I Conquer the Entertainment Industry with My Medical Skills - Chapter 25

Xie Anran opened her eyes to find the day already bright.

She stared at the ceiling for a long moment before recalling the events of the previous day. A sudden sharp pain shot through her temples, followed by a swift loss of consciousness. Without a second thought, she knew An Ningqing was behind it.

“An Ningqing!!!”

The room was empty.

Xie Anran’s shout echoed uselessly. She sat up, tilted her head, stretched her arms, and kicked her legs, finding no lingering discomfort.

“Hmph, is she a rabbit? She sure knows how to bolt.”

Meanwhile, An Ningqing was at the dining table, savoring a lavish breakfast. After discussing her dietary ‘preferences’ with Anne the previous day, the morning spread had been completely transformed. It now featured a dazzling array of Chinese street food delicacies, including wontons, pumpkin cakes, fried dough sticks, and more.

The sheer variety was overwhelming.

An Ningqing’s eyes darted across the table, overwhelmed. She quietly patted her stomach. The food was exquisite and tempting, but this body could only manage a bowl of congee, two pumpkin cakes, and… that was it. No more.

The rest would have to wait for tomorrow’s taste test.

Anne looked at her curiously. “We specifically asked the estate doctor about your preferences. He said you might like these, but you don’t seem to be enjoying them. Is there something we’re not doing right?”

As she finished speaking, a hint of disappointment and sadness crossed her beautiful face.

“…”

It wasn’t that they weren’t doing things right; it was simply too much.

An Ningqing couldn’t exactly admit she was biting off more than she could chew. Her stomach couldn’t handle such a large quantity of food. Small, frequent meals were the way to go. Overeating would only lead to a repeat of her unpleasant experience on the plane.

In short, she needed to exercise restraint.

“Miss Anne, you’re overthinking this. I actually like all of these.”

“Hmph.”

The sea king’s fishing line.

She really isn’t picky at all.

Xie Anran heard this remark as she descended the stairs. Her face was cold, and her aura was colder than the central air conditioning. Her murderous intent could be felt from miles away. “An Ningqing, what exactly did you do to me last night?!”

An Ningqing blinked innocently. “Third Miss, was the bed uncomfortable?”

The bed?

This woman dares to mention the bed?

Furious, Xie Anran charged forward. “Uncomfortable?! You made me hurt so much! Next time, let me do it to you and see how you like it!”

In this godforsaken place, she’d already been poked three times.

She could honestly say that in all her years, she’d never been stuck with needles as frequently as in the past two days—and all by the same person.

Anne, who was listening nearby, let out a “Wow!” Her eyes gleamed with intense gossip-hungry light.

She never would have guessed that the fiery-tempered Third Miss Xie wasn’t the one in control. She’d initially bet on her being the dominant one, just like everyone else. So many outsiders had guessed wrong!

At that moment, Anne felt a thrill of excitement at her discovery—the kind that comes from knowing the truth when everyone else is still in the dark.

An Ningqing raised an eyebrow. “Does it really hurt that much?”

She was used to hearing, “Divine Physician An, your acupuncture skills are divine! I barely felt a thing before it was over…” This was the first time someone had complained about her causing pain. She couldn’t help but wonder if her technique had become rusty.

How terrible.

Xie Anran huffed indignantly. “What do you think?”

Actually… it didn’t hurt that much.

About as much as a mosquito bite.

Each time, her body would register a slight sensation before she even realized she’d been poked again.

But she wasn’t about to lose face now.

Seeing Anne sitting nearby, watching their drama unfold, An Ningqing suppressed her sorrowful expression. Using serving chopsticks, she picked up a xiaolongbao and placed it in Anne’s bowl, reminding her, “Don’t let Miss Anne see us making a spectacle of ourselves, Third Miss. Let’s eat before it gets cold and loses its flavor.”

Does this woman think everyone loves xiaolongbao as much as she does?

Xie Anran vented her anger by stabbing the thin skin of the xiaolongbao with her chopsticks, causing the savory broth to gush out.

I’m already full of anger. Who needs food? She restrained herself, then suddenly turned to the angelic-looking woman sitting across the table. “Miss Anne, don’t you need to be with Mr. Li these days? You two are inseparable. How do you have time to sit here and eat?”

