Although They're Mentally ill, They're Extremely Easy to Comfort - Chapter 23

Since she had nothing to do, Ling Xi temporarily made a detour and walked directly towards the school’s soccer field.

The field was filled with students jogging in the morning, creating a vibrant and healthy atmosphere.

Ling Xi found a secluded corner on the highest part of the marble grandstand. She rubbed her hands and opened the insulated bag. The number of ice cream cones was unexpected.

Qiao Bo’er had prepared a whole week’s supply for her, and even one extra. She counted a total of eight cones.

Eating ice cream first thing in the morning—not many people would think that’s normal, right?

But the convoluted Ling Xi thought it was perfectly fine; eat what you want, and don’t ever deny yourself.

Ling Xi looked lonely. She tore open a cone and couldn’t wait to put it to her mouth, only to find a small folded piece of thin paper fall out of the lid. Confused, she picked it up, thinking it was a mysterious little bonus from the manufacturer.

She looked closely and realized it was handwritten. The handwriting was crooked and shaky, and the ink was badly smudged, but she could vaguely make out the character Feng in Zhongshan Seal Script.

Ling Xi’s face brightened. She took a big bite of the ice cream cone; the chill made her brain hurt. She squinted and rubbed her temples, but the smile on her face was like a fully blooming flower, growing richer.

Thinking of Qiao Bo’er’s clumsy, stubborn, yet serious look while practicing calligraphy, she couldn’t help but laugh out loud, “’Spring is not late, a meeting will happen eventually,’ haha…”

Although this student skipped class, she didn’t forget to submit her homework on time, so her attitude deserves commendation, and no academic points will be deducted.

In that case… I won’t be angry with you anymore either…

“Boss, you have no meetings scheduled today. Why don’t you take a nap in the rest room? Your complexion looks terrible.”

Chu Xi manually brewed a hot Americano. Qiao Bo’er was sitting upright in her executive chair, reviewing documents.

Hearing Chu Xi’s words of concern, she didn’t respond, but just beckoned for the coffee to be brought over.

Chu Xi said no more, delivered the coffee, and quietly left.

The crucial data in the documents was far from ideal. Qiao Bo’er was extremely displeased, causing the nerves in her temples to throb painfully.

She picked up the desk phone and made consecutive calls to several department heads. Before long, these mid-level managers arrived one after another.

Qiao Bo’er habitually sat sideways, allowing her arm to comfortably rest on the desk, her fingers rubbing the bridge of her nose, looking distressed.

The group of departmental elites watched their boss’s sunken face and didn’t dare to speak. Qiao Bo’er directly threw the documents at their feet.

This action indicated she was extremely angry.

“Who among you can tell me what this garbage is? I asked you to provide the mid-year statistical data for all branch companies. Is this a difficult task?”

These people were unlucky; there were indeed problems with the data. However, it wasn’t enough to make Qiao Bo’er this furious; a large part of her anger came from baseless ill-temper.

The head responsible for the catering company’s data bent down to pick up the documents. He looked at the silent people around him and could only bite the bullet and be the first to explain: “General Manager Qiao, if there are genuinely flaws in the data, could you allow us to re-audit? We are very sorry for wasting your time.”

“If I have to deal with every single thing like this, what good are you all? Do you need me to feed you, hand you toilet paper when you use the restroom, and tuck you in to sleep?”

Although the words were harsh, the meaning was spot on.

No one dared to speak again. Qiao Bo’er’s head was pounding, and her brow was deeply furrowed: “This data concerns the decisions of the mid-year board meeting. For something so important to have flaws, how did you oversee it? Take it back and re-audit. I want to see absolutely flawless data tomorrow, or you’re all fired.”

Waving her hand and delivering a harsh ultimatum, Qiao Bo’er had no more energy to deal with these people.

Qin Yun waited until everyone had left before appearing at the doorway. She closed the door and jokingly teased, “What kind of firecracker did you eat today? I could hear you scolding from a mile away.”

Qiao Bo’er stared at her coldly; the words “don’t provoke me” were written all over her face.

