Accidentally Marked My Ex’s Crush, the Ice-Cold Goddess O - Chapter 58: Bathroom

Chapter 58: Bathroom

These past few days, because Xiao Ning returned to the country and with the collaboration between the Fu family and the Qiao family, Jiang Ci was busy running around. She had no time to pick up Dr. Gu from work. Each time, she sent a message saying, “I have work today, so I can’t pick you up.”

At first, Dr. Gu replied, “Got it.” Later, she got used to it and just responded with, “Hmm,” without saying much.

Jiang Ci felt quite embarrassed. Early in the morning, she messaged Dr. Gu, saying, “Tonight, no matter how big the issue is, I’ll push it aside to pick you up from the hospital.”

Dr. Gu: “Hmm.”

In the large meeting room of the Qiao Group.

Qiao Yishu looked at Jiang Ci: “This time, with President Jiang fully involved in the collaboration, our project went very smoothly and already saw initial benefits. As long as we manage risks well, I believe we’ll achieve even better results.”

Jiang Ci: “Without President Qiao and your company’s effective and active cooperation throughout every stage, the project wouldn’t have progressed so smoothly. Thank you all for your hard work. I hope we can continue to achieve better results in the future.”

“Good,” Qiao Yishu said.

The meeting ended, and everyone packed up their documents and stood up but stayed in place. They waited for Jiang Ci and Qiao Yishu to leave the meeting room first before following one by one.

Qiao Yishu and Jiang Ci walked side by side: “I heard to avoid risks, you stayed up several nights to create the plan?”

Jiang Ci: “Staying up a few nights to make a suitable plan was worth it. Besides, President Qiao probably stayed up just as much. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have understood the plan so thoroughly or suggested even better ideas. Thank you for your hard work.”

Qiao Yishu chuckled lightly: “President Jiang made a great plan, and your compliments have improved a lot too. It’s impressive.”

Jiang Ci responded politely: “It’s mainly because working with you is so seamless and comfortable, so the compliments come naturally. But President Qiao, rest assured, these are heartfelt praises. I look forward to our next collaboration.”

Qiao Yishu: “Since President Jiang said so, I’ll look forward to our next collaboration too.”

Jiang Ci: “Hmm.”

They stopped in front of the elevator. Qiao Yishu said: “I heard your little sister recently returned from studying abroad and started working at the bottom level of the Jiang Group. Was that Chairman Qian’s arrangement or yours?”

Jiang Ci: “It was Xiao Ning’s own decision. Grandma and I didn’t interfere. She likes it, and that’s what matters.”

Qiao Yishu was somewhat surprised.

This Jiang Ning was the youngest in the Jiang family and had been pampered by Jiang Ci since childhood. She thought Jiang Ning would take a high-level position at the Jiang Group right after returning. Instead, she started from the bottom. Qiao Yishu wondered if this third Miss Jiang was playing out an idol drama or genuinely working.

Qiao Yishu: “Indeed, as long as she likes it. Now that the meeting is over, does President Jiang have time later? I’d like to treat you to dinner. I know you like Western food, so I reserved a spot. Would you do me the honor?”

Dinner?

Jiang Ci paused, then politely declined: “President Qiao, I’m really sorry, but I have plans tonight. I’ve canceled on her several times already, and today I promised her, no matter how big the issue, I’ll keep the appointment. Sorry.”

“No matter how big the issue?” Qiao Yishu’s expression shifted slightly. “Could it be President Jiang’s girlfriend?”

“No,” Jiang Ci denied. “A friend.”

Qiao Yishu: “A friend? I thought it was your girlfriend, someone you care about so much.”

Jiang Ci felt a chill down her back: “No.”

Ding—the elevator arrived.

Qiao Yishu: “President Jiang, please.”

Jiang Ci: “Hmm, President Qiao, please.”

Jiang Ci left the Qiao Group and returned to her company for a short meeting. After it ended, she told everyone to leave work.

After closing up, she jogged to her exclusive elevator, went to the underground parking lot, and drove to the hospital to pick up Dr. Gu.

She thought she timed it perfectly to pick up Dr. Gu, but when she arrived, Dr. Gu had already finished work. She stood in the lobby with her arms crossed, waiting.