Anne didn’t understand the hidden meaning in her words. Though mixed-race, she had grown up abroad. Her Mandarin was rudimentary, learned primarily to communicate with her husband’s family and still spoken with awkward pauses. She smiled warmly and sincerely complimented, “You and Miss An are truly deeply in love.”

An Ningqing: “???”

Xie Anran: “???”

What the hell is this?

Does Miss Anne have vision problems?

Couldn’t they see how much she wanted to strangle An Ningqing right then and there?

An Ningqing lowered her gaze, a faint smile playing on her lips. She offered no explanation, knowing there was nothing she could possibly say to justify herself.

Xie Anran’s furious gaze burned into An Ningqing like a tangible force. She barely touched her food, the meal dragging on in the suffocating atmosphere. When An Ningqing finished eating, she rose and left without a word to the others, heading outside for a post-meal stroll.

Daily routine: check-in, check-out.

This was An Ningqing’s habit. Xie Anran, unwilling to linger with Li Xianzong’s mistress, unconsciously followed her. By the time she realized it, An Ningqing had already turned to look at her, standing amidst a riot of flowers, her smile as radiant as the blossoms.

Xie Anran’s hand instinctively reached for her phone, but the memory of An Ningqing’s past actions forced her to suppress the impulse.

She took a deep breath, reminding herself to stay in control.

What does this woman want, staring at me with those pitiful eyes?

Does she think I’ll soften?

Hmph, I won’t fall for it again this time.

Xie Anran resolved that tonight—tonight she would make An Ningqing pay.

Then a thorny rose was offered to her. An Ningqing had accidentally pricked herself earlier, drawing no bl00d but leaving her fingertip red. In a low voice, she said, “Third Miss, yesterday I pricked you with a needle, and today I was pricked by this beautiful flower. I’m giving it to you now. Will you forgive me?”

A wilted rose to appease her?

And what kind of cheap, flimsy excuse is that?

She’s not the rose. How could that possibly make her forgive?

Xie Anran turned her cold face away, refusing to look at An Ningqing’s calculated expression.

An Ningqing sighed softly, her face full of regret as she gently stroked the rose’s petals. “This flower was in full bloom, and among all the others, it immediately caught my eye—just like Third Miss, whose grace and elegance stand out in any crowd. Her radiant beauty is like a fleeting glimpse of a mythical bird, her unique aura impossible to ignore. It’s as if this rose and Third Miss were destined to meet.”

Xie Anran’s ears perked up slightly, her heart suddenly racing. An Ningqing’s silver tongue is quite impressive, she thought.

Let’s see what else she has to say!

After waiting patiently, Xie Anran heard An Ningqing’s tone shift, letting out a soft sigh. “What a pity. The Third Miss doesn’t think you’re worthy of her at all.”

With that, she tossed the rose to the ground as if discarding trash.

Xie Anran snatched the flower from her hand. “Just because I said I didn’t want it, you couldn’t ask me twice? An Ningqing, your apology lacks sincerity.” The rosebud, still glistening with morning dew, seemed to glow with a golden light under the soft sunlight—as if the rose An Ningqing had praised as unparalleled truly possessed an otherworldly radiance.

How utterly old-fashioned.

Who even likes roses anymore?

I never even glance at roses given on Valentine’s Day.

Xie Anran lowered her head to inhale the flower’s fragrance. The fresh, floral scent filled her senses, and a faint smile curved her lips. Noticing An Ningqing’s unwavering gaze, her smile faded. “This time, for the sake of the flower, I’ll reluctantly forgive you.”

An Ningqing smiled, her eyes curving into crescent moons.

I knew the Third Miss was easy to coax.

Xie Anran was momentarily dazzled by An Ningqing’s smile. She thought blankly, As long as An Ningqing doesn’t use those silver needles on me, her smile is actually quite charming.

“An Ningqing, if you ever use those silver needles on me again, don’t even bother sending flowers. Even if you gave me diamonds, I’d still kill you.”

“……”

Then I’ll just use a different method next time, An Ningqing thought.

She glanced at the sky, her smile unwavering. “Third Miss, I’m going to gather medicinal herbs. Would you like to come?”

Xie Anran lowered her head for a third time to sniff the flowers. “Sure, it’s boring here anyway.”

For their trip to the forest, Anne reassigned four bodyguards to escort them.

