Chapter 17: Drug Allergy

When seeking a favor, one must first display sincerity.

Xu An’an began by removing her undergarments.

Soon, a woman as enchanting as a fairy stood before him, clad in a crimson dance dress as thin as cicada wings. Her snowy shoulders and arms peeked through the gauzy fabric, half-concealed and half-revealed.

She curled her lips slowly, her eyes and brows brimming with irresistible charm.

She was like a thorned rose blooming at dawn after rain—clearly dangerous to approach, yet impossible not to be drawn in.

“Would you like me to dance for you, Second Master?”

If it were any other man, faced with such beauty, he would not care for the dance; he’d simply pull her into his arms and proceed with his desires.

But the man before her was Jiang Li.

Jiang Li never played by the rules.

He tugged at his pale cherry lips, his smile radiating an indescribable predatory intent.

“Then give me a striptease,” he said. “But not stripping yourself—strip me. Come.”

Xu An’an’s lips twitched violently, silently cursing this wretched, mongrel man for ruining the mood so thoroughly.

But what could she do? The patron’s command was law.

Ring ring ring!

Her phone rang at that very moment.

Xu An’an’s pupils contracted, and she hurried to answer.

It was a ringtone she had set specifically for her mother’s attending physician, just so she would never miss a call related to her mother.

“Miss Xu, your mother has had a drug allergy. She’s been sent to the emergency room!”

“Dr. Wang, what did you say!?” Xu An’an felt as if her mind had exploded, blank for a moment, her voice trembling. “I—I’m coming right now!”

How could her mother have a drug allergy out of nowhere?

Xu An’an rushed out, only to be grabbed by Jiang Li. Annoyed, she nearly slapped his hand away, thinking he could only care about that one thing at this moment!

Unexpectedly, Jiang Li simply handed her a long coat and zipped it up to the top.

Xu An’an finally realized what she had been wearing, her face burning. “Sorry, and thank you.”

“But I really have an emergency now.”

Jiang Li followed. “It’ll be hard to get a cab right now. I’ll drive you.”

Xu An’an wanted to refuse, but she needed to get to the hospital immediately, so she accepted his kindness, feeling a bit surprised.

She was surprised Jiang Li wasn’t angry, and even more surprised he was willing to drive her himself.

The black car sped down the road, slicing through the dark night like an arrow.

Outside the emergency room, Xu An’an hugged her arms, her eyes reddened as she stared at the glowing red light, her heart pounding.

Jiang Li leaned quietly against the wall.

He had already sent someone to investigate; such sudden incidents always had hidden reasons.

She didn’t know how much time passed before the red light finally went out. Dr. Wang emerged, removing his mask. “Thankfully, we rescued her in time. But the patient is still not out of danger and has been sent back to the ICU.”

Xu An’an’s legs went numb from standing so long; as she moved, she almost fell.

Luckily, Jiang Li caught her in time.

“Doctor, why did my mother have a drug allergy? She’s never had anything like this before!” Xu An’an grabbed Jiang Li’s arm to steady herself.

Dr. Wang looked particularly helpless. “Miss Xu, our hospital is investigating. There’s no answer yet, but rest assured, we’ll give your family a proper explanation.”

That’s it?

Xu An’an was not satisfied. Her mother had almost died—how could a few words suffice?

Jiang Li pulled the emotionally unstable Xu An’an aside, taking her all the way outside the hospital. “Calm down. Even if the hospital made a mistake, you have no evidence.”

“If you keep causing trouble, you’ll only bring trouble on yourself.”

A chilly night wind swept over her, and Xu An’an forced herself to calm down, her hands pressed against the railing, her eyes lowered to hide the shadow within.

After all these years, could the hospital really make such a basic mistake?

She thought it unlikely.

It must have been deliberate.

Ring ring ring!

A call from Shen Ying.

Xu An’an’s eyes flickered as she answered, “Mother, I’m sorry the hospital called you so late and disturbed your rest.”

Jiang Li tilted his head slightly.

Noticing this, Xu An’an turned away, unwilling to let Jiang Li see her humble, supplicant demeanor.

“It’s nothing. Dr. Wang already told me about your mother’s condition. It’s quite serious. On the surface, it’s a drug allergy, but actually it’s a complication. Coincidentally, I’m researching this area. I’ll visit the hospital tomorrow.” Shen Ying said.

Coincidentally researching this?

Could things really be so conveniently timed?

Xu An’an was no child. But what could she do? Even if Shen Ying admitted outright it was her doing, Xu An’an would be powerless.

It only meant her mother’s fate was entirely in Shen Ying’s hands.

“Thank you so much. Your kindness will never be forgotten.”

“Heh, that’s not necessary. Just make sure you win over Young Master Jiang and marry into the Jiang family smoothly, securing more resources for the Xu family.”

“Yes, I understand.”

With that, Shen Ying hung up.

The storm in Xu An’an’s eyes gradually dissipated as her breathing steadied.

She turned around, still wondering how to face Jiang Li, only to find he was already gone. She couldn’t help but curl her lips in self-mockery, chiding herself for expecting too much.

Xu An’an pulled her coat tighter and returned to the hospital.

Standing outside the ICU window, she looked at her mother—face pale, tortured by illness, barely recognizable as human—and her heart ached unbearably.

Tears fell heavily to the floor.

She didn’t know what to do.

“Here.”

A warm cup of soy milk appeared before her.

Xu An’an hastily wiped her tears, shocked to see Jiang Li had returned, even buying her food.

But she was famished, so she took the soy milk.

Jiang Li gestured for her to sit nearby. “Only soy milk and buns, make do.”

“Thank you.”

Xu An’an was exhausted. After a sip of hot soy milk, she felt much better, and quickly ate the meat bun.

Seeing Jiang Li had no intention of leaving, Xu An’an considered saying something, but ultimately kept silent.

She took out her phone to check the news online.

Everything was still calm.

Could it be that since things weren’t finished earlier, Jiang Li refused to help, even sabotaging her plans?

“Not so fast.”

With just a glance, Jiang Li saw right through her.

Xu An’an naturally wouldn’t believe so easily, unless she saw the fallout herself, but for now she murmured, “Thank you.”

Appearances must be kept.

“Are you planning to wait here till dawn? And remember what you’re still wearing? I have an apartment nearby.” Jiang Li stood up, as if certain Xu An’an would follow.