I Conquer the Entertainment Industry with My Medical Skills - Chapter 33

That day, Xie Anran limped back to her room and was astonished to find An Ningqing packing her suitcase. “What are you doing?” she asked.

Xie Anran had always considered An Ningqing’s suitcase a mere decoration. It contained only basic skincare products, two sets of clothes, and not even an extra pair of shoes—hardly the luggage of someone going on a trip or vacation.

Moreover, An Ningqing had only one suitcase, unlike Xie Anran, who had brought three.

The small suitcase had been left open occasionally since their arrival on the island, but otherwise, it had been tucked away in a corner. Xie Anran had never seen An Ningqing touch it before.

Now, An Ningqing was meticulously organizing the space, neatly folding clothes and placing them inside.

“I’m going to say goodbye to them later. It’s time to go home,” An Ningqing said.

“!!!”

Xie Anran completely forgot about her pain and rushed to stand in front of An Ningqing, staring intently. “Are you serious?! We’re going home tomorrow?”

The sudden joy left her momentarily disoriented. She stared blankly at An Ningqing’s suitcase for a moment. She had longed to return home, but now that the moment was finally here, she felt a strange… reluctance?

Impossible.

Clothes occupied only a third of the space; the rest was filled with medicinal powders and a mortar and pestle set she had asked the Filipino maids to bring. Xie Anran frowned deeply. “What’s the point of bringing all this back? It’s just taking up space. We might as well buy a new set when we get home.”

An Ningqing ignored her.

Some things could be discarded, like clothes and pants—they had plenty at home. But other things were etched into her bones, irreplaceable.

“Still planning to stay here for a vacation?”

“Hah! Who’d want to stay in this godforsaken place? If it weren’t for you, would I have wasted two months in this backwater?” Especially after An Ningqing had abandoned her to join that medical team, spending entire days there and later reporting in daily, busier than a corporate slave.

During that time, Xie Anran had been bored to tears. She grew so irritable that she couldn’t stand anyone. She pestered Li Xianzong until he got internet access installed in their room, then badgered the foreign mercenaries into letting her train with them daily.

When all else failed, she went surfing.

One afternoon, when An Ningqing was away, she even tried fishing… but fishing required far too much patience. Xie Anran’s patience was about the size of her pinky finger. After sitting under a parasol for twenty minutes, the sea remained calm and still, not a single fish in sight. She ruthlessly crossed that activity off her list.

Xie Anran, tired of squatting, said, “Looks like you’re the one who’s forgotten home. Are you really ready to leave?”

Didn’t you insist on bringing that instrument back to your room to study it?

An Ningqing pretended not to understand her sarcastic tone. She tried to close her suitcase but found it wouldn’t shut completely. The herbs had multiplied. She stared at the suitcase and sighed softly, “It won’t fit.”

Of course it won’t.

Xie Anran tossed the pile of herbs into her own suitcase. “Alright, your precious things won’t get lost. Hurry up and give me a massage—I’m in agony.”

Though she whined loudly, her body told a different story.

After daily massages, Xie Anran had grown accustomed to them. Each session left her feeling completely relaxed, her body light and refreshed. An Ningqing’s technique was truly remarkable. Xie Anran lay down contentedly.

“You’ve improved,” An Ningqing remarked.

“Huh? How did you know?!”

Xie Anran tried to turn her head in surprise, but the sudden movement strained her shoulder injury, causing her to yelp.

Of course I know—the bruises are fading. It’s not nearly as extensive as before.

An Ningqing patted Xie Anran’s back, her cool palms sending shivers through Xie Anran’s body with each touch, as if her heart were on fire. Xie Anran felt like a pervert, growing increasingly aroused the more An Ningqing touched her.

“Third Miss is so clever, figuring out how to evade those attacks so quickly.”

“Of course, I’m not stupid.”

If she had a tail, it would be wagging furiously right now.

An Ningqing squeezed a dollop of ointment onto her hand and slapped it onto Xie Anran’s waist—a particularly sensitive spot. Each touch elicited a strong reaction from Xie Anran. If An Ningqing hadn’t pinned her down with both hands, Xie Anran would have bolted.

“Be gentle!”

“This ointment absorbs well. How does it feel?”