An Ningqing wore a white dress with small floral patterns. She tied her hair up, letting it cascade down one side, and carried a wicker basket on her back, a sickle in her hand. In an instant, she transformed from a radiant, dazzling fairy on stage into a 1970s rural educated youth, heading out to harvest pitcher plants.

This jarring shift in identity, this stark contrast, made Xie Anran repeatedly glance at An Ningqing’s floral dress.

Xie Anran followed behind her, hesitating several times before finally muttering, “You really shouldn’t let your fans see you like this.”

It would be a disaster.

An Ningqing raised an eyebrow. “My fans? Aren’t you one of them?”

“???”

When did I become An Ningqing’s fan? How come I didn’t know?

“The ultimate hater is just a fan in disguise.”

An Ningqing inexplicably recalled this online saying. Whether they were die-hard fans or bitter haters, she didn’t care. “Even if my fans saw me like this, it wouldn’t matter. If someone truly likes me, they wouldn’t stop liking me just because of what I’m wearing or what I’m doing today. If their affection is that shallow, I’d rather not have it.”

She has a point.

Xie Anran stared thoughtfully at her back, suddenly remembering the heavily hyped drama online—the one that seemed to be An Ningqing’s most popular work. Many netizens had become fans after watching it.

Is it really that amazing?

Maybe I’ll binge-watch it when we get internet access again.

Xie Anran watched as An Ningqing crouched down, using her sickle to cut the grass short or sometimes digging up entire plants by the roots. She couldn’t resist asking, “What are you gathering these herbs for?”

Surely you wouldn’t use them on Anne?

An Ningqing replied, “I’m used to it.”

In the past, she would often refine medicinal pills and carry them with her, ensuring she wouldn’t be delayed when someone needed urgent treatment. Some of these medicines were secret formulas from Medicine King Valley, unsuitable for selling in pharmacies for profit.

Thus, gathering herbs daily became an essential part of her routine.

The only exception was when she was too busy with something more pressing than herb gathering. In such cases, it likely meant something far more serious had occurred, so in a way, gathering herbs brought her peace of mind.

Xie Anran’s mind was filled with questions. Used to what? Seeing An Ningqing’s evasive answer, she decided not to press further. After all, to her, these herbs looked no different from weeds—each plant seemed nearly identical.

True to her word, An Ningqing focused solely on finding herbs throughout the journey, completely ignoring the five people trailing behind her.

Exhausted, Xie Anran leaned against a tree trunk, staring blankly into space. Sunlight filtered through the dappled shadows, still somewhat blinding. “Once you’re done gathering herbs, why don’t we go to the beach and collect seashells? What do you think?”

An Ningqing knew Xie Anran was bored out of her mind. Barring unforeseen circumstances, they would likely be stuck on this island for quite some time. “Sounds good.”

Hiss.

Sensing danger, An Ningqing followed the sound and inadvertently glimpsed a vibrant green snake coiled above Xie Anran’s head, its tail swaying gently. Its camouflage against the foliage had allowed it to remain unnoticed.

The snake’s triangular head, short tail, pale yellow belly, and fiery red eyes, tail back, and tail tip made An Ningqing instinctively glance at the four bodyguards. They stood in a square formation, all facing away from the women.

Torn between calling for help and saving herself, An Ningqing swiftly chose the latter.

The snake hissed, its body slowly rising, its vertical pupils fixed on the defenseless woman beneath the tree.

Xie Anran remained oblivious, a blade of grass dangling from her lips, which she twitched rhythmically.

“Third Miss, my leg suddenly went numb. Could you help me up?”

“What a bother,” Xie Anran muttered, but noticing An Ningqing’s limping gait, she relented. Why is this woman so delicate? she thought, striding forward with her long legs.

Almost simultaneously, the snake lunged, its jaws gaping wide. An Ningqing sprinted forward, shoving Xie Anran aside. The snake’s fangs sank into her left shoulder, narrowly missing her vulnerable neck.

She swung her scythe, cleaving through everything in its path. The snake was sliced in two, its tail end deeply embedded in the ground.

Xie Anran, shoved aside by her, stood dazed. The surge of anger and accusatory words that had been building within her vanished when she saw the snake still lunging at An Ningqing, replaced by a sharp command.

The nearby bodyguards finally noticed the commotion. A rapid burst of gunfire erupted, reducing the snake’s head and severed body to a mangled mess.

