Lin Xi glanced at Gu Jingxing first, then extended her hand a beat too late to shake Qiao An’s. "Hello."
"I met you at the alumni gathering the day before yesterday, Senior. I didn't expect to run into you again today, so I just had to come over and say hello." Qiao An offered a sweet smile, looking as docile and harmless as a little cream cake.
Gu Jingxing’s gaze darkened, his disgust barely masked. "Come with me."
Qiao An deftly set her suitcase aside. "Would you all mind keeping an eye on this for a moment? I’ll be right back."
She followed Gu Jingxing toward the nearby nursing room. Lin Xi moved to follow by habit, but Gu Jingxing, as if he had eyes in the back of his head, turned around. "Wait here."
"But—"
Gu Jingxing grabbed Qiao An’s wrist with one hand and shoved open the nursing room door with the other, tossing her inside. *Click.* He locked the door behind them.
Lin Xi’s face turned deathly pale.
Inside the room, Gu Jingxing’s voice was icy, his eyes deep as the ocean. "What do you think you’re doing?"
Qiao An pressed toward him, the distance between them closing to a mere two inches. "I traveled thousands of miles to chase after you; what do you think I'm doing?"
Her breath was sweet as orchids, and her slender fingertips, cool to the touch, lightly brushed across the man’s Adam’s apple. "Obviously, I'm here to..." She leaned in close to his ear and whispered two words.
As the words faded, the man’s hand clamped around her upper arm.
Qiao An felt the world blur. Before she could regain her senses, she was pinned against the vanity. She looked up and saw Gu Jingxing’s expressionless face reflected in the mirror.
"Brother, do you like this position?" Her beautiful, almond-shaped eyes curved into crescents.
"Qiao... An!" The man’s voice was cold as ice.
Gu Jingxing dragged her aside and slammed her against the wall. With one hand, he pinned both of her wrists high above her head. Qiao An’s back was forced flush against the cold tiles.
Her full, soft lips were slightly pouted in grievance, looking particularly kissable under the lights. The distance between them was so close that she could smell the faint fragrance radiating from his skin.
Gu Jingxing looked at her with frozen, icy eyes, his red mole appearing bright and vivid. He rasped, "Try being cheap like that again."
Qiao An remained unrepentant. Her gaze seductive, she deliberately brushed her calf against his. "You look so handsome when you’re angry, Brother. Your cold, restrained look is enough to make a woman—"
Gu Jingxing’s fingers tightened abruptly. Before she could finish, a sharp *crack* echoed from her wrist.
"Ah!"
A wave of aching, numbing pain surged up to her scalp.
Just then, a knock sounded on the nursing room door. "Jingxing? Jingxing? Are you done talking? It’s time to board." It was Lin Xi’s voice.
Gu Jingxing released his grip. Qiao An’s arm dropped, her right wrist bent at an unnatural angle. Looking closely, one could see her fingertips trembling. It was dislocated.
Gu Jingxing loomed over her. "This is just a warning. If there is a next time—"
He didn't finish the sentence, but the threatening tone made his meaning perfectly clear. He walked to the sink, turned on the faucet, and washed his hands with unhurried grace before walking out as if nothing had happened.
Once he was gone, Qiao An hissed in pain. Looking at her dislocated right wrist, she cursed under her breath and, gritting her teeth, used her left hand to push the door open.
As she stepped out, a figure blocked her path.
"Move! Can't you see—" Qiao An looked up and blinked in surprise. "Dr. Zhang?"
Zhang Ling frowned and leaned in to inspect her wrist. "What happened here?" His voice was clear, refined, and gentle as he steadied her forearm.
Qiao An pursed her lips, feeling guilty. "It’s dislocated."
"You’ve been out of the house for only a few hours, and you’ve already managed to do this to yourself!" Then, realizing who had just left, he turned his head toward the nearby boarding gate. "That was him, wasn't it? Gu Jingxing?"
Qiao An looked despondent. "Yes."
Zhang Ling’s eyes flickered with complex emotions, but he quickly composed himself and began to work on her wrist. "Bear with it."
