Gold-Medal Lawyer Alpha and Her Doctor Jiang - Chapter 5: Red Marks

Chapter 5: Red Marks

A few minutes later, the door opened. Jiang Zhiyi showed no expression. Mu Qing argued with her, “You’re too stingy. We grew up together, and you won’t even let me see her face?”

Mu Qing pushed the door wide open and stepped forward, smiling. She said, “Little friend, take off your mask and let me…” She yelped, “Hey!” Jiang Zhiyi pulled her out, pushing and shoving her to the doorway.

“Not coming out?” Jiang Zhiyi walked back to the door. Cen Qingyi wanted to crawl into a hole. Damn it, she needed to change her bra. She swore never to wear one with so many hooks again.

She had to tough it out now. She forced herself to stay composed, even if it killed her. She absolutely refused to acknowledge Jiang Zhiyi. Her neck gland, pressed earlier, still felt soft and uncomfortable.

Cen Qingyi hurried out. A voice came from behind. Jiang Zhiyi asked, “Leaving just like that?”

“…Thank you, Doctor,” Cen Qingyi said. Jiang Zhiyi grabbed her wrist. Her hand was so cold. Cen Qingyi struggled, inwardly wanting to say: Doctor, your hands are so cold, I suggest you get checked too. If your hands weren’t so cold, my gland wouldn’t have been so easily triggered.

Jiang Zhiyi looked at the flushed little ears and stepped closer, slightly tilting her head. She vaguely saw the swollen gland on Cen Qingyi’s neck. She caused it. It wasn’t broken but definitely swollen.

Jiang Zhiyi stuffed the medical record into Cen Qingyi’s hands, released her wrist, and said calmly, “Get an ultrasound. A benign fibroma can be treated with minimally invasive surgery now, but it’s very small. You don’t have to do it. Regular ultrasounds to monitor, self-care, and most importantly, less stress. Learn to manage emotions.” Jiang Zhiyi paused. She added, “Come to Xiehe for your next checkup. Our br3ast surgery department ranks well nationally.”

Cen Qingyi lowered her head, nodding like an obedient student. She said, “Thank you, Doctor.”

“Want to do the ultrasound now?”

“Oh…” Cen Qingyi had wanted to come back another day with a different doctor due to the awkwardness, but somehow she said, “Let’s do it.”

“I’ll write the order,” Jiang Zhiyi said, returning to her seat. The quiet office filled with the clicking of the mouse.

Cen Qingyi stood behind the desk, her head buzzing. This morning was chaotic. The room carried the pleasant scent of nine-mile fragrance, making her dizzy.

Jiang Zhiyi suddenly looked up. She asked, “Are you free to come tomorrow?”

Cen Qingyi froze. She said, “No, I’m only free in the afternoon.” She realized and added, “If it can’t be done today, I’ll make time another day.”

Jiang Zhiyi glanced at her phone, continued clicking the mouse. Cen Qingyi was about to say she’d leave when Jiang Zhiyi tilted her chin. She said, “Go pay now.”

“Oh.”

“Bring the payment receipt back.”

“Okay.”

Cen Qingyi fled, exhaling deeply.

**

Jiang Zhiyi stared at the creamy white door, picked up her phone, and dialed a number. She said, “Hello, Director Zhou.”

“Dr. Jiang?” Director Zhou asked with concern. “How are you? Your mother said you were sick?”

“Much better. I have a favor…” Jiang Zhiyi cleared her throat. She said, “A friend has a benign fibroma. It’s probably fine, but she’s worried and wants a chest ultrasound. Could you stay late to do it for her? Schedule her last.”

Director Zhou’s laughter came through. He said, “Of course I can. Little Jiang, who never asks for favors, spoke up.”

“Thank you,” Jiang Zhiyi said, embarrassed. “I’ll delay your lunch. When you’re free, I’ll treat you to make up for it.”

“Don’t be so formal with me,” Director Zhou teased. “Visit home more. Your mother would be thrilled.”

They chatted a bit. A knock came at the door. Chen Mengxi, Jiang Zhiyi’s intern, entered. She said, surprised, “Dr. Jiang, you haven’t eaten yet?”

“I’ll go soon.”

“The cafeteria food’s bad today. Good thing you’re eating out.”

Jiang Zhiyi paused while scrolling her phone, hummed, and Chen Mengxi grabbed her charger, saying cheerfully, “I’m off to find my buddies, Dr. Jiang. Eat soon.”

Jiang Zhiyi’s phone vibrated. A friend messaged: Oops, an intern mixed up Cen Qingyi’s scan. They told her the results before the doctor saw the computer scan.

Jiang Zhiyi replied: Too careless. You could feel it by hand.

The friend agreed: We’ve scolded them. The photo I sent earlier was clear, right?

Jiang Zhiyi: Yes, thanks. I’ll treat you to dinner soon.

