Dr. Chi’s Mission: Seduce Officer Su - Chapter 17

The next day at noon.

Liu Jiaqi and Ao Yu were gathered around Su Qiao chatting about something, and even Li Mobo from the neighboring Forensics Department had come over to join the fun.

Ji Nanxing returned to the office after reporting on her work and, seeing this lively scene, couldn’t help but cough lightly: “Ahem, it seems you all have quite a bit of free time.”

This captain, known for her stern demeanor and strict adherence to rules, had an immediate chilling effect on the atmosphere. Only Deputy Captain Su remained unfazed.

With a smile, she explained, “It’s Friday today. Everyone plans to visit Cheng Can after work and have a pre-holiday meal together. We were just waiting for you to finalize the plans.”

“I’m fine with it. You all decide what to eat, it’s on me,” Ji Nanxing agreed without hesitation, then added, “By the way, who has time to make a commendation banner? Since we’re going as a group, we might as well thank Dr. Chi in person. Everyone should wear their uniforms to make it more formal.”

Though she addressed the group, her gaze lingered directly on Su Qiao’s face.

As early as yesterday, when the traffic police team discussed the filming arrangements, she had easily picked up on Su Qiao’s little scheme.

Su Qiao gave her a knowing smile: “I’ll take care of the banner. How about we also buy some fruit and flowers? A plain banner alone would look too shabby.” Ji Nanxing didn’t respond immediately but stared at her with a slight curl of her lips, the years of accumulated tacit understanding bursting forth in that moment.

Su Qiao, feeling uncomfortable under the scrutiny, awkwardly rubbed her nose and muttered, “Fine, I’ll pay for it myself.”

“The team has ample funds; no need for you to dig into your own pocket. But if you want to add something extra privately, that’s not out of the question either.” Ji Nanxing patted her shoulder, left her with a meaningful look, and then headed straight into her small office.

Liu Jiaqi caught a whiff of gossip and leaned in close to Su Qiao’s ear: “Oh, Captain Su, is there something going on?”

Li Mobo joined in the teasing: “Who is this Dr. Chi anyway? That video of you two saving someone was all over the headlines a while back. We definitely have to go see what she looks like today.”

Even the usually quiet Ao Yu cracked a cold joke: “Cheng Can never would’ve thought in his wildest dreams that his life would end up playing matchmaker.”

“Hahahaha…”

The sound of roaring laughter from outside drifted into the small office, where Ji Nanxing stared absently at her computer screen.

Knock knock knock!

The door was rapped, and she quickly straightened up: “Come in.”

Liu Jiaqi pushed the door open, rubbing his hands together as he sought her opinion: “Captain Ji, how about hot pot for today? It’s lively and festive.”

“Fine.”

The captain’s immediate agreement left Liu Jiaqi dumbfounded. “Hiss… But you hate strong-smelling food the most. Aren’t you going to put up a fight?”

Ji Nanxing sneered, “Ask one more question, and I’ll change my mind.”

“Hot pot it is, then! We’re having hot pot!” Liu Jiaqi, afraid she might reconsider, started counting heads on his fingers: “Hmm… You, me, Captain Su, Ao Yu, Mobo, Wen Ling… Uh… Should we invite President Gu?”

At the mention of that madwoman, Ji Nanxing’s smile visibly stiffened.

“Whatever,” she said, reaching for the cup on her desk to mask her sudden unease.

Liu Jiaqi, still caught up in the excitement of the hot pot feast, didn’t notice the captain’s odd reaction.

He turned and waved at Li Mobo: “Quick, call President Gu and invite her to tonight’s hot pot. Hurry up… Ao Yu, you help book the spot.”

This guy really knew how to delegate tasks.

Ji Nanxing stared blankly at the doorway, pretending to be nonchalant while secretly tensing up as she awaited the outcome.

Fortunately, her subordinates were highly efficient. Before long, she could hear the conversation outside the door.

Li Mobo called out, “Ao Yu, book a large private room, count it for seven people, President Gu will be coming too.”

Her tightly pressed lips parted slightly, releasing a pent-up breath of frustration. Ji Nanxing relaxed her stiffened back and sank back into her chair.

The person she longed to see lingered in her thoughts, quietly plucking at her heartstrings.

…

Chi Jue had just stepped down from the operating table. After seeing off the patient’s family, she was heading back to her department to work on the postoperative report.

She ran into Xiao Minghao walking toward her, deep in discussion with his assistant physician.

Chi Jue intended to ignore him to avoid unnecessary pleasantries.

The two held drastically different views on patient care, so their relationship was limited to a mere nodding acquaintance.

Unfortunately, Xiao Minghao happened to glance up and meet her gaze. Unconsciously, the corners of his lips curved into a smile. “Director Chi, finished with your work?”

Chi Jue inwardly scolded herself for not looking away in time, but she responded politely, “Yes. Is there something you need, Director Xiao?”

“I just came from the inpatient ward and saw the family of your scoliosis patient packing their bags. Looks like they’re really preparing to be discharged.”

“Is that so?” Chi Jue’s reaction was lukewarm.

Discharge required the attending physician’s approval, yet she hadn’t received any notification. Still, she wasn’t particularly surprised.

“The child is so young. Aren’t you going to try persuading the parents again?” Xiao Minghao seemed to have caught her in a misstep, his tone carrying a hint of reproach.

