Jiang Chen stared blankly at Ma Er's back.
Ma Er's words lingered in his mind for a long time. Taohua Village was too poor—mountains cut it off from the world, the people lived hard lives. He had thought his medical skills would be enough to make a living here, but reality hit him hard.
Hardly anyone came to seek treatment.
If this went on, he wouldn't even have enough money for basic living expenses. What, was he going to rely on a woman like Wen-xian to support him?
No!
"I can't sit around waiting to die," Jiang Chen clenched his teeth. "I have to find a new path."
If no one came to him for treatment, why not try selling medicine instead?
It was worth a try.
He opened his phone and began searching for Chinese medicine sales channels online. Soon, he noticed a popular trend—supplements aimed at male health. Not only did they sell well, but the comment sections were full of glowing reviews.
Jiang Chen slapped his thigh.
"That's it!"
"System, give me a prescription for boosting male health."
The system responded immediately:
[Generating prescription...] ... [Complete: Shen Yang Gu Ben Pill]
Jiang Chen quickly wrote down the ingredients. There were eight in total, mostly common herbs, though two were rather expensive.
He opened his wallet and let out a bitter laugh—he had only 36 yuan and 50 cents.
With that kind of money, he couldn't even afford to eat without Wen-xian's help.
Let alone buy medicine.
By noon, his stomach was rumbling loudly.
Just then, the door creaked open.
"Jiang Chen, time to eat."
Wen-xian walked in carrying two lunchboxes, her smile as gentle as water. It lit up the whole clinic like a beam of sunshine.
"I made lamb dumplings and chive turnovers," she said, placing the food on the table. As she lifted the lids, fragrant steam filled the air.
"Sister Wen, you're really a lifesaver," Jiang Chen said with heartfelt gratitude and began eating heartily.
"Isn't it normal to be good to you?" she giggled, playfully swatting him. "Shut up and eat!"
He hesitated mid-bite and spoke up: "Wen-xian, I've been researching a new prescription. I want to turn it into a pill and sell it online. But the herbs are expensive… Could you lend me some money?"
She blinked in surprise, then asked curiously, "Aren't your medical skills great? Why start selling medicine?"
Jiang Chen sighed. "Too few people are coming for treatment."
"So what? You've got me! You won't starve."
"No, Sister Wen. I want to make a living by formulating medicine. I have full confidence in the formula. I just need some seed money."
Wen-xian thought for a moment, then silently pulled out her phone.
"Is a thousand yuan enough?"
She transferred the money to him.
Jiang Chen was deeply moved. These days, it was rare for someone to lend money so readily.
"That's more than enough—thank you."
"Don't thank me," she said with a warm look. "If you're willing, I could lend you... anything."
She paused mid-sentence, realizing she'd said too much. Her cheeks turned crimson, and she quickly bent down to tidy the lunchboxes.
Jiang Chen's heart swelled. His feelings for her surged like a tide.
He truly wanted to marry her.
But right now, he had nothing. What could he offer her?
As the saying goes, to draw a phoenix, first build a nest. And he didn't even own a room or a plot of land.
That afternoon, he took a bus to town, bought the herbs, a scale, and a foot-operated herbal grinder. By the time he returned, it was already dark.
Just as he opened the door, Wen-xian arrived again.
"I made pork rib soup and millet porridge. You must be starving," she said as she set the food down and poured him a steaming bowl.
"Sister Wen, you're so kind," Jiang Chen said, touched beyond words—but this time, he remembered not to say thank you.
She sat across from him, chin resting on her palm, watching him eat with gentle eyes. "Finish up and start grinding the medicine. I'll help."
Jiang Chen ate quickly.
Suddenly, the system voice echoed in his mind:
[Current prescription: Shen Yang Gu Ben Pill. To activate medicinal properties, pure yin energy is required. Recommended: formula be ground by a woman with special constitution to enhance effect.]
He froze and looked at Wen-xian.
Special constitution?
She was beautiful, fair-skinned, and radiant—surely she qualified.
"What's wrong? Did you choke?" she got up quickly to pour water.
"No… I'm fine," Jiang Chen coughed twice and hesitated. "Sister Wen, I might need you to help grind the medicine personally."
"Me? I don't know anything about that."
"It's not technical. It's... a matter of your natural energy. It enhances the medicine's effects."
She frowned, glanced at his serious face, and nodded. "Alright. I'll help."
Without another word, Jiang Chen finished eating and the two of them got to work.
She stepped onto the grinder pedals.
The iron wheel rolled back and forth, making creaking sounds.
Jiang Chen added the herbs and watched her secretly.
As she focused, a soft strand of hair brushed her cheek. A blush crept onto her face. The light made her glow.
Jiang Chen's heart surged again—he swore he'd marry this woman one day.
She ground the herbs into fine powder, added honey and starch, then kneaded them into pills with warm water.
She held out the first pill in her delicate palm.
Instead of taking it, Jiang Chen bent down and gently kissed her fingers before placing the pill in his mouth.
"Hey!" she exclaimed, her face blazing red. "You're being ridiculous again! And you just ate it? What if it has side effects?"
"I need to test the effects myself."
"But what if something happens?" she scolded softly, though a secret anticipation rose in her heart.
She sneaked glances at him.
Jiang Chen smiled knowingly.
This was one of those unspoken moments.
He sat quietly for a while.
Ten minutes later, his face flushed, his breathing grew heavy, and his chest heaved.
"Wen-xian... it's working."
"Should we go to the hospital?" she said, pretending to panic.
"No. The hospital can't help with this."
"Then... maybe you should lie down. I'll stay with you."
He stood and walked toward her.
Just as he opened his mouth to speak—
BANG BANG BANG!
A violent knock shattered the night's quiet.
The door burst open.
Ma Laoda and a group of brawny villagers stormed in, wielding hoes, shovels, and knives.
Ma Er was with them, hatred in his eyes.
"Caught in the act!" Ma Laoda roared.
"Caught what act?" Jiang Chen snapped. "What are you talking about?"
"Wen-xian is part of the Ma family. Being with a shady outsider like you brings shame to us!"
"Her husband's been dead for years. She has the right to move on!"
"As the village security head, I must uphold morality! Tie them up!"
The villagers rushed forward.
Two grabbed Jiang Chen's arms.
Ma Er lunged at Wen-xian, grabbing her arm and trying to drag her.
Jiang Chen's eyes turned cold. Spiritual energy exploded within him.
A shockwave blasted outward.
The two attackers were thrown into the wall.
Ma Laoda swung a knife.
Jiang Chen blocked it, seized his wrist, and punched him in the chest.
Ma Laoda coughed blood and collapsed.
Jiang Chen turned and kicked Ma Er, sending him flying into two more villagers.
"GET OUT!!" he roared, his voice like thunder.
The rest scattered in terror.
Silence returned to the room.
Wen-xian sat on the bed wrapped in a blanket, tears in her eyes, shoulders trembling.
Like a rose shivering in the wind.
Jiang Chen looked at her for a long time and softly said, "I'm sorry."
"I'm okay... help me dress. I want to go home."
Jiang Chen gently helped her.
"I'll walk you back," he said.
In the night wind, he escorted her home.
Then returned alone to the clinic.
He lay on his back, staring at the ceiling, thoughts swirling.
"Without power, you'll be bullied anywhere."
"Jiang Chen, you must become strong!"