An Ningqing, standing too close, experienced the raw power of modern weaponry for the first time. Her ears rang deafeningly, and she couldn’t even hear what Xie Anran was saying, only feeling her hands trembling violently.

The gunshots echoed throughout the estate, immediately triggering the highest level of security alert.

Li Xianzong: “What’s the situation?”

The bodyguard captain spoke into his walkie-talkie, then reported, “Miss An has been bitten by a snake—a Green Bamboo Viper. It’s venomous.”

Li Xianzong raised an eyebrow, pausing for only a second. “Have Dr. Jiang bring the antivenom immediately.”

The estate was a full three kilometers from their location.

Xie Anran frantically urged the nearby bodyguards, then turned to An Ningqing, her voice softening with concern. “The venom will spread faster through your bloodstream if you move. Stay still. We’ll wait for the antivenom.”

“Why aren’t they here yet?”

“Hmm.”

After throwing the sickle, An Ningqing had swiftly sealed her heart meridian. “There should be antidotes nearby, Third Miss. Could you please find these two herbs for me?”

“What?!”

“Wait, help me get the basket down first.”

An Ningqing endured the swelling, pain, and other aftereffects of the poison, speaking slowly and deliberately.

Xie Anran was frantic. She overturned the basket, her hands covered in dark mud, without even noticing. “What does Ghost Needle Grass look like? Are you sure you’re remembering correctly?”

An Ningqing spotted the herbs scattered at her feet. Feeling dizzy, she pointed. “Right there by your foot—the one with the yellow flowers. It’s quite clingy. Bring it to me.”

Found it!

Xie Anran immediately handed the herb to An Ningqing, who plucked a few leaves and began chewing them slowly and deliberately. It didn’t look like she was eating grass at all, but rather savoring a delicacy. As she chewed, Xie Anran saw her swallow. “Can you eat it?”

An Ningqing glanced at her. “Third Miss, please chew some yourself. Mash it well and apply it to my wound.”

She was growing tired; even swallowing the herbs had cost her considerable energy.

Xie Anran felt as if she’d been struck by lightning, her mind reeling. She stared at the Ghost Needle Grass, hesitating before finally plucking a few leaves. Seeing An Ningqing’s eyelids begin to droop, she quickly chewed the leaves into a pulp and applied it to the horrifyingly swollen area. “Will this herb even work? Will eating it really neutralize the poison? You’d better not be lying to me, An Ningqing.”

There was no response.

An Ningqing lay quietly in her arms, unconscious.

Dr. Jiang rushed over, only to be met with Xie Anran’s indiscriminate fury. “You useless lot! You couldn’t even spot a snake? What good are you? You might as well pack your bags and get out!”

“And your doctor! Is he crippled or something? A bunch of old turtles! I could crawl faster than him. If anything happens to my fiancée, I’ll make sure every one of you pays dearly!”

Dr. Jiang gasped for breath, speechless.

The four-kilometer trek from the estate had left him winded. He couldn’t believe these two young women had run so far, especially since they’d taken a sightseeing cart part of the way. But once they entered the forest, the cart couldn’t proceed, forcing them to continue on foot.

You try crawling that far and see how you feel.

He took a deep breath, reminding himself that saving lives came first. Don’t stoop to arguing with a child.

After a few more self-reassuring thoughts, he hurried over with his medical kit. “The antivenom is here!”

As Dr. Jiang approached, he noticed Xie Anran was still cradling someone, her eyes rimmed with red. He couldn’t tell if it was from shouting so fiercely or… His heart softened instantly. “Let me take a look,” he said gently.

“Can you handle this?” Xie Anran demanded.

“Huh?”

Dr. Jiang first examined An Ningqing’s shoulder wound. A poultice of chewed herbs had been applied to the injury. Surprised, he asked, “Did you apply this herbal remedy? I didn’t know you knew about this.”

Xie Anran clutched An Ningqing tightly. Irritated by the old man’s dawdling and casual conversation, she snapped, “You brought the antivenom, didn’t you? Inject it now! Do you want her to die?”

Dr. Jiang chuckled, unhurriedly opening his medical kit and retrieving a pre-filled syringe of antivenom. As he administered the injection, he praised, “Your first aid measures were excellent. The venom in her system has been contained. But the Green Bamboo Viper’s venom is highly potent—it shouldn’t be underestimated. This antivenom shot will ensure her safety.”

