I Conquer the Entertainment Industry with My Medical Skills - Chapter 13

“An An, you absolutely have to help me.”

“Third Miss Xie looked like she wanted to devour me whole just now. I… I really… It’s not that I didn’t want to assign you a car, but I’m not the boss! I submitted the request, but it needs the boss’s approval. How could I have known you’d be kidnapped just a few days later?”

“So please, put in a good word for me with Third Miss Xie.”

An Ningqing understood, but she didn’t care about why the boss hadn’t approved the car. “When did Third Miss Xie ask you to assign me a car?”

Guan Lang scratched his head in surprise. “Didn’t she tell you? It was just a few days ago.”

An Ningqing glanced outside. Xie Anran was long gone, and she had no intention of waiting for news about the other three kidnappers. “Could you give me a ride? I’m a bit tired and want to rest.”

Regarding the kidnapping case that had caused a local sensation, the police were working overtime on the interrogation and pursuing the remaining three suspects.

More than any of that, An Ningqing was heartbroken about her lost purse.

Guan Lang promised to replace her cards and get her a new phone tomorrow. He had already learned the kidnappers’ motives from the police. “You must be quite shaken up. Why don’t I have Su Guo come over tonight to keep you company? I’ll cancel your upcoming engagements so you can rest properly at home.”

An Ningqing readily accepted the latter suggestion.

Back at her apartment, she lit calming incense and quickly fell asleep.

While An Ningqing enjoyed a peaceful night, the Xie Family was embroiled in another heated argument.

“You’re actually suspecting your own brother over some minor celebrity? Ranran, do you really think I’m worse than those kidnappers?”

“Unless you promise never to harm An Ningqing again.”

The room fell silent.

Xie Anran had initially regretted her harsh words, but now she just thought Xie Xuanze was a dog who couldn’t stop eating sh1t. “What? Can’t make that promise? Feeling guilty, are you?”

“I’m telling you, I won’t allow it! If you don’t agree, I’m running away from home, and I mean it!”

Xie Wenyan walked in just as Xie Xuanze smashed a glass. The shattered pieces of the beautiful crystal cup scattered across the floor, one shard grazing past his glasses. Startled, he instinctively ducked and covered his head, his practiced movements heartbreakingly familiar.

“Second Brother.”

“What are you doing back here?”

“Ranran, seeing you so spirited makes me feel much better.”

The tense atmosphere instantly dissipated. Having not seen her second brother in a while, Xie Anran rushed to hug his arm. “Second Brother, I’ve missed you so much too!”

Xie Xuanze grew even angrier.

“Elder Brother, Ranran has been through a lot today. Why don’t we let her go upstairs to rest? We can discuss this tomorrow.”

“Second Brother always cares about me the most.”

Xie Wenyan quickly shot Xie Anran a meaningful glance. She pouted. “Alright, Second Brother, Elder Brother, I’m going upstairs to rest. You two can continue arguing. Good night.”

Continuing the argument would only lead to more conflict.

The next day, the three remaining kidnappers were apprehended one by one. The incident barely caused a ripple online, as the Xie Family swiftly suppressed any rumors due to the involvement of their Third Miss. Only a few scattered whispers remained, but these were quickly dispelled when Xie Anran reappeared in public, lively and unharmed.

The five kidnappers confessed without hesitation, immediately revealing their mastermind. The client had offered them fifteen million yuan, with a five million yuan down payment, to kidnap a minor celebrity and take compromising photos of her with a man. For five uneducated thugs, this seemed like a piece of cake.

Their original plan was simple: kidnap the target, take the photos, and release her unharmed, leaving no trace of their involvement.

They staked out An Ningqing’s apartment building and her usual routes, and everything proceeded smoothly.

Until they impulsively kidnapped Xie Anran as well. Their greed spiraled out of control, forcing them to improvise. From that moment on, events spiraled out of control like a runaway horse, leading to their eventual capture. The remaining three kidnappers were still in a daze when they were arrested.

The promised two hundred million yuan had vanished in an instant.

Meanwhile, Zhuang Yanxin, the second daughter of the Zhuang Family, had gone mad.

Xie Xuanze got the news early in the morning. “Ranran, I had absolutely nothing to do with this kidnapping. Make sure you see clearly who’s after your little sweetheart.”

“Has Zhuang Yanxin gone mad?”

“Mad at just the right time.”

The thought that Zhuang Yanxin had orchestrated everything made Xie Anran feel physically nauseous. She remembered how, on the day An Ningqing was kidnapped, Zhuang Qingxin had been telling her about Zhuang Yanxin’s suicide attempt.

So, while she was distracting me with that story, she was plotting to kidnap An Ningqing?

How could this woman be so vicious?

Meanwhile, An Ningqing received a call from the police, who delicately inquired if she knew Zhuang Yanxin. Later, when she learned that Zhuang Yanxin had hired the kidnappers, she was… at a loss for words.

She had only met that “little white flower” once or twice, with no other interactions.

How could I have ever guessed it was her?

Qian Lingling rushed to comfort her. “I always thought Zhuang Yanxin was putting on an act. I never imagined she’d be a psycho at such a young age! Thank goodness you’re safe and sound. What a stroke of luck!”

Qian Lingling knew about An Ningqing’s kidnapping because she had witnessed it firsthand. Hearing the commotion, she glanced outside and saw the abduction unfold before her eyes, immediately calling the police in terror.

