I Conquer the Entertainment Industry with My Medical Skills - Chapter 17

Can I sleep with you tonight?

What was the difference between this and asking her directly for s3x?!

It was practically writing “I want to make love to you tonight” in plain sight.

In broad daylight, under the clear sky, this woman had no sense of propriety whatsoever.

Xie Anran’s cheeks burned, and her head felt like it was about to burst into flames.

“Still dizzy?”

The aftereffects of the bl00d-induced dizziness seemed quite severe.

An Ningqing reached out to steady her, but before her hand could touch Xie Anran, the latter recoiled as if from a venomous snake, even hopping on one foot twice in her haste to avoid contact. “You… you get in the car first.”

A searing pain shot through Xie Anran’s ankle. She thought she should have checked the almanac before leaving the house today.

Unfavorable for all activities. Stay home.

The two women entered the car one after the other, neither resuming their earlier conversation. The silence inside the vehicle was stifling.

Xie Anran stole glances at An Ningqing through the rearview mirror, noticing the woman in the back seat was absorbed in her phone. Could she be upset because I didn’t agree right away? Is she sulking and giving me the cold shoulder?

But Xie Anran needed time to consider such a proposal.

After all, she wasn’t some casual woman.

Not just anyone could enter her home, sleep in her bed, or share such intimate moments with her.

An Ningqing glanced up and met Xie Anran’s furtive gaze head-on. With only the two of them in the car, Xie Anran’s stare felt like it was piercing right through her, making it impossible to ignore. She smiled and reminded her, “Third Miss, please focus on driving.”

“I am focused on driving. Don’t distract me.”

“Alright.”

An Ningqing genuinely didn’t look at her again. Xie Anran had gotten her wish, yet an inexplicable irritation welled up inside her. She slammed her fist on the steering wheel, accidentally honking the horn and startling herself upright. Glancing in the rearview mirror, she confirmed that An Ningqing hadn’t looked at her once.

Damn it.

Why is she being so obedient?

Furious, Xie Anran stomped on the accelerator, driving An Ningqing straight to her apartment building. Her face darkened as she snapped, “We’re here. Get out.”

An Ningqing thanked her and headed upstairs without even turning back.

Xie Anran: “???”

She’s just leaving like that? Not even a few more words? Is this supposed to be a seduction attempt?

No sincerity whatsoever.

This woman isn’t even trying.

Then she can forget about sleeping with me.

Xie Anran angrily spun the car around and drove home. Only after getting out did she realize that An Ningqing hadn’t taken any of the clothes she’d picked out for her earlier. They were all still lying in the trunk.

Did she forget?

Or was this deliberate?

“Playing hard to get, huh?”

“Hmph, I won’t fall for it.”

“Achoo!”

An Ningqing sneezed inexplicably. Su Guo, who was beside her, exclaimed excitedly, “An An, is that you in the photo from the car accident today? I saw someone saying you helped deliver a baby for a pregnant woman. Is that true?”

“Hmm?”

An Ningqing glanced at her phone and saw that a blogger had posted a nine-grid collage of photos from the scene. Several showed her examining patients alone, while two featured her assisting with the delivery of a baby, the pregnant woman’s face blurred.

#I think I’ve found my new OTP#

What kind of otherworldly beauty is this? I’m shipping them immediately!

The middle photo is so intense! The haughty Third Miss lying quietly in Queen An’s arms, An An’s eyes full of tenderness… Ugh, it’s too sweet!

I never imagined they were like this in private. I thought the hotel incident was just a publicity stunt.

Seriously? This was a car accident with so many injured people! Can you guys stop being so brainless and shipping couples? It’s disgusting.

I heard the six-car pileup was caused by a driver going the wrong way. Two people have died, over a dozen are injured, and apparently a pregnant woman went into labor on the spot due to the shock.

An Ningqing handed Su Guo back her phone. “Two people died.”

Su Guo nodded. “They said it was due to excessive bl00d loss. They didn’t get medical attention in time. Another one had a stroke and died in the ambulance.”

An Ningqing couldn’t help but sigh softly. If she’d had hemostatic pills and bandages on hand, perhaps those two wouldn’t have died.

For the first time, An Ningqing understood the saying, “Even a skilled cook can’t make a meal without ingredients.” “Su Guo, go buy some medical supplies immediately. Keep a set in the nanny van’s trunk from now on. I’ll need them.”

She listed the necessary items from memory.

Su Guo knew An Ningqing had been immersed in researching ancient acupuncture techniques and surgical wound care, so she wasn’t surprised to see large quantities of gauze, medical gloves, and disinfectant alcohol on the list. “Alright, I’ll go get them right away.”

After Su Guo left, An Ningqing picked up a copy of Seeking Medical Care? Seek Yourself First and had just turned three pages when Qian Lingling’s video call came through.

“Wow, you’re trending again! But you should probably avoid this kind of attention. People will say you’re just trying to hype yourself up and profit from others’ misfortune.”

“What do you want?”

“About that matter I mentioned last time, could you spare two days starting three days from now?”

“Yes, I can.”

“Then prepare two formal outfits. We’ll be going on a two-day cruise.”

After finalizing the time and location, they hung up.

An Ningqing rarely paid attention to online trends. Bored, she simply disinfected her acupuncture needles, preparing for her medical consultations in three days.

