I Conquer the Entertainment Industry with My Medical Skills - Chapter 23

“You shouldn’t have come up here, Third Miss.”

From the cruise ship to boarding the private jet, An Ningqing had dropped numerous hints, but Xie Anran acted as if she hadn’t noticed a single one.

In retaliation, Xie Anran poked An Ningqing’s waist. She had initially intended to pinch the back of her hand, but the waist offered more flesh than the back of her hand. By the time her fingers touched An Ningqing’s slender waist, she had already lost her strength, ending up with just a gentle poke.

An Ningqing nearly jumped out of her seat. If not for the seatbelt, she would have tried to move away. She managed to shift halfway before Xie Anran pulled her back, her voice low and urgent: “Why are you avoiding me?!”

With the two of them sitting so far apart, who would believe they were engaged?

And with Li Jing lurking nearby, eyeing An Ningqing like a predator trying to steal her away, Xie Anran refused to let that happen.

“……”

Because I don’t want to be too close to you, An Ningqing thought helplessly. She had never been wary of women before, but these past few days, she had suddenly realized Third Miss Xie’s attraction lay with girls. It was best to maintain a safe distance between them.

Xie Anran noticed An Ningqing’s hand repeatedly stroking her stomach. “What’s wrong? Stomachache?”

She had barely finished speaking when…

An Ningqing suddenly felt a sharp pain in her stomach, an indescribable sensation. She opened her mouth and vomited.

“Ah—”

“Sorry, urp.”

Li Jing, who had been resting with her eyes closed nearby, nearly jumped out of her skin at the sudden noises. She ripped off her eye mask, a gesture mirrored by Anne, who was seated several rows away. With unspoken understanding, they both glanced toward the back corner of the plane. An Ningqing was vomiting profusely, and Xie Anran, who was sitting next to her, hadn’t escaped unscathed—half her body was covered in vomit.

Seeing Xie Anran’s deathly pale expression, Li Jing couldn’t help but laugh unkindly.

“Ha, ha ha.”

“Miss An, just hang in there. We’ll be there in a few hours.”

Xie Anran stiffened like a wooden board, glaring at the gloating woman. “Miss Li, you seem to be enjoying this a bit too much. Perhaps I should let you experience my ‘treatment’ firsthand.”

Li Jing immediately clamped her hand over her mouth and nose, gesturing toward the restroom.

Pinching her nose, Xie Anran helped the pale-faced An Ningqing to her feet. The two stumbled toward the restroom. “Why didn’t you say you get motion sickness earlier?”

An Ningqing didn’t have time to explain. She purged the contents of her stomach in one violent spasm, finally managing to stand upright. She glanced at Xie Anran’s wooden expression. “I’m so sorry about your clothes—”

“There’s a change of clothes in my suitcase. Go get it for me.”

“Okay,” Xie Anran said.

Seeing An Ningqing struggling to stand, Xie Anran said, “Forget it, I’ll get it myself.”

She quickly retrieved a change of clothes and began undressing right in front of An Ningqing. An Ningqing closed her eyes and turned her back, the rustling sounds of Xie Anran changing filling the air. Xie Anran clearly had no reservations around her.

Weakly, An Ningqing said, “Third Miss, if you get the chance, go home.”

Xie Anran tossed her soiled clothes into the trash. “You should worry about yourself first. Look how pale you are.”

What’s this?

Mission failed before it even began.

An Ningqing grabbed Xie Anran’s hand. “I’m serious. This wasn’t Miss Li’s invitation—it was her father, Mr. Li, who invited me as a guest. Do you understand?”

Xie Anran froze. “Why would Li Xianzong invite you? An Ningqing, what have you done?”

Nothing much.

Just accidentally revealed a truth the outside world doesn’t yet know.

Given the Li Family’s vast wealth, numerous heirs, and complex dynamics, news of Li Xianzong’s impending death could trigger a succession crisis rivaling a dynastic power struggle. Li Xianzong likely wanted to keep his remaining months a secret, perhaps even testing her medical skills. “It’s nothing,” An Ningqing said. “Just stay out of this mess.”

Xie Anran irritably ran her fingers through her beautiful hair. “We’re grasshoppers tied to the same boat now. You want me to leave? How? Jump out of the plane?”

An Ningqing was speechless.

I’ll just have to find another opportunity.

When they returned to the cabin, the mess at their seats had been thoroughly cleaned up.