“You mean the venom has been contained?” Xie Anran asked.

“Yes, didn’t you know? Then who applied the Ghost Needle Grass poultice?”

Their gazes converged almost simultaneously on the unconscious figure lying before them.

“Didn’t you give her the serum? Why isn’t she awake yet?”

“Is your serum fake? Don’t try to fob me off with expired stuff.”

“Call your boss right now! Tell him I said to send a helicopter immediately. I’m getting her out of this hellhole. No excuses—call him now!”

The fragmented shouts reached An Ningqing’s ears. It was Xie Anran, her voice ringing with undiminished energy. An Ningqing forced her eyes open and took her own pulse. “The residual poison has actually been neutralized.”

Without a second thought, she knew Li Xianzong must have intervened.

This at least meant that neither she nor Xie Anran were in immediate danger.

With that reassurance, An Ningqing quickly drifted back to sleep.

When she awoke again, the sky outside was pitch-black. She couldn’t tell the time. This time, she clearly felt the throbbing pain and swelling in her shoulder. Even the slightest movement left her too weak to sit up.

Sensing warmth in her hand, she turned her head to see a small, furry head resting beside it.

An Ningqing watched for a long while, making sure Xie Anran was asleep, before carefully withdrawing her hand, which had nearly gone numb from the pressure. But the moment she moved, Xie Anran’s head snapped up.

“You’re awake.”

“How are you feeling?”

Xie Anran glanced at the swollen wound on An Ningqing’s shoulder. “Does it hurt? I’ll get that grumpy old man to check on you right away.”

With that, she jumped up to call for him.

An Ningqing didn’t even have time to say a word, only catching a glimpse of Xie Anran’s hurried figure as she rushed out.

Soon, Xie Anran dragged a man in his fifties into the room. Dr. Jiang, clearly exasperated, grumbled, “You young people have no consideration for the elderly! I’m an old man—what if I tripped and fell? Don’t blame me if I sue you for staging an accident!”

“Go ahead and sue,” Xie Anran retorted. “I’d love to see you try to break your arm or leg. I’ll make sure your wish comes true.”

Dr. Jiang fell silent, muttering under his breath, “Never mind, she’s just a junior.”

Huffing and puffing, he glared at An Ningqing with his bushy eyebrows raised. “Ah, Miss An is awake! I told you she’d wake up today, but you wouldn’t believe me. Now do you believe me?”

Xie Anran hummed softly through her nose and sat back down on the edge of the bed.

This is quite the pair: an old child and a young child.

An Ningqing gave Dr. Jiang a slight nod. “Thank you for saving me, sir.”

Her voice was soft and pleasant, and she was clearly knowledgeable about medicine.

Dr. Jiang’s fondness for An Ningqing grew instantly. “The wound must be very painful. Would you like some painkillers?”

An Ningqing was actually more interested in the serum Xie Anran had mentioned, but painkillers would be useful too. She wanted to see just how advanced this world’s medical technology was. “Thank you.”

Dr. Jiang didn’t disturb her further. He handed her two painkillers and left.

Xie Anran handed her a glass of plain water. “Take the medicine first.”

An Ningqing examined the pill, which was about the size of her pinky nail. She sniffed it, then placed it in her mouth, tasting its components. A bitter flavor immediately spread across her palate. Xie Anran stared in disbelief. “Who takes medicine like that? Don’t you find it bitter? Drink some water!”

She then pulled out a piece of candy and popped it into An Ningqing’s mouth.

The sweetness instantly neutralized the bitterness.

An Ningqing glanced at Xie Anran, who had been wearing a long face since earlier. After patiently waiting a moment, Xie Anran finally spoke, “Tomorrow, I’ll have Li Xianzong take us back. We’ll get a checkup at the hospital then. I don’t trust them.”

“Do you think he’ll agree?”

“I don’t care if he agrees or not. I’ve already told him to prepare the helicopter for tomorrow, and he said he would.”

An Ningqing doubted Li Xianzong would let her leave, but she didn’t want to dampen Xie Anran’s spirits. “Third Miss, it’s getting late. You should get some sleep.”

The clock showed 1:30 AM.

Xie Anran was usually a night owl, staying out until dawn and sleeping through the day. But tonight, something had happened that shattered her understanding of the world.

