I Conquer the Entertainment Industry with My Medical Skills - Chapter 46

An Ningqing had never imagined that her new manager would immediately forbid her from treating patients.

Is this what Xie Anran meant by having a good manager who takes care of everything? she thought bitterly. It’s actually… driving me crazy!

Xu Fenglai, unaware that the silent young star before her was already plotting to replace her, continued to lecture An Ningqing about the consequences of practicing medicine without a license. She explained that minor offenses could lead to disputes and accidents, while serious violations could result in criminal charges for illegal medical practice. By the time Xie Anran arrived, Xu Fenglai was still droning on about various medical malpractice cases.

Her throat parched from talking, she concluded, “So, until you obtain your medical license, you absolutely must refrain from practicing medicine, okay?”

An Ningqing smiled noncommittally, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. “I’ve been out all day. I need to get back.”

There’s still a patient waiting at home, she thought.

Xu Fenglai had always thought this actress had a gentle temperament and seemed easy to talk to, but she was actually quite opinionated—a real “thorn in the side.” Deciding not to argue further about the same issue, Xu Fenglai handed An Ningqing one stack of scripts. “I’m most optimistic about the forensic doctor role. Since you have medical skills, you should try to understand it. This character is one of the most compelling.”

An Ningqing looked at the other stack with a puzzled expression.

Xu Fenglai patted it lightly. “I don’t think these are suitable for you. Some are brainless idol dramas, and I don’t believe you should waste your prime years on such roles. Your performance in that historical drama was commendable. You should try pursuing leading female roles. I’ll personally hand these over to Guan Lang and discuss the follow-up with him. Just focus on reviewing the scripts when you get back.”

An Ningqing nodded. “Alright, I’ll leave it to you.”

As soon as An Ningqing left, Xu Fenglai also departed to handle the remaining handover procedures.

An Ningqing hadn’t gone far when someone blocked her path. A white-haired old man charged recklessly toward the car, startling the driver half to death. The driver leaned out the window. “Do you have a death wish?”

The Old Master pushed his glasses up his nose and tapped on the car window. “Young friend, young friend, do you have a moment? I’d like to discuss that miraculous acupuncture technique you used last time.”

It took An Ningqing a moment to recognize the old man. He was the senior doctor who had performed Xie Xuanze’s surgery at the Xie Family’s private hospital. What’s he doing blocking the road at his age? she thought. Good thing the driver braked in time. If we’d hit him, who would be at fault?

She opened the car door, making room. “Come in, Old Master. It’s not safe to stop here.”

The Old Master, well over seventy, eagerly climbed into the car and immediately began sharing his findings. “After returning, I researched extensively. It’s said that in ancient times, there was a Thirteen-Needle Acupuncture Technique. Your needlework is so refined, it seems to have evolved from that method…”

An Ningqing rested her head in her hand, listening to his rambling. Yet her mind drifted to Xu Fenglai’s warning. She sighed softly, never imagining that practicing medicine in this world required a license issued by the relevant authorities.

“Young friend, with your skill, why not join my hospital? We’d be honored to have you.”

“Ah?!”

Perhaps An Ningqing’s surprise was too obvious, for the Old Master immediately backtracked. “Don’t misunderstand. I don’t know which hospital you work at, young friend. What I mean is, would you consider consulting at my hospital one or two days a week? I assure you, the compensation would be more than fair.”

An Ningqing understood his intentions, but she shrugged helplessly. “I’m sorry, I’m afraid I must decline your kind offer.”

The Old Master grew anxious. “If two days is too much, how about just one? Or is there some other concern—salary, perhaps? Whatever it is, we can certainly discuss it.”

Having recognized his genuine sincerity, An Ningqing smiled wryly. “There are no other issues, really. It’s just—” She paused, smiling wryly. “I don’t actually have a medical license.”

The Old Master stared at her in stunned silence.

An Ningqing hadn’t expected her lack of certification to hit him so hard. The Old Master fumbled for a Rapid Heart-Saving Pill, swallowed it, and patted his chest. “Young friend, you’re not just using this as an excuse to turn me down, are you?”

“Of course not.”

“Then why don’t you take the medical licensing exam, young friend? With your skill level, you’ll pass with flying colors.”

An Ningqing pursed her lips slightly. Before the Old Master arrived, she had already researched the requirements. Seeing her hesitation, he grew anxious. “What’s wrong? Is there some difficulty? Tell me, and I’ll do everything I can to help.”

“I never went to university,” she replied.

The Old Master fell silent.

In short, her lack of a degree meant she didn’t meet the eligibility criteria for the exam.

As the saying goes, even a single penny can stump a hero.

In her case, the lack of a diploma had become her stumbling block.

She couldn’t possibly go back to high school, study medicine for five years at university, and then complete several years of hospital internships… The mere thought gave An Ningqing a headache. She smiled at the frowning Old Master, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “Do you think someone with my skill level could skip the intermediate steps and go straight to the exam?”

The Old Master hadn’t anticipated such an unusual situation. Someone who had never attended university yet possessed a deep understanding of pharmacology and, more importantly, a miraculous acupuncture technique—this was a loss for the medical community if delayed!

“Come to my hospital tomorrow. I’ll think of a solution when I get back.”