Li Jing had someone bring An Ningqing a glass of plain water and a motion sickness pill. “How are you feeling now, Miss An?”

An Ningqing accepted the pill but didn’t take it. “Thank you for your concern, Miss Li.”

Xie Anran snorted coldly beside her, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Why thank her? She just moved her lips and had someone bring you a pill, and now you’re showering her with gratitude? What about me? Why don’t you thank me?”

Li Jing was speechless.

Fine, I won’t compete with this jealous queen for attention.

What a lunatic.

She pulled her eye mask back down, deciding to block out the sight and be done with it.

This nauseating display of affection is truly unbearable.

An Ningqing pursed her lips, the lingering taste in her mouth making her turn to gaze at the clouds. She had never imagined she would one day fly at such a great height. The world was truly full of wonders.

I’m starting to like this world a little.

Xie Anran nudged her with her elbow. An Ningqing turned her head to find a hard, round candy suddenly in her mouth, its sweet and sour flavor instantly dominating her palate.

“If you’re prone to motion sickness, don’t look outside. Close your eyes and rest for a while,” Xie Anran advised. “Otherwise, you’ll only feel worse.”

An Ningqing lightly licked the hard candy with her tongue, choosing not to explain that her earlier nausea wasn’t motion sickness but rather a combination of a weak digestive system and her unrestrained consumption of seafood on the cruise, ignoring dietary restrictions. Still, she closed her eyes, the candy nestled in her mouth.

Three hours later, the plane began its descent, circling above an isolated island in the middle of the sea. From above, the island resembled a massive heart. She could see dense forests and a particularly prominent estate. An Ningqing carefully assessed the size of this private island, noting that it was many times larger than the Rose Manor she had seen before.

“What’s this? Got your eye on someone’s island?” Xie Anran teased.

“Mm-hmm,” An Ningqing replied.

Xie Anran choked, surprised by her straightforward answer. “Just a small island. Wipe your drool.”

An Ningqing ignored her mockery. She needed land to cultivate medicinal herbs, the more the better. How could a doctor ever have too many herbs? They could save lives in critical moments. The Rose Manor had seemed promising before, but now she realized she deserved an entire island like this.

Private islands are wonderful, but getting in and out is a real hassle.

The island is in the middle of the sea, so the only way to reach it is by helicopter or boat.

Li Jing overheard their conversation. After landing, she beamed, “Miss An, if you like it here, please stay as long as you wish. You’re the first guest Father has ever invited to stay here. I’m only here because of you.”

The mention of Li Xianzong instantly snapped An Ningqing out of her daze. She glanced at Xie Anran, who was also trapped on the island. Xie Anran stood casually, showing no interest in the scenery outside. “You should call Aunt and Uncle to let them know you’re safe,” An Ningqing said, “or Big Brother will worry himself sick.”

Xie Anran understood the hint, but she had already checked her phone after getting off the helicopter—there was no signal.

She discreetly surveyed her surroundings, growing increasingly alarmed. There were over a hundred burly foreign bodyguards like the ones Li Jing had brought earlier. Li Xianzong was truly sparing no expense to ensure his own safety.

The wealthy are always terrified of death.

Even her own brother always travels with bodyguards.

So why would Li Xianzong, who fears death so much, suddenly invite a minor celebrity to such a private location?

Xie Anran couldn’t help but glance at An Ningqing. The latter wore a gentle smile, showing neither the wide-eyed wonder of a country bumpkin visiting the city for the first time nor any envy of Li Xianzong’s wealth.

She was… remarkably calm.

As if strolling through her own backyard garden.

Hadn’t she been brimming with hope just moments ago, eager to claim this island as her own?

The four women entered Rose Manor by sightseeing car. Upon arrival, Li Jing and Anne, as the hosts, immediately went to Li Xianzong’s office. Soon after, two Filipino maids escorted An Ningqing and Xie Anran to their guest rooms.

Xie Anran grabbed An Ningqing’s arm as she was being led away. “Is this how the Li Family treats its guests? No sense of propriety whatsoever! She’s my fiancée—of course we’ll share a room. What’s the point of giving us separate rooms?”

The maids were stunned by Xie Anran’s outburst, mostly because they didn’t understand her words. Judging by her furious expression, they guessed the guest was in a rage. Some people looked even more beautiful when angry.

