I Conquer the Entertainment Industry with My Medical Skills - Chapter 40

The most agonizing part was the waiting.

To ensure the best visual impact, the production team had even brought in a small bed for them.

“Do you want me to lie down?”

“Yes.”

By the time An Ningqing slowly descended the stairs with her needle kit, Ji Yang had already proactively laid down. A staff member asked, “Should Brother Ji take off his shirt?”

An Ningqing replied casually, “Whatever.”

Seeing her confident demeanor, Ji Yang hesitated for a moment before decisively removing his shirt. The sight left viewers stunned. While he had previously shared anecdotes about his past experiences as a stunt double, they hadn’t fully grasped the reality. Stunt doubles stepped in for dangerous action sequences, but when the camera focused on his back, revealing a dense network of scars, the audience gained a profound understanding of the profession’s true cost.

Zhao Hui exclaimed enviously, “Brother Ji, these are all a man’s badges of honor!”

Ji Yang chuckled wryly, “If you like them so much, I’ll give them to you for free.”

Lu Lu shook his head. “Even if you gave me those medals, I wouldn’t want them. Brother Ji, you’ve been injured so many times over the years, especially this scar—it’s so long. How did you get it?”

A nearly twenty-centimeter gash ran across his back, looking particularly menacing.

Ji Yang replied casually, “When I was a kid, I was being mischievous while training martial arts with my master. I accidentally ran into a sword tip. I almost lost my life that time.”

Ji Yang spoke of these experiences with such nonchalance, as if all the hardships he’d endured meant nothing. This made An Ningqing feel even closer to him. In the past, she had often encountered these martial artists, fighting each other with their intestines spilling out, yet still desperately begging her to save them.

An Ningqing picked up her silver needles and explained, “This acupuncture treatment won’t completely heal your internal injuries. At best, it will only provide some relief until the end of the show’s filming. Come see me again after the recording wraps up.”

The onlookers were awestruck by her handling of the needles, though they didn’t fully understand what she was doing.

An Ningqing then began administering the acupuncture to Ji Yang with unwavering focus.

Brother Ji is such a genuine and hardworking person. I even remember watching him on TV when I was a kid—he played a sword-wielding guard. But I haven’t seen him much since then.

Only those who’ve worked as stunt doubles truly understand the hardships.

There’s barely any chance for advancement.

Waaah, this is so tragic! Isn’t this the miserable fate of all stunt doubles?

I don’t understand what’s happening, but I’m deeply moved.

Ah, are those needles just randomly stuck in? They look like they were haphazardly inserted.

Don’t just stick them in randomly! Don’t just stick them in randomly! Don’t just stick them in randomly! I’m repeating this three times because it’s crucial. Hitting the wrong acupuncture points is extremely dangerous and can be fatal.

No, no, they’re not random. As a medical student, I can tell An Ningqing might actually know what she’s doing. Her movements are precise every time. I still haven’t dared to insert a needle at the Yaoyang Pass, even after nearly five years of medical training. Look at how effortlessly she’s doing it! My professor said her skill level is at least equivalent to someone with six or seven years of experience—no, wait, at least seven or eight years!

Groundhog screeching.jpg This is making me so nervous! Why are they both so silent? It’s too quiet!

My daughter is so impressive! Tears of pride are streaming down my face. Go, An An, charge forward boldly!

Ah, didn’t An An disappear for several months before? Could she have been secretly training behind our backs?

The tension in the room was palpable; everyone held their breath. Ji Yang initially felt nothing, but as time passed, he began to feel a warm, tingling sensation around his waist, as if something were crawling across his back. He resolved to avoid causing any trouble for An Ningqing.

Keyboard warriors were like vultures, tearing at any exposed flesh.

He endured the discomfort.

Seeing him shift, An Ningqing explained, “Brother Ji, once I insert these needles, you’ll feel warmth in certain areas, followed by a dull, aching sensation accompanied by pain. You’ll have to endure this process yourself. Afterward, you’ll feel completely refreshed.”

“What if I can’t endure it?”

“If you can’t, I’ll knock you out.”

“Don’t touch anything!” An Ningqing snapped, seeing Chen Cheng’s restless hands reaching for the needles in Ji Yang’s body. “Stay away from the bed. I don’t like onlookers when I’m treating patients.”

Her words were utterly dismissive.