Upon learning of An Ningqing’s safe return, Qian Lingling immediately visited her.

“To be honest, if you hadn’t come to my house to treat me, none of this would have happened.”

“It’s not your fault.”

This was purely an unprovoked disaster for her.

Fortunately, An Ningqing wasn’t one to wallow in self-pity. “By the way, how are you feeling?”

Qian Lingling’s abdominal pain had largely subsided, and she felt much lighter. The remaining issue was too embarrassing to mention: she had been intermittently discharging foul-smelling fluids, changing her pants repeatedly. She couldn’t bring herself to voice this. “I’m fine. But the Chinese medicine you prescribed is incredibly bitter. I’ve had to cancel all my dinner plans just to take it. Aren’t I being good?”

An Ningqing asked her to extend her hand and took her pulse. “Keep up the good work.”

Between women, sharing a secret naturally strengthens their bond. A month ago, Qian Lingling wouldn’t have believed she’d be sitting in An Ningqing’s apartment.

“Oh, by the way, I have a friend who’s deeply in love with her partner, but they’ve been trying for years without success. She’s seen many Chinese medicine practitioners and been diligently regulating her body, but there’s still no good news. Could you take a look?”

“I can,” An Ningqing replied, her energy and focus sharpening at the mention of treating illness.

Qian Lingling cleared her throat. “But her case is quite unique, so you must keep it confidential.”

An Ningqing glanced at her sideways. “Protecting patient privacy is a doctor’s most fundamental ethical duty. Rest assured, I won’t tarnish my reputation.”

With those words, Qian Lingling felt completely reassured.

Qian Lingling said she needed to arrange a time with her friend and would bring her over then.

Soon, An Ningqing was alone in the apartment, propping her chin on her hand as she gazed at the skyscrapers through the glass window. Su Guo’s mother had been in a car accident and was hospitalized; Su Guo had taken leave from work to rush to the hospital and care for her.

The apartment was quickly bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun.

Knock, knock, knock.

An Ningqing, ever cautious, peered through the peephole before opening the door.

“What are you doing here?”

“As your fiancée, am I not allowed to visit?”

Xie Anran reeked of alcohol as she sprawled on the same sofa where she had embarrassed herself last time, even remembering to change into slippers. “Didn’t have any nightmares tonight, did you? You look a bit drained.”

An Ningqing glanced at the dark circles under Xie Anran’s eyes. “What would you like to drink?”

“Alcohol,” Xie Anran replied.

An Ningqing shook her head. “Plain water.”

“???” Xie Anran looked bewildered.

A glass of warm plain water was quickly placed on the coffee table in front of her. As Xie Anran drank, she grumbled, “How does your personal assistant even take care of you? There’s not even any alcohol in the fridge! And your manager—he’s slower than a snail when you ask him to do anything. Next time, I’m getting you someone else.”

An Ningqing offered no response, simply watching her quietly.

After venting her frustrations, Xie Anran kicked off her shoes, curled up on the sofa, and stared blankly into space, hugging herself.

For Zhuang Yanxin’s sake, the long-standing friendship between the Xie and Zhuang families was likely over. Her brother would never forgive Zhuang Yanxin so easily, and her friendship with Zhuang Qingxin had also reached its end. Today, when she asked Zhuang Qingxin about the kidnapping, Qingxin didn’t even try to explain, only begging the Xie Family for mercy.

Xie Anran didn’t want to go home and face her brother, nor did she feel like going out with her friends.

With nowhere else to go, she wandered, as if possessed, to An Ningqing’s apartment building.

Xie Anran was asleep, curled up pitifully like a disheveled, homeless Persian cat.

An Ningqing retrieved an air-conditioned blanket and gently draped it over her. Xie Anran’s cheeks were flushed, dark circles beneath her eyes. An Ningqing couldn’t resist touching the back of her hand to Xie Anran’s forehead to check her temperature.

Thank goodness, no fever.

Still, someone who’s had too much to drink should stick to bland foods.

An Ningqing tiptoed to the kitchen, took out mushrooms and vegetables, washed them, chopped the mushrooms into chunks, and minced the vegetables. She texted Su Guo for advice before starting the rice cooker to make porridge.

The neon lights of the night shone through the glass window, casting their glow across Xie Anran’s face.

She turned her head impatiently, but the light persisted. Finally, she pulled the blanket up over her head, blocking out the annoying glare. In the enclosed space, a faint, familiar fragrance lingered—pleasant and comforting.

The scent was coming from the air-conditioned blanket.

Xie Anran couldn’t resist rubbing her cheek against the soft fabric. It took her a long moment to realize why the fragrance was so familiar.

She abruptly threw back the blanket.

Only a warm, dim light remained on in the room, its glow enveloping An Ningqing. Having just showered, An Ningqing’s long, jet-black hair hung half-wet down her back. She wore a pink, kawaii-style pajama set, her knees drawn up, looking like an innocent fairy untouched by the world.

An Ningqing was reading, her slender, pale fingers gently turning page after page.

The only sounds in the room were their breathing and the soft rustle of pages.

Xie Anran stared at An Ningqing’s bare, rounded, and pristine toes, studying them again and again.

They were so adorable, she wanted to nibble on them.

“Have you looked enough?”

“No.”