“I heard Dr. J is arriving this afternoon. I just came over today to join the fun and catch up.”

Qin Yun confessed her intention without being asked, sat on the sofa, picked up a magazine, flipped through it, found it boring, and changed her posture to stare at Qiao Bo’er.

Qiao Bo’er wasn’t in the mood to work. She held the coffee but didn’t drink it, maintaining her sideways sitting position. She turned her head to look out the floor-to-ceiling window, lost in thought.

Qin Yun noticed her poor condition, stood up, walked over, and snapped her fingers: “Hey, are you alright?”

“No.”

“Such a bad temper, I don’t think it’s a work problem. Could it be…” Qin Yun was excellent at reading people. She easily identified the root of the problem but didn’t finish her sentence.

Qiao Bo’er put down the cup and glared at her sharply, silently coercing her to shut up.

“I’m tired, go find Chu Xi.”

It was rare to hear Qiao Bo’er ask her to actively bother Chu Xi. Seeing Qiao Bo’er’s ashen face, Qin Yun was somewhat worried: “What’s wrong? Did you not sleep well last night, or are you having an episode?”

“Having an episode.”

“Did you take your medication?”

“It’s not a big problem.”

Hearing Qiao Bo’er’s reply, Qin Yun shrugged carelessly and quipped: “Well, Dr. J is back, so I don’t need to worry too much.”

“…” Walking into the rest room, Qiao Bo’er slowly leaned against the headboard of the bed, spacing out.

Although she had only seen Ling Xi two hours ago, it felt as distant as if mountains and seas separated them.

Qiao Bo’er subconsciously picked up her phone, wondering if she should initiate contact, but taking the first step to chat with someone she cared about was harder than ascending to heaven.

After all, that stinky lazy fish was heartless, unrighteous, and arrogant, and compromising would only fuel her insolence. Thinking of this, her mind was filled with the image of Ling Xi’s childish face, hands on hips, laughing loudly.

She was annoyed by her, yet she couldn’t stop thinking about her.

Ling Xi’s phone number was the first entry in her contact list. She had specifically asked Director Chen for it after class yesterday.

You tell me, how conflicted is this woman?

Logic prevailed over emotion. Qiao Bo’er tossed the phone aside and lay down, but she was restless and tossing and turning.

Silently staring at the ceiling, feeling very depressed, a thought suddenly emerged, tempting her—

“What does she taste like? Don’t you want to taste it again?”

“You are avoiding and doubting; this is wrong. Wrong will turn into missing out.”

“Give her a call, even if it’s just to hear her voice.”

“Was your week-long disappearance giving someone else a chance to hook up with her?”

“That female student yesterday must like the little lazy cat. She even bought her milk tea. Next time, she might throw herself into her arms.”

The voices in her ears became increasingly sarcastic. That cheap cup of milk tea suddenly pierced Qiao Bo’er’s nerves, cheering over and over again, as if boasting to her about something.

Qiao Bo’er sneered in disgust. Her pride? She didn’t want it anymore!

She quickly got out of bed and put on her high heels. Ling Xi had successfully thrown her entire world into chaos.

Returning to her office desk, she grabbed her car keys and purse and rushed out of the office without hesitation.

Qin Yun and Chu Xi were playing the boring game of ‘staring without blinking.’

Hearing movement from the adjacent office, Chu Xi lost, blinked, and immediately got up and walked out (It was genuinely boring, those two!).

Qiao Bo’er was already walking towards the elevator. Chu Xi hurried to catch up: “Boss, is there an emergency?”

“I’m going to Xuan Yi University.”

“Xuan Da?”

“I’ll be back in a moment.”

“But you weren’t coming until next week…”

Chu Xi wanted to press further, but Qin Yun appeared behind her, patted her shoulder, and ended the conversation: “She’ll be fine once she goes. Let her be.”

Qiao Bo’er silently looked at Qin Yun, a faint smile in her eyes. The elevator arrived just in time.

For an urgent matter, take the first step first, regardless of right or wrong.

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