“Treating illnesses and saving lives requires mutual willingness. You saw the child’s father yesterday, in his eyes, I’m an unscrupulous doctor out to make a dishonest profit. If I go and persuade them now, wouldn’t I just be inviting more accusations?”

Chi Jue’s heart was cold. She never considered herself an angel capable of moving others, they were all mere mortals; where did all that greatness come from?

Xiao Minghao opened his mouth to retort, but Chi Jue gave him no chance to voice his opinion. “Director Xiao, you’re so busy yet still keep an eye on my patients for me. Thank you for going out of your way to inform me. I’m swamped with reports and must be going.”

Xiao Minghao’s expression turned somewhat awkward. His intentions had been good, in fact, he held no ill will toward Chi Jue deep down, even feeling a subtle sense of difference toward her.

Yet, for some reason, whenever work matters came up, the two always ended up in a tense, confrontational standoff.

He turned to watch her slender, upright figure recede into the distance and helplessly pursed his lips.

…

When Chi Jue returned to the outpatient building and appeared at the far end of the corridor, she spotted Su Qiao from a distance, foolishly standing guard by the office door like a door god.

Because of the custom-made banner, Su Qiao had arrived at the hospital ahead of the others. She now held a fruit basket and a bouquet of flowers, with a rolled-up banner tucked under her arm.

Chi Jue deliberately slowed her pace, her gaze weaving through the passing crowds, capturing Su Qiao from various angles and distances.

She savored this slow approach, from blurry to gradually clear, until her focus settled on that face she could never grow tired of looking at.

Her heartbeat quickened, tugging irresistibly at the corners of her lips. She smiled at how silly her “little bear” was, not even thinking to set the things down and take a rest.

Su Qiao also noticed the person she had long been waiting for. She wanted to wave but found her hands full, so she stretched her neck and beamed a grin as bright as the blazing sun.

It was a pretty silly smile, too.

This was Chi Jue’s first time seeing Su Qiao in a police uniform. Unlike the dashing and handsome look of the cavalry uniform, it added a touch of serious steadiness.

What remained the same was that her 178 cm figure was tall and straight, like a perfect clothes hanger, no matter what she wore, it never looked less than impressive.

Chi Jue stood with her hands behind her back, slightly tilting her head to take a closer look at that handsome face. Her bright eyes curved with the joy of their reunion.

At 168 cm, Chi Jue wasn’t short by any means, but standing in front of Su Qiao, she seemed petite and delicate, like a little bird nestling close to someone.

“You didn’t have to bring anything when you came. I don’t accept any gifts.” When it came to medical ethics, Dr. Chi maintained absolute integrity.

“Let’s talk inside.” Afraid of causing rumors if others saw them, Su Qiao tried to nudge the door open with her shoulder. “The team will be here soon. Captain Ji mentioned he wanted to visit specifically last time. Everyone’s coming to see Cheng Can, and we can also thank you.”

Chi Jue helped push the door open and casually took the commendation banner tucked under Su Qiao’s arm. “This can stay. The rest can go to Cheng Can.”

When she was rejected again, Su Qiao lifted the bouquet in her left hand and muttered softly, “The flowers were bought with my own money… Well, not entirely…”

Chi Jue followed her gaze. Inside the exquisite wrapping paper were lilies mixed with plump eustomas, but tucked in a corner was a single red rose, its color starkly different.

That overly vibrant red easily captured the viewer’s attention amidst the varying shades of white.

Chi Jue plucked that single rose, filled with unspoken meaning, and brought it to her nose for a gentle sniff, as if choosing one drop from an ocean of possibilities.

“How did you know this one was from me…” Su Qiao was surprised, but her breath hitched when she spotted the large bouquet of roses on the corner of the desk.

They were sent by An Jiaqin the day before, and Chi Jue hadn’t had the chance to deal with them yet.

From Su Qiao’s perspective, that massive bundle of pink romance was too glaring, as if taunting her that the flower already had an owner.

She felt like that solitary red rose, how could it possibly compete with such an arrogant display of blossoms?

In such a comparison, it wasn’t just overshadowed, it was utterly outmatched.

Su Qiao belatedly realized how little she knew about Dr. Chi. Standing in the fruit store earlier, she hadn’t even known whether Chi Jue preferred sweet or sour flavors.

As for personal matters like whether she was single, their brief interactions had never touched upon such topics.

‘Are they from a partner?’ The question lingered on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn’t bring herself to ask.

Fear of the answer, intense insecurity, and caution against probing recklessly, these complicated, tangled emotions robbed her of the courage to seek the truth.

Chi Jue leaned against the desk, fully aware of where “Little Bear’s” gaze had drifted, but she had no intention of offering a stiff explanation. Elaborating would only make an unnecessary matter fodder for overthinking.

“I’ll only accept this one,” she said, her eyes shimmering, her red lips hinting at hidden delight. “I really like it. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.”

To her, the rose’s significance fluctuated between light and heavy. Compared to An Jiaqin’s “harassment” bouquet, Su Qiao’s single stem felt like it outweighed an entire army.

Su Qiao withdrew her gaze and forced an unnatural smile. “I’m glad you like it.”

Chi Jue walked over to the windowsill, where a long-neglected empty vase sat. After placing the rose inside, she felt it was too far away, so she simply brought the vase back to her desk.

She carefully cradled the vase as if holding their indefinitely promised future. “Before it withers, it will be the most vibrant brilliance in this room of pallor.”

Knock, knock, knock!

The sound of knocking interrupted their conversation.