Cheng Su had only taken a couple of steps when she was stopped by someone. Recognizing the familiar voice, she furrowed her brows.
Turning around, she had already put on a polite expression, her lips curving into a courteous smile, "It’s Doctor Chiang, long time no see."
Who else could it be but Goblin Chiang?
She saw her clutching a handbag and dragging a suitcase, clearly just returned from somewhere.
She hadn’t seen her since the new year, and she thought she might never see her again. Little did she know, she was like a bad penny always turning up!
Such a mood dampener.
"Sister-in-law Qi, happy new year," Chiang Qing approached with a smile beaming across her face.
"Happy new year to you too," Cheng Su replied with a faint smile, "I haven’t seen Doctor Chiang for some time, I thought you weren’t coming back."
"How could that be? Although we’re just military doctors, we still have our organization and discipline. How could we say we’re not coming back and then not return?" Chiang Qing slightly squinted her eye-lined eyes and raised an eyebrow, "But the way Sister-in-law Qi says it, seems like you were hoping that I wouldn’t return? Surely I’m not overthinking this?"
You’re definitely not overthinking it; I truly was hoping you wouldn’t come back!
Cheng Su suppressed her real thoughts and said, "Whether I’m hoping or not doesn’t revolve around my wishes. Besides, someone as talented as Doctor Chiang wouldn’t just linger in a small place like Qing City, right?"
The moment the two met, it was a covert clashing of swords, subtly exchanging blows.
Chiang Qing thought to herself, to put it bluntly, you’re just afraid I’ll come back to steal your thunder, how hypocritical.
"That’s hard to say. Qing City is a good place; the people here are nice too. I actually do want to settle down here for good," Chiang Qing hinted purposefully.
Cheng Su then said, "Oh, in that case, Doctor Chiang, you can only look for a local to marry and have kids with. I wonder who would be a good match for you!" Such bad luck, truly a family misfortune.
Chiang Qing, seeing Cheng Su’s imperturbable demeanor, felt like going up there and tearing her apart.
Without her around, couldn’t I, with my capabilities, easily snare that stubborn ox?
"The person I will marry must naturally be a peerless hero, someone worthy of me, Chiang Qing," Chiang Qing declared, chin held high with arrogance.
Cheng Su clapped her hands and said, "Then I wish you luck in finding your peerless hero soon." She paused and then added, "But Doctor Chiang, you should also hurry. It seems that after the new year, you look a bit more worn than before, not looking so well. We women, we have limited youth, and we can’t afford delays."
Chiang Qing was so angry she could collapse. What did that mean? Was she saying she was old, that she had aged?
Touching her cheek, she knew in her heart that Cheng Su was telling the truth. This year had been too uncomfortable—with conflicts with her parents and being lovesick, she had cried more tears than in the past twenty-six years, couldn’t sleep well at night, and couldn’t enjoy food either. Could she not look haggard?
And whose fault was it, if not this very couple’s?
"There’s no need for Sister-in-law Qi to remind me. A phoenix will never become a crow, rest assured," Chiang Qing retorted without pretense, her face cold.
Cheng Su smiled slightly, "Confidence is good, but excessive confidence could lead to a fall. Doctor Chiang should be careful."
Chiang Qing snorted coldly, "In my dictionary, there’s no such word as ’fall.’ It’s you, Sister-in-law Qi, who should be more careful. Some things might not belong to you forever."
Having said that, she dragged her suitcase and walked away in her high heels.
Cheng Su watched her stomping away in her clacking shoes, her gaze turning icy. Shameless, is she declaring war on me?