Chen Cheng’s eyes immediately reddened, tears streaming down her face like water from a broken faucet. “I-I just wanted to see… Why are you being so harsh?”

“Fierce? That’s an understatement. Her eyes looked like she wanted to kill me.”

Chen Cheng was genuinely intimidated, but also felt humiliated. A wave of resentment surged through her, and she burst into tears.

An Ningqing pulled out a silver needle. “Don’t move, okay? Otherwise, this needle won’t be so gentle. Whichever hand you touched it with, I’ll cripple it.”

If her earlier response was merely a lack of courtesy, this was now a complete and utter declaration of war.

Chen Cheng stomped her foot, covered her face, and ran off crying. Jiang Tian awkwardly said, “It’s too dark outside. I’ll go check on her.”

With that, she hurried after Chen Cheng.

The staff members also rushed out, fearing something might happen to the two women.

Damn, Sister An is so badass! I love her!

Ah, come on. Little Cheng was just curious. There’s no need to make such a big deal out of it.

Where did this brain-dead fan come from? She’s clumsy! Doesn’t she know acupuncture is dangerous? If something happened because of her meddling, would your helpless, dependent idol take full responsibility?

Hahahaha, “helpless and dependent” is the perfect description!

My mouthpiece, if you have something to say, say it all.

After An Ningqing’s warning, the onlookers swiftly retreated a meter. Ni Hao, who had never liked her, curled his lip and muttered, “What a temper.”

Zhao Hui stood eagerly at the edge of the crowd, watching with great interest. “Is it really that miraculous?”

Only Xi Jingya and Lu Lu remained rooted to the spot. Lu Lu was still curiously asking Ji Yang about his current sensations. Ji Yang replied honestly, “It felt a little hot earlier, and now it’s a bit sore and achy, but it’s manageable. I can handle it.”

Treatment is bound to be painful, he thought. I’ve endured far worse before.

“Wow, it really is amazing!”

“Sister An, please check me too! Is there anything wrong with me?”

“……”

An Ningqing smiled faintly. “My services aren’t cheap.”

Lu Lu’s eyes widened. “I have money! Give me a needle too! I’ve heard you acupuncturists are incredibly skilled.” But he wasn’t reckless; he cautiously asked, “Do you know what’s wrong with me?”

No one had ever seen someone so eager to get needled. The crowd was torn between laughter and disbelief at Lu Lu’s enthusiasm. An Ningqing, however, didn’t laugh. Instead, she asked, “Does your throat often hurt? Do you feel like something’s stuck in it, even though hospital tests show nothing’s wrong?”

Holy sh1t, is that something you can just ask?

Lu Lu is a singer-dancer, and his most crucial asset is his voice. It’s like a pianist’s hands or an artist’s inspiration—an indispensable treasure.

Yet, instead of getting angry, Lu Lu’s eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets. He exclaimed excitedly, “Sister An, Sister An, you’re incredible! How did you know? My manager told me not to mention this to anyone, but she secretly took me to the hospital for tests. The doctor said I’m perfectly healthy!”

He’d undergone tests for everything—pharyngitis, tonsillitis, and more—but nothing showed up.

Still, his throat often felt scratchy, hindering his performance. Yet he couldn’t speak about it, a problem that had plagued him for ages.

The others: “!!!”

Can you just say that?! Ahhh!

Xi Jingya chuckled. “An An, did you figure this out too?”

If so, what secrets could any of them possibly keep from An Ningqing?

Lu Lu remained oblivious to the storm his words had stirred up. Even if he knew, he probably wouldn’t care. His eyes sparkled as he stared at An Ningqing, who carefully explained, “I noticed you often keep a candy in your mouth, and your voice suddenly pauses when you hit high notes…”

They were all subtle details that no one would normally notice.

The others stood frozen, like chickens staring at a hawk. After a moment of careful reflection, they realized she was right. But who would ever think to look for such things?

Lu Lu, as if he’d finally found a kindred spirit, couldn’t help but complain, “I don’t even like sweets that much, but what else can I do? Sucking on a candy soothes my throat a little. Sister An, since you’ve figured out my problem, do you have a solution?”

He practically had “Please, please” written all over his face.

An Ningqing nodded. “I do, but we’ll have to wait until the show is over.”

She didn’t have any medication she could freely administer on hand.

Lu Lu let out a groan. “Why wait? Can’t you help me now? Like you did for Brother Ji—just give me a couple of acupuncture needles.”

