126 No More than Three in a Month, No More than Nine in a Year (1/2)

”Good to know that it's been resolved.” Wang Yao was relieved when he heard the news.

Zhou Xiong was a responsible man, and his son was sensible. Wang Yao's impression of the father and son was very good.

That day, Li Maoshuang personally delivered the herbs that Wang Yao ordered to the village. It was the first time he had visited Nanshan hill and saw Wang Yao's herbal field.

”My god, you planted so many herbs?!” His eyes were wide.

”Ladybells, radix sileris, radix gentianae, licorice…What is this?”

His curiosity led him to make a round outside the herbal field, and the dog followed him closely with suspicious eyes like it was looking at a thief.

”Huh? Why is your dog looking at me like this? Why do I feel like it's looking at me like I am a thief?” Li Maoshuang was surprised and remarked.

”Yes, I think that's what it meant!” Wang Yao laughed.

”This dog is intelligent,” Li Maoshuang chuckled. He was not offended.

”I knew you had exceptional medical skills, and I thought you were a doctor. I didn't expect that you had planted herbs on your hill too.” Li Maoshuang looked around carefully. Wang Yao had planted many species of herbs, and there were multiple types. The quantities were not much and were insufficient to be considered large-scale cultivation. Due to his occupation, he had come across plenty of herbal field growers. Usually, they would grow one type or a few types of herbs. He had not seen someone grow multiple species of herbs like Wang Yao. Hence, he deduced that Wang Yao did not rely on the herbal field for income.

”These herbs are mainly for my own use,” Wang Yao said, raising his hand and pointed to the herbal field.

”Own use? How?” Li Maoshuang asked out of curiosity.

”For decoction.”

”Decoction? You are a Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner?”

”Yes and no; I am a pharmacist,” Wang Yao said, smiling.

”Pharmacist? Like a medicine maker?”

Wang Yao shook his head and smiled. ”The former and not the latter.”

Li Maoshuang heard him and was full of doubt. He took note of Wang Yao's expression, thought about it and did not question further.

Wang Yao invited him into the cottage to have a seat. The cottage did not have many furnishings, only a few tables and chairs and plain, white walls. Instead of saying it was simple, it could be said to be a little shabby.

”Have some tea.”

Wang Yao prepared Li Maoshuang a pot of water and a cup of tea with a faint fragrance.

”This is good tea!” Li Maoshuang drank a sip and remarked. He was fond of tea and could tell the tea was extraordinary just from a sip.

”Are you always on this hill?”

”More or less,” Wang Yao replied.

”You're like a hermit, reminiscent of Tao Yuanming,” Li Maoshuang commented. ”Just that it's a little boring.”

”It's not boring at all; I have a lot of things to do.” Wang Yao gazed out of the window.

Tending to the herbal field, reciting scriptures, walking around the hill, practicing his breathing exercises—there was so much to do. How could it be boring?

”Personally, I can't stand this sort of life,” Li Maoshuang smiled and said. He had controlled smoking and drinking because of health reasons, and if there were dinners, he would decline them whenever he could. However, he had retained certain hobbies such as playing cards, fishing, and traveling. This was the life he liked, and it could be said to be an enjoyment. After the scare that time, he had learned to accept the situation. There could never be enough money to earn. So long as there was enough to spend, health was still the most important.

Li Maoshuang stayed on the hill for around 20 minutes before leaving.

With the herbs, Wang Yao could decoct the Regather soup.

He raised his head to look out the window. A pleasant day—it was good weather. Instead of choosing a particular day, one could allow things to happen naturally—why not choose this day?

Wang Yao prepared the herbs, firewood and other items and started the decoction process. The fire blazed, and the herbal scent was faint. Multiple herbs were continuously added. Wang Yao quietly sat in front of the fire, observing each step. He was extremely serious about his task, as this was a decoction that could extend one's lifespan.

By the time the decoction was done, the sun had already dipped halfway towards the western part of the sky.

While he was making his way down the hill in the evening, he accidentally overheard the villagers talking about him.

”Have you heard? Wang Yide got detained at the police station because of Wang Fenghua's family.”

”Yes, but he deserved it; such a scoundrel!”

”Guess it's his son. I heard the branch secretary comment by accident that this young man is very astute!”

Wang Yao halted momentarily and then continued on his way home. Returning home for dinner, he heard his parents discuss the matter.

Wang Yao said these two words: ”That's good.”

”Good? How can this be considered a good thing?” Zhang Xiuying was a little displeased. She cared deeply about their image and did not like hearing the villagers criticize her family. In her opinion, this was not something to be proud of.

”In future, these people will not give trouble,” Wang Yao smiled and replied.