Chapter 21: Looking for revenge on Gu Chengfeng?

“Do you know who I am?  Delaying my Brother Feng’s business, can you afford the consequences?”

The man, seemingly with important business for Gu Chengfeng, pushed past the guards.

The guards stopped him, refusing to let him pass, their patience wearing thin.  “I told you he’s not here!  If you cause any more trouble, I won’t be polite…” He pulled a stick from his waist.

The man instinctively shrank his neck, glaring at him.  “You win…”

He turned and left, spitting on the ground and muttering curses.

Only after he was gone did Shen Sisi dare to emerge with her child.

Why would Gu Chengfeng know someone like that?

Was it revenge?

Gu Chengfeng might be in danger!

Shen Sisi uncontrollably followed him, maintaining a safe distance.

She wouldn’t lose him, and she wouldn’t be easily noticed.

She had to find out who he was, where he lived, to provide clues to the police.

Above all, she wouldn’t let Gu ChengBrother Fengt hurt!

Heizi (Blacky) quickly weaved through the crowd, suddenly feeling watched, a chill running down his spine.

He spun around, scanning his surroundings.  Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.  He frowned. Was he too nervous?

He’d been busy with Brother Feng’s instructions for days, barely sleeping, and was indeed a little disoriented.

Now the job was done, but Gu Chengfeng had disappeared.  What was going on?

He hurried towards the ferry.

Shen Sisi, holding Niu Niu, hid around a corner.  She was lucky; otherwise, she would have been discovered.

Seeing the man board the ferry to cross the river, she wanted to rush after him but was stopped.

“It’s you…”

A young, boyish face appeared, blocking her path.

Shen Sisi stamped her foot in frustration, watching the ferry sail away.  She was furious.

“What are you doing? Why are you stopping me?”  Didn’t he know how much trouble he’d caused? She’d lost the man.

Dong Xiaojiang scratched his head sheepishly. “Sorry, I was too excited. You know, Brother Hua and I have been looking for you for two days, right Brother Hua?”

Cao Hua nodded, his eyes glued to Shen Sisi.

His bright red woolen coat paled in comparison to her flushed face.

Her angry, wide-eyed expression was like an irritated little rabbit – quite cute!

“Brother Hua, what’s wrong with your eyes? Why are they so wide?”

Dong Xiaojiang noticed that Cao Hua acted strangely whenever he saw Shen Sisi.

Cao Hua kicked him, frantically shouting, “Shut up!”

“Why did you kick me…?”

Shen Sisi, still angry, ignored them.

Only when the ferry was completely gone did she give up the chase.

“Why did you stop me?”

Dong Xiaojiang immediately grabbed Cao Hua’s arm, showing it to her.

“Look!”

Shen Sisi glanced at Cao Hua’s hand, noticing the swelling had gone down, and the bruising had faded.

He had been using her medicinal oil, frequently.

“It’s healed well…Can you move your wrist?” Shen Sisi asked with concern.

Cao Hua quickly rotated his wrist; the movement was smooth and flexible, pain-free.

Shen Sisi’s gloom lifted.

“Thank you, your medicinal oil is very effective!” Cao Hua finally managed to say.

Shen Sisi was happy to be acknowledged and felt confident about her “medicinal oil business”!

“If you came to thank me, then I’ve received it.”

Before Shen Sisi finished, Dong Xiaojiang interrupted anxiously. “No, we came to ask where you bought your medicinal oil.”

Shen Sisi smiled. “It’s a unique formula; you can’t buy it anywhere.”

Dong Xiaojiang and Cao Hua exchanged glances, their faces showing disappointment.

Shen Sisi, seeing this, changed her tone. “However…if you like it, I can make some for you.”

“That wouldn’t be right…” Cao Hua blurted out.  It felt like taking advantage of a girl.

Shen Sisi smiled. “Of course, it’s not free. You have to help me spread the word. If people like it, they can contact me to order.”

She planned to use a pre-order model. The ingredients weren’t cheap; some herbs had to be collected from the mountains.

Hearing this, Cao Hua was surprised and looked at Shen Sisi with admiration, immediately ordering fifteen bottles!

“Fifteen bottles…” Dong Xiaojiang looked at him strangely.  Did Brother Hua want to use the oil for a bath?

Shen Sisi waved her hands. “That’s too much. You don’t use it every day. Besides, one bottle lasts a long time.”

“It’s not just for me. Many of the dockworkers have injuries. I’m buying it for them.”

Shen Sisi looked at him with respect. “Okay, I’ll take the order and ensure the herbs are sufficient!”

She estimated the preparation and brewing time; it would take at least two or three days.

“I’ll deliver it to you at…”

“I’m at Dock Three. Just ask anyone there, and they’ll direct you to me.”

“It’s a deal!”

Shen Sisi smiled. Cao Hua was her benefactor!

He not only saved her but also gave her her first business.

She had only planned to test the waters, selling the oil around the docks with Niu Niu, but now her sales channel was open.

Seeing her happy smile, Cao Hua was also infected and smiled…

Holding Niu Niu’s hand, she returned to the black market.

She bought various things, filling her basket quickly.

Besides food, she also bought some herbs: Angelica, Spatholobus, Panax notoginseng, and Sappanwood were readily available.

Mint, wild chrysanthemum, and Lithospermum she could collect from the mountains.

As for the oil…

Lithospermum oil was best, but sesame oil or peanut oil could be substituted, along with beeswax.

Ordinary medicinal oil required at least a month of herb soaking, longer being better.

But the old doctor had taught her a quick method, producing oil in two or three days.

Shen Sisi bought herbs while considering the oil.

Oil was precious and not easily obtained in large quantities.

The black market prices were too high.  She was about to go to the supply and marketing cooperative when the woman who hadn’t sold her chickens earlier appeared, carrying an old hen.

“Sister, I’ve finally found you!”

The hen’s beak was almost touching her face.

She stepped back in fright. “Sister, you…you still remember me!”