An Ningqing patiently explained, “Your situation is different from his. I was only temporarily relieving his discomfort to prevent his injury from worsening. Your condition requires medication, and we don’t have any here.”

Holy sh1t, holy sh1t, holy sh1t! What did our Lu Lu just reveal?

The singing and dancing prince is actually sick? You’d never know it! The company’s been keeping this under wraps like crazy. You guys really think you can treat us fans like fools?

Oh my god, isn’t this supposed to be a survival show? How did it turn into exposing shocking secrets about idols?

We’re doomed! This kid blurts out everything. He has a concert before New Year’s—will it even happen now?

Is An Ningqing cursed? First Ji Yang, then Lu Lu—it’s like they’re possessed.

What does this have to do with our An An? Lu Lu confessed everything himself! She only noticed his physical condition, and now she’s getting dragged into this mess.

Aaaah, I’m dying of anxiety! What’s wrong with him? Can it be cured? Noooo, my precious Lu Lu!

#JiYang’sStuntDouble #AnNingqing’sMedicalSkills #LuLu’sConfession

One explosive topic after another dominated the trending searches. Lu Lu’s confession nearly made his manager faint from rage.

Meanwhile, the subject of the scandal, Lu Lu, was happily trailing after An Ningqing like a little tail, peppering her with questions. It wasn’t until Ji Yang groaned in pain that everyone’s attention reluctantly shifted back to him. “Brother Ji, you’re sweating so much.”

By the coastal area at night, the temperature was significantly cooler than during the day.

At least a woman like Xi Jingya had wrapped a silk scarf around her long dress. But on Ji Yang’s face and body, large beads of sweat dripped down, especially on his back, where the muscles tensed and bulged with pain.

“Will he be alright?”

“If he can endure this pain, he’ll feel much better afterward.”

An Ningqing glanced indifferently at Chen Cheng, then lost interest in him. “Tell me if you can’t take it anymore.”

Ji Yang bit down on his wrist. “I can handle it.”

The director, watching the program’s soaring online traffic, grinned so wide his eyes disappeared. In less than a day, the show’s popularity had already surpassed the entire first season by a full percentage point. The staff had been anxious about potential live broadcast mishaps, so they had arranged for a surgeon to be on standby, originally intended for all eight guests in case of emergencies.

The group anxiously accompanied Ji Yang through his most agonizing moments. Those five minutes felt like half a century.

“It’s done.”

“Phew.”

Everyone couldn’t help but exhale in relief.

Ji Yang was drenched in sweat, as if he had shed a layer of skin.

An Ningqing calmly withdrew the needles and methodically cleaned up, acting as if she had merely handled a minor task.

Lu Lu gasped for breath, patting his chest. “Brother Ji, you looked terrifying just now! The veins on your forehead were bulging. How are you feeling now? Still in pain?”

Ji Yang felt like he was about to collapse from exhaustion, but knowing the livestream viewers were waiting for his feedback, he planned to say he was much better soon. He struggled to sit up, began dressing, and then twisted his waist after getting out of bed. He let out a surprised “Huh! My back feels much looser now.”

As Ji Yang’s movements grew more vigorous, even starting to practice boxing, An Ningqing’s eye twitched. She couldn’t help but interrupt, “Brother Ji, if you don’t want to ruin your back, you’d better stop doing those boxing forms.”

The boxing forms were too forceful and intense, no longer suitable for Ji Yang’s condition.

Ji Yang froze awkwardly, immediately retracting his fist like an obedient schoolboy. “Okay, okay, haha, I was just testing it out. An An, your acupuncture is truly amazing! I feel so light now, I could probably kill a bull with my bare hands!”

An Ningqing was speechless.

This is beyond ridiculous.

But she said nothing, merely asking the production team if they could go upstairs to rest.

The day had already been explosive enough. The director, taking pity on them, waved his hand and dismissed them.

An Ningqing and Xi Jingya went upstairs. The room also had cameras, which Xi Jingya covered with her clothes. She picked up the jar of ointment from the table. “Did you know all along?”

An Ningqing glanced back at her. “Yes.”

Xi Jingya’s heart, which had been hanging in suspense all day, finally settled. She said dejectedly, “I thought I was hiding it so well.”

