I Conquer the Entertainment Industry with My Medical Skills - Chapter 14

Xie Anran blurted out the words before she could stop herself.

She quickly cleared her throat. “Who was looking at you? I was just… not fully awake yet.”

Ugh, why did I even bother explaining myself?

Xie Anran awkwardly turned her head away, only to see the vibrant neon lights flashing outside the floor-to-ceiling window. She realized it was late, and her stomach rumbled loudly, sounding like a hollow city. “What time is it?”

“Time for bed.”

“……”

An Ningqing walked barefoot to turn on the overhead light. The sudden brightness made Xie Anran squint. Watching those delicate feet pad across the stained carpet, each step felt like a prick to her heart. “Can’t you at least wear slippers at home?”

An Ningqing raised an eyebrow, her gaze sweeping over Xie Anran.

“What are you looking at?”

“I don’t wear shoes at home, just as the Third Miss prefers to sleep without clothes.”

Xie Anran’s face flushed crimson. She nearly leaped off the sofa. “How do you know that?”

Then she remembered their wild night at the hotel. She had even dashed barefoot to the entryway in a panic. But wait—why had she run? She hurried back to put on her slippers. Seeing the amusement in An Ningqing’s eyes, Xie Anran felt a surge of anger. “An Ningqing, you’re utterly shameless!”

“Hmm?”

“What? Am I wrong?”

“Third Miss loves to be na—”

Xie Anran immediately clamped her hand over the woman’s mouth, glaring. “You’re pushing your luck, aren’t you?”

A sudden sharp pain shot through Xie Anran’s palm, making her recoil as if electrocuted. “Are you part dog? Why do you keep biting me?”

An Ningqing rubbed her cheek. “Third Miss, what exactly did you come here for today? Surely you didn’t come all this way just to sleep.”

Her words reminded Xie Anran of the real reason she was here. She hesitated, her words catching in her throat.

“Just say it.”

“My parents want to meet you.”

The cup in An Ningqing’s hand tilted, spilling tea that soaked a patch of the carpet.

Seeing her shock, Xie Anran suddenly felt triumphant, as if she had regained her footing. “They just returned from abroad and heard about… our situation. They’re curious to meet the girl I’ve chosen to spend my life with. Is that so strange?”

“……”

An Ningqing hugged a nearby cushion to her chest, her gaze fixed on Xie Anran. “Who was the man who picked you up yesterday?”

Xie Anran pouted unhappily. “My eldest brother.”

“He seemed hostile toward me.”

“Ignore him.”

“Besides your parents and eldest brother, is there anyone else in your family?”

“My second brother.”

“Hmm.”

Xie Anran, belatedly realizing, asked, “You agreed?”

An Ningqing tilted her head, looking at her. “Are you unhappy that I agreed?”

Xie Anran had prepared a whole arsenal of excuses to persuade An Ningqing, even considering resorting to coercion or bribery. But it had been this simple? It felt like a dream. Snapping out of her daze, Xie Anran replied, “Not exactly.”

Perhaps the first fifteen phone calls had left an indelible impression.

An Ningqing glanced at the time. “Third Miss, it’s getting late.”

Xie Anran’s shapely rear seemed glued to the chair. She blinked slowly, changing the subject. “I just saw something cooking in the kitchen.”

Soon, a bowl of warm vegetable and mushroom congee appeared on the table.

Xie Anran wanted to ask, “Is that all?” But An Ningqing remained seated on the sofa, stingy with even a glance. Besides, Xie Anran’s stomach had been empty all day, save for alcohol, and she was starving. Abandoning her aristocratic airs, she picked up the bowl and drank it down. She finished two bowls, scraping the pot clean.

After eating, she slumped back in her chair with a sigh. The congee looked plain, but it was surprisingly delicious. Just as she was about to ask who had made it, she turned to find An Ningqing on the sofa, propping her head up with one hand, eyes closed as if asleep. A stray strand of dark hair playfully draped across her cheek.

Xie Anran tiptoed over and crouched down in front of An Ningqing, waving her hand in front of the other woman’s eyes. There was no reaction. She’s really asleep, Xie Anran thought, her fingers itching to brush away the stray strand of hair that had fallen across An Ningqing’s delicate face.

Is this woman really so trusting of me? Xie Anran sneered inwardly, extending her hands to make a choking motion in the air. The sleeping An Ningqing looked soft and vulnerable. Xie Anran stared at her flawless skin for a long moment, but ultimately resisted the urge to test its texture. Instead, she quietly turned off the light, changed her shoes, and slipped out.

As soon as she left, the woman who had been propping her head up slowly opened her eyes.

An Ningqing stood by the glass window, watching the car drive away from the apartment building below before returning to bed.

The next morning, Xie Anran appeared downstairs, looking refreshed and stylish in a simple yet chic outfit: a white lace high-necked top paired with sapphire blue wide-legged pants and diamond-studded heels. Standing at the foot of the building, she was a captivating sight that drew all eyes.

A warm breeze lifted her long hair, carrying with it a refreshing fragrance.

An Ningqing was just heading downstairs for a walk when Xie Anran caught her. After a critical glance, Xie Anran snatched the trash bag from An Ningqing’s hand and dragged her into the car. “Come on, I’m taking you to pick out a gift.”

“What kind of gifts?”

“You can’t show up at your fiancé’s parents’ house empty-handed.”

