Is This How the Entertainment Industry Works? (GL) - Chapter 43

After half a class, the quiz papers were collected.

The professor began his lecture. After a while, he projected a case study on the PPT. Finding it a bit dull, he decided to call on someone to answer.

“Yan Zhen. Is Yan Zhen here? That name sounds familiar.”

Yan Zhen stood up.

The professor slid his glasses down slightly to look at Yan Zhen’s face and realized she was the same student who had written those chaotic answers on the quiz. He suddenly became curious about how she would respond.

“Come, answer this.”

He pointed to the large screen, which displayed a cardiology case study. The question was: how should a patient undergo rehabilitation after heart stent surgery?

Yan Zhen stood up. Her understanding of such mechanical procedures was still not very deep, so she could only give a basic answer.

“One should take medication correctly, control the diet, and eat less greasy food.”

The professor nodded. “What should you do if the patient experiences chest tightness during rehabilitation?”

Yan Zhen said, “It’s possible the stent has shifted. They should seek medical attention to confirm if a follow-up surgery is necessary.”

The professor felt quite satisfied. At least this student hadn’t blurted out something superstitious in public.

He asked one final question: “And if, on the way to the hospital, the patient’s heart stops due to chest tightness and palpitations, what would you do?”

This question made Yan Zhen pause. The surrounding students were also stunned, thinking the answer was obvious.

The girl sitting next to Yan Zhen whispered, “Isn’t it just a defibrillator or sending them straight to the funeral parlor? Even I can answer that.”

Yan Zhen thought for a moment and replied, “At that point, other methods might be beyond help. One can only perform a ‘spirit dance’ (Tiao Da Shen) to stabilize the person’s soul and prevent malevolent spirits from possessing the body.”

The professor, about to nod, suddenly froze. “What did you say?”

Yan Zhen repeated her answer.

The professor’s face suddenly turned grim. “What do you think medicine is? You are desecrating human life!”

Yan Zhen replied, “I am not desecrating it. If the heart stops suddenly when the stent fails, the time required to reach the hospital for surgery is too long, and there are too many variables. In the absence of formal equipment, using metaphysics to stabilize the soul is what should be done.”

The professor was so angry his mind went blank. “Get out. Go stand in the hallway.”

Yan Zhen didn’t know what she had said wrong. She thought about it and voiced her inner thoughts.

“Mountain, Medicine, Fate, Divination, and Physiognomy—the five arts of metaphysics are integrated as one. They have been passed down for years precisely because they can save lives. While there is modern surgery for emergencies now, one cannot overlook the role of metaphysics and Traditional Chinese Medicine.”

This professor’s greatest pride was surgery. Seeing Yan Zhen talk back to him, he was fuming. “Metaphysics? You make it sound nice, but in this day and age, without CT scans or X-rays, can you rely on your TCM metaphysics to see what illness you have?”

Yan Zhen said, “I can.”

The professor’s face immediately darkened. “You think you’re pretty capable, don’t you?”

Yan Zhen remained composed. “It is not that I am capable; I am simply stating a fact.”

Among the five arts of metaphysics, medicine was actually the one she was least skilled in. That was why she chose to study medicine—she hoped that when she foresaw someone’s fate, she wouldn’t be unable to help due to limited medical knowledge. Now that this professor was fundamentally refuting metaphysics and TCM, Yan Zhen truly found it hard to understand.

The professor asked with a cold laugh, “You think you’re so great; have you ever practiced?”

Yan Zhen hesitated for a moment and shook her head.

The professor said, “No practice and you dare talk nonsense here? Do we not need evidence to speak anymore?”

Yan Zhen said, “I can practice right now.”

The professor gave a perfunctory laugh. “Fine, give it a try.”

Yan Zhen said directly, “Professor, your face is flushed and the corners of your mouth are dark. You are likely susceptible to myocarditis lately. You should reduce strenuous exercise and take more Zhengqi pills and heart-saving pills.”

“Utter nonsense!” The professor was livid. “It was bad enough when you spoke recklessly before, but now you’re directly predicting someone’s illness?! You need a lesson. You’re coming with me on clinical rounds tomorrow! Sickness isn’t something that can be diagnosed just by you opening your mouth!”

“That actually worked?” The students marveled. The way they looked at Yan Zhen changed again. So you can actually get a clinical round spot just by being thick-skinned. Impressive.

The next day, the quiz results came out. The professor, somewhat biased against Yan Zhen, didn’t look at her paper seriously. He gave it a few perfunctory marks and let the assistant tally the scores. In the end, first place went to Wang Huan.