Seeing their blank stares, Xie Anran switched to another language and continued her tirade, spitting out a rapid-fire barrage of insults.

An Ningqing: “……”

Now it was her turn to be completely lost.

Watching Xie Anran’s flamboyant display, An Ningqing felt a strange sense of relief. For the first time, she was grateful for Xie Anran’s presence. Without her, she would have been unable to communicate and might have missed crucial information.

If Li Xianzong was truly ruthless, she feared she might die without even knowing why.

The Filipino maids exchanged glances. They understood the request, but their instructions were to prepare a room for Miss An. They hadn’t anticipated two guests and had naturally arranged separate rooms.

Exhausted and determined, Xie Anran declared, “I don’t care! I’m sleeping in the same room as my fiancée. Otherwise, tell your Mr. Li to send us away.”

Li Jing had overheard Xie Anran’s trouble-making through the security guards’ walkie-talkies. Fortunately, she came to check on the situation. She approached the maids and instructed, “Reassign them to a single room.”

Xie Anran finally looked satisfied.

The maids quickly moved them to a larger room with a king-size bed on the second floor.

As soon as Xie Anran closed the door, she immediately released An Ningqing’s tightly held hand and began frantically searching the room. She checked behind the television, behind paintings, inside bedside tables, and even under the pillows, before moving on to the bathroom.

“What are you looking for?” An Ningqing asked.

“Just checking if the Li Family really is as vulgar and tasteless as I suspect.”

An Ningqing realized that Third Miss Xie harbored deep resentment toward the Li Family, yet she had still attended their event. It was quite contradictory… She decided to leave her to it and gazed out the window, observing the tight security perimeter surrounding the estate.

“My phone has no signal.”

“The entire island’s signal is probably being blocked.”

An Ningqing thought absently that they were now completely isolated.

She turned to see Xie Anran, looking tired from searching, sitting on the sofa with her chin propped in her hand, staring at her with a brooding expression. Curious, An Ningqing asked, “So, An Ningqing, what did you do that I don’t know about to make Li Xianzong fall for you? At his age, he’s still trying to keep you as his mistress.”

“???”

“Do you even know what kind of man Li Xianzong is? He’s an old lecher who falls for every woman he sees. Even in his seventies or eighties, he’s still obsessed with finding young mistresses. Guess how many lovers Miss Anne has been? Nineteenth. Are you planning to be his twentieth?”

An Ningqing instinctively touched her waist, wishing she could silence Xie Anran with a silver needle.

“What? Did I hit a nerve?”

“I’m going to explore the surroundings later. Want to come?”

Xie Anran scoffed, annoyed by An Ningqing’s habit of changing the subject whenever she didn’t want to answer. She suddenly stood up, her skirt swaying lightly as she closed the distance, her long, pale legs flashing into view with each step. An Ningqing’s attention momentarily wavered.

Xie Anran stood before her, her hands braced on either side of An Ningqing’s body, her gaze fierce. “An Ningqing, we need to trust each other right now. Tell me honestly, why did Li Xianzong invite you to his private island?”

Their breaths mingled for a moment, the space between them too close.

An Ningqing leaned back slightly, half her body exposed outside the window.

Xie Anran narrowed her eyes, her shoe tapping lightly against An Ningqing’s. “If you don’t answer, don’t blame me for resorting to… special methods.”

Special methods? What kind of special methods?

To be honest, An Ningqing didn’t believe her.

The Third Miss was all bark and no bite.

An Ningqing smiled faintly. “I’d love to see just how formidable the Third Miss’s interrogation techniques are.”

Xie Anran clenched her jaw. “You asked for this, An Ningqing.” She wedged her leg between An Ningqing’s knees, pulling her into her arms. Gripping An Ningqing’s jaw, she pressed a fierce, angry kiss against the lips she had long coveted, as if she wanted to devour her whole.

She wanted to force those lips to open for her, to accept her, to cling to her.

An Ningqing’s eyes widened.

This was Xie Anran’s “special method”?

The sweet and sour taste of plum candy still lingered in An Ningqing’s mouth, a flavor Xie Anran adored. She greedily sucked and explored every corner of An Ningqing’s mouth, leaving no spot untouched.

An Ningqing pushed her away several times, but Xie Anran only intensified her efforts.

The wet, smacking sounds amplified in her ears, making her toes curl in mortification. The daylight streaming in from behind, the nearby footsteps and chatter of the bodyguards below—everything felt magnified, as if she were being watched.