Xie Anran tried to clear her mind of her secret thoughts. Her waist felt both icy and burning—icy from the ointment, burning from An Ningqing’s magical hands. It was like being caught between fire and ice. The ointment, specially formulated by An Ningqing, contained mint, giving it a cooling sensation upon application.

Xie Anran was convinced that An Ningqing’s ointment was superior to the one Dr. Jiang had prescribed.

“It’s… it’s not bad.”

“Alright, I’ll give you a jar when we get back. Don’t get yourself so injured again. A girl’s body needs to be protected.”

Xie Anran only heard the words “when we get back.” They weren’t even back yet, and An Ningqing was already thinking about getting rid of her. But once they returned, they would each go back to their own homes and families.

Xie Anran finally realized what she was reluctant to part with: not this wretched place, but the uninterrupted time she had shared with An Ningqing. Even though they had always slept separately, the thought of not seeing An Ningqing every day after they returned…

Why does that feel so strange?

She actually didn’t want to be separated from An Ningqing at all.

Xie Anran couldn’t suppress the restless little thoughts that had been stirring within her, and they resurfaced.

“What’s this ointment called?”

“I haven’t thought of a name yet.”

An Ningqing had noticed the glaring wound on Xie Anran’s back and realized the ointment in the warehouse wasn’t as effective as she’d hoped. So she personally gathered medicinal herbs and prepared this ointment to dispel bl00d stasis and promote circulation. She even instructed the kitchen to add an extra dish to Xie Anran’s daily meals.

Xie Anran asked again, “Have you ever considered mass-producing this ointment?”

An Ningqing’s hand paused slightly. She had considered it, of course, but hadn’t expected it to come up so soon, especially from Xie Anran. Given the somewhat strained nature of their current relationship with the Xie Family, a business partnership seemed inappropriate.

“I haven’t thought about that yet,” An Ningqing replied.

“You can start thinking about it now,” Xie Anran urged. “I think your ointment is incredibly effective. If you’re looking for a partner, why not consider my family?” Eager to strengthen their bond, she listed numerous advantages:

 No need for An Ningqing to find partners herself.  The Xie Family Pharmaceutical Factory has extensive reach and dedicated sales channels. * …

An Ningqing nearly found herself swayed by the offer.

“I’ll consider it,” she said.

“Okay.”

After a thorough massage, Xie Anran was so relaxed she barely wanted to speak. Noticing An Ningqing rising to go to the restroom, she stretched out her leg and hooked her arm, pulling An Ningqing down effortlessly. An Ningqing seemed utterly defenseless against her.

“Third Miss, what are you doing?!”

“I want to kiss you.”

“!!!”

An Ningqing’s scalp tingled. How could someone speak such an intimate desire so bluntly? It was so matter-of-fact, as if she were saying, “I want a steak.”

During this time, they had maintained a roommate relationship.

The only unavoidable daily routine was applying the medicine, but An Ningqing always considered it a doctor-patient interaction. She even avoided sensitive areas like the bruises on Xie Anran’s chest.

She believed she had maintained a clear boundary with Third Miss Xie throughout this period.

Since Xie Anran’s one-night “runaway” incident, she had been remarkably well-behaved. An Ningqing had assumed she had finally come to her senses, only to have Xie Anran suddenly blurt out this delirious remark after so much time had passed.

An Ningqing pounded the bed. “Xie Anran, let go! Or don’t blame me for getting rough!”

Before she could finish her sentence, the world spun around her. She found herself pinned beneath Xie Anran, who had even locked her hands to prevent her from reaching for her silver needles. “Let’s see how you’re going to stick me with those needles now.”

An Ningqing: “……”

She tried to struggle free, but couldn’t break loose. This was always the case—whenever she and Third Miss Xie engaged in physical contests, she was always at a disadvantage.

Even though she felt her own body’s condition had improved over the past month, Xie Anran’s daily training regimen was no joke. In fact, Xie Anran’s progress seemed even faster than hers.

Seeing An Ningqing’s tightly pressed lips and barely concealed anger, Xie Anran lowered her head and nuzzled against her cheek like a small animal, gently rubbing her face. “An Ningqing, just one kiss. Please.”

Her voice was low and hoarse, tinged with pleading.

An Ningqing was at a loss for words. She thought she had made her position clear last time. “Third Miss, such intimate acts should be reserved for your other half, your future partner. As I told you before, I don’t want to continue playing this game.”