When someone is injured, no amount of concealment can completely hide it. Moreover, An Ningqing habitually paid close attention to body language. People might lie with their words, but their bodies never do, revealing their true state.

Xi Jingya’s style of dress was similar to An Ningqing’s, almost always wearing long, concealing skirts. For An Ningqing, it was a lifelong habit, ingrained over decades and difficult to change. For Xi Jingya, it was a deliberate attempt to hide her injury.

Jiang Tian and Chen Cheng were dressed in a modern, stylish manner, a stark contrast to the two old-fashioned women.

Rarely encountering someone dressed similarly to herself, An Ningqing couldn’t help but feel curious. Her curiosity quickly revealed several inconsistencies, especially since Xi Jingya’s attempts at concealment were rather clumsy.

“This ointment will help ease your discomfort,” An Ningqing said.

“Has the Third Miss actually used this herself?” Xi Jingya asked.

An Ningqing paused, her mind drifting back to the time Xie Anran had endured pain on the island, all for the sake of finally subduing her and stealing a kiss.

Her cheeks flushed suddenly, and she hastily pushed the ointment across the table. Xi Jingya accepted it this time, realizing it had indeed been prepared for her. Her usually cold, aloof features softened. “Thank you,” she murmured.

Then An Ningqing explained, “She studied Sanda martial arts for a while and was covered in bruises. So I made this ointment for her. You have to rub it in vigorously until your palms feel warm. When I asked if it helped, she said it was ‘okay.'”

She described the process in detail, and Xi Jingya listened intently.

The thought of the Third Miss’s stubbornness brought a smile to An Ningqing’s eyes.

“You two are really close,” Xi Jingya said, picking up the medicine jar and heading to the bathroom. As she removed her clothes, the full extent of her bruises and cuts became visible, some even bleeding. The injuries looked far more horrifying than the wounds on Ji Yang’s back.

A closer look revealed that these marks were anything but romantic. They were clustered, irregular, and included burns.

Xi Jingya stared at her battered reflection in the mirror, tears streaming down her face.

What are they talking about? I don’t understand.

Yeah, what does “something to make her feel better” mean?

Hehe, I only understood one thing: An An and the Third Miss are really close.

An Ningqing’s shippers are going crazy for crumbs! How can you say they’re close based on a few photos and a vague comment? The Xie Family hasn’t confirmed anything—it’s all An Ningqing trying to ride their coattails for clout.

The commenter above is an idiot. Didn’t you hear? The Third Miss was injured, and An An even applied medicine for her.

That proves nothing. It’s all An Ningqing’s word.

An Ningqing waited for Xi Jingya to emerge from the bathroom, noticing the strong herbal scent clinging to her. Her gaze fell on the ointment jar, now more than half-empty. Neither spoke as An Ningqing took her clothes and went to shower.

They remained awake all night.

Meanwhile, the internet was in an uproar. An Ningqing’s CP fans and career stans clashed fiercely, tearing each other apart with savage intensity. The chaos only subsided when Xie Anran woke up the next morning to find the online landscape had been completely transformed.

Having burned Tranquil Spirit Incense the previous night, she had slept soundly.

She leisurely reviewed the online drama, traced the source of the conflict, and screenshotted the ointment jar. Then, she posted on her WBo: “Dr. An’s creations are always top-tier. Tested and proven effective! 😉😉😉”

“Ooh, she called her ‘Dr. An’!”

“I feel like this just unlocked a whole new level of roleplay.”

“Aaaah, Third Miss and An An are real! What do you haters have to say now?”

“Why didn’t you show up sooner? I’ve been fighting online all night!”

“The previous comment is hilarious, xswl.”

“I’ll bring the marriage registry to you myself. When are you two getting married? I need to prepare my wedding gift money!”

Seeing this comment, Xie Anran casually liked it.

The director had been watching the show’s viewership numbers skyrocket since morning, and his gaze toward An Ningqing had softened considerably. Almost all the surge in viewership was due to her attracting viewers.

At five in the morning, the guests were roused by staff members knocking on their doors.

Still half-asleep, some of them, like Zhao Hui and Ni Hao, who habitually stayed up late gaming, had only fallen asleep in the early hours and looked like they could doze off standing up. An Ningqing and Xi Jingya, who had gone to bed earliest, were the most alert, as An Ningqing routinely woke up at this hour.