The thought that someone might discover what they were doing made An Ningqing grip Xie Anran’s arm tightly.

Xie Anran, like a dog reluctant to part with a prized piece of meat, held the candy in her mouth without chewing, repeatedly licking and teasing it. She seemed determined to soak it thoroughly before slowly savoring each bite, leaving An Ningqing breathless.

Suddenly, Xie Anran felt a sharp pain in both elbows, followed by numbness in her hands. “Ouch! What was that?” An Ningqing seized the moment of her surprise to shove her away, gasping for air.

Xie Anran noticed two gleaming silver needles embedded in her hands. Recalling how An Ningqing’s hands had climbed up her arms during their passionate kiss, she exclaimed in disbelief, “An Ningqing, you actually stabbed me with needles!”

Whether her eyes were red from holding her breath or from the kiss, An Ningqing braced herself against the window, her legs trembling too much to support her. She brandished her weapon. “Third Miss, don’t provoke me. I have plenty of ways to make you suffer.”

Xie Anran stomped her foot in frustration, finally enduring the numbness to yank the needles out. But her hands remained weak. “An Ningqing, why is my hand so weak? Is it paralyzed?”

An Ningqing sat there, panting softly, the corners of her eyes still red as if she had just been forced to cry. But she had no time to dwell on it.

Because she felt like she was the one who had been brutally violated.

Xie Anran chose a seat as far from An Ningqing as possible, staring blankly at the woman across from her—the woman who had always seemed so gentle and alluring. During their kidnapping, An Ningqing had mentioned that with sufficient knowledge of human acupoints and anatomy, one could use an opponent’s strength against them. At the time, Xie Anran hadn’t given it much thought.

After all, even medical students with their detailed understanding of anatomy rarely managed to subdue two burly men. Only An Ningqing could do that, shining like a brilliant star.

Now, Xie Anran was forced to reevaluate this woman.

She carried silver needles and crafted elaborate sachets—the kind that cost a hundred thousand yuan.

Where did she put the silver needle?

Xie Anran’s gaze kept returning to An Ningqing’s hands. The silver needle she had used to frighten her earlier had vanished. Its effortless retrieval suggested it was hidden—in her belt. The belt had been fastened around An Ningqing’s waist the entire time.

Noticing Xie Anran staring silently, An Ningqing broke the sudden quiet. “The numbness will wear off in about an hour. Third Miss need not worry.”

Seeing the resentful look in Xie Anran’s eyes, An Ningqing couldn’t help but curl her lips slightly. “If Third Miss refrains from using such… unconventional methods on me in the future, I guarantee this won’t happen again.”

“And if I insist?”

“Then Third Miss is welcome to try.”

Xie Anran fell silent.

She unconsciously licked her lips, her tongue tracing their outline. The lingering taste of An Ningqing’s saliva remained—she had, after all, swallowed quite a bit of it. Yet she felt not the slightest revulsion.

This is terrible.

Previously, Xie Anran had dismissed the inexplicable stirrings An Ningqing aroused as mere flirtation—a game of push and pull to tantalize her, dangle the possibility of intimacy, and keep her perpetually out of reach. The woman had even haunted her dreams.

Xie Anran had thought that after tasting the “freshness” once or twice, she would naturally grow tired of this woman. After all, what remains unattainable always seems more desirable, but once tasted, it might lose its allure.

She had just tasted it.

The flavor was exquisite, leaving her craving more. Far from growing tired, she found herself even more excited by the sight of An Ningqing’s parting lips, those faintly visible hooks.

What should I do?

I think I’m gradually becoming a pervert.

The moment this thought surfaced, the spot where her elbow had been pricked throbbed instinctively.

Xie Anran stared at An Ningqing with keen interest, her gaze lingering on the red mark at the corner of her eye. She wanted to rub it until it was even redder. Half an hour? Why specify the hour? Her suspicion swirled around those words, quickly leading her to question whether An Ningqing’s claim was genuine.

An Ningqing’s unwavering tone made her sound like a fortune-teller.

If it doesn’t work, wouldn’t I just become a laughingstock for the Li Family?

Faced with the choice between summoning the Li Family doctor immediately and trusting An Ningqing’s words, Xie Anran chose the latter. An hour was a small price to pay. She crossed her arms, her gaze fixed intently on An Ningqing.

Both sickeningly sweet and scorching hot.

