Making associations, Jiang Li could guess that Qin Yaoyao must have said something to provoke Su Jialan in front of her.
Su Jialan's accident seemed unexpected at first glance, but it was actually within the realm of reason.
She had been tiptoeing around Su Jialan for so many years, yet still couldn't win her favor. It was even more unlikely for the spoiled Qin Yaoyao.
Qin Yaoyao had an impulsive personality, and combined with Su Jialan's harsh words, it was hard for the two of them not to clash.
Jiang Li's expression remained unchanged as she casually mentioned, "Mrs. Su has been in poor health for years. She should take better care of herself on a daily basis."
Qiao Jinrun looked up at her again and noticed the calmness on her face. "They're Xiao Yanzhi's family. I thought you'd be more worried."
"Why should I be worried?" Jiang Li took a sip of her hot tea and slowly leaned back in her chair. "She's Xiao Yanzhi's mother, not mine."
As she said this, there was no trace of emotion in her eyes. It was as if she was talking about someone completely unrelated to her.
Qiao Jinrun hesitated for a couple of seconds, then calmly apologized. "I overthought. Don't take it to heart."
"I don't mind." Jiang Li shook her head and gave a self - deprecating smile. "Did my previous actions make people think that I still couldn't let go?"
"Yes." Qiao Jinrun answered bluntly. "You don't seem like someone who can cut ties so decisively."
Jiang Li smiled.
She was a person who cared deeply about relationships, and indeed couldn't be so unrestrained and decisive.
Moreover, she had been by Xiao Yanzhi's side for several years. Whether it was Su Jialan, Xiao Yuanfeng, or other related people, she had interacted with them to some extent.
Even when Su Jialan had a cerebral infarction and needed someone to take care of her, Jiang Li never complained. She took meticulous care of her, just like a daughter taking care of her mother.
Jiang Li asked herself. She had always been sincere to those people, but who had ever shown her the slightest bit of respect?
Thinking about this, even the softest heart could become as hard as a rock.
Jiang Li lowered her head and scrolled through her phone, then continued to mutter to herself. "People have hearts made of flesh. I'm not a servant. There's no need for me to keep toiling away for their family unrequitedly."
"Even if you raise a dog, you should give it a bone, not endless humiliation and ridicule."
As she said this, Jiang Li's eyes dimmed, and she self - deprecatingly pursed her lips.
She loved Xiao Yanzhi.
But it didn't mean that she could live a life without dignity.
Qiao Jinrun thought for a while. Sensing her low mood, he apologized with a hint of guilt. "Sorry, I brought up something that made you unhappy."
Jiang Li lifted the corners of her lips. "I'm not unhappy. I even feel that everything is moving in a good direction. I'm quite satisfied."
Although she was smiling, Qiao Jinrun clearly saw the reddish circles under her eyes.
She had spent four years at Jiangyu, only to end up being abandoned. It was really a joke.
It was also during these four years that she deeply and clearly realized a truth.
Some people's hearts could never be warmed.
After the two of them finished their meal, the temperature suddenly dropped outside. The dark sky was hazy, covered by dark clouds.
"It seems like it's going to rain tomorrow." Qiao Jinrun glanced at the sky, then lowered his head and rummaged through his bag. He took out a box of medicine.
Jiang Li took a glance. It was the same kind of medicine that Qiao Jinrun had prescribed for her before.
"Have you finished all the medicine I prescribed for you before?"
He suddenly asked her seriously. Jiang Li immediately felt guilty, and her eyes flickered. "Well..."
She had been extremely busy recently. How could she remember to take the medicine? Even having three meals on time was thanks to Sister Chen and the others forcing her.
"I knew you wouldn't take it seriously."
Qiao Jinrun smiled helplessly. He stuffed the medicine in his hand into hers, along with a bottle of freshly bought ginger tea.
"You drank alcohol tonight. You had gastric ulcers before. Alcohol will irritate your stomach. This medicine will make you feel better."
Jiang Li lowered her head and looked at the still - warm ginger tea in her hand.
The ginger tea not only warmed her stomach but also her heart.
Jiang Li looked up and sniffed. She always felt a warm current surging in her heart.
When she was at the end of her rope, it was also Qiao Jinrun who calmly comforted her and helped her step by step out of the difficult situation and the trough.
She said, "Doctor Qiao, you're too dedicated. You still remember me, your patient, even when you're on a business trip."
"This has nothing to do with work." Qiao Jinrun simply replied.
Before leaving Beicheng, he had thought that he might meet Jiang Li. He had stuffed this medicine into his bag before leaving.
Jiang Li was a great girl in every way, but there was one thing about her that was not so good.
That was that she never took good care of herself.
She was sentimental, emotionally delicate, and always took care of others. People like her often hid their emotions very deeply and rarely showed their joys, sorrows, and anger.
The last emotional breakdown was a sign.
When they were about to part, Qiao Jinrun was unusually talkative. He told her to take good care of herself recently and not to ignore the feedback from her body because of her busy work.
"Health is the capital of struggle." Qiao Jinrun tapped her on the head. "Understand, little girl?"
Qiao Jinrun was a few years older than Jiang Li and was also a bit taller. When he tapped her head, there was an extra amount of doting in his actions. His eyes were full of helplessness and compromise.
Being urged like this, Jiang Li straightened her back and answered very formally. "Yes, sir! I'll follow Doctor Qiao's teachings."
Seeing her pretending to be serious, Qiao Jinrun laughed. "You can call me Jinrun from now on. There's no need to be so formal."
"Always getting along in a doctor - patient relationship makes me feel pressured too."
Jiang Li thought for a few seconds, blinked her eyes, and then showed a smiling face. "Sure, but I think calling you Doctor Qiao is more interesting."
It was like a specific title for their relationship.
Her serious look made Qiao Jinrun couldn't help but laugh.
"Okay, you can call me whatever you like." His voice was gentle, with a kind of tenderness that made people involuntarily want to be attached to.
After he finished speaking, he lowered his head and glanced at his watch. "It's getting late. I have to get up early for a meeting tomorrow. Do you need me to take you home?"
"No, Xiao Ye will be here soon." Jiang Li shook her head. Knowing that Qiao Jinrun always had a strict schedule, she said, "You should go back quickly. Don't fall asleep during the meeting tomorrow."
After taking a few steps, Qiao Jinrun looked back at her.
Jiang Li was standing in place, wrapped in a woolen knitted shawl, watching him leave. When she saw him turn around, she even waved at him cheerfully.
"Goodbye, Doctor Qiao!"
The clear voice came from behind. Qiao Jinrun paused slightly. Looking at the wind messing up her long hair, which occasionally brushed across her lips, he suddenly had an urge to go over and tidy it up for her.
The hand in his pocket only moved for a moment and then was put back. He just pulled his lips into a smile.
"Jiang Li, your hair is messy." He said softly.