“From this moment forward, you will embark on a three-day wilderness survival challenge. If anyone cannot adapt or sustains an injury, they may choose to withdraw by firing a signal flare. The contestant who endures to the end or eliminates all others will be crowned this season’s champion and will have the opportunity to win a five million yuan prize.”

“Five million yuan!”

“Why is the production team suddenly being so generous? I’m a bit overwhelmed.”

“Well, there’s no helping it, everyone. The battle for the championship is about to begin. Please show some mercy and let me win!”

“Get lost, Hui-ge! Go play somewhere else.”

An Ningqing blinked lightly. The previous season’s reward hadn’t been cash, but five million yuan sounded quite appealing. Sharing her sentiment, everyone else seemed to have been jolted awake by the prospect of such a substantial prize.

Survival in the Wilderness was already a popular variety show. The contestants had joined primarily to gain more exposure and attract more followers. With money and fame, it seemed like the perfect opportunity.

All four teams set off with high spirits, each convinced they would win. But after just two hours of trekking, their championship dreams began to fade, especially for Lu Lu, the pampered son of a wealthy family. Clutching his stomach, he whined, “I’m so hungry, Sister An! Are you hungry too?”

“Starving,” An Ningqing replied.

An Ningqing and Lu Lu were a team, heading east while the other teams chose different directions.

Lu Lu, looking utterly dejected, muttered, “The show promised supply drops with food. Let’s try to find one.”

An Ningqing nodded. “Alright.”

But finding a supply drop wasn’t easy; it was mostly a matter of luck. Though An Ningqing readily agreed, her attention remained focused on the berries. She gathered them as they walked, collecting quite a variety: large and small, red, black, and yellow.

“Want some?”

“Are they safe to eat?”

An Ningqing wiped a berry on her sleeve, initially intending to swallow it whole. But something made her pause. She peeled the skin off and ate it, maintaining a neutral expression as she consumed several. Lu Lu immediately began circling her like a puppy, begging, “Sister An, Sister An, I want some too!”

An Ningqing gave half to Lu Lu, who wiped it off and popped it into his mouth. “Huh, it’s actually sweet!”

As he tried each type of fruit, Lu Lu automatically described them to the livestream viewers. “This one’s so sour! Sister An didn’t even warn me. But this one’s sweet, and this one’s a bit bitter. Wow, the black ones are the best—I love the sweet and sour taste!”

Are these fruits really edible? Won’t they poison you?

Yes, they are. I looked it up—the black fruit Lu Lu’s holding is called nan zhu, similar to blueberries. Not only is it non-toxic, but it’s also quite nutritious. The red ones are raspberries, sweet and sour, but they might be unripe, which is why Lu Lu finds them so sour…

I don’t recognize any of these. If I were doing wilderness survival, I’d be the first one eliminated—I wouldn’t even last a day.

Thank goodness our silly son is with Sister An, or he’d starve to death. bowing.jpg

Thank you, Sister An, for saving his life! prostrating.jpg

Lu Lu and An Ningqing at least managed to fill their stomachs with the fruits, preventing themselves from becoming weak with hunger. The others weren’t so lucky. Most of them didn’t recognize these fruits, let alone dare to pick them and take a bite. What if they were like poisonous mushrooms? Eat one and drop dead—they’d be the first ones eliminated, and the internet would never let them live it down.

The other three teams were still searching for the supplies hidden by the production crew. However, some teams, like Jiang Tian and Xi Jingya’s, got lucky and spotted their supplies right away.

The supplies were placed high in a tree fork, securely wedged in place. If Jiang Tian hadn’t had such sharp eyes, they might have missed them entirely.

But the height posed a challenge.

Jiang Tian broke off a branch and tried to hook the supplies, but it was too short. Xi Jingya, who was ten centimeters taller, noticed Jiang Tian struggling on tiptoe. “Let me try,” she offered.

Jiang Tian smiled sweetly. “Please, Sister Ya, you’re so kind and beautiful!”

Xi Jingya took the branch and jumped several times, but still couldn’t reach the supplies. She decided to climb up a bit and sweep the supplies down with the branch. Jiang Tian, with her short legs, couldn’t climb at all. “Waaah, I hate the production crew!” she wailed.

It felt like dangling a piece of meat in front of them without letting them eat it.

“Now everyone knows I have short legs! They’re probably laughing at me. I don’t want to live anymore! Waaah!”

