I Conquer the Entertainment Industry with My Medical Skills - Chapter 34

An Ningqing returned without notifying anyone. In her contacts, there were few people worth informing. Upon arriving at her apartment, she was surprised to find the refrigerator stocked with food and the place meticulously cleaned. Even the medicinal herbs on the balcony had flourished during her two-month absence, with one pot overflowing and the soil still damp—likely Su Guo had been tending to them.

As she unpacked her suitcase, she realized she had forgotten the packet of specially ground medicinal powder in Xie Anran’s luggage.

The thought of the Third Miss Xie, with her fiery enthusiasm, left An Ningqing momentarily lost in thought—a rare occurrence for her. Regaining her composure, she continued unpacking, changed the bedsheets, and tossed all her clothes into the washing machine.

After a hot shower, the lingering fatigue finally dissipated.

Lying on the sofa, she gazed at the towering buildings outside the window. Suddenly, the apartment felt oppressively quiet. She had spent most of her life in the secluded Medicine King Valley, a place she was most accustomed to.

But…

This cramped room felt empty, as if something were missing.

An Ningqing decided to rest a while longer, planning to find something to occupy herself later—even scrolling through her phone would do.

In stark contrast to her lazy lounging, Xie Anran was greeted with a warm family welcome upon her return. Xie Xuanze even left work early upon hearing the news. “I thought you were on vacation,” he remarked. “How did you manage to get both thinner and darker?”

Xie Anran rolled her eyes elegantly. “This is called a healthy tan, Eldest Brother. If you don’t understand, don’t spout nonsense.”

Bo Nianqing agreed. “Our Anran is so beautiful. A wheat-toned complexion only enhances her charm. Besides, you look so vibrant—it seems you had a wonderful time on your vacation.”

It was alright, I guess.

Mostly because An Ningqing was there.

The thought of An Ningqing visiting tomorrow made Xie Anran’s eyes light up. “An Ningqing is coming over tomorrow! You should all prepare. Oh, and she prefers mild flavors, so I told Auntie to hold the spice in tomorrow’s dishes.”

With that, she dashed off to the kitchen.

Xie Lian shook his head with a smile. “Look at her, rushing around like that! She hasn’t even had a sip of tea before diving into tomorrow’s preparations.”

Xie Xuanze had let Xie Anran stay away from home for so long partly because Li Xianzong had intervened, partly because he couldn’t reach her, and partly to see if she’d tire of it. Now, he narrowed his eyes. “It seems this ‘An Ningqing’ knows how to keep our Anran happy. She’s the first friend Anran has ever brought home in all these years.”

Bo Nianqing dismissed it. “Anran has a short attention span and a childlike temperament. If she wants to host a friend, let her. It’s not a big deal.”

Xie Lian disagreed. “I wouldn’t be so sure. When Anran truly cares about something, her enthusiasm lasts far longer than three minutes.”

After instructing the kitchen staff, Xie Anran hurried back to her room, ignoring their chatter. She tore off her blue bedsheets and searched frantically for a suitable replacement, but found none. “Auntie, do you have any bedsheets with small floral patterns in my room?”

“White with small floral patterns would be best.”

An Ningqing would like that.

An Ningqing preferred simple, elegant bedsheets. The ones she currently used were light and serene, making her feel like she was lying in a field of flowers and grass. That night, she dreamed of a pair of burning hands caressing her waist, then slipping beneath her hem like a thief, inching up her body and igniting her from within.

When she woke, An Ningqing felt utterly disoriented.

So when Xie Anran arrived to pick her up, she couldn’t even meet her gaze.

Xie Anran noticed An Ningqing kept glancing at her hands. She held them up to the sunlight, admiring their smoothness. “What, want to compare hand sizes?” she teased, grabbing An Ningqing’s hand to measure.

An Ningqing couldn’t help but glance at the pale red mole on the inner side of Xie Anran’s index finger. It was identical to the hand in her dream. She jerked her hand away so quickly that Xie Anran’s grip slipped.

“An Ningqing, you’re acting so strange today.”

“…How so?”

“Why won’t you look at me? Could it be I’m too beautiful today?”

Xie Anran confidently checked her reflection in the mirror. She had spent two hours getting ready, meticulously perfecting everything from her outfit to her hairstyle. Glancing at An Ningqing, she saw only simple, light makeup and that same floral dress. Well, whatever.

It might be a bit plain, but who cares? An Ningqing likes it.

Xie Anran was already anticipating An Ningqing’s reaction when she saw the bedsheets in her room later.

An Ningqing gave a perfunctory hum.

Xie Anran playfully grabbed her hand three times, but each time, An Ningqing flinched away as if shocked. When Xie Anran tried again, An Ningqing dodged again, finally glaring at her and threatening, “If you don’t let me hold your hand, I’ll kiss you right here.”

An Ningqing: “!!!”

On the street? In broad daylight?

Xie Anran’s mood soared as she finally secured An Ningqing’s hand. “My hands are warm, and yours are so cool. Warm them up for me.”

An Ningqing: “……”

Fortunately, few people were around to witness the scene.

An Ningqing gave up struggling, though the warmth of Xie Anran’s palm was impossible to ignore, making her feel deeply uncomfortable. “Third Miss, addiction withdrawal doesn’t require holding hands.”

Xie Anran chuckled. “Addiction withdrawal requires a daily kiss.”

