Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Bold and Unrestrained Anlan

"Ruoxue, are you alright?" Zhao Xiue grabbed Lan Ruoxue’s arm, frowning. "Did you go to talk to that useless man?"

"What is there to talk about with him? He only knows a bit of shallow martial arts," she continued. "If he had managed to handle those two assassins in time, maybe President An would have already given us the agency rights."

"He’s nothing but a jinx—just ignore him!" Sun Chuanzhi nodded and chimed in, "Exactly, Ruoxue, that good-for-nothing only causes trouble. Nothing good can come from being involved with him."

"Didn’t the secretary just say? We’ll be notified in a few days to continue the bidding. We can use this time for my father and me to help you fight for it," he said confidently. "Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you get the agency rights."

With that, he reached out to take Lan Ruoxue’s hand, but she instinctively stepped aside, shaking her head. "I just need to talk briefly. You two go out first."

She hurried toward Ye Wushang. The scene of life and death just now still weighed heavily on her mind. In that crucial moment, it was Ye Wushang who stepped forward to save her, not Sun Chuanzhi.

To be honest, she was disappointed, but considering the relationship between the families and their business dealings, she wouldn’t make a fuss. As for developing feelings? Nearly impossible.

What Ye Wushang had done made her, as his ex-wife, feel compelled to give him a word of advice.

"Wushang."

She approached him. Ye Wushang was busy directing Baldy and the others to clean up the scene. He turned his head, his expression cold and emotionless. "Why are you still here?"

"You want me gone that badly?" Lan Ruoxue’s face darkened. "You just saved me. I came to thank you..."

"That’s unnecessary."

"I would have saved anyone in that situation," Ye Wushang replied, glancing at the secretary who was waving him over—clearly An Lan wanted to see him.

He took a deep breath, his tone indifferent. "I’m busy. I don’t have time to chat. That’s all."

"Ye Wushang!"

Lan Ruoxue raised her voice, blocking his path, her tone stern. "What’s with your attitude? Do you think you’re something special just because you’ve done security for the An family twice?"

"The secretary is looking for you because you just did something commendable, and President An probably wants to thank you. Do you really think this is your springboard to high society?"

"As your ex-wife, I’m just reminding you: don’t force your way into a world you don’t belong to. Be careful..."

Ye Wushang snorted, shaking his head. "You’re the one who should be careful. Always running around, only to falter when it matters most. You should open your eyes and recognize the people around you for who they truly are."

"You—!"

Lan Ruoxue was furious. Wasn’t he rubbing salt in her wounds? He was implying she’d chosen her friends poorly, but did he forget that the Blue family owed much of its current standing to help from the Sun family?

Sun Chuanzhi had indeed been timid earlier, but who wouldn’t have been, under those circumstances? Not everyone was as reckless as Ye Wushang, acting without a second thought.

"The only thing you and I have to discuss is Grandfather. I’ve already spoken to him, so there’s nothing left for us to talk about."

With that, Ye Wushang shot a glance at Baldy, who immediately stepped forward to usher Lan Ruoxue away.

"Ye Wushang, don’t fail to appreciate what’s good for you! I’m thinking of your best interests! Whether it’s that woman or President An, neither belongs to your world. Do you really want to get hurt a second time? Are you even listening to me? Come back here—"

Ye Wushang had no interest in listening further. Even now, she thought his dealings with An Lan were just an attempt to marry into wealth. Was everyone as greedy and ambitious as she was?

He reached the safe house and knocked on the door.

Before he could say anything, the door swung open and the secretary hurriedly pulled him inside, urging, "Mr. Ye, quickly! Please check on President An—she’s injured! She refused to see a doctor and insisted on having you handle it personally!"

Ye Wushang frowned, looking up to see An Lan lying on the sofa. Her face was pale, sweat beading on her forehead, her waist and abdomen stained with blood and scattered with shards of broken glass.

As he approached, the dazed An Lan managed a faint smile. "Wushang, you’re here..."

"Don’t talk. Lie still and let me check your wounds."

He gently pressed her down and began examining her injuries. At first, his expression was relaxed, but soon it grew grave.

"What is it, Mr. Ye? Is President An going to be alright?" The secretary, noticing his change in demeanor, asked anxiously.

An Lan, mustering her strength, instinctively grabbed Ye Wushang’s sleeve and forced a smile. "It’s alright, Wushang. Just tell me the truth. I know my own condition. Whatever the outcome, I can accept it..."

"It can be treated, but it’s a bit complicated," Ye Wushang said, finding it hard to speak plainly.

Seeing his hesitation, An Lan seemed to understand and instructed, "Huiru, step outside. With Wushang here, I’ll be fine."

"President An..."

"That’s an order. Leave."

With no other choice, the secretary exited, looking back with every step, her face full of worry.

She’d heard of Ye Wushang’s medical skills—he’d supposedly pulled Old Master An back from the brink of death. But seeing him at a loss now, and President An still insisting he treat her, wasn’t this wasting precious time?

"Prepare a towel and a basin of hot water for me," Ye Wushang ordered. "Also, bring some soy sauce and vinegar. When I call you, bring them in."

The secretary agreed outwardly but her doubts only deepened. What kind of medicine called for these household items, instead of medical equipment and drugs? This couldn’t possibly be a proper treatment.

Alas. President An had always been wise, but everyone makes mistakes.

As her personal secretary—and a close friend in private—she couldn’t just stand by. She resolved to give him ten minutes; if there was no improvement, she’d call an ambulance immediately.

With the door closed, An Lan took a deep breath and forced a smile. "Wushang, it’s just the two of us now. Tell me, how bad is it? Did the glass shards damage my internal organs beyond repair?"

"No," Ye Wushang shook his head, a bit awkwardly. "It’s all external wounds. All I need to do is remove the embedded shards. But two or three of them are lodged deep. I’ll need to use acupuncture and then bandage you up. During the process, I might have to disturb your clothing..."

"So you’re embarrassed?" An Lan interrupted, her tone light. "It’s fine. We’re friends. Are you still nervous about making contact with me?"

"Besides, you’re the doctor and I’m the patient. It’s about whether you can cure me—not about men and women being improper with each other."

Saying this, she tried to undress herself but winced from the pain, exclaiming, "Don’t just stand there—help me!"

Ye Wushang felt a wave of embarrassment. He hadn’t expected her to be so bold. For a woman to undress in front of a man she barely knew, with such indifference—and even ask him to help?

"There’s no need to take everything off. I just need the clothes lowered to your chest," he said. "I’m starting now. If you feel uncomfortable, let me know at once."

In three years of marriage with Lan Ruoxue, he’d never shared a single intimate moment—not even held her hand. To this day, he was still a virgin. Now, for the sake of treatment, he had no choice but to go through with it.

But An Lan was so alluring, especially with that sultry look in her eyes. Frankly, any man would find it hard to resist.

...