Seeing her, Jiang Ci quickened her pace, slowed down in front of her, and said: “You’re off work?”

Gu Feiran softly hummed.

Jiang Ci: “Let’s go then.”

She reached for Dr. Gu’s bag to carry it, but Gu Feiran refused. “I’m off tomorrow.”

Jiang Ci nodded: “I know.”

Gu Feiran: “So…”

“Hmm, so what?” Jiang Ci asked curiously.

Gu Feiran’s eyes sparkled under the light. “We usually go home to test on Saturdays and don’t go anywhere. How about tonight we go out and have some fun?”

Dr. Gu rarely made requests, so Jiang Ci’s lips curved up. She stepped closer to Dr. Gu. “Sure, where do you want to go? Eat? Do something? I’ll go with you.”

Half an hour later, at a bar.

A staff member led them to a private rooftop booth. “This way, please. Your order will be served soon.”

Jiang Ci: “Good.”

After the staff closed the door and left, Jiang Ci followed closely behind Dr. Gu and asked: “This place needs at least two or three weeks to book. Did you reserve it earlier?”

Gu Feiran: “Hmm.”

Jiang Ci: “Have you always wanted to come here?”

They stepped onto the rooftop, pushed open the door, and the sound of folk music mixed with noisy chatter filled their ears.

“No, I just booked it, not sure when I’d come,” Gu Feiran said, tossing her bag beside the railing. She bent down to sit, watching the singer on the center stage.

Jiang Ci followed her. Seeing Dr. Gu sit, she instinctively wanted to sit next to her but thought better of it and sat across instead.

The view here was great, with a clear sight of the stage on the first floor, most of the scene, and the crowded sea of heads.

Knock, knock, knock. A waiter knocked on the glass door three times and came in to serve the food.

Grilled meat with sauce, a fruit platter, Sichuan dishes, marinated snacks, two cocktails, and a few bottles of mineral water.

Gu Feiran said in advance: “You’re driving, so no alcohol. The cocktails are mine, and the mineral water is yours.”

Jiang Ci: “Can’t we get a designated driver?”

Gu Feiran crossed her legs, propped her arm on her knee, and rested her chin in her hand. Her eyes gleamed as she looked at her. “If we both get drunk, would you feel safe sending me home tipsy? There are a lot of bad people at night, President Jiang.”

President Jiang?

She hadn’t even drunk yet, but Dr. Gu seemed tipsy already.

The music downstairs changed.

Gu Feiran took Jiang Ci to the bathroom to wash their hands. After drying off, they started eating dinner.

Dr. Gu insisted on no alcohol, so Jiang Ci opened a bottle of mineral water and took two big gulps. It was tasteless. She picked up her phone to order an iced cola or something, but Dr. Gu stopped her: “No ordering.”

Jiang Ci: “I haven’t even said what I want to order.”

Gu Feiran: “You just drank water and picked up your phone to scan the code. I don’t need to guess to know you’re ordering a drink. Drinks are full of sugar and additives, bad for your health. Stick to mineral water. If you don’t want it, I’ll get you a cup of warm water?”

Jiang Ci wasn’t pleased: “You’re drinking alcohol, and I can’t even have a drink?”

Gu Feiran: “Hmm, no drinks.”

Jiang Ci: “…”

This was even more unreasonable than a governor banning lights.

Jiang Ci had to put down her phone and keep drinking her mineral water. Later, she didn’t want to eat or drink anymore and made several trips to the bathroom. Meanwhile, Dr. Gu sipped her cocktails alone, gradually getting tipsy.

“Do you sing?” Gu Feiran suddenly asked.

Jiang Ci was playing with dry ice in her hand. Hearing the question, she looked at her and teased: “What kind of singing? High notes, low notes, mid-range, or dolphin sounds?”

Gu Feiran: “If you want to sing, I won’t stop you.”

Judging by Dr. Gu’s attitude, it seemed like if she agreed, Dr. Gu would actually let her go up and sing. Something was off about Dr. Gu tonight, but Jiang Ci couldn’t pinpoint what.

The singing topic passed. They didn’t eat much or talk much, spending most of their time listening to others sing or overhearing chatter from nearby rooftop booths.