She opened her mouth to speak, but ultimately said nothing. Instead, she went to the bathroom for a shower. Afterward, she didn’t bother An Ningqing on the bed but surprisingly curled up on the sofa where An Ningqing usually slept.

Seeing water dripping from Xie Anran’s hair onto the carpet, leaving damp patches, An Ningqing said, “Third Miss, you need to dry your hair before sleeping. Otherwise, you’ll catch a cold or get a headache.”

Xie Anran was too annoyed to listen.

She lay down and abruptly pulled the blanket over her head, trying to block out An Ningqing’s voice. But the enclosed space quickly filled with the faint scent of Tranquil Spirit Incense, a fragrance unique to An Ningqing that relentlessly assaulted her senses.

Ugh, she’s driving me crazy!

She threw back the blanket and saw An Ningqing standing by the sofa with a clean towel. The two stared at each other, wide-eyed. An Ningqing extended the towel. “I won’t wipe your hair for you. Use this—it’ll dry faster.”

Furious, Xie Anran snatched the towel. “Who asked you to wipe my hair? An Ningqing, you’re so annoying!”

An Ningqing pressed her lips together. “Third Miss is right. I suppose I am being a bit bothersome.”

I should just pretend I don’t know anything, she thought.

Let her sleep with her hair wet and ignore her complaints about headaches and sore throats tomorrow.

But what could she do?

She couldn’t bear to see Xie Anran looking unwell.

This vibrant, radiant girl—like a little sun—deserved a healthy body, a life free from worries, full of joy and vitality.

Xie Anran froze, the anger in her heart surging up and down, threatening to consume her. Yet this person had the audacity to speak in such a pitiful tone. She vigorously rubbed her hair, nearly setting her scalp ablaze. After a moment’s thought, she offered a dry explanation: “You… you’re a patient. You should be resting properly. Look, I’ve even given you the bed.”

An Ningqing hummed softly through her nose and crawled back into bed.

Why does that sound like she’s the one who’s been wronged?

Xie Anran choked, her breath caught halfway. The more she rubbed, the angrier she became. Why didn’t I just blow-dry my hair before coming out? After scrubbing out several strands, she finally eased up, only then realizing her scalp felt faintly sore.

Ugh.

She clutched her head, sulking on the sofa, occasionally glancing up at the figure on the bed.

An Ningqing remained in the same position, her back turned, for half an hour. Could she have fallen asleep already? So quickly? Her sleep quality is truly remarkable. Xie Anran cautiously leaned forward. “Hey, are you asleep?”

An Ningqing opened her eyes but didn’t reply.

Receiving no response, Xie Anran lay back down, tossing and turning on the sofa like she was trying to cough up a pancake. One moment she complained that the sofa cushion’s pattern was chafing her thighs; the next, she kicked the small blanket to the foot of the sofa, feeling too hot. Soon after, she used her toes to hook it back, tucking it between her legs and wrapping it around herself.

She couldn’t sleep.

Every time she closed her eyes, her mind flooded with images of An Ningqing being bitten by the venomous snake after pushing her out of the way.

That snake should have bitten me.

Why?

Xie Anran couldn’t understand it. Surely no one would risk their life just to curry favor with her.

After returning, the old man had told them they were incredibly lucky. The potency of Green Bamboo Viper venom varied, and the snake they encountered had particularly potent venom. The old man’s words seemed credible; he had determined the venom’s strength by examining the fangs extracted from the mangled flesh.

An Ningqing had nearly died from a snakebite.

Xie Anran glanced at the figure on the bed. An Ningqing had shifted to lie flat on her back, likely to avoid putting pressure on the wound on her left shoulder. Xie Anran tiptoed to the head of the bed, gazing at An Ningqing’s serene face. A few stray strands of hair had fallen across the wound.

She hesitated, then gently brushed the stray strands aside with her finger.

She stared intently at the swollen, red wound, completely oblivious to the subtle shift in the eyes of the person beneath her.

Xie Anran crouched beside the bed, leaning over the mattress to gaze at An Ningqing’s sleeping face. Her breathing was so light, it seemed like willow catkins drifting on the breeze. “Little liar,” she murmured.

Snoring, grinding her teeth, talking in her sleep?

All lies.

Xie Anran was still a little angry, though not as furious as the first day. Now her anger was only about the size of a thumbnail. She propped her head up and stared for a long time, growing more curious with each passing moment. How could the world produce someone like An Ningqing—a little liar who’s both obedient and mischievous?