This reminded An Ningqing of Xie Anran’s earlier “special interrogation methods.” The woman’s aggressive nature was so overwhelming that it was impossible to ignore. After sitting for a while, she said, “I’d like to take a walk around. Will you join me?”

Of course not.

How could she possibly show her face in this state?

Ten minutes later, Xie Anran grudgingly followed An Ningqing downstairs, wearing a tracksuit and a face that screamed reluctance, displeasure, and unwillingness. Yet her footsteps kept pace with An Ningqing’s.

When Li Jing heard they were going out, she immediately arranged for four bodyguards to accompany them, adding a warning: “Don’t wander too far. My father wants to preserve the island’s natural state and hasn’t driven out the original inhabitants.”

An Ningqing: “???”

After walking some distance, she whispered to Xie Anran, “Did Miss Li mean the people who used to live here when she said ‘original inhabitants’?”

She waited for a response, but none came.

Xie Anran gave her a knowing look, her usually eloquent mouth clamped shut like a clam.

An Ningqing: “……”

She’d almost forgotten what she’d done earlier.

The four bodyguards were all over six feet tall, clad in camouflage uniforms, with radios and pistols holstered at their waists. All four were foreigners with brown hair and blue eyes.

Language barrier.

The rest of the journey was eerily silent, broken only by the rhythmic crunch of their footsteps and the occasional static crackle from the walkie-talkies.

Xie Anran watched An Ningqing wander aimlessly through the forest, her eyes wide with curiosity. One moment she was crouching beneath a tree, examining the grass; the next, she was plucking at a strangely shaped leaf. It was as if she were on a leisurely stroll through the wilderness, with no particular destination in mind.

Bored, Xie Anran yawned, struggling to imagine how she would endure the coming days. Surely they wouldn’t spend every day scrambling through the forest like mountain monkeys?

In stark contrast to Xie Anran’s listless demeanor, An Ningqing’s eyes sparkled with excitement. She practically skipped through the woods, her pace quickening with each discovery. The forest was teeming with valuable medicinal herbs: costus root, turmeric, dayflower, and white aconite, among others.

With each find, she regretted not bringing her tools. Had she done so, she could have spent the entire day exploring the forest.

Then, she felt a tap on her waist.

At first, An Ningqing thought a branch had accidentally brushed against her and didn’t pay much attention, continuing to crouch down and examine the herbs. But then her long hair was gently tugged.

It was Xie Anran, who had even wrapped a strand of hair around her fingertip, tugging and releasing it with playful rhythm.

The foreigner beside them chattered a string of gibberish, pointing first down the path An Ningqing had been about to take, then back the way they’d come, gesticulating wildly. The only person who could translate wore a smug, amused expression.

Xie Anran watched her with a teasing glint in her eyes, determined to remain silent.

An Ningqing smiled faintly. “Then let’s head back.”

Xie Anran huffed and strode ahead down the path they’d already taken. An Ningqing hurried after her, coaxing softly, “It’s a good thing Third Miss came along. Otherwise, I might have gotten completely lost.”

The corners of Xie Anran’s lips twitched upward, but she quickly suppressed the smile, keeping her gaze fixed forward. “Then hurry up and keep pace.”

The two returned to Rose Manor, where the Filipino maids served morning tea and breakfast with practiced efficiency.

An Ningqing gazed at the lavish spread, hesitating before picking up a bowl of pork rib congee that appeared to have been simmered for hours. The texture was delicate and soft, the meat on the ribs so tender it practically melted in her mouth, requiring no chewing and easy to digest. This seemed more like food prepared for someone elderly with poor teeth.

Li Xianzong must be staying at this manor, she thought.

Xie Anran shot her a curious glance.

After finishing the bowl of congee, An Ningqing didn’t touch any of the other dishes, even though her eyes burned with longing, like a food blogger who can’t resist a tempting meal. She even seemed to be on the verge of drooling, yet she didn’t pick up her chopsticks again. Xie Anran grew even more puzzled, but then she remembered how An Ningqing had stabbed her with a needle. Hmph! She picked up her own bowl and realized her hand felt stronger than before.

True to her word, half an hour later, she was completely healed.

After breakfast, An Ningqing strolled leisurely through the manor gardens under the watchful eyes of the bodyguards, this time admiring the flowers instead of venturing into the woods. Xie Anran watched from the veranda steps as An Ningqing moved gracefully among the blossoms like a flower fairy, her every glance and smile outshining the vibrant hues of the manor’s blooms.

