I Conquer the Entertainment Industry with My Medical Skills - Chapter 16

Xie Anran was determined to play dead to the end.

A hand gently pressed against her forehead, a brief touch before withdrawing.

An Ningqing was drenched in sweat, and this man radiated heat like a miniature sun. Pressed together, they felt even hotter. She had no choice but to bring up a long-forgotten matter: “Are you still meeting your parents today?”

At her words, Xie Anran abruptly sat up, the sudden movement causing a dizzy spell that made her collapse weakly back into An Ningqing’s arms. “I guess I have to meet them,” she said listlessly. “It’s inevitable.”

If not today, then tomorrow.

Avoiding the meeting would only make her seem indifferent to her fiancée.

Xie Anran didn’t understand her own stubbornness, but perhaps she simply didn’t want her brother to think less of An Ningqing.

They got into the car. Xie Anran rested her head on the steering wheel as the traffic ahead began to inch forward. The accident was being handled by the police, and ambulances were taking the injured away. “An Ningqing, why don’t you drive today?”

After speaking, she waited in vain for a response.

Xie Anran turned her head, suspicion creeping into her gaze.

The original owner had learned to drive, but An Ningqing herself knew nothing about cars. The horrific consequences of the accident, coupled with her realization during the previous commercial shoot—that memory and practical application were vastly different—left her feeling helpless.

An Ningqing pressed a hand to her forehead, a rare expression of helplessness crossing her face. “For both our safety, maybe I should call a driver.”

A driver?

It wasn’t a bad idea.

An Ningqing instructed her, “Pull the car over to the side and rest for a bit.”

She took out her phone and texted Su Guo. The driver arrived quickly—a middle-aged man with a full beard, quite tall, wearing a vest with the Anson Driving logo. He rode a folding electric scooter and professionally pulled out his phone to confirm the details with Xie Anran. “Boss, is this the order you placed?”

An Ningqing pushed open the car door. “My assistant placed the order. My name is An.”

The driver’s jaw dropped, his eyes gleaming. “Oh my god, am I dreaming? I’m actually meeting my goddess!”

Xie Anran stared blankly, “???”

The driver immediately moved from the driver’s seat to the back, extending his hand. “Hello, Goddess! I’m just one of your countless anonymous fans. I can’t believe I’m lucky enough to meet you here. I’m going to buy a lottery ticket as soon as I get home!”

An Ningqing, unaccustomed to interacting with strangers, replied, “Hello. Thank you for driving us the rest of the way.”

“Goddess, you’re too polite! Please get in and remember to buckle up,” the driver said.

Xie Anran glared at the driver, radiating a palpable aura of displeasure. Only then did he realize he’d forgotten about the “main event”—Goddess’s Xie-surname fiancée. “Boss, would you prefer the front seat or—”

Bang.

Xie Anran brushed past him, nudged An Ningqing further into the seat, then slumped against her shoulder, clutching her head. “My head’s spinning. Let me lean on you for a bit.”

Seeing Xie Anran’s pale complexion, likely still recovering from her bl00d-induced dizziness, An Ningqing allowed her to lean on her.

Through the rearview mirror, the driver watched their intimate exchange, his eyes widening in disbelief. The rumors swirling in the media were actually true—this Xie vixen was surprisingly clingy in private.

Even on a car ride, she had to lean against An Ningqing’s shoulder, as if she had no bones.

The car glided smoothly the rest of the way, without any further mishaps.

As the driver left, he lamented not having a pen and notebook, and even tried to linger and exchange a few more words with An Ningqing. Xie Anran promptly pulled him away.

“Boss, remember to leave a five-star review! Thanks!”

“Blah blah blah! You’ve been yapping the whole ride and given me a headache. You expect a five-star review? Dream on! One star!”

Seeing Xie Anran cursing and full of energy again, An Ningqing decided not to remind her. After all, Su Guo would be writing the review later. Both she and Xie Anran were covered in dirt and desperately needed a changing room. The hotel staff opened one up specially for them, and the clothes Xie Anran had picked out earlier finally came in handy.

An Ningqing took the clean clothes and went in to change first. When she came out, she noticed Xie Anran’s clothes were also dirty, likely from falling to the ground earlier.

“Your clothes…”

“I had someone bring me a change.”

Xie Anran’s gaze remained fixed on An Ningqing as she chose her favorite ankle-length black dress, which completely enveloped her. Yet, her aura was entirely transformed.

“What? Does it look bad on me?”

“With my impeccable taste, how could any outfit I pick look bad? Even someone with ordinary looks—” could instantly become a celestial beauty. And An Ningqing was far from ordinary. “It looks stunning. My taste is truly unmatched.”

“Agreed.”

An Ningqing’s agreement nearly made Xie Anran’s metaphorical tail wag to the heavens. “Of course! Who do you think I am?”

Knock, knock, knock.

“Come in.”

“Miss Xie, your clothes have arrived.”

A dozen women, all dressed in identical outfits, filed into the room, each carrying a set of clothes they laid before Xie Anran for her selection.

The scene rivaled the grandeur of an emperor choosing his concubines.

Xie Anran slouched in her chair, showing no interest in choosing. “An Ningqing, pick one for me.”

An Ningqing raised an eyebrow. “You want me to choose?”

“Of course,” Xie Anran replied. “I just picked one for you, didn’t I?”