“Dear friends, the next song is called ‘First Meeting,’ requested by booth five for the lady in the black tank top in booth six. They also said, if you like it, can we add you on WeChat?”

“Wow!”

“Is requesting a song so bold now?”

“Where’s booth six? I want to see what kind of lady she is. She must be a beautiful woman.”

Everyone from the first and second floors looked over. The bar staff wanted to spotlight booth six for the atmosphere, but Gu Feiran stopped them with a refusing gesture.

So, the light turned off the moment it swung over, and the music started as the singer began to sing slowly.

“Hey, hi, beautiful. I requested the song.”

Someone stood up behind Jiang Ci, hands resting on the railing, looking past Jiang Ci at Gu Feiran.

Jiang Ci turned to see a long-haired woman, quite pretty, though perhaps handsome was more fitting.

“The breeze blows lightly, meeting you for the first time…”

As they locked eyes, lyrics floated on the big screen, though they didn’t quite match the scene.

Earlier, Jiang Ci had been sitting with her back turned, so the woman didn’t know what she looked like. Now, seeing her, the woman suddenly wanted to bless them both. What a perfect pair.

“Hello,” the woman greeted Jiang Ci.

Jiang Ci nodded lightly. “Hello.”

The woman asked directly: “Are you two a couple? If not, can I add you on WeChat?”

Jiang Ci turned to look at Dr. Gu, who was looking back at her, her eyes slightly raised, signaling her to handle it.

With the cue, Jiang Ci turned back and said: “Can’t add you, sorry.”

The woman didn’t mind and said: “Then can I have your WeChat? If you break up, introduce your sister to me.”

Jiang Ci: “…”

The woman laughed, saying it was a joke. “I’m just kidding, don’t mind. Wishing you both a long, happy life.”

She sat back down, stealing another glance at Gu Feiran. She really liked her.

Such a pity.

Jiang Ci relaxed her furrowed brows and turned to Dr. Gu: “Why do so many people want to add you on WeChat every day? That woman from jogging last time was the same, wanting your WeChat after one meeting.”

Gu Feiran looked at her: “What do you think?”

Jiang Ci: “Because you’re an S-level omega? But this is a bar, with alcohol and scents all mixed up. How do they smell you’re an S-level omega? Are normal alphas and omegas’ noses that sharp?”

Gu Feiran: “…”

She finished the last sip of her cocktail in one gulp.

They left the bar after 11 p.m. Dr. Gu was drunk, unsteady on her feet, practically hanging onto Jiang Ci.

“Hey, hey, Dr. Gu, are you okay?” Jiang Ci didn’t hold her steady, and Dr. Gu nearly fell off her, startling Jiang Ci into wrapping her arms tightly around her waist.

Gu Feiran waved her hand: “I’m fine. Just haven’t drunk in a while, a bit tipsy. I’ll sleep it off.”

Jiang Ci: “Alright, let’s go home. Do you want the front passenger seat or the back? Which is more comfortable?”

Gu Feiran: “Back.”

Jiang Ci agreed: “Okay.”

The distance from the bar to the parking lot wasn’t far. Jiang Ci supported Dr. Gu slowly. After finally getting her into the back seat, she collapsed and nearly fell off the seat. Jiang Ci couldn’t trust leaving her alone back there.

Jiang Ci climbed in, held Dr. Gu’s arm, and pulled her into her arms. She took out her phone and called a designated driver.

After calling, Jiang Ci put her phone behind her, gently held Dr. Gu’s shoulders, and let her lean against her for comfort.

Jiang Ci: “Honey water helps with hangovers. I’ll make you a cup when we get home, okay?”

Gu Feiran didn’t speak, leaning closer to Jiang Ci. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes shimmering with ambiguous emotions.

She seemed boneless, her head tilting to one side.

Jiang Ci quickly caught her, pulling her back. The moment her palm touched her cheek, it was burning hot.

It felt like it seared into her heart.

“Hmm?” Gu Feiran’s face was held, but she didn’t resist. She smiled, her breath grazing Jiang Ci’s palm, her red lips slightly parted, smiling dreamily. In her sway, her white teeth and soft, rosy tongue tip were visible.