Xie Anran’s legs were going numb from squatting. She shifted her weight from her left foot to her right, and when she saw An Ningqing bending down to smell a flower, her hand moved faster than her brain.

Click!

A photo capturing An Ningqing’s beauty, even more radiant than the flower, was now saved on her phone.

Xie Anran slapped her own hand hard. Damn it, this hand just won’t listen!

She glanced at the signal bars on her phone, then expressionlessly tucked it into her sweatpants pocket. After An Ningqing finished her leisurely stroll, the two returned to their room. As Xie Anran sat down on the sofa, she suddenly clutched her abdomen. “Ugh, it hurts so much!”

She writhed on the sofa, clutching her stomach.

An Ningqing, who had been slowly making her way to the window, immediately rushed to the sofa and knelt down. With practiced ease, she placed two fingers on Xie Anran’s wrist to check her pulse. Xie Anran’s pulse was steady. The two stared at each other, wide-eyed.

An Ningqing withdrew her hand and gently pressed on Xie Anran’s abdomen. “Does it hurt here? Or here?”

Xie Anran groaned dramatically, as if every spot hurt.

Swish!

Two silver needles appeared in An Ningqing’s hand.

Terrified, Xie Anran immediately sat up straight. “Wait! I was just joking!”

“……”

You joke about things like this?

Xie Anran was almost certain why Li Xianzong had made such a grand show of inviting them to his private island. Frowning, she asked, “An Ningqing, did you do something to offend Li Xianzong?” Before An Ningqing could answer, she muttered to herself, “That doesn’t make sense. If you’d crossed him, you’d be half-dead by now. Why would he be hosting you?”

“Could it be he’s interested in your skills?”

“Perhaps.”

Aside from not being able to tell Xie Anran that Li Xianzong was dying, An Ningqing replied, “Third Miss is truly perceptive. You’ve guessed it all.” She stood up, listlessly patted down her skirt, and said, “Don’t joke about such things again.”

For a moment, Xie Anran had even suspected Li Xianzong had poisoned their food. She had handled several dishes that morning, and if it were a lethal toxin, she wouldn’t have had time to diagnose her, let alone prepare an antidote.

“Really?”

An Ningqing hurried to the bathroom, her hands trembling as she gripped the sink. She turned on the faucet, cupped her hands, and splashed water on her face.

When Xie Anran noticed An Ningqing had been in the bathroom for an unusually long time, she hesitated, wondering if she should knock to check on her. But An Ningqing emerged, having composed herself, and without a glance at Xie Anran, leaned against the window, gazing at the scenery outside in silence.

Xie Anran suddenly sensed a hint of loneliness in An Ningqing’s silhouette. She shook her head, dismissing the strange thought, and quietly stared at An Ningqing before casually pulling out her phone.

Click.

Another photo of the beauty’s back joined the gallery.

Xie Anran glanced at her impulsive hand. Hopeless. Might as well chop it off.

Lunch was far more lavish than breakfast, with a seemingly endless stream of dishes until the table could barely hold them all. Xie Anran noticed An Ningqing ate only a bowl of rice with greens and a small portion of stir-fried pork.

“An Ningqing, are you feeling unwell?”

“Why does Third Miss ask?”

An Ningqing’s obvious confusion relieved Xie Anran. If she’s not eating even though she wants to, it can’t be because the food is poisoned. The thought made her face pale with fear.

By dinner, Xie Anran ate whatever An Ningqing ate, drawing frequent, lingering glances from the latter. Afterward, they strolled through the garden to aid digestion before returning to their room together.

The entire day had been utterly dull.

Xie Anran nearly wilted with boredom. Remembering the culprit behind their predicament, she fumed, “What does he think he’s doing? Inviting us here only to ignore us? Is he looking down on us?”

An Ningqing suspected Li Xianzong was trying to intimidate them by keeping them waiting for days. He likely planned to appear when their anxiety peaked, seize control of the conversation, and assert his dominance. But An Ningqing remained unfazed. After all, someone living on borrowed time had no reason to panic. Why should I rush? she thought. “I’m going to gather medicinal herbs in the forest tomorrow. Will you come?”

“Huh?”

“Those plants you were looking at this morning—were they herbs?”

Xie Anran had assumed they were just weeds, wondering about An Ningqing’s peculiar obsession with them.