Complaints of “Ah, of course it’s her” filled the classroom. The professor thought that since she had a reputation in class, her being first was expected by everyone. Therefore, he valued Wang Huan highly.

Only after seeing Wang Huan’s face did the professor remember he had seen her in a TV drama. Many clinical cases in that show had been sourced from his hospital. Along the way, he and Wang Huan chatted happily. He invited her to his hospital, believing she could become a chief surgeon within two years.

Wang Huan spoke modestly, but she couldn’t hide a trace of pride. She was young and talented; being valued like this in both medicine and acting was a treat.

As for Yan Zhen—she turned to look at Yan Zhen, who had been ignored the whole way, only to find her sitting calmly by the car window without a hint of shame or annoyance. Wang Huan’s expression stiffened. She felt she had to re-evaluate this champion. Being able to stay composed in this situation was not something an average person could do. This champion might actually have real strength. Wang Huan clenched her fists. Whether in school or elsewhere, she didn’t want to be surpassed.

They reached the Cardiology department. The professor brought the two to a room. His student was currently seeing patients. The student greeted him respectfully, “Teacher, how do you have time to come?”

“Hmph, to teach your new juniors.” He pointed to Yan Zhen and Wang Huan.

The student hurriedly poured water. “Is it to watch how you prescribe medicine again?”

“No, a different method this time.” The professor took a sip of water and pointed at Yan Zhen. “This time, let her diagnose.”

The student was shocked. “A freshman? How can that be okay?”

“Why not?” the professor sneered. “She claims TCM can save the world. It’s settled. I’ll take responsibility for anything that happens.”

The student had no choice but to call the first patient.

The professor pointed to Yan Zhen. “You go first.”

Yan Zhen sat before the patient, looked at his face, and asked, “Where do you feel discomfort?”

The patient pointed to his chest. “My heart.”

“What is the specific nature of the onset?”

“It comes in waves, and even my stomach hurts a bit.”

The professor already had a diagnosis: cardiac arrhythmia caused by staying up late. If it were him, the next question would be about daily routine. He waited for Yan Zhen.

To his surprise, Yan Zhen asked nothing of the sort. Instead, she asked for the patient’s pulse. After finishing, she gave an answer completely opposite to the professor’s.

“It is acute gastroenteritis caused by indigestion. Because you were often exposed to cold as a child, your gastrointestinal tract is prone to tension, and your stomach is positioned higher than average. That’s why when it hurts, it feels like a heart arrhythmia.”

The patient was stunned. “I… I did eat quite a bit these past few days, but I haven’t done any strenuous exercise.”

“Sometimes nerve spasms can also cause pain; it doesn’t only happen after exercise,” Yan Zhen said calmly and convincingly. “You just need to drink Da Chengqi Decoction.”

The professor stood up. “Are you joking? This is a classic case of arrhythmia.” He turned to the patient. “Do you often stay up late?”

Seeing the professor looked older and reliable, the patient replied, “Yes, yes! I’m busy with work, so I stay up late to do my own things when I get home.”

The professor grew even more certain. He looked at Yan Zhen, thinking she was just a young person talking big. He sent the patient for an EKG. When the EKG came back, the professor confirmed his judgment. “It’s arrhythmia. Just some medication will do. Next!”

Yan Zhen was about to speak when she saw a wisp of black qi emanating from the patient. She thought for a while; that black qi looked incredibly familiar. She remembered the driver from yesterday had the same black qi. She thought of the vase in Yu Lian’s house and the resentment around Lin Xiaomei’s home.

She had thought it was just someone casting spells in the entertainment industry. Now it seemed their ambition was large enough to spread from a small circle to the entire Capital. This sort of thing would eventually invite divine punishment. Although she didn’t want to meddle, she feared this was the cause of Zhao Baoshang’s Death Calamity.

When the next patient entered, the professor turned to Yan Zhen with a look of dissatisfaction. “Based on your performance just now, I am very disappointed. You can leave now.”

Yan Zhen was confident in her diagnosis, but the professor wouldn’t listen. With the other doctor and Wang Huan also agreeing on arrhythmia, Yan Zhen was kicked out.

After leaving, she found the patient. “If the medicine my professor gave you doesn’t work, try my method. But don’t wait more than three days; the situation will worsen if you do.”

The patient, having heard the doctors chatting, knew Yan Zhen was just a student. He ignored her, gave a perfunctory reply, and went to get his medicine.