“Sounds good,” An Ningqing agreed.

“If you can arrange for me to directly enter the examination, I’ll agree to work one day a week at your hospital.”

“Three days.”

“Two days. That’s my absolute limit. I have other commitments.”

“???”

An Ningqing smiled faintly. “Doesn’t my face seem familiar, Old Gentleman? I’m actually an actress. My schedule is packed with filming and appearances, so two days is the most I can offer.”

“!!!”

The Old Master’s breathing quickened, and he clutched his chest. As he reached for his medication, An Ningqing swiftly took his pulse. “Your heart ailment has been troubling you for over a decade. You’ve managed it well, but you must avoid stress and maintain a calm demeanor.”

“Would you mind if I inserted a few acupuncture needles?”

Though framed as a question, she had already inserted the silver needles into the Old Master’s acupoints.

The Old Master was stunned by her medical skills, his heart aching for the field of medicine. Such a promising talent, wasted in the entertainment industry’s cesspool! He sighed in exasperation, “Forget it. Getting certified is what matters.”

Only by securing her certification could they pull her back to their side. A promising talent like hers could easily lose her way in the entertainment world.

Having lived this long, he only now realized that An Ningqing was a rare, naturally gifted talent. He had to nurture her properly in his lifetime, or he would surely die with regrets.

An Ningqing dropped him off at the hospital entrance and returned home.

Before the day was over, she received another call from Lu Lu.

“Sister An, Brother Ji and I are coming to find you. Could you send us your address if it’s convenient?”

“Hmm.”

“What’s wrong? Is it inconvenient?”

“Not exactly. The treatment will take a long time, and it’s best not to interrupt it. If you two have any upcoming engagements, I suggest finishing them first.”

Ji Yang had gained considerable popularity from the show and had indeed received several new offers—a vast improvement over his previous obscurity. Grateful for the show’s boost, he hesitated before saying, “Then I might not be able to come for a while.”

Lu Lu, on the other hand, had been thoroughly scolded by his manager for being too candid on the show. Yet this honesty had won the hearts of fans, who now flooded social media with concern for his throat condition, urging him daily to see a doctor. “My work has been temporarily postponed,” he said. “I’m completely free right now.”

An Ningqing glanced at the herbs in her hand, multitasking to calculate Xie Anran’s dosage. “Alright, I’ll send it to you.”

Lu Lu arrived quickly, accompanied by his manager. As they entered the estate, they received the same treatment as Guan Lang: vehicle inspection followed by a thorough body search.

“Wow, this is so cool!” Lu Lu exclaimed.

“Is this where An Ningqing lives?” Li Ke asked, her perception of the Xie Family and An Ningqing shifting. She couldn’t resist cautioning the grinning idiot beside her, “When you meet An Ningqing, don’t act like you’re on a variety show. Tone it down a bit.”

At the villa entrance, Qin Xun greeted them. “Miss An will be here shortly. Please have some tea while you wait.”

Li Ke sat down, silently sipping her tea while taking in the villa’s opulent decor and priceless artwork. She suppressed her curiosity and remained composed. Lu Lu, however, couldn’t resist peeking around the doorway, utterly awestruck by the estate’s security detail. “Do these guards carry real guns? Are we sure this isn’t a scene from a gangster drama? Did we accidentally wander onto the wrong set?”

Li Ke stared at him, speechless.

“Does it really look like a gangster drama?”

“Of course she looks like one! Especially Sister An—her aura is just extraordinary. If she wore all black and held a gun, just imagining it would make a whole crowd swoon.”

“Ahem, ahem, ahem.”

“Stop coughing, Sister Li! Your coughing is making my throat itchy.”

Li Ke pressed a hand to her forehead, her face apologetic. “I’m sorry for making Miss An laugh.”

An Ningqing actually found Lu Lu’s genuine nature quite refreshing. “His throat needs time to heal—at least a month. Once you two agree, I’ll prescribe his treatment plan.”

Li Ke was shocked. “A month?”

An Ningqing replied, “Half a month might be possible, but I’m particularly busy lately. You two should discuss it.”

Lu Lu cut in, “No need to discuss it. A month it is.”

Li Ke remained uneasy. The importance of a singer’s voice was self-evident. “Miss An, can his throat truly recover completely? I need a hundred percent restoration. This will significantly impact his future career, so I need a definitive answer.”

“Don’t worry, it’s not a serious problem.”

“He can recover completely, I guarantee it.”

Lu Lu stayed, assigned to the room next to Xie Xuanze’s. Qin Xun gave him a few instructions: “You’re free to explore the rest of the hospital, but this room is off-limits.”

Lu Lu noticed two bodyguards standing guard outside the adjacent room. His curiosity piqued, he glanced over before quickly retreating.

An Ningqing’s hospital room was warmly decorated, unlike the sterile white or antiseptic-smelling rooms typical of hospitals. Lu Lu’s room, themed in sky blue, immediately prompted him to snap two photos and post them online.

Overwhelmed with excitement, he even pulled out his portable speaker, connected it to his phone, and blasted his favorite DJ track. He began dancing wildly, working up a sweat.

Xie Xuanze, in the next room, stared in bewildered silence.