An Ningqing picked up her clothes, dismissing the topic. “I’m going to take a shower.”

The room had only one bed. Despite lounging on the sofa most of the day, Xie Anran never denied herself comfort. By the time An Ningqing emerged from the bathroom, Xie Anran had changed into a red spaghetti-strap dress and was sitting on the bed, intently flipping through a magazine. She didn’t glance at the handsome male models on the pages, but she did steal furtive glances at An Ningqing.

An Ningqing settled onto the sofa Xie Anran had previously occupied, slowly drying her hair. She wore another white, ankle-length nightgown, exuding an aura of pure, pristine elegance.

Xie Anran tossed the magazine onto the bed and darted into the bathroom. The humid, stuffy air still carried a faint trace of An Ningqing’s Tranquil Spirit Incense. Xie Anran sniffed the air, momentarily feeling as if she were still trapped in the same cramped space with An Ningqing.

Even her breath carried An Ningqing’s scent.

She turned on the faucet, letting the cool water wash away the faint heat that had just risen within her.

After blow-drying her hair and completing her skincare routine, Xie Anran emerged from the bathroom. Seeing An Ningqing still sitting on the sofa, she immediately asked, “What are you still doing on the sofa? Aren’t you going to sleep?”

An Ningqing produced a small blanket from somewhere, shook it out, and draped it over herself. “Third Miss takes the bed, I’ll sleep on the sofa.”

The arrangement was clear and concise, as if it had been decided long ago.

Xie Anran felt a pang of foolishness. She had assumed An Ningqing would be eager to share the bed with her, seizing this opportunity after missing the last one. Wouldn’t she want to make the most of it this time?

“An Ningqing, the bed is huge. Are you doing this on purpose?”

“…I think the sofa is fine.”

An Ningqing sensed the fierceness in Xie Anran’s gaze and instinctively reached for her waist. Seeing this, Xie Anran lunged forward, pinning An Ningqing’s hands down. The resulting position—one woman on top of the other—was dangerously intimate.

Xie Anran let out a derisive laugh. “Do you really think I’d fall for the same trick twice?”

An Ningqing blinked gently. “Third Miss is too clever to fall for such tricks. But I think sleeping separately would be best for both our sleep.”

She had no desire to be crushed by a stone again all night.

Most importantly, Third Miss Xie preferred to sleep naked, and her sleeping posture was… best left unmentioned.

Xie Anran’s eyes narrowed slightly. “What are you implying?”

An Ningqing shifted slowly, but when she couldn’t break free, she simply stopped moving. In terms of physical strength, this body was slightly lacking. “The problem lies with me, not Third Miss. I grind my teeth, snore, and occasionally talk in my sleep. I’m afraid I’ll disturb you.”

Xie Anran recoiled in shock. “You… you have so many sleep problems?”

An Ningqing replied with feigned remorse, “Indeed. That’s why the sofa will do just fine for me. Third Miss, please go rest in the bed.”

Xie Anran was somehow persuaded to lie down in the bed. As she pulled the covers over herself, she still struggled to process An Ningqing’s claims. They had shared a bed twice before. The first time, Xie Anran had been drugged and couldn’t remember if An Ningqing had snored or ground her teeth—she herself had slept in oblivious oblivion. As for the second time… she had slept like the dead.

So, did An Ningqing really grind her teeth?

An Ningqing had always been a sound sleeper, sleeping through the night and waking up at her usual time without needing an alarm—except for that one night when Guan Lang gave her a cup of coffee.

When she opened her eyes, she was startled by a pair of bloodshot eyes staring back at her.

Xie Anran’s eyes were completely bloodshot, dark circles hanging beneath them. “You little liar,” she muttered.

She had been squatting by the sofa all night. An Ningqing hadn’t ground her teeth, snored, or even mumbled in her sleep. She had simply lain there, perfectly still, so quiet it made Xie Anran’s heart ache. Even when she shifted, she did so with such care, making no sound at all.

“Third Miss, did you not sleep at all last night?” An Ningqing asked.

Xie Anran hummed through her nose.

She had initially fallen asleep, but a dream about the squeaking and grinding of rats’ teeth had startled her awake. After that, she couldn’t fall back asleep, so she had foolishly squatted by the sofa, watching An Ningqing sleep.