Yan Zhen left the hospital and tried to call Lin Xiaomei and Yu Lian, but neither answered. She returned to the dorm. To her surprise, Zhao Baoshang was sitting at the table playing with a jade pendant.

Yan Zhen was delighted. “You’re back?”

Zhao Baoshang gave a lukewarm “mhm.”

Yan Zhen remembered they had “broken up” (one-sidedly), so she shut her mouth, unsure of what to say. She poured a cup of water and handed it over.

Zhao Baoshang took it in a good mood. “Good girl.” She didn’t seem angry anymore. Yan Zhen was confused.

Zhao Baoshang beckoned her over. She stroked Yan Zhen’s head and said, “I’ve thought it through. I won’t hold the failure of the antidote against you. You just need to continue being my ‘antidote’.”

Her gaze was soft and kind, with none of the usual venom. It was illogical. Yan Zhen shuddered and tried to explain, “But you really didn’t have a Love Gu!”

Zhao Baoshang’s face went cold. “Who says I didn’t?”

Yan Zhen froze. True, while the medicine’s properties suggested it… accidents happen. Could it be she did have it but the antidote failed? Or had the nature of the Gu changed over time?

Zhao Baoshang said, “I’m not holding a grudge anymore, so why are you still fussing?”

Yan Zhen looked at her blankly. Right, why am I fussing? Wait! Zhao Baoshang was the one who gave me the cold shoulder and started fussing first! How did it turn out that I’m the one fussing?

Zhao Baoshang loved this dazed look of her fan. She pulled her into her lap and kissed her. Yan Zhen tearfully accepted the kiss, but once immersed, she thought of the exquisite taste from before and stopped caring about the Gu. She closed her eyes and enjoyed it.

Mid-kiss, Yan Zhen felt something cold touch her. She glanced at Zhao Baoshang’s palm and saw a pendant. It was a white jade teardrop with the character “Mei” (Plum) carved on it, slightly chipped and yellowed at the top.

Yan Zhen’s eyes widened. She pushed Zhao Baoshang away. “Where did you get this pendant?” She reached for it.

Zhao Baoshang was annoyed at the interruption. She held it high. “What are you doing?!”

“This is—” Yan Zhen suddenly couldn’t speak. She stared at it. She had carried this pendant for many years; she could never forget it. This was a gift from the Eldest Princess—originally a fan charm the Princess had given her for solving a case. She had thought it couldn’t travel through time with her. Had it followed her and been lost?

“I—I want to see it!” Yan Zhen said, her voice shaking.

“You want to see it? Then tell me, what are you to me?”

“…???” Yan Zhen was lost.

“You are my—” Zhao Baoshang coughed and looked away, her voice soft. “Since we’ve already had… that kind of relationship, I’ll reluctantly admit I’m your partner.”

“What?”

“I’m giving you the right to call me ‘Darling’.”

Yan Zhen forgot about the pendant and stared blankly. “Call me that once, and I’ll let you see it,” Zhao Baoshang coaxed with a smirk.

Yan Zhen’s face turned red instantly. She knew it was an incredibly sappy term. How could the Princess say it so normally? It was embarrassing. But for the pendant, she whispered, “…#%*&…”

“I can’t hear you.”

“Dar… dar…” Yan Zhen gathered her courage. “Darling.”

Zhao Baoshang laughed, kissed Yan Zhen’s burning cheek, and handed over the pendant. Yan Zhen looked at it; she was certain it was her old pendant.

“Where did you get it?” Yan Zhen asked.

“Under my pillow,” Zhao Baoshang pointed to the bed.

Actually, Zhao Baoshang had a history with this pendant. She remembered first seeing it a year ago when she was injured and semi-conscious; she had seen it dangling from her savior’s chest. Once, annoyed by it swinging in her eyes, she had yanked it off and put it in her pocket. After she was rescued, she couldn’t find it anymore. She hadn’t expected to find it under her pillow today. She assumed it had been lost in a corner and luckily reappeared in her luggage.

Zhao Baoshang was excited to have it back, but she noticed her fan looked even more emotional than she did. Yan Zhen’s lips trembled as she looked from the Princess to the pendant.

“What’s wrong?” Zhao Baoshang stroked her back.

Yan Zhen felt an intense emotion she couldn’t express. She could only say with forced calm: “This is my jade pendant!!”

Zhao Baoshang’s face shifted. “What nonsense are you talking? How can it be yours?”

“It is mine! I wore it for years!”