“I’ll give it a try,” Xi Jingya said.

Xi Jingya was wearing long pants today, which made climbing easier. However, the exertion aggravated her injuries, causing her to break into a cold sweat. She managed to climb up in one go, but twisted her ankle slightly on the way down. She ignored it.

The supplies were generous: bread, water, and instant noodles—but there was only one portion of each.

Jiang Tian nearly cried, “So stingy!”

They had to split the palm-sized bread in half. Fortunately, both women were conscious of their figures and didn’t eat much anyway.

After discussing it, they decided to save the instant noodles for lunch or dinner, since Xi Jingya had a flat-bottomed pan. “We can gather some wild vegetables then, and if we’re lucky, we might find another supply drop.”

After a quick snack, they continued their journey.

Even worse off were Chen Cheng and Zhao Hui. They hadn’t found any supplies or water, and they stumbled along, their stomachs growling and their vision blurring from hunger.

Ji Yang and Ni Hao at least knew to fish and shrimp in the river. Then Ni Hao tripped and stumbled upon a supply drop—pure dumb luck.

As the live stream cameras rotated through the groups, viewers still preferred to stay tuned to An Ningqing and Lu Lu’s channel.

My dumb son is only surviving because of Sister An. Dumb luck for the dumb!

What are they doing?

I heard they’re trying to wait for a chicken to walk into their trap. Sigh, if you really want to know, just watch the replay.

While gathering medicinal herbs, An Ningqing had stumbled upon chicken droppings, suspecting chickens might be nearby. Eager for a proper meal, Lu Lu volunteered to catch one. The pair then crafted a makeshift tripwire snare to catch their prey.

The trap was made from branches and silk threads from their clothes.

Lu Lu’s shirt was missing a piece of fabric, exposing his stomach and making him look particularly comical. He didn’t seem to mind his tattered appearance, instead using a pot lid to cover his exposed belly. “Sister An, how do you know how to do everything? Do you really think this will catch a chicken?”

An Ningqing considered that if they failed to catch a chicken, they could try catching fish near a water source. “Let’s give it a try. At least catching one chicken would be enough to half-fill your stomach.”

Unfortunately, she hadn’t chosen the pot earlier. It looked particularly bulky and heavy, which would have been exhausting to carry. Moreover, she hadn’t planned on making a fire for hot food. The wilderness at night was too dangerous; lighting a fire would be suicidal. But plans rarely survive first contact with reality. She hadn’t anticipated teaming up with Lu Lu, so she was grateful he at least had a pot lid they could repurpose.

Lu Lu thought about it and realized she was right. His stomach began to rumble loudly, betraying his hunger. He stared at the trap a short distance away, his mouth watering. He was truly starving. As a fully grown man standing at 1.85 meters tall, a single packet of fruit was nowhere near enough to satisfy his appetite.

But when he remembered that he had taken half of An Ningqing’s fruit, he clamped his mouth shut, letting his stomach rumble in protest.

Who isn’t hungry? Everyone’s starving. Even An Ningqing hasn’t complained once. Am I worse than a girl?

Lu Lu swallowed hard.

Fortunately, they didn’t have to wait long.

A rooster sauntered into view, pecking leisurely at the grass as it strutted forward with an air of oblivious self-importance.

Holy crap, this rooster doesn’t look wild. Is it domesticated?

Could the production team have planted it here to keep the guests from starving?

Excitedly rubbing hands.jpg

So hyped! Hurry up and get it! Look how hungry my son is—his eyes are practically glowing with hunger!

It wasn’t just the online viewers urging the rooster into the trap; Lu Lu and An Ningqing were also watching intently as it stepped into the snare. Lu Lu pounced, startling the bird, which flapped its wings frantically to escape before being pinned against his chest.

“Aha! Sister An, I caught it!”

“Good job,” An Ningqing replied.

Lu Lu’s fans were practically celebrating worldwide. Look at our silly son, covered in feathers and still grinning like an idiot!

Waaah, it’s so heartbreaking!

Next came the task of killing the chicken.

An Ningqing instructed him to carry the bird and follow her. “We need to go to a water source. The bl00d will attract other animals in the area.”

Lu Lu had completely become her little fanboy. “Wow, Sister An, you know so much!”

When they reached a water source, An Ningqing handed him the knife and told him to kill the chickens nearby. She borrowed his pot lid to boil some water, waited for it to cool completely, and then poured it into their water bottles. After that, she boiled another lidful of hot water.