“It’s not a game. I just want to kiss you.”

“……”

Who kisses someone casually? Isn’t that just being a pervert?

An Ningqing was so furious she wanted to kick Xie Anran, but she was pinned down too tightly to even struggle. Xie Anran had her completely immobilized, even untying her waist sash and tossing it aside.

This had clearly been Xie Anran’s plan all along.

The thought of this woman silently lying in wait for a month, feigning helplessness and innocence, all for this moment, made An Ningqing laugh in exasperation. She took a deep breath, exhaled, and inhaled again. “If I let you kiss me, will you stop bothering me afterward?”

Of course not.

Xie Anran didn’t answer verbally. Instead, she responded with action, her nose tracing down An Ningqing’s smooth cheek, her breath hot and scorching, making An Ningqing’s heart tremble. Even the scent clinging to Xie Anran’s body was one she was accustomed to. An Ningqing couldn’t help but turn her head away. “Xie Anran, what exactly are you trying to do?”

Xie Anran gently turned An Ningqing’s head back, preventing her from evading. “Just let me kiss you once, and I’ll tell you. Okay?”

With those words, she pressed her lips against An Ningqing’s.

An Ningqing closed her eyes, biting down hard on her lips, refusing to yield even an inch. She knew all too well Xie Anran’s ability to take advantage of any concession. If she gave in even a little, she would be forced into a full retreat, her defenses crumbling until her fortress fell. Yet Xie Anran remained remarkably patient, nibbling lightly with her lips and teeth, determined to leave her mark.

After more than a month of relentless effort, she had finally reaped her reward.

“The way you’re acting just makes me want to tease you even more.”

An Ningqing glared at her, her stubborn eyes burning with disapproval and silent condemnation, but devoid of any genuine disgust. Xie Anran’s heart skipped two beats. She realized An Ningqing didn’t hate her—no, she didn’t hate being kissed by her.

This infuriating woman.

She had almost tricked her.

Xie Anran pinched An Ningqing’s soft flesh, shattering her carefully constructed facade. As An Ningqing smiled, Xie Anran seized the opportunity to invade her territory, her kiss—overwhelmingly passionate and impossible to ignore—nearly drowning An Ningqing in its intensity.

Each of Xie Anran’s kisses left An Ningqing breathless and utterly immersed, her unique fervor melting An Ningqing into its warmth. An Ningqing gasped for air the moment Xie Anran pulled back, but the next instant, that fervent kiss swept her under again.

Didn’t you just say one kiss?! An Ningqing thought, dazed. How many has it been already?

Xie Anran kissed her until she cried—no, until her eyes reddened, especially the crimson at the corners, a touch of allure that drew Xie Anran’s lips downward inch by inch.

How can her breathing sound so beautiful?

When a hand slipped beneath her clothes, An Ningqing felt as if she’d been doused in cold water. Too far, too far! She snapped back to reality, shaking off the intoxicating atmosphere. “Xie Anran!” she gasped, her breath coming in ragged pants. “I’m not your toy, Third Miss. Stop this.”

Xie Anran froze, withdrawing her errant hand. She buried her face in An Ningqing’s shoulder, panting, and held her tightly. An Ningqing’s body had been trembling lightly moments before.

After a long pause, Xie Anran’s honeyed lips parted slightly. “What am I going to do?” she murmured. “I’m addicted to you.”

Her pupils dilated violently.

At that moment, An Ningqing’s heart also fell into chaos.

As a physician, she had seen countless addicts: alcoholics, gamblers, and those addicted to Five Minerals Powder. But even with her extensive experience, she had never heard of someone being addicted to another person.

An Ningqing buried her face deeply in the bedding, unwilling to confront this for the first time.

This was a difficult question, and she didn’t know the answer.

Her Master had never taught her what to do in such a situation. An Ningqing wasn’t even sure if she was attracted to men or women. In her previous life, she had never married, and now…

Xie Anran, however, had no intention of letting her off the hook. She had thought a kiss could fill the void in her heart, but reality proved that kisses alone were no longer enough. The desire in her heart was like a torn bag, its opening growing wider and wider until perhaps only engulfing An Ningqing entirely could fill it.

“Dr. An, what do you think I should do now?”

