CHAPTER 114: CHAPTER 114: TESTING HER OUT

Li Qingqing woke up with a stuffy nose and headache, not sure if it was because she got scared yesterday or from sleeping on the floor.

Anyway, she was sick.

Struggling to get up, she first applied some sickly makeup on herself, then changed into elegant but form-fitting pajamas. Lying on the bed like a sick beauty, she waited for Zhan Hanjue to come see her.

She had already asked Housekeeper Wu to report to Zhan Hanjue, believing he would come over soon.

Sure enough, someone came quickly.

Li Qingqing put all her acting skills as an actress into play, coughing lightly and projecting a delicate and sickly demeanor.

However, when the door opened, it was not just Zhan Hanjue who entered, but also Ningwan.

Li Qingqing frowned slightly.

Ningwan smiled and said, "Miss Li, how are you? I know a little about traditional Chinese medicine, let me take your pulse."

"Take my pulse? No need, I’ve already called my assistant to take me to the hospital." Li Qingqing declined.

Ningwan said, "Miss Li once learned a bit of traditional Chinese medicine, why such distrust in it? Although traditional Chinese medicine is slow-acting, it is less damaging to the body. It’s still better to take some traditional Chinese medicine."

Li Qingqing was surprised that she mentioned her long-forgotten experience with traditional Chinese medicine, looking at her in disbelief.

This matter was so long ago that she thought it happened in a previous life.

Even though her identity had been thoroughly exposed by paparazzi in the entertainment circle, this matter was rarely mentioned and even fewer people knew about it.

How did she know?

Ignoring her surprised look, Ningwan took her pulse and said, "It’s just a cold, I’ll go get you a couple of doses of Chinese medicine to brew and drink."

"Thank you, Madam Zhan." Li Qingqing mumbled thanks but looked at her with a complex gaze.

Ningwan smiled slightly and raised her eyebrows at her.

Li Qingqing’s face changed, and her gaze became even more complicated.

Ningwan stood up to leave, noticing Zhan Hanjue still standing nearby, and immediately said, "Aren’t you leaving? Miss Li’s cold can be contagious. If you’re not afraid of getting infected, then stay here."

Sure enough, as soon as she said this, Zhan Hanjue left as well.

Li Qingqing: "..."

Ningwan had prepared the medicine and was about to have it sent to Li Qingqing when unexpectedly, Li Qingqing showed up.

Because Ningwan understood medicine and said Li Qingqing’s cold was contagious.

So, all the servants at home wore masks and even asked Ningwan to prepare preventive medicine for them.

Li Qingqing was weak, and seeing the housemaids wearing masks infuriated her.

However, they were Zhan Family’s people, not her assistants.

She couldn’t do anything but feel angry.

To show she understood, she put on a mask herself, not wanting to infect others.

"Zhan Hanjue went to work," Ningwan explained when she saw Li Qingqing come over, "He’s not here."

"I’m not looking for Mr. Zhan, I’m here to see Madam Zhan." Li Qingqing said.

Ningwan smiled and said, "Actually, you don’t need to be so angry. Although Zhan Hanjue let you stay overnight yesterday, he’s always been so callous, caring only about himself. He always values his health, and since you’re sick, of course, he wouldn’t dare to stay with you."

Li Qingqing’s face looked unpleasant.

She understood this reasoning perfectly well; there was no need for Ningwan to restate it and rub salt in the wound.

"Madam Zhan overthinks, Mr. Zhan and I are just friends, there’s no need for misunderstandings." Li Qingqing deliberately explained.

Ningwan smiled and said, "Miss Li, you overthink. I was just speaking the truth casually; there was never any misunderstanding."

"No misunderstanding, that’s good," Li Qingqing seemed relieved but quickly asked, "How did Madam Zhan know that I studied traditional Chinese medicine?"

"Coincidentally, I’m studying in the traditional Chinese medicine department now. My professor is Wen Daofu, and the class president is Wen Jianan. So I know a little about Miss Li’s background." Ningwan said.

Li Qingqing’s expression instantly became uglier.

She thought, fortunately, she wore a mask, preventing any visible reaction.

"I see, I did study under Mr. Wen for a while back then. But I didn’t like traditional Chinese medicine much, so I gave up. It’s been many years since I saw Mr. Wen."

"You should find time to visit Mr. Wen and explain to Wen Jianan as well. Li Weiluo’s death had nothing to do with Zhan Hanjue. Wen Jianan has always blamed Zhan Hanjue for it, and consequently, treats me with hostility, which is quite uncomfortable."

"Really? Wen Jianan has always had a peculiar personality since childhood, who would have thought he’s still misunderstanding. Don’t worry, next time I see him, I’ll definitely explain properly."

"This is the Chinese medicine I prepared for Miss Li, please take it home. By the way, I have something good here for you to take as well."

Ningwan handed the prepared Chinese medicine to Li Qingqing and pulled open a drawer to give her some beauty supplements.

However, as she was about to pick a type of mushroom, Li Qingqing reminded her, "Madam Zhan, you picked the wrong one! That bovine liver mushroom shouldn’t be consumed, it has hallucinogenic properties."

"Miss Li indeed knows Chinese medicine, thanks for the reminder, I almost took the wrong one. I was going to add this mushroom for beauty benefits." Ningwan replaced it with another type of mushroom.

Li Qingqing said proudly, "Although I studied medicine for a short time, I have a good memory, many medicinal herbs I can remember just by seeing."

"But bovine liver mushrooms are rarely used in Chinese medicine, it’s unexpected that Miss Li knows about them too." Ningwan looked at her with deep eyes.

Li Qingqing’s face stiffened and said awkwardly, "I saw it once by chance, Mr. Wen specifically warned me, so I remembered."

"Yes, when specifically warned, you remember. I heard Zhou Yun was fine during filming, but suddenly acted hysterically and jumped into the river, when found she was unrecognizable. Moreover, strangely enough, she had trained in swimming for six years before debuting, nearly joining the national team. Her family couldn’t accept her drowning."

"What do you mean?" Li Qingqing stood up shocked, frowning in a strong reaction.

Ningwan blinked innocently, "I was just speaking casually, why is Miss Li so agitated?"

Li Qingqing realized she was overreacting.

But Ningwan’s words unsettled her.

It felt like a long-buried secret was being unearthed, exposed in the open daylight.

She couldn’t stay still.

Taking the medicine, she bid farewell, "Thank you, Madam Zhan, for the medicine. I’ll take it properly. I have things to do, I’ll leave now, please thank Mr. Zhan for his hospitality for me."

"Alright, I will convey your message." Ningwan said.

Li Qingqing left hurriedly.

Ningwan frowned slightly.

It seems she guessed right.

Just a little probing and she couldn’t hold it.

"Sister, did someone bully you?"

Lin Yue barged in with an angry face, not even knocking on the door.