By the time she finished these tasks, Lu Lu was still brandishing her knife at the chickens’ necks, trying to intimidate them. “Listen up, I’m giving you five more minutes to live. After that, you’re our dinner. Any last words?”

An Ningqing looked down at him from above. “You can’t kill a chicken.”

Lu Lu was speechless.

He knew how to eat chicken, but this was his first time killing one.

Lu Lu didn’t want to admit he was scared, but staring into the chicken’s beady eyes, he suddenly didn’t know how to proceed. A quick slash across the neck seemed fastest, but should he stab directly or slice horizontally? He couldn’t decide which method would be quicker and more merciful.

An Ningqing, exasperated, snatched the knife from his hand, grabbed the chicken, and strode to an open area. With a swift, decisive motion, she slit the chicken’s throat.

Her movements were smooth and efficient, like silk.

Lu Lu’s mouth dropped open in an O-shape.

Next came An Ningqing’s solo performance. With an expressionless face, she bled the chicken, then scalded it by placing it on the lid of the pot of boiling water. After plucking the feathers and washing it clean, she skillfully gutted the bird, discarding the organs to the side. She stuffed the cavity with washed herbs and rubbed salt on the outside.

Noticing the seasoning packet’s salt was insufficient, An Ningqing crushed the remaining fruits and smeared their juice over the chicken’s surface.

Lu Lu squatted nearby, watching. “What kind of chicken are we making?”

An Ningqing hesitated. “Beggar’s chicken? Or roasted chicken?”

Lu Lu’s eyes widened. “Sister An, you even know how to make beggar’s chicken? Is there anything you can’t do?”

She wasn’t actually very skilled at it, but she had observed the process many times. “We lack proper tools and seasonings, so the beggar’s chicken might not taste amazing, but it will definitely fill our stomachs.”

Lu Lu was already satisfied. “If it weren’t for you, Sister An, I’d probably be gnawing on tree bark right now. Instead, we’re having beggar’s chicken! I’m not picky at all. I’ll eat whatever you make, Sister An.”

While they worked, An Ningqing gathered more herbs from the surroundings. When she returned, she found Lu Lu had caught two lively fish. “Sister An, we’re going to have a feast for lunch!”

An Ningqing handled the final fish cleaning, as Lu Lu was utterly useless. He could only eat. Lu Lu had already dropped to his knees, groveling, “Sister An, I’m just a useless bum compared to you! Please don’t abandon me!”

An Ningqing sighed, “Watch closely. You’ll do it yourself next time, or you’ll be chewing on tree bark. Your choice.”

Lu Lu: “!!! I’ll learn right away!”

In stark contrast to An Ningqing’s relaxed atmosphere, Jiang Tian and Xi Jingya were faring worse. Having failed to find any other supply packs, they boiled wild vegetables and instant noodles together for lunch, even drinking the broth dry.

With no dinner in sight, they could only hope to find more food in the afternoon.

The fortunes of Chen Cheng and Zhao Hui had reversed. Zhao Hui caught a rabbit, and the pair roasted it, enjoying a surprisingly satisfying meal.

The only thing that truly astonished viewers was Ji Yang and Ni Hao. These two burly men, who had initially struggled to fill their stomachs with meager catches from the sea, suddenly found Ni Hao, full and content, turning to Ji Yang and asking, “Are you a fan of An Ningqing?”

Ji Yang was completely taken aback by the question.

Ni Hao wore an “I knew it” expression. “An Ningqing must have been faking it. She’s a cunning woman. Did you two agree beforehand to create this ‘Dr. An’ persona? What did she promise you in return?”

Before he could finish, Ji Yang lunged forward. His clenched fist, originally aimed at Ni Hao’s face, inexplicably tore off Ni Hao’s name tag instead.

Ni Hao has been eliminated.

Everyone: “??????”

That move was brilliant!

Holy sh1t! Are they fighting each other? Wait, how did he get eliminated?

Looks like Ni Hao’s trash-talking backfired. Ji Yang wanted to punch him, but instead chose to eliminate him. 666!

I declare Brother Ji my new god!

Pfft! Good riddance!

Serves you right for running your mouth, Ni Hao! You’re the most foul-mouthed person I’ve ever seen. What were the directors thinking when they cast you?