An Ningqing felt a pang of guilt. “My sleep quality isn’t the same every night. It just so happened that I didn’t grind my teeth or anything last night. I might snore or talk in my sleep tonight.”

Xie Anran gritted her teeth. “Is that so? Then I’ll watch you again tonight to see if you really grind your teeth or snore. An Ningqing, if you dare lie to me, I’m telling you, you’re dead.”

“……”

Oh dear, she’s really digging in her heels.

An Ningqing wasn’t worried about Xie Anran’s continued vigil. If all else failed, she still had the Tranquil Spirit Incense.

Light that incense, and even the gods would fall asleep.

Without a trace of panic, she went to the bathroom to wash up. Xie Anran, finally succumbing to exhaustion, crawled onto the sofa, wrapped herself in the small blanket An Ningqing had used the previous night, rolled around a bit, sniffed the air, closed her eyes with a sigh of contentment, and fell asleep within three seconds.

When An Ningqing emerged from the bathroom, she found Xie Anran looking utterly exhausted, her brow deeply furrowed. At such a young age, she wondered what could be troubling her so much. She moved quietly, finished her morning routine with practiced efficiency, and then went downstairs.

To her surprise, Anne was already at the table.

Anne hadn’t been seen at all since their arrival at Rose Manor. An Ningqing had assumed she would appear alongside Li Xianzong. Anne smiled at her. “The maids mentioned that Miss An doesn’t seem to enjoy the meals here.”

Knowing they were being watched, An Ningqing wasn’t surprised. “Miss Anne misunderstands. It’s not that I dislike the food. I’ve been drinking too much lately, which has upset my stomach. I’ve been sticking to bland dishes for now.”

Anne looked like she understood, but not really. “I think I get it now. By the way, where’s your fiancée?”

“She was tired last night and is still sleeping.”

“Wow.”

Anne’s expression turned gossipy. “I never imagined your relationship was like this.”

“???”

What does she mean?

An Ningqing could sense the teasing and amusement in Anne’s eyes. She forced a polite smile and kept the conversation brief. Grabbing Anne’s arm, she said, “I need a large woven basket, a sickle, and if possible, a mortar and pestle, and some disposable medical gloves…”

She rattled off items like pouring beans, leaving Anne bewildered. Eventually, Anne had to fetch paper and a pen, and An Ningqing wrote down her entire list of disposable supplies in dense, cramped handwriting.

Anne didn’t ask what she needed them for, but immediately instructed her staff to gather the items.

It wasn’t until after dinner that the bodyguards delivered An Ningqing’s supplies. Xie Anran, who had slept most of the day to recover from her dizziness, asked curiously, “Ah, they actually listen to you?”

An Ningqing replied, “It’s Miss Anne.”

At the mention of Li Xianzong’s nineteenth mistress, Xie Anran curled her lip. “No wonder.”

After a full day had passed, An Ningqing, aware of the forest’s dangers at night, went upstairs immediately after dinner. Xie Anran hurried after her, waiting until the bedroom door was closed before asking, “Did you come to the cruise ship to treat Anne?”

An Ningqing was surprised. “How did you know?”

Xie Anran sprawled on the sofa, her eyes gleaming with smug satisfaction. “I smelled the scent of your sachet on Anne.”

Miss Anne had always maintained a low profile, rarely appearing in public. Rumor had it that Li Xianzong loved her dearly, treating her like the apple of his eye and keeping her by his side at all times. For such a fiercely protected woman to appear on a small cruise ship was inherently suspicious. Moreover, whispers had circulated that she had been trying IVF unsuccessfully. Combined with An Ningqing’s medical skills…

So, Li Xianzong invited An Ningqing here because of Anne’s feedback?

That seemed to make sense.

An Ningqing refused to elaborate on Anne’s illness, citing patient confidentiality. “Third Miss Xie is truly remarkably astute. I’m impressed you figured that out.” She opened her suitcase and, under the guise of retrieving clothes, rummaged through it for a long time, looking puzzled and perplexed. She was certain she had hidden the Tranquil Spirit Incense in the hidden compartment earlier—how could it be missing?

Could it have fallen out?

“Darling.”

“Are you looking for this?”

Xie Anran smiled sweetly, holding up a small box of ointment.

An Ningqing pursed her lips.

“Isn’t it just a coincidence? I got up to use the bathroom today, slipped, and accidentally knocked over your suitcase. This little thing rolled out and right to my feet.”

“……”