Never mind I said anything.

An Ningqing let Xie Anran pull her step by step toward the grand villa in the wealthy district. Xie Anran whispered in her ear, “My parents and brother are all out today. It’s just us.”

An Ningqing casually asked, “Do they know I’m coming today?”

“Of course! I told them yesterday you’d be staying the night too.”

“When did I say I’d be staying the night?” An Ningqing was shocked.

Xie Anran pinched her fingertip, her tone unapologetic. “You promised me in the car yesterday that if you didn’t want to stay just one night, you could stay two more. I’d be thrilled.”

Soon, they arrived at the Xie Family estate.

The entire house was lavishly decorated. An Ningqing glanced around briefly before her attention was drawn to the potted plants outside, several of which were medicinal herbs. “Who in your family likes gardening?”

“My mom loves tinkering with these,” Xie Anran replied.

She pressed An Ningqing onto the sofa, then busied herself in the kitchen for a while. The housekeeper offered to help, but Xie Anran refused. Soon, she returned with a glass of freshly squeezed lemonade. “Have some. The housekeeper is making your favorite dishes for lunch.”

An Ningqing raised an eyebrow.

She took a couple of sips and set the glass down. Noticing the housekeeper preparing lunch in the kitchen and gardeners tending the lawns and lush foliage outside, she realized the sprawling estate she now owned was quite large and would likely require several staff members for daily maintenance. “Can I see your room?”

Xie Anran glanced at the sunlight streaming through the window—bright and dazzling, much like her current mood. “Of course, I’ll take you upstairs.”

Her room was on the third floor. The second floor housed the rooms of Mr. and Madam Xie, as well as Xie Xuanze’s. With Xie Wenyan away from home, she had the entire third floor to herself, making her room even larger than An Ningqing’s apartment.

Before An Ningqing could even take in the space, Xie Anran pinned her against the door and kissed her.

“You—mmph!”

“Ouch! An Ningqing, you bit me!”

Bl00d stained the corner of An Ningqing’s lips. Furious, she stomped hard on Xie Anran’s foot. “If you try to kiss me without permission again, I’ll bite you again!”

Xie Anran hissed, hopping away on one leg. “Why did you have to step on me too?”

“Because you deserved it.”

Xie Anran shot her a wounded look, then lightly licked her lips. The sting was there, but beyond the metallic tang of bl00d, she tasted the sweet-sour lemon flavor of An Ningqing’s mouth. “Didn’t you want to come upstairs?”

An Ningqing stared at her, dumbfounded.

If not for Xie Anran’s genuinely aggrieved expression, she would have suspected this was deliberate—a flimsy excuse to kiss her.

She had wanted to come upstairs, but not to be kissed!

How could her words have been so easily misinterpreted?

No, Xie Anran was definitely twisting her words on purpose.

An Ningqing, tired of arguing, quickly shifted her gaze to a row of medals. She was stunned. The wall was covered in Xie Anran’s awards: synchronized swimming, the Star Award, the China Cup…

Xie Anran grinned and opened the display case, letting An Ningqing admire them.

An Ningqing touched each medal and trophy, noticing their substantial weight. She realized Third Miss Xie had an astonishing range of interests: swimming, playing the violin, and even racing, as evidenced by a racing award. She was awestruck by the sheer volume of medals, nearly forming a mountain.

“Third Miss, you’re incredible,” An Ningqing said.

“If you like them, I’ll give you one.”

An Ningqing smiled and quickly placed the medal back. “These are Third Miss’s honors. They belong here. I’m just a little envious.”

“Envious of what?”

“You’re so accomplished.”

“Third Miss, I’m thirsty. Could you ask for another glass of orange juice for me?”

“Of course.”

As soon as Xie Anran left, An Ningqing’s eyes fell on the massive bed, easily large enough for five or six people. She quickly opened the bedside drawer. The contents were sparse and easily visible: a watch, eye drops, and an empty compartment.

Not what she was looking for.

It had to be something Xie Anran frequently used or habitually carried. What could it be?

Xie Anran wore very few accessories—just a wristwatch, occasionally a brooch on her clothes, or a necklace. Compared to girls with seven or eight earrings, it was practically nothing.

Her perfume couldn’t be the answer either. The Third Miss seemed to change fragrances frequently; otherwise, she wouldn’t have pressed An Ningqing about the Tranquil Spirit Incense. That could be ruled out.

Makeup? Wrong again.

An Ningqing’s gaze lingered on the two pillows and the plush cushion. She quickly lifted the mattress and then sniffed the pillows.

Tap, tap, tap.

Footsteps grew closer. An Ningqing swiftly tidied everything, then clutched the bear in the middle of the bed. Just as Xie Anran entered with a glass of orange juice, An Ningqing plopped down on the bed, tugging at the bear’s paws and kneading its chest and feet.

Who could resist a fluffy plush toy?

Xie Anran immediately spotted An Ningqing sitting on the carefully chosen bedsheets, waiting obediently. Her serene and docile demeanor was utterly captivating, setting her heart ablaze. She quickly handed over the orange juice and sat beside An Ningqing. “Do you like it?”

An Ningqing assumed she was asking about the bear and nodded vaguely. Her first thought flashed back to the night she’d slept in Xie Anran’s arms. So the Third Miss had a habit of cuddling something while sleeping…

No wonder.

She’d been treated like a bear that night.