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, "Itās 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 hadnāt 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 havenāt seen Doctor Chiang for some time, I thought you werenāt coming back."
"How could that be? Although weāre just military doctors, we still have our organization and discipline. How could we say weāre 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 wouldnāt return? Surely Iām not overthinking this?"
Youāre definitely not overthinking it; I truly was hoping you wouldnāt come back!
Cheng Su suppressed her real thoughts and said, "Whether Iām hoping or not doesnāt revolve around my wishes. Besides, someone as talented as Doctor Chiang wouldnāt 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, youāre just afraid Iāll come back to steal your thunder, how hypocritical.
"Thatās 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 Suās imperturbable demeanor, felt like going up there and tearing her apart.
Without her around, couldnāt 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 canāt 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 uncomfortableāwith conflicts with her parents and being lovesick, she had cried more tears than in the past twenty-six years, couldnāt sleep well at night, and couldnāt enjoy food either. Could she not look haggard?
And whose fault was it, if not this very coupleās?
"Thereās 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, thereās no such word as āfall.ā Itās 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?