“……”

An Ningqing heard a hint of amusement in Xie Anran’s voice. She shifted slightly. “Third Miss, you’re pressing down on me uncomfortably. Could you please get off?”

Xie Anran released her. With a flick of her wrist, An Ningqing’s custom-made belt arced perfectly through the air, landing on the sofa. An Ningqing’s eye twitched. Without looking at Xie Anran, she crawled toward the head of the bed, putting some distance between them. “Based on my years of medical experience, the best way to break an addiction is to stay far away from the source. No further contact.”

Xie Anran scoffed. “An Ningqing, have you ever heard of someone dying from quitting smoking?”

An Ningqing fell silent, unable to continue the conversation.

Her cheeks flushed crimson, she hastily smoothed her disheveled hair. “I should go say goodbye to them first.”

Xie Anran didn’t stop her, watching An Ningqing’s almost panicked retreat with a smile.

An Ningqing hadn’t even asked if Xie Anran wanted to join her. Only after leaving the room did she realize how abrupt her departure had been. Hesitating briefly, she decided to leave the Third Miss alone for now. First, she went to see Anne. The pregnant woman was in high spirits, her room filled with the gentle strains of piano music as she practiced prenatal education. The young woman, now carrying a child, radiated vitality and joy.

An Ningqing explained her reasons for leaving. Anne froze, clearly unprepared for this news. “Can’t you stay, Dr. An? I need you, and the baby needs you too.”

An Ningqing felt like she was intruding. “Just follow the instructions I’ve written for you, and you’ll deliver a healthy baby.”

Anne remained anxious, clinging tightly to An Ningqing’s hand. Despite her pleas, An Ningqing refused to change her mind. Afterward, they visited Li Xianzong, where An Ningqing repeated the same explanation.

Seeing Anne’s reluctance, Li Xianzong also urged her to stay, but An Ningqing firmly declined. “Since you’ve made up your mind, Dr. An, I’ll arrange for a helicopter to take you and Third Miss Xie home tomorrow.”

“Thank you.”

Tomorrow was likely the day she would leave.

An Ningqing, unusually, hadn’t fallen asleep in bed—or rather, on the sofa. With her eyes wide open, she could see the night sky through the window, and she could still hear the rhythmic crashing of waves and the restless tossing and turning on the bed.

She found herself thinking about Li Xianzong and Anne, Anne and the child in her womb—people who should never have crossed paths with her. She wondered about their futures.

“An Ningqing, are you asleep?”

“……”

Unsure how to handle Xie Anran’s growing addiction to her, An Ningqing simply closed her eyes and remained silent. She reasoned that if she didn’t respond, the Third Miss would soon drift off to sleep.

Instead, she heard rustling from the bed. Xie Anran had gotten up and was approaching her with the silent grace of a cat.

Before she heard footsteps, she caught the Third Miss’s clean, sun-warmed scent, radiating a comforting warmth.

Xie Anran slowly crouched down, her gaze fixed on An Ningqing’s lips, still slightly swollen from their earlier kiss. She leaned closer, tilted her head upward, and pressed a fleeting, butterfly-light kiss to An Ningqing’s forehead before retreating.

The kiss was so gentle it felt like a feather brushing against the tip of An Ningqing’s heart.

She heard a soft chuckle, tinged with helplessness.

“It’s over. I’m beyond saving.”

“……”

After being stolen a kiss, An Ningqing breathed normally, but her heart pounded like a drum, each beat reverberating in her ears. Her hand, hidden beneath the covers, clenched a corner of the blanket tightly. She couldn’t help but think that the Third Miss’s addiction to her was severe and difficult to cure.

The next morning, they woke up early.

There wasn’t much to pack; their luggage had been prepared the previous day.

Just as on their first day, they enjoyed a lavish breakfast and strolled through the garden to digest. Xie Anran noticed An Ningqing’s lip seemed swollen. I kissed her too hard yesterday, she thought. I’ll be gentler next time.

An Ningqing tried to act nonchalant, but the Third Miss’s presence was overwhelming. “What are you staring at?”

Xie Anran pouted. “It looks swollen.”

“……”

Whose fault is that?

An Ningqing refused to acknowledge her. Fortunately, the helicopter arrived quickly. Anne and Li Xianzong didn’t board; instead, Dr. Jiang escorted them to the helicopter with bodyguards carrying their luggage.

