Chapter 14

Jiang Lingling returned home, and Jiang Yudong was sitting in the living room reading a newspaper. Gao Zhe was helping in the kitchen.

"Is everything well with your parents, Gao Zhe?" Zhou Wanqing asked.

"Pretty good. My parents asked me to send their regards to you and Mayor Jiang," Gao Zhe replied.

"Is that so? You should be more attentive to Yudong. Sometimes he is too serious and can easily offend people. Try to be more careful," Zhou Wanqing said.

"Don't worry, Teacher. I will do my best. If it weren't for you and Mayor Jiang, I wouldn't be where I am today," Gao Zhe said.

"That's not quite right. Your achievements today are due to your own efforts. You are a top student from the Law School of Tanshan University. I originally wanted you to become a judge, but now that you are in the municipal government, you have your own advantages. You are very capable, but a bit too impulsive. In the government, you need to be patient. Listen more to Yudong's advice. It seems Lingling is back. Go chat with her. You young people have a lot in common," Zhou Wanqing said.

"Alright." Gao Zhe naturally understood that Zhou Wanqing was creating an opportunity for him.

Walking out of the kitchen, Gao Zhe immediately smiled when he saw Jiang Lingling: "Lingling, you're off work?"

"Yes. Gao Zhe, you're here?" Jiang Lingling forced a smile. She understood her parents' intentions, treating Gao Zhe like a potential son-in-law. But for some reason, whether it was rebelliousness or something else, Jiang Lingling felt a bit repulsed by Gao Zhe. She thought he was too calculating and insincere.

Gao Zhe naturally sensed Jiang Lingling's coldness and felt a bit awkward: "Lingling, working in the emergency room must be tiring, right? Actually, Mayor Jiang could talk to the hospital and get you a more relaxed administrative position."

"Not really. I think being a nurse is great. Gao Zhe, are you looking down on us nurses?" Jiang Lingling said.

"No, no. I just think being a nurse is too tiring. Nowadays, there is a lot of misunderstanding about doctors, especially in the emergency room, where conflicts with patients are most likely to occur. Working there as a nurse is both exhausting and dangerous," Gao Zhe said.

Jiang Yudong put down the newspaper and looked at Jiang Lingling: "Lingling, Gao Zhe is right. There is a lot of misunderstanding about hospitals and medical staff in society. You are a delicate girl, and working in the emergency room makes your mother and me very worried. In a few days, I will talk to Director Ye and get you transferred to another department, like obstetrics or another one, or even an administrative position. This time, for my daughter, I am willing to use my influence."

"That's not acceptable. When I didn't do well in the college entrance exam, you wouldn't even help me get into Tanshan University. Now, I love the emergency room. Even if you use your influence, I don't need it," Jiang Lingling said firmly.

"You child. Your father is willing to use his influence for you, and you won't listen? This time, I am on your father's side. The emergency room is too tiring and unsafe, so we insist on transferring you to another department," Zhou Wanqing said, bringing the dishes to the table.

"No way! I'm staying in the emergency room, no matter what!" Jiang Lingling couldn't bear to leave the emergency room. She had finally found someone she liked, and their relationship wasn't even confirmed. If she left, what if someone else took him?

"Why are you so stubborn, child?" Zhou Wanqing didn't understand.

"Yes, Lingling. Teacher Zhou and Mayor Jiang are doing this for your own good. Others would love to get an administrative position, but you insist on staying in the most tiring and dangerous department," Gao Zhe said.

"I'm just that foolish. So what? By the way, Gao Zhe, don't meddle in my affairs. Today, because of your meddling, the atmosphere at home is so tense. If you do this again, you won't be welcome here," Jiang Lingling said.

"Lingling! How can you talk like that? Gao Zhe, don't listen to her. This child really doesn't know what's good for her. If she wants to stay in the emergency room, let her. When she suffers a big loss in the future, she won't even have a place to cry," Zhou Wanqing said.

"I won't cry. Don't interfere with my affairs. I'll pray to the gods instead!" Jiang Lingling stormed into her room without eating.

Jiang Yudong and Zhou Wanqing were a bit awkward.

Zhou Wanqing said, "Gao Zhe, Lingling has been spoiled since she was young. She has a stubborn temper, don't take it to heart. Come, come, let's eat. Have a drink with Yudong. We still have some health wine at home."

"Teacher, don't worry. I'm fine," Gao Zhe said.

Zhou Wanqing walked to Jiang Lingling's room and knocked on the door: "Lingling, open the door. It's Mom."

Jiang Lingling pouted and opened the door: "I don't want to eat. You've already made me so angry."

"You child, we are just concerned about you," Zhou Wanqing said.

"You always want to arrange my life. My life is my own. I don't need you to arrange it," Jiang Lingling said.

"Alright. Mom won't interfere with your affairs anymore. Come out and eat," Zhou Wanqing said.

Jiang Lingling reluctantly came out.

Jiang Yudong was very angry and ignored Jiang Lingling all night. Zhou Wanqing also spoke very little. Gao Zhe, however, acted as if nothing had happened, asking questions from time to time and not minding Jiang Lingling's cold words.

After dinner, Gao Zhe helped Zhou Wanqing clean up and then left the Jiang family.

"Do you see how good-tempered Gao Zhe is? Why are you always so cold to him?" Zhou Wanqing said.

"Mom, don't think I don't know what you're up to," Jiang Lingling said.

"What do you mean? I'm doing this for your own good," Zhou Wanqing said.

"You're not doing it for my good, but for your own," Jiang Lingling said.

"How can you talk like that? Do you know how hurtful that is?" Zhou Wanqing felt a bit wronged.

"You always invite Gao Zhe to our home, don't you want him to spend more time with me? I'm telling you, I don't like him. I don't like him at all. I even find him repulsive. A person who always wears a mask, I despise from the bottom of my heart," Jiang Lingling said.

"Gao Zhe's family wasn't well-off when he was young. It wasn't easy for him to get to where he is today. He keeps everything inside and doesn't show it. What's wrong with that? A man should have some responsibility," Zhou Wanqing said.

"It's none of my business how he is. I will judge and decide my own affairs," Jiang Lingling said.

"Lingling, is there someone you like at the hospital?" Jiang Yudong suddenly asked.

"No, no." Jiang Lingling was a bit flustered by Jiang Yudong's question.

How could Jiang Yudong and Zhou Wanqing miss Jiang Lingling's expression?

Zhou Wanqing had initially wanted to marry her daughter to her favorite student. She hadn't noticed that her daughter had grown up and had her own thoughts. Now, after Jiang Yudong's reminder, Zhou Wanqing understood.

"Is he a doctor? In the emergency room?" Zhou Wanqing asked.

Jiang Lingling had to surrender and pouted: "It's not even close."

"What's his family like? Is his character good?" Zhou Wanqing asked.

"How would I know? I'm telling you, it's not even close. Don't ask anymore, okay?" Jiang Lingling said.

"Lingling, it's all Mom's fault. Come to your room and tell Mom what's going on?" Zhou Wanqing wasn't forcing a marriage on her daughter.

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