The netizens rejoiced at Ni Hao’s elimination.

Ni Hao, however, was going ballistic. Five million yuan—his five million yuan—gone just like that. “You fucking bastard, Ji Yang! Are you out of your mind? You eliminated me? I—”

A staff member immediately appeared, covering his mouth and dragging him away. Ji Yang spat viciously at him, “Teaming up with you was my bad luck. I hate men who gossip about women behind their backs more than anything in this world.”

Lu Lu’s eyes widened. “Is the competition really this fierce? It’s only the first day!”

Seeing him still focused on gnawing on the chicken leg, An Ningqing simply gave him the other one. The beggar’s chicken didn’t taste as good as the original; the seasoning was insufficient, leaving some parts bland. The grilled fish still smelled better. “Eat more. You’ll need the energy to run later.”

Lu Lu accepted without hesitation, devouring most of the chicken. “Sister An, what should we have for dinner?”

An Ningqing didn’t need much for dinner, and food was scarce anyway. She could easily make do with something simple, like fruit. “You catch fish this afternoon, and I’ll gather some fruit. We’ll just make do.”

Lu Lu thumped his chest confidently. “Leave it to me.”

The afternoon passed slowly. Lu Lu spent the time fishing in the water, managing to catch three fish. An Ningqing gathered a good amount of fruit. By evening, Lu Lu had already set up the fish-grilling rack with practiced ease, expertly gutting the fish and sprinkling seasoning.

Before my son joined this wilderness survival show, he couldn’t even kill a fish. Now he can not only kill them but also grill them! This proud mother sheds tears of joy, grateful to Sister An, the production team, and the director for their meticulous guidance.

I bet it doesn’t taste good. Just look at An An’s disgusted expression.

The only world where Sister An gets injured has been achieved. Bitter.jpg

Silly son, if you offer her that fish again, Sister An might murder you in your sleep! Don’t forget, teammates can still harm each other (just kidding… mostly).

Lu Lu, grilling fish for the first time, exuded an inexplicable confidence. He believed his grilled fish, while not gourmet, was still quite delicious—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and delightfully crunchy with each bite. He even saved a piece specifically for An Ningqing.

An Ningqing coldly refused.

As night approached, An Ningqing opened her tent. Lu Lu rushed to set it up for her. “Sister An, are we sleeping here tonight?”

An Ningqing doused their earlier campfire with water. “Yes. If you’re scared, you can sleep in a tree, but if you roll over in your sleep, you might fall.”

Lu Lu: “……”

He politely declined this terrifying suggestion.

Lu Lu took out his small blanket and huddled beside An Ningqing’s tent.

An Ningqing crushed medicinal herbs, sprinkled the juice on the ground, and then went inside her tent to sleep. But shortly after lying down, she heard Lu Lu’s trembling voice from outside, “An… Sister An, did you hear something?”

An Ningqing listened carefully. The rustling sound outside was just the wind. “No.”

Half an hour passed.

Lu Lu began to tremble again. “Sister An An, I think I hear wolves howling. Can you hear it?”

An Ningqing rolled over, wanting to ignore him.

But the more she ignored him, the more Lu Lu persisted. “Sister An, are there wolves nearby? It really sounds like howling. Should we move somewhere else to sleep? What if they come while we’re asleep…?”

Blah blah blah blah.

The wolf howls were very distant.

Even with her hands covering her ears, An Ningqing could still hear Lu Lu’s incessant rambling. She suddenly sat up and unzipped the tent. “Come here.”

Lu Lu practically crawled over. An Ningqing handed him a box of Tranquil Spirit Incense. “Apply this under your nose. Even if wolves come, they won’t bother you.”

“Is it really that effective?”

“Mm-hmm.”

Lu Lu scooped up a bit of the ointment and applied it to his nose. “It smells so good, Sister An!”

An Ningqing watched him for a moment. Lu Lu’s eyelids began to droop, drowsiness suddenly overwhelming him. He struggled to retreat before collapsing onto his small blanket. An Ningqing wrapped the blanket around him and sprinkled some medicinal herbs on top. Throughout this, Lu Lu slept like a little pig. “Don’t worry, it’s just a Tranquil Spirit Incense ointment. No side effects, just a good night’s sleep. Good night, everyone.”

With that, she returned to her tent and lay down peacefully.

The world finally fell silent.

Netizens: “!!!”