During their arrival, An Ningqing had gazed at the scenery. Now, as they departed, she stared intently at the island, watching it shrink into a tiny dot from above.

Dr. Jiang hesitated, wanting to speak but ultimately saying nothing.

Xie Anran followed her gaze. “If you really like it that much, we’ll buy an island next time.”

An Ningqing silently ignored the “we” in her statement. “No need.”

She no longer envied Li Xianzong and his family for owning this island as much as she had when they first arrived. The island was too vast, teeming with dangerous wildlife. Gathering medicinal herbs required four bodyguards to escort her, and getting around was inconvenient. By comparison, she now missed her small apartment and the bustling city streets.

Xie Anran, however, thought the idea was fantastic. She even imagined sunbathing on the beach with An Ningqing, undisturbed, free to do whatever they pleased. Before her daydream could fully unfold, their plane landed.

Dr. Jiang escorted them through security, slipping a business card and a folder into her hand. “Dr. An, the Boss asked me to give you this. He said you’re welcome to visit the island anytime.”

“Thank you. Please convey my gratitude to Mr. Li and Miss Anne.”

It wasn’t until they were in the taxi that An Ningqing had a chance to open the folder. Inside was a property deed and Dr. Jiang’s business card. The deed listed An Ningqing as the property owner, and her eyes widened at the total land area: 5,381 square meters.

Xie Anran glanced over and scoffed, “I never would have guessed he was so stingy. Is his life really only worth this much?”

The wealthy were always trying to outdo each other, each vying for the most extravagant display of wealth.

An Ningqing was speechless.

She already felt like her life was complete.

Her estate, her herbs.

Xie Anran watched as An Ningqing examined the property documents, then put them back and began tapping away on her phone, searching for various herbs. She checked each one off, her eyes glued to the screen the entire journey.

As they neared their destination, Xie Anran recalled An Ningqing’s previous “outrageous” request. Clearing her throat without looking away, she declared, “An Ningqing, we’re almost home. Do you want to come back with me tonight and sleep with me?”

Her words rang out with unwavering conviction, echoing through the car.

Xie Anran saw nothing wrong with her statement, but An Ningqing’s face flushed crimson.

The driver ahead jerked the steering wheel violently, nearly veering off the road. A chorus of horns and curses erupted as he swerved back into his lane.

An Ningqing’s phone flew out of her hand.

Xie Anran wrapped her arm around An Ningqing’s waist. “What kind of driving is that?”

The driver, looking flustered, stammered, “I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry!”

These young people these days… they dare to say anything! I can’t compete with that, not even a little bit. Back when I was courting my wife, I barely dared to hold her hand. Even a brush of our fingers would make me nervous for hours.

An Ningqing glanced at the driver, who was secretly watching them in the rearview mirror. The more she looked, the more… familiar he seemed.

Earlier, An Ningqing’s fisherman’s hat had obscured her face. Now that it had fallen off, the driver instantly recognized her. Isn’t that… that celebrity? A quick glance at Xie Anran confirmed his suspicions—the two were the publicly acknowledged “CP pair.”

Oh my god.

An Ningqing noticed the burning intensity in the driver’s eyes and quickly retrieved her phone from under the seat, pulling her hat down low. She whispered to Xie Anran, “Let’s talk about this after we get out.”

After we get out? Xie Anran thought. We’ll just go our separate ways then. When will we have another chance? “Why wait? What’s so embarrassing about talking about it now? We live together anyway—mhmph!”

An Ningqing clamped her hand over Xie Anran’s mouth, terrified she’d blurt out something even more scandalous.

Sleeping together?

Discussing this in broad daylight?

An Ningqing felt like she was about to burst into flames. When she sensed Xie Anran was about to continue, she couldn’t help but whisper, “Third Miss, why don’t we go our separate ways tonight? I’ll come to your house tomorrow, okay?”

Xie Anran automatically filled in the unspoken words: …to sleep with you!

Of course!

She patted An Ningqing’s hand, and An Ningqing, convinced she wouldn’t say anything shocking, finally released her.

Xie Anran beamed with satisfaction. “Then I’ll pick you up tomorrow. It’s a deal!”

An Ningqing genuinely needed to visit the Xie Family, so she completely missed the mischievous glint in Xie Anran’s eyes.