His cool, supple fingers pressed into her wrist; then, catching her off guard, he exerted a sudden force. Following a sickening *pop*, Qiao An winced, her face turning deathly pale.
A moment later, the sharp pain faded, leaving only a dull ache. Zhang Ling straightened up. "Try moving it."
Qiao An slowly flexed her wrist. "It's better. Thank you, Dr. Zhang. What are you doing here?"
"You suddenly gave up your treatment and decided to return to the country. I was worried. The moment I received Mr. Jin’s call, I submitted my resignation." Zhang Ling pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses.
"...Uncle Jin knows, too?"
Zhang Ling nodded.
"I’ll be back soon," Qiao An said awkwardly. "You don't have to follow me."
"Soon? How soon is 'soon'?" Zhang Ling wasn't fooled. "As far as I know, you applied for a six-month visa."
Qiao An went silent.
After a few seconds, Zhang Ling’s tone carried an unmistakable note of regret. "Qiao An, even if you want revenge, you cannot disregard your own life. A gentleman seeks revenge, but ten years is not too long to wait. There’s still plenty of time."
"Plenty of time?" Qiao An let out a bitter laugh. "Are those words even applicable to me?"
This time, it was Zhang Ling’s turn to be silent.
"Dr. Zhang, you really didn't need to take this flight with me. Since you know I applied for a six-month visa, you should know how determined I am."
"This isn't just my decision; it’s Mr. Jin’s as well." Zhang Ling’s tone was uncharacteristically firm. "There is no room for refusal. Do you understand?"
"But—"
"I am going back to Haicheng with you to oversee your follow-up care. That is Mr. Jin’s order. Otherwise, you wouldn't have been able to leave the country."
The airport announcement for boarding began, and Qiao An could only nod.
Zhang Ling pushed the luggage toward the gate. Qiao An followed.
Once in first class, Qiao An realized her seat was separated from Gu Jingxing’s by only a single aisle. Perhaps still feeling the ache from her injury, she didn't provoke him further and sat quietly in her seat. Lin Xi cast several inscrutable glances in her direction.
The plane soon taxied and took off. Qiao An got up to go to the lavatory. Yan Shi, who was sitting near the restroom, hurried to catch up with her and whispered, "An'an, what do you think you’re doing?"
"Didn't I tell you I was returning to Haicheng?" Qiao An’s voice was flat.
"I know you’re returning to Haicheng, but I didn't think..." Yan Shi glanced toward Lin Xi, who was wearing an eye mask to rest, and continued, "...I didn't think you would actually flaunt yourself in front of the real woman! An'an, no matter how much you like that 'Old Dog' Gu, you can't be this blatant."
"Alright, I know," Qiao An interrupted her nagging.
Yan Shi looked at her seriously. "An'an, you have money, time, and looks, and Uncle Jin has your back. What kind of good man couldn't you have? You’ve already slept with Gu Jingxing, so you’ve gotten your wish. Let it go."
Qiao An chuckled. "What, do you think I’m a lovesick fool who would throw her life away for a man?"
Yan Shi looked at her, exasperated. "If this isn't being lovesick, what is? Two months ago, you saw his interview and suddenly fell for him. Then you forged your credentials and infiltrated the alumni gathering, all just to sleep with him! I thought once you got what you wanted, you’d stop. Who knew you’d actually be bold enough to provoke his partner now!"
Qiao An glanced sideways at Lin Xi. "I just... don't want her to have an easy time."
As long as Lin Xi was miserable, she was happy. This was her gift to herself to celebrate her return to her homeland.
Yan Shi didn't catch on to who "she" referred to, assuming Qiao An was simply bitter and lovesick. Her heart ached for her. "An'an..."
"Alright, stop nagging. Your colleagues are looking over."
Yan Shi had no choice but to stay quiet.
The flight went smoothly. After landing, the passengers crowded toward the baggage claim. Qiao An deliberately walked alongside Gu Jingxing. As he leaned over, her left hand quickly reached into his pocket.
Before Gu Jingxing could catch her, she had already pulled her hand back.
The man looked over with his dark, bottomless eyes.
Qiao An curled her lips, and silently mouthed, "A gift."