“……”

She’s really getting into character, An Ningqing thought. Even more dedicated than I am.

Xie Anran took her to a bustling market street and, with practiced ease, helped her pick out a pile of expensive gifts. Then they went to a clothing store that had just opened. As soon as they entered, the owner greeted them with a beaming smile, “Miss Xie!”

“Show her your newly released outfits for her to try on.”

“For me?”

“Or would you rather meet my parents in that?”

An Ningqing was wearing a white floral dress that day, looking pure and charming. She twirled in front of Xie Anran, the flared skirt spreading like flowers scattered on the ground. “I think this dress looks great. I don’t need to change.”

Xie Anran glared at her, slightly annoyed.

Is this woman stupid? She’s missing a golden opportunity to splurge on herself, and she doesn’t even realize it.

Taking matters into her own hands, Xie Anran reached out. “Bring me your measuring tape.”

The owner, puzzled but quick to comply, retrieved the tape measure.

Xie Anran pulled An Ningqing, who was sitting beside her flipping through a magazine, to her feet. She casually wrapped an arm around An Ningqing’s slender waist, giving it a quick squeeze. An Ningqing flinched and quickly pulled away. “What are you doing?”

“Since you don’t want to try on clothes, I’ll pick them out for you myself. I need to know your measurements to choose the right sizes.”

“……”

This feels like shooting myself in the foot.

Given the choice between trying on clothes and having her measurements taken, An Ningqing reluctantly chose the latter.

Xie Anran wrapped the measuring tape around An Ningqing’s waist, her eyes widening in surprise. “Only 62 centimeters? That’s even smaller than mine!” She patted her own waist—65 centimeters—and glanced at An Ningqing’s with undisguised envy.

I can’t resist touching it again.

Slap!

An Ningqing’s eyes flashed a warning. “Third Miss.”

“Fine, I’ll let you touch mine in return.”

With a grand gesture, Xie Anran presented her own slender waist to An Ningqing. “Hurry up. I’d only let you touch it, you know.”

“……No need.”

Xie Anran scrutinized her words for sincerity. “Don’t regret it later.”

I definitely won’t regret it.

“Spread your arms out.”

The shop owner watched their playful banter in silence, feeling like an unwelcome third wheel.

Xie Anran leaned closer to An Ningqing, their toes nearly touching. Her nostrils filled with An Ningqing’s unique fragrance, a scent that had haunted her thoughts since the previous night. What perfume are you wearing? I’ve never smelled anything like it before.

She had tried most perfumes on the market, yet none matched this distinctive aroma.

Last night, Xie Anran had tossed and turned in bed, racking her brain until midnight, but the answer remained elusive.

An Ningqing lowered her gaze, watching Xie Anran’s fluffy head brush against her chest as she spoke, her warm breath fanning across her skin. She closed her eyes briefly, her voice as calm as still water. “I’m not wearing perfume.”

“Impossible!” Xie Anran straightened up, her nose grazing An Ningqing’s—soft and delicate. Her heart pounded like a runaway elevator plummeting faster than a roller coaster’s drop. She stared at An Ningqing’s plush lips. “D-don’t lie to me. I can smell it. Your blanket is saturated with this scent.”

The shop owner couldn’t help but eavesdrop.

An Ningqing took a deep breath. “It’s not perfume.”

Xie Anran nervously licked her lips, her gaze fixed on that tempting crimson curve. She suddenly noticed how alluring An Ningqing’s lips were—full, glossy, and cherry-like, as sweet as they tasted, and…

The memory of their heated kiss at the birthday party suddenly flashed through Xie Anran’s mind, the thrill of their tongues tangling. “What was that?”

Ding-a-ling-a-ling.

The bell above the door chimed.

Someone rushed in, “Boss, are you here? I’m here to pick up the clothes I left with you last time.”

“Yes, yes, I’m here! Please wait a moment, I’ll get them right away,” the owner replied.

The customer glanced at the two women standing there, their faces growing increasingly familiar. Where have I seen them before?

The owner quickly ushered the customer outside. When she turned back, the two women who had been pressed close together were now standing a meter apart, the bubbling atmosphere completely shattered. She sighed inwardly, then hurried off to retrieve the customer’s clothes.

Xie Anran bit down hard on her finger, the pain snapping her back to reality. She couldn’t help but feel frustrated. For a moment, she had actually wanted to taste An Ningqing’s lips again. What was I thinking?

It’s not like I haven’t tasted them before. They’re nothing special.

She must have been momentarily bewitched, or perhaps An Ningqing was just too skilled at seduction, and she had fallen for her trap.

An Ningqing’s soft voice drifted from behind her. “Still choosing clothes?”

Xie Anran’s gaze instinctively drifted to the full curve of An Ningqing’s hips. I wonder who has the bigger butt between us… she thought, then quickly corrected herself. Ugh, what am I thinking? She declared with feigned confidence, “Of course I’ll keep picking! This is the first time I’ve ever waited on someone, and I’m not about to give up halfway. But we’ll need to measure our hip sizes first.”

“I don’t think we need to measure,” An Ningqing replied. “I wear skirts more often than pants.”

“Fine,” Xie Anran said, her tone laced with disappointment.

An Ningqing took a deep breath and smiled. “It’s getting late, Third Miss. You should hurry and make your choices.”