Guan Lang had likely seen the trending news as well. He called An Ningqing and suggested she rest at home for a few more days, which suited her perfectly. She had never been particularly interested in such work anyway.

The three days passed quickly.

Qian Lingling arranged for a driver to pick An Ningqing up. When she saw An Ningqing arrive with only a suitcase, wearing no makeup and dressed in a simple white flowing dress, she nearly couldn’t bear to look. “Just one suitcase? This is a two-day luxury cruise! Don’t you want to bring more… Never mind, I’ll handle it.”

“Get in the car.”

The cruise was filled with heirs and heiresses from wealthy families, along with numerous minor celebrities. An Ningqing was one of them. It wasn’t until she boarded the ship that she realized entry required an invitation from the host family.

An invitation to the cruise was worth its weight in gold.

“Why did you bring her? Weren’t you always at odds with her before?”

“Haha, that was just a misunderstanding from the past. Now she’s my friend, so don’t even think about bullying her behind my back.”

Qian Lingling kept An Ningqing by her side, introducing her to the wealthy guests on the cruise. After making the rounds, An Ningqing had memorized dozens of names: the daughters and sons of prominent families, CEOs of major corporations, and the mistresses of these executives.

Among them were several familiar faces.

“My friend won’t be here until eight tonight. You can wander around the cruise ship or go back to your cabin to rest.”

“Eight o’clock?”

“Yeah, there’s a ball tonight. Did you bring the gown I asked you to?”

“No.”

She was here for medical treatment, not dancing. Her suitcase was packed with two sets of clothes, a nightgown, and the rest filled with medicinal herbs. What was the point of wearing such elaborate attire? Besides, she wasn’t particularly fond of high heels.

Qian Lingling was exasperated by her friend’s stubbornness but knew there was no changing her mind.

Her friends quickly pulled her away to experience the cruise ship’s casino.

An Ningqing didn’t join them. Instead, she went to the deck to feel the sea breeze and gaze at the ocean. The sea and sky merged into a seamless expanse of azure, the tranquil surface occasionally broken by the flight of seagulls—a spectacle she had never witnessed before.

“Miss, I’ve noticed you standing here for quite some time. Is something troubling you?”

A voice suddenly interrupted her reverie.

An Ningqing turned to see a man in a black suit holding a fully bloomed rose. His expression was gentle and affectionate as he gazed at her. Noticing her glance, he lowered his head to inhale the rose’s fragrance. “Only a beauty like you deserves this rose. It’s yours.”

“No, thank you.”

“Miss, meeting is fate. May I have the honor of knowing your name?”

“No.”

Seeing he was about to persist in disturbing her peace, An Ningqing snapped, “Sir, your breath stinks. Did you know that?”

The man’s eyes widened in shock, and he hastily covered his mouth.

An Ningqing felt as if the surrounding air had been polluted. She turned to leave, but before she could take two steps, the man, who had just been so “polite,” rushed over in a fit of anger. “You woman! I’m doing you a favor by wanting to get to know you. Don’t be so ungrateful!”

He raised his hand to grab her.

The raised hand froze mid-air. The man trembled violently, clutching his stomach in agony as beads of sweat rolled down his face. “What’s happening? My stomach hurts so much!”

An Ningqing murmured, “I have no interest in getting to know a promiscuous stallion like you. You’re riddled with diseases. Stop coming out to harm others. Go back and get treatment—maybe you’ll live a few more years.”

Seizing the man’s stunned expression, An Ningqing flicked her wrist and retracted the needle.

Ever since her encounter with bandits, she felt safest keeping the silver needles on her person.

The cruise ship buzzed with activity. Passengers were either busy taking photos or enjoying the ship’s amenities—the casino, swimming pool, restaurants, and more. An Ningqing chose to return to her cabin.

Her cabin was an ocean-view room with a window facing the sea.

She took a short nap and was awakened by her alarm.

At eight o’clock, the ball officially began.

An Ningqing’s dresses all reached her ankles. She chose a modest, understated pink gown. As soon as she entered, she drew many eyes. Qian Lingling pulled her aside, saying, “My friend will invite you to dance later. That’s when you can diagnose her.”

This was An Ningqing’s first time diagnosing someone while dancing. The idea was thrilling, but she admitted truthfully, “I don’t know how to dance.”

Qian Lingling took it as modesty. “Don’t worry, just go with the flow.”

An Ningqing nodded. “Alright.”

Qian Lingling’s mysterious friend didn’t keep her waiting long on the sofa. Dressed in a striking red mermaid gown and towering on seven-centimeter heels, she glided over to An Ningqing, standing half a head taller.

She winked at An Ningqing. “Miss An, may I have the honor of inviting you to dance?”

Qian Lingling nodded encouragingly from the crowd.

An Ningqing extended her hand. “Of course.”

The two beauties, each with their own distinct style, swept onto the dance floor, immediately drawing gasps of admiration. Young men and women rushed to join the spectacle. It was in this chaotic scene that Xie Anran entered the ball, his eyes instantly finding his fiancée, whom he hadn’t seen in days.

But his fiancée was smiling like a blooming flower at another woman.

Xie Anran: “???”

So, when I didn’t take the bait, she started flirting with someone else?