The next morning, as Xie Anran helped An Ningqing downstairs, they finally saw Mr. Li Xianzong, the island’s owner, at the dining table. Dr. Jiang stood behind him, flanked by several tall, muscular bodyguards.

Anne sat beside him.

“Mr. Li, you’re quite the busy man,” Xie Anran remarked.

“Miss Xie, Miss An, my apologies for keeping you waiting,” Li Xianzong replied, his gaze settling on An Ningqing’s slightly pale face. He was already aware of the incident from the previous day.

It was just a minor accident.

However, An Ningqing’s quick thinking had dispelled his initial suspicions and prejudices against her.

Li Xianzong cut straight to the chase. “Miss An, I’d like to speak with you privately.”

Xie Anran bristled like a protective hen. “Absolutely not, Mr. Li. My fiancée was injured on your property, and you should rightfully bear full responsibility. But I’m not one to quibble over details. A person must keep their word. I expect you to honor the promise you made yesterday.”

Li Xianzong remained unfazed by Xie Anran’s attitude, even smiling slightly. “Miss An, I’d like to hear your opinion. If you wish to leave, that’s not impossible, but you’ll need to sign an agreement.”

“Since when do guests visiting Mr. Li need to sign agreements?”

It must be some kind of confidentiality agreement, An Ningqing thought.

An Ningqing gently tugged at Xie Anran’s fingers under the table. She didn’t know how Xie Anran had forced Li Xianzong to agree to let them leave yesterday, but now that they were here, she felt a pang of reluctance to leave so easily.

“My fiancée is unaware of the situation,” Xie Anran said. “Can you arrange for a plane to take her home?”

An Ningqing’s fingers were suddenly gripped tightly. She didn’t need to guess how furious Xie Anran was. A cold whisper hissed in her ear: “You’d better have a good explanation for this.”

Li Xianzong shook his head. “Please come to my study.”

Throughout the journey, Xie Anran’s face remained dark and silent, her anger radiating as she stomped ahead.

Just as they were about to reach the study, An Ningqing tugged at her sleeve. Afraid of hurting An Ningqing’s shoulder, Xie Anran struggled to free herself, but the grip held firm. An Ningqing sighed, “Third Miss, it seems you’ll truly have to stay here with me now.”

Xie Anran glared fiercely. “Weren’t you so assertive earlier, even trying to get Mr. Li to send me away? You cling to me when you need me, but want me gone when you don’t? An Ningqing, let go.”

“……”

She’s about to explode like a pufferfish.

Xie Anran soon felt the weight on her sleeve disappear. The fury in her heart churned like lava, threatening to erupt. Just as it was about to burst forth, she felt a gentle tug on her pinky finger.

She glanced down.

A delicate, adorable finger was hooking at her, teasing her like a tickle through a boot.

The cool touch on her fingertip instantly extinguished the seething flames in her heart, snuffing them out without a sound.

“Please come in, ladies.”

“I’ll explain everything later,” Li Xianzong said.

Xie Anran huffed loudly and followed him inside.

Li Xianzong’s study resembled an office. Besides a simple desk and bookshelves, there were no decorative items. Even the curtains were a drab color. Two laptops sat on the desk, along with several folders spread open. Beside them lay a limited-edition pen bearing a brand logo—the only one of its kind in the world.

A succulent plant, incongruously placed in the study, stood out like a gemstone.

An Ningqing suspected this succulent was one of Anne’s creations. The garden corner was piled high with various succulent species.

Noticing her gaze fixed on the plant, Li Xianzong picked it up and began toying with it. “I’ve always been curious, Miss An. How did you know I was dying, and with such precision, even matching the doctor’s diagnosis?”

Xie Anran gasped, her shock so palpable she couldn’t even attempt to conceal it.

Li Xianzong smiled benignly at Xie Anran. “It seems Miss An wasn’t lying to me after all. But to be safe, I must keep you both here. If my rebellious sons were to accidentally harm you, it would be my fault.”

Xie Anran was speechless.

The words sounded like a threat.

Xie Anran’s face alternated between pale and flushed as she finally understood why the man beside her had been so insistent on getting her to leave. Had she somehow been dragged into the Li Family’s inheritance dispute?

No, it was An Ningqing who had been dragged in. Xie Anran was merely collateral damage.

What is going on?