Jiang Ci’s heart trembled. Her body reacted faster than her mind, and she leaned down, softly kissing her red lips.

Her lips still carried the sweet peach flavor of the cocktail.

Gu Feiran, dazed, said: “You kissed me?”

Jiang Ci kissed her again, soft and yielding. Dr. Gu, drunk, was so soft. “Hmm, I kissed you.”

Gu Feiran gazed at her faintly.

That look made it seem like Jiang Ci was bullying her.

Gu Feiran: “You kissed me without my permission?”

Jiang Ci held her in her arms and said: “Hmm, I kissed you without your permission. So what?”

Gu Feiran: “Then I’ll kiss you back.”

Jiang Ci didn’t take a drunkard’s words seriously. One hand held her, the other checked her phone for the driver, still ten minutes away. She put the phone down, about to check on Dr. Gu, when a shadow fell over her.

Dr. Gu dove in without hesitation, accurately hooking Jiang Ci’s tongue. Soft, silky, gently licking and biting, every move practiced, desire and restraint mingling in their breaths and entanglement.

Jiang Ci let Dr. Gu kiss her for a while, then tightened her grip on her waist, lifted her leg, flipped her over, and held her on her lap, pressing down to kiss her.

Their tongues surged together in the heat, the peach cocktail seeping into both their mouths.

They kissed in the dim, cramped back seat until the driver arrived. The person in her arms had melted into a puddle. Though Dr. Gu tried to restrain herself, Jiang Ci felt her pulsing gland at the back of her neck, knowing how chaotic and suppressed she was.

Before the driver got in, Jiang Ci took off her coat and covered Dr. Gu, not even letting her hands show.

Gu Feiran’s long hair was messy, her head buried in Jiang Ci’s chest.

The driver spoke, and Jiang Ci noticed it was a woman. She said: “Hello, designated driver at your service.”

Jiang Ci: “Hello, my friend is drunk. Please drive slowly on the way back.”

The driver: “Okay.”

The driver drove carefully and slowly. At the community parking lot, after the driver left, Jiang Ci helped Dr. Gu out of the car. Dr. Gu’s first words were: “This doesn’t look like my parking lot?”

Jiang Ci looked at her: “Hmm, it’s mine.”

Gu Feiran froze: “Your place?”

They took the elevator up. At home, Jiang Ci helped Dr. Gu sit on the sofa to rest, then went to the kitchen to make her a cup of honey water. She said: “This was the closest place from the bar. You’re so drunk, I worried the long drive would make you uncomfortable, so I brought you here. If you don’t want to stay, I can drive you back.”

“It’s fine,” Gu Feiran said. She had been here once before.

Jiang Ci: “Then drink this. I’ll prepare some toiletries for you. You shouldn’t shower after drinking, so just wipe down?”

Gu Feiran held the honey water with both hands: “Hmm.”

Usually, Jiang Ci stayed at Dr. Gu’s place, and Dr. Gu prepared toiletries and pajamas for her. Now it was her turn. Following Dr. Gu’s habits, Jiang Ci quickly got everything ready and called her to wash up.

Jiang Ci washed in the guest bedroom.

It was Gu Feiran’s first time staying at Jiang Ci’s place. The bathroom and bedroom were clean and tidy, but it felt oddly like staying in a hotel.

After Jiang Ci showered in the guest bedroom and returned, Dr. Gu was already in her pajamas, lying on the bed asleep. Jiang Ci walked over lightly and whispered: “If you’re not comfortable here, I can take you back. No need to force it.”

Gu Feiran: “It’s fine.”

Jiang Ci hummed, turned off the light, and lay down. There was only one blanket, so they had to sleep together.

At first, Jiang Ci kept some distance from Dr. Gu. But somehow, with one turn, they tangled in the dark and started kissing.

Dr. Gu was wearing Jiang Ci’s pajamas, which Jiang Ci removed with ease, tossing them aside as they kissed.

Jiang Ci wrapped the blanket tightly, slowly moving down.

—

The next day, Gu Feiran woke first, got out of bed, put on shoes, and went to the balcony to take a call. “Hello, Sister.”

Fu Ruanyi sat on the living room sofa, legs crossed, and asked: “Why aren’t you home on the weekend? The aunt said you left early. Is there an emergency at the hospital?”