Jiang Zhiyi glanced at the medical record on the desk and sneered. The little cub seemed scared she’d know her number. She probably thought Jiang Zhiyi left her number just to cause trouble.

**

The door opened again. It was Cen Qingyi. Jiang Zhiyi signed the form with a flourish. She said, “Go do the ultrasound now. Hurry.”

“Oh, okay,” Cen Qingyi said, taking the payment slip and turning to leave. She added, “Thank you, Doctor.”

She lost count of how many times she thanked her. Jiang Zhiyi raised her voice. She asked, “Do you know which building?”

Of course not.

“Wait for me at the entrance,” Jiang Zhiyi said, shutting down the computer, changing out of her white coat, and locking the door. She said, “Let’s go.”

Jiang Zhiyi led, Cen Qingyi followed, head slightly lowered. She saw the swollen gland on Jiang Zhiyi’s neck. It looked uncomfortable. Jiang Zhiyi raised her hand and scratched it lightly.

Cen Qingyi looked away and said loudly, “I can go myself. You should eat.”

Jiang Zhiyi didn’t respond, winding through the br3ast surgery building to the radiology building. Cen Qingyi pressed the elevator button, a professional habit.

“Fourth floor,” Jiang Zhiyi said, hands in pockets. Cen Qingyi pressed the button. At the fourth floor, she stepped aside, letting Jiang Zhiyi exit first, then followed.

In Room 401, no one was at the door, just a stack of payment slips on the desk.

Jiang Zhiyi knocked, heard “Come in,” and pushed the door open. Director Zhou paused, then smiled. He said, “You’re here.”

“Hmm,” Jiang Zhiyi said with a faint smile. “Thank you, Director Zhou.”

Director Zhou grinned. He said, “Come, give me the slip. Take off your clothes and lie down.”

Take off clothes again… Cen Qingyi steeled herself. It wasn’t the first time.

Director Zhou noticed faint red marks on Cen Qingyi’s body. As a beta, he understood, thinking young people were quite open these days.

Cen Qingyi got the ultrasound. Jiang Zhiyi stood behind Director Zhou. He watched the screen and reassured, “It’s fine. It’s so small, I don’t recommend surgery. Self-care, regular checkups, and staying happy are better than anything. If you want surgery, think it over.”

Cen Qingyi finally relaxed. She said, “Thank you, Doctor.”

**

Director Zhou glanced at Cen Qingyi, the person Jiang Zhiyi personally escorted. He smiled and asked, “How do you know Zhiyi? Close friends?”

Cen Qingyi met Jiang Zhiyi’s calm gaze, pursed her lips, and couldn’t say how they met. She stammered, “Pretty… pretty close.”

“Get up,” Director Zhou said, grabbing tissues. He added, “Wipe off.”

The ultrasound gel was sticky and uncomfortable. Cen Qingyi turned to wipe quickly, eager to end this. She fumbled, trying to put on her clothes.

Her sweater got stuck. Cen Qingyi struggled to reach the hem. Cool fingertips poked her back. Jiang Zhiyi said calmly, “I’ll do it.”

That “I’ll do it” again made Cen Qingyi recall those nimble fingertips from that night and the teased gland in the clinic, still warm now.

More red marks on her back. Jiang Zhiyi’s fingertip deliberately pressed one. Cen Qingyi’s heart skipped, and her body trembled.

“So many marks,” Jiang Zhiyi said casually. “How’d they get there?”

Cen Qingyi was speechless. You scratched me, and you’re asking?

Director Zhou chuckled nearby, signaling with his eyes to stop asking. Cen Qingyi stayed silent. Jiang Zhiyi suddenly scratched harder, then said knowingly, “Who scratched you?”

Who else but you!

“I scratched myself by accident,” Cen Qingyi said stubbornly, determined to play stranger.

Director Zhou smiled without comment. Jiang Zhiyi’s lips curved slightly. She smoothed the hem, lightly pressed Cen Qingyi’s tight waist, and turned. She said, “Thank you, Director Zhou.”

Cen Qingyi thanked them again, grabbed her bag, and headed out. She said, “Thank you, Dr. Jiang.”

Cen Qingyi left first. Jiang Zhiyi chatted with Director Zhou a bit more. He urged, “Enough formalities. Go eat with your friend. Don’t keep her waiting.”

No one was at the entrance. Jiang Zhiyi wasn’t surprised.

Cen Qingyi sat in her car, yanked off her mask, and exhaled. Knowing she was fine, she didn’t need the ultrasound results.

Thinking of Jiang Zhiyi, Cen Qingyi’s mind was a mess. Fate was playing tricks on her.

She thought she had a terminal illness and indulged recklessly, only to find it was a misdiagnosis. Then, at the hospital, she met her one-night fling… No TV drama would dare script this.

Her phone rang, startling Cen Qingyi. An unknown number.

“Hello,” Cen Qingyi said politely. A calm voice came through. Jiang Zhiyi asked, “Done and just running off?”