Campus Ace Girl-Chapter 445 - 446: Provocation! Self-Humiliation Now 2800 Words
After King Jingyao finished speaking, he opened the door and left, running into Jiang Chaoge on his way out.
Jiang Chaoge was also startled for a moment. She wanted to speak, but then composed herself.
"Mr. Wang," she said with a calm, self-possessed demeanor. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚
She had no choice but to act this way, as nothing significant had truly happened between them. It had only been a subtle, almost imperceptible hint of flirtation, and after just a few short days, it already felt like a lifetime ago to her. Seeing him again, he remained as lofty and unapproachable as ever.
There was a hint of arrogance in King Jingyao’s voice. "Dr. Jiang."
She took a deep breath. "I came to visit Old Wang... to apologize... and to say goodbye."
King Jingyao thought for a moment before responding, "I will convey your message. There’s no need to apologize."
Jiang Chaoge bit her lip, wanting to say more. Yet, King Jingyao just smiled faintly and said, "That’s it then."
He turned to leave, and after walking a few steps, he was soon surrounded by a crowd of people.
Jiang Chaoge bit her lip again. Only then did she realize that during that brief moment, many people had discreetly backed away. Luckily, she hadn’t said anything inappropriate. Otherwise, even if others had tried to give them privacy, they might still have overheard.
Just then, two young nurses came out from inside, whispering to each other, "Did you know? Mr. Wang stayed up all night here yesterday while Dr. Gu slept soundly on the sofa."
"NO WAY! She actually dared to sleep in Mr. Wang’s presence?"
"Mr. Wang didn’t say anything; he even asked his secretary to bring her a blanket. He spoils her so much. I heard that the Old Madam wants to adopt her as her god-granddaughter or goddaughter. It all depends on what this big shot thinks. If she were adopted as a god-granddaughter, Mr. Wang would likely dote on her like a daughter. If she were adopted as a goddaughter... the future would be uncertain; perhaps he has other intentions."
"He definitely has intentions! But he was too afraid of the Old Madam, wasn’t he! I heard the Old Madam only gave him one lesson; you can well imagine the content. Just think about it, really ponder it!"
"Yes, indeed! The Old Madam saw something she shouldn’t have. I heard she’s guarding her son like he’s a wolf now!"
...
Jiang Chaoge was stunned!
What were they talking about?
Did they mean that King Jingyao was interested in Gu Anxi, and hadn’t made a move only because of the Old Madam’s presence?
Then who was she?
Before this, didn’t he value her highly?
Moreover, their talk about covering Gu Anxi with a blanket... Weren’t such actions unbefitting his status? In her brief time with him, aside from that one hug, he had always maintained a distance.
Was his attitude toward Gu Anxi truly different?
Or had Gu Anxi deliberately orchestrated this?
Jiang Chaoge remained stunned for a long while, feeling she needed to inform Brother Bo.
Since Brother Bo wasn’t available, she had to at least inform Mrs. Bo. Otherwise, they would have no idea what kind of person they were harboring in their home.
Dr. Jiang, who had initially intended to let the matter drop, found herself unable to do so now. When a woman’s jealousy flares, it can truly be terrifying.
Before leaving, Jiang Chaoge scheduled a meeting with Mrs. Bo, who readily agreed.
Mainly, Mrs. Bo wanted to see what this girl had to say. Being experienced, she had already guessed it wouldn’t be good news.
As expected, once they were in the private tea room, Jiang Chaoge, after some small talk, subtly hinted at King Jingyao’s involvement.
Mrs. Bo calmly sipped her tea and chuckled. "I heard, Chaoge, that you are greatly favored and admired by that big shot. So how did the leading role switch to our Zizi?"
Jiang Chaoge looked down. "Mr. Wang and I are perfectly innocent."
"So our Zizi isn’t innocent then? Or does Dr. Jiang have some proof?" Mrs. Bo continued to smile, refusing to yield an inch.
Jiang Chaoge was somewhat flustered and said instinctively, "I heard from the nurses that Anxi slept in the hospital room last night, and Mr. Wang was also there."
Mrs. Bo laughed in exasperation. "You do realize it was a hospital room, don’t you? Anxi is only twenty-one. How old is he? It wouldn’t be surprising if his age matched yours, but our Zizi is still a child. How could you even bring yourself to say such a thing?"
Jiang Chaoge was taken aback. "I... I heard them say that Mr. Wang even covered her with a blanket."
Mrs. Bo suddenly beamed. "When Anxi wasn’t feeling well, our Old Bo even held her while she rested. He even carried her on his back once. Should that be spread around as a romantic affair too? His status is evident, and you know it well, Chaoge. Regardless of what you’re thinking, you’d better rein it in. Whatever our Zizi does, she discusses it with the family. Do you think she would have any ulterior motives? That’s impossible. She is wholeheartedly devoted to Xichen, and just as devoted to me, Nian Yao, and Bo Jin. How could our Bo Family possibly take an outsider’s gossip to heart and stop cherishing her, stop holding her dearest?!"