Gu Feiran pressed her hungover forehead and explained: “No emergency at the hospital. I just woke up and couldn’t sleep, so I wanted to walk outside. Sister, what’s up? If it’s urgent, I’ll head back now.”

Fu Ruanyi: “Hmm, there’s something urgent. Come back first.”

“Okay, hanging up,” Gu Feiran said.

Fu Ruanyi: “Hmm.”

Usually, no matter what happened, Sister wouldn’t ask her to rush back like this. It must be urgent.

Gu Feiran hung up, returned to the bedroom, and opened the curtains. Sunlight poured in. Jiang Ci sat up in bed, already awake. Gu Feiran said: “There’s an urgent matter at home. I need to go back.”

Hearing this, Jiang Ci threw off the blanket to get up. “I’ll drive you.”

“No need,” Gu Feiran stopped her. “I’ll take a taxi. You go back to sleep; it’s still early.”

Gu Feiran went to Jiang Ci’s closet to pick out clothes.

Whenever Jiang Ci stayed over and left, she wore clothes from Gu Feiran’s closet. Though she always had them dry-cleaned and returned, some couldn’t be sent back right away.

Gu Feiran easily found her clothes, took them out, hung them over her arm, and changed out of the short-sleeve shirt.

When she came out, Jiang Ci was up but didn’t insist on driving her. She just handed her a cup of honey water.

Jiang Ci: “Drink this before you go.”

Honey water helped with hangovers, so Gu Feiran didn’t refuse. She took it, drank half, and said: “I’m leaving.”

Jiang Ci: “Hmm.”

Gu Feiran left the community and took a taxi. On the way, she recalled what happened in the bathroom last night, sighed, and shook her head. It was absurd. She shouldn’t have drunk.

When Gu Feiran got home, Sister hadn’t left. She changed her shoes, opened the door, saw her, and asked directly: “Sister, what’s so urgent you needed me this early?”

Fu Ruanyi’s expression was serious: “Come back with me. Let Grandma tell you.”

Grandma…

Gu Feiran felt nervous for the first time.

Gu Feiran: “Okay.”

They hurried back. At the house, not only was Grandma there, but Mother was too. Their expressions didn’t look good.

Gu Feiran had prepared herself mentally on the way, ready for anything. “Mom, Grandma, what happened?”

Gu Mushi said: “An S-level alpha patient was transferred to your hospital. Her pheromone is a rare higanbana, similar to your mandala pheromone. Since most surgeons for this operation are alphas and omegas, with few betas, the patient’s pheromone could easily interfere with the surgery. After investigation, they learned you’re an S-level omega with a mandala pheromone, so they transferred her specifically, hoping you’d join the surgery to suppress her pheromone and ensure its success.”

Gu Mushi looked at Gu Feiran: “This is internal information, not public yet, and likely won’t be. When you go to work tomorrow, your hospital director will probably approach you. Xiao Ran, do you want to join this surgery?”

Fu Ruanyi: “I don’t recommend Xiao Ran participates.”

Fu Xianqing added: “I agree with Xiao Ruan. I don’t recommend it. The pheromones fully released by an S-level alpha and omega are unbearable for other alphas and omegas, even for yourselves. At a pheromone concentration of ninety-nine, there’s a chance of temporary marking without gland biting. No matter who the patient is, I don’t want our Xiao Ran to take that risk.”

Gu Mushi: “Xiao Ran, you’re a doctor, and it’s your duty to save patients. But if a temporary marking happens, it could greatly affect your life. So, Xiao Ruan, Grandma, and I don’t want you to participate.”

S-level alpha, temporary marking.

When Jiang Ci’s gland relapsed, the detector showed a pheromone concentration of ninety-nine, proving she was a latent S-level alpha.

After all, fully marking an S-level omega wasn’t something an ordinary alpha could do.

An omega could only be marked once in their lifetime, and she was already fully marked by that person. Even a latent S-level alpha surpassed ordinary alphas. So, during the surgery, if she only suppressed the patient’s pheromone, she might not be affected. But if the surgery went smoothly and she showed no reaction, it might raise Sister’s suspicions.

Gu Feiran thought while clenching her fist.