An Ningqing never fussed over her outfits. She glanced through the options and chose a blue mermaid dress paired with a white off-the-shoulder top, the same color scheme Xie Anran was wearing today.

Judging by the upward curve of Xie Anran’s lips, she seemed quite pleased.

The two women spent nearly half an hour getting ready in the dressing room. Xie Anran was still touching up her makeup, her long hair cascading over her shoulders. The mermaid dress perfectly showcased her hourglass figure, leaving her full curves on full display.

By the time they met the Xie Family, it was already 1:30 PM.

Madam Xie Family and Mr. Xie Family both had kind, gentle faces. Second Young Master Xie Family was lively and cheerful, and even Eldest Young Master Xie Family greeted An Ningqing with a warm, refined demeanor. If it weren’t for the icy glint in his eyes when he’d looked at her at the police station, An Ningqing might have suspected she possessed irresistible charm and had already won over the entire Xie Family.

After exchanging greetings, An Ningqing sat down. Xie Anran, fiercely protective, clung to her side, refusing to take the seat Mr. and Madam Xie Family had reserved for her. “Mom, Dad, Second Brother, this is An Ningqing, my fiancée.”

Xie Xuanze murmured, “Ranran’s still mad at her brother. She won’t even introduce me properly.”

Xie Anran retorted irritably, “You’ve already met her. Why do you need me to introduce her? I bet An Ningqing’s entire personal file is already on your desk, and you’ve probably dug up her family history back eighteen generations. Besides, this was supposed to be a meeting with Mom and Dad. Why did you have to barge in?”

He’s just asking for trouble.

And making me miserable in the process.

Seeing her eldest son get shut down, Madam Xie couldn’t help but smooth things over. “Your brother’s just teasing you, Ranran. Don’t be rude to Miss An.” She turned her gaze to An Ningqing, who looked demure and composed. “An Ningqing, what a lovely name. And you’re so beautiful too. May I call you An An?”

An Ningqing had quickly assessed the Xie family’s dynamics. Madam Xie held an unshakeable position as the matriarch, exuding a seemingly gentle authority. Mr. Xie smiled warmly, playing the role of peacemaker. Yet the Xie family’s business empire was thriving, a feat impossible without Xie Xuanze’s leadership. And while Xie Xuanze acted like a domineering, sister-obsessed tyrant, he transformed into a model son before his parents… Xie Wenyan, on the other hand, remained so low-key he was practically invisible.

“Of course you may,” An Ningqing replied.

Madam Xie continued to hold An Ningqing’s hand, peppering her with questions. Finally, she cut to the chase: “An An, how did you and Ranran meet? This is the first time she’s ever acted so independently for someone.”

Xie Anran had been diligently piling food onto An Ningqing’s plate—her favorites and dislikes alike—creating a mountain of dishes. Hearing her mother’s question, she slammed her chopsticks down in annoyance. “Mom, didn’t you promise we’d just have dinner today?”

So easily fooled.

Madam Xie glared at her daughter before turning to An Ningqing with a smile. “Ranran has such a temper, An An. How long have you two been together? What did you see in our Ranran?”

I knew this dinner was a trap.

An Ningqing blinked slowly. “Madam Xie, do you believe in love at first sight?”

Xie Anran’s amber eyes widened slightly. Under the table, she nudged An Ningqing’s leg gently. The latter shifted slightly, but when she tried again, she missed completely.

Madam Xie couldn’t help but chuckle. After all, she and Mr. Xie had always claimed their own love story began with love at first sight. To deny it now would be a blatant contradiction.

Seeing the awkward tension, Mr. Xie intervened. “Alright, alright, let’s get the food served. This is a family dinner, An An. Don’t be shy—help yourself to whatever you like. Ranran, take good care of your friend.”

Not a word about the engagement.

Noticing Xie Anran’s bitter expression, An Ningqing mirrored her earlier gesture, gently nudging her knee under the table. Xie Anran’s face flushed crimson, and she glared back fiercely.

An Ningqing: “???”

The meal passed in complete silence. No one at the table spoke, and An Ningqing, who preferred quiet, ate only the dishes she liked, leaving the rest in her bowl. She was genuinely hungry, having not eaten since leaving home that morning.

After the meal, Mr. and Madam Xie left to attend to company matters.

While Xie Anran went to the restroom, Xie Xuanze stared at An Ningqing with a mocking smile. “Ranran’s interest in you is just a fleeting infatuation. In a few days, she’ll move on to someone else. If Miss An had any self-awareness, she’d leave voluntarily.”

An Ningqing smiled faintly. “Eldest Young Master Xie, you worry too much. Self-awareness is something I lack.”

Xie Xuanze was speechless.

Behind them, Xie Wenyan, who had arrived unnoticed, remarked, “Brother, what are you and Miss An discussing? You seem to be enjoying yourselves.”

Xie Xuanze snorted. “Nothing important. I have company business to attend to. I’ll take my leave.”

Xie Wenyan nodded to An Ningqing and followed his brother out.

An Ningqing didn’t have to wait long. Xie Anran emerged from the restroom, her spirits renewed and her usual energy restored. “Let’s go. I’ll drive you home.”

An Ningqing calmly followed her to the car, only to murmur as they reached it, “Can I sleep with you tonight?”

Xie Anran, who was about to open the car door, stumbled and fell against it.