An Ningqing licked her dry lips. “Mr. Li, even if I told you about the family secret, you wouldn’t believe me. But the truth is, I came here solely to help Miss Anne with her infertility. She wants to conceive your child, and you must know that, right?”

This was common knowledge, though few dared to openly mock Li Xianzong due to his wealth and power. Most whispered about it in private, but none had ever dared to confront him directly like An Ningqing, pulling the tiger’s whiskers to his face.

Xie Anran nudged her with her foot.

An Ningqing continued bluntly, “After examining her, I found her to be in excellent health. Though she had suffered some damage in her youth, she has recovered well. Conceiving a child shouldn’t be a problem. Therefore, I suspect the issue lies with you.”

Xie Anran was speechless.

Can you just say that so directly?

Wait, hold on. Li Xianzong was a man with over a dozen children. Since his youth, he had sown his seed far and wide, fathering countless sons and daughters—genuine heirs and illegitimate offspring alike. The internet was rife with hundreds of jokes, half of them thinly veiled references to the Li Family’s scandals.

An Ningqing glanced at Li Xianzong’s expression. Good, he hasn’t lost his temper yet.

Li Xianzong gestured for her to continue. An Ningqing paused, then said, “Therefore, my fiancée and I will not participate in the Li Family’s property disputes. Once I’ve helped Miss Anne conceive, I hope you’ll allow us to leave.”

Li Xianzong suddenly sighed. “Miss An, you truly surprise me. Have you ever considered that her not conceiving might be what’s best for her—and safest?”

So the rumors are true.

Li Xianzong clearly doted on Miss Anne.

An Ningqing considered this. “Has Mr. Li asked Miss Anne about her own wishes? Or had a serious conversation with her? While I’m not yet fully versed in the medical aspects of IVF, I understand that repeated attempts, like any medication, will inevitably harm Miss Anne’s body.”

“If possible, Mr. Li should first discuss this with Miss Anne and then give me your answer.”

After the two women left, Li Xianzong’s ramrod-straight posture instantly relaxed. He sat in his office chair for a long time before making a call. “Arrange for tonight. I want to dine alone with Anne.”

After leaving Li Xianzong’s study, Xie Anran kept glancing at An Ningqing, her fingers fidgeting restlessly. She tried to hook her little finger around An Ningqing’s, but after several attempts, she couldn’t quite manage to catch that distracting digit.

“Wait a moment.”

“What is it?”

Xie Anran couldn’t help but laugh, remembering how she had shown no deference to the lecherous old man in his own study. “An Ningqing, you were absolutely breathtaking just now!”

Li Xianzong’s ugly expression—ha ha! She could laugh about that for the rest of her life.

An Ningqing looked puzzled. “Huh?”

Xie Anran couldn’t quite explain it, but she just felt that An Ningqing had looked particularly beautiful just then. She grabbed An Ningqing’s right hand and slowed her pace, mindful of An Ningqing’s injured shoulder. “Come on, I’m in a good mood today. Let’s go to the beach and collect seashells.”

An Ningqing really needed to rest, but she didn’t want to spoil Xie Anran’s enthusiasm, especially since the Third Miss had been as round and puffy as a pufferfish just moments ago. “Third Miss, I can’t use my left hand for now.”

Xie Anran hooked her arm around An Ningqing’s, completely satisfied. “You can sit on the sand and watch me collect them.”

An Ningqing hadn’t fully appreciated the vastness of the sea when she saw it from the plane. It wasn’t until Xie Anran took her to the beach in a sightseeing car that she realized how truly boundless the ocean was, stretching endlessly to the horizon.

Xie Anran carried a small red bucket and a tiny iron shovel, no bigger than her palm.

An Ningqing watched as Xie Anran squatted down and began digging, unearthing a collection of beautiful seashells. After observing for a while, she settled onto a rock Xie Anran had picked out for her. Soon, Xie Anran came running over, “An Ningqing, look what I found—a conch shell!”

An Ningqing noticed the beads of sweat on Xie Anran’s nose, but her peach blossom eyes shone with excitement. Xie Anran held up a conch shell with numerous protrusions on its surface, as if waiting for praise.

An Ningqing smiled. “Third Miss, you have such a keen eye! You’ve collected so many beautiful seashells—each one is stunning.”

Xie Anran held out the red bucket. “You like them? They’re yours.”