Jiang Ning: “Hmm. I’m not doing this to prove to Grandma what I learned abroad. I want to understand the operations and daily work of each department at the Jiang Group. Knowing more will make work easier later.”

Jiang Ci agreed, “That makes sense.”

Jiang Lan leaned against the car window, saying, “You two are really driven. Just looking at PPTs, documents, and financial reports gives me a headache.”

Jiang Ci smiled lightly, “Little Aunt, doesn’t studying medicine give you a headache?”

Jiang Lan: “It does, but medical knowledge is fixed—you just study it to death. Business requires a sharp mind and sometimes scheming. I can’t do it. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have studied medicine; I’d have gone into finance.”

Jiang Ning leaned forward from the back seat, smiling, “Little Aunt, I heard you’re with someone from the Fu family, Aunt Liu. If you’re free this weekend, let’s have dinner together.”

Jiang Lan: “Hmm?”