Jiang Chaoge was left completely dumbfounded...
Mrs. Bo couldn’t be bothered to say any more to her. She stood up. "Alright, I don’t want to say too much. Even if I did, you wouldn’t understand."
Then, Mrs. Bo left.
Jiang Chaoge remained sitting there, stunned. After a while, she reluctantly took out her phone and sent a WeChat message to Bo Xichen.
The meaning was still the same.
Gu Anxi might be up to no good.
Just then, the door to the private tea room was abruptly pulled open.
There were many people outside, but they all remained at the doorway. Only one person entered.
It was King Jingyao.
Jiang Chaoge trembled slightly. Why was he here?
King Jingyao’s well-maintained fingers gently pulled the door closed, and then he sat down in front of Jiang Chaoge.
He rested his forehead in his hand and sighed softly. "Do you know why I’ve been without a woman all these years?"
Jiang Chaoge’s lips were still trembling; she couldn’t speak for a long moment.
He smiled, a chilling smile. "Because so many women around me, if I merely say a kind word or two, or treat them a little better, they assume they can stay by my side indefinitely. Ordinary people can fall in love freely and break up if it’s not suitable, but I, on the other hand, cannot! Besides, many things are merely at their beginning and haven’t caused any harm. Don’t you agree, Chaoge?"
He called her Chaoge, but it lacked their former intimacy.
Jiang Chaoge was taken aback, then whispered, "Jingyao, I didn’t..."
"Didn’t what? Wasn’t it jealousy that made you spout nonsense outside? Telling Lin Yun wasn’t enough, you had to tell Xichen too? Xichen is a junior I hold in high regard. Are you still trying to sow discord like this?" King Jingyao said nonchalantly. "Originally, there was nothing between us. And it’s impossible for there to be anything between Gu Anxi and me; she’s still a child..."
Jiang Chaoge’s voice was somewhat agitated. "You covered her with a small blanket and allowed her to sleep on the sofa..."
"She was already asleep there when I arrived. Do you expect me to use my status to drag her awake?" King Jingyao sneered. "Furthermore, Bo Nianyao personally called me. He said the child in their family isn’t in good health, has suffered serious injuries, and often can’t manage, sometimes sleeping for half the day even in daytime... He said that if the child gets sleepy at night, I should be understanding and not blame her. Her guardians are so understanding. Chaoge, you’re a Ph.D., a woman of means and status. Why do you enjoy listening to gossip and even spreading it to Lin Yun and Xichen? How am I supposed to conduct myself in the future? The Old Madam is determined to take Gu Anxi in. How am I supposed to face them in the future?"
His words carried immense weight.
Jiang Chaoge was instantly stunned.
So it was true. Gu Anxi was really going to enter the Wang Family.
That was such an esteemed position. Had Gu Anxi attained it so easily?
In her panic, she still cautiously asked the question that had been burning inside her, "Do you truly not have the slightest romantic interest in her?"
King Jingyao leaned back and then lit a cigarette.
Jiang Chaoge immediately tensed up—
After smoking half a cigarette, he finally chuckled. "It’s rather vague, isn’t it? Mainly, she’s too young. Otherwise, I genuinely would have to consider it."
"Is it because of Bo Xichen?" Jiang Chaoge clenched her fists. "Is that why you’re holding back?"
King Jingyao chuckled. "No! Let’s put it this way: if I were with you, it would undoubtedly be because I find you suitable to stand by my side, taking mutual benefits into account. But if it were Gu Anxi... I would want to give her the best. But evidently, what I’m willing to give, she doesn’t want. And if she doesn’t want it... I can’t force her, can I?"
It wasn’t that he couldn’t force her, but that he couldn’t bear to!
She’s a rare child; he didn’t want to destroy her so easily.
The Old Madam’s words were merely a convenient gesture, just an act!
A man in his position usually thinks more deeply!
Jiang Chaoge listened, trembling.
The best... that meant love.
He actually... All at once, she understood. He had indirectly answered her question.
He had feelings, but he was restraining them!
After King Jingyao finished speaking, he stood up, his expression indifferent. "Dr. Jiang, my willingness to meet you this one time... you understand the implication. I am not a man of leisure. I hope you will also conduct yourself accordingly."
How could Jiang Chaoge not understand? She sat there alone, her whole body trembling.
She was utterly defeated.
Gu Anxi had gotten everything...
Even that man’s precious love, so rarely shown to others, seemed to be hers.
When he spoke of wanting to give, his expression was tinged with bitterness. A man like him probably hadn’t been troubled by romantic affairs for a very long time!
And it was... for Gu Anxi.
Jiang Chaoge covered her face and chuckled softly.
「That day, she flew to France.」
The Jiang Family was severely struck by King Jingyao. What could Jiang Bin do but endure it?
As for Bo Xichen, when he received the message, he merely glanced at it and paid it no further mind.
It wasn’t anything important...
However, that night, King Jingyao only stayed in the hospital room for a short while before leaving, presumably to avoid suspicion.
Before he left, he looked at Gu Anxi. "Come here..."
