He Yuan came to see Zhang Qiu: “My dad has been coughing a bit recently, maybe caught a chill while sleeping. I want to get some medicine from you.”

Zhang Qiu asked, “Besides the cough, any other symptoms?”

He Yuan hesitated for a moment: “Fever, very sensitive to cold, uh, also sore throat and dry mouth.”

Zhang Qiu glanced at He Yuan.

How could a wind-cold illness have wind-heat symptoms?

But it’s hard to say; everyone’s constitution is different, maybe there’s another underlying issue.

“Have Uncle He come over, I’ll take a look,” Zhang Qiu said.

“My dad’s already gone to work today. This job isn’t easy to get, and he doesn’t dare take leave. He asked me to bring the medicine to him,” He Yuan explained, pushing over a canned pork belly.

That’s definitely enough.

But Zhang Qiu still felt that Uncle He’s symptoms were a bit strange and wasn’t quite sure.

Since there’s a fever, reducing it first wouldn’t hurt.

Zhang Qiu gave him a pack of medicine.

He Yuan watched Zhang Qiu carefully as he prepared the medicine.

“Will this traditional Chinese medicine really work?”

Zhang Qiu replied slowly, “Then I’ll get you an ibuprofen pill.”

“That’s not what I meant. We’ve known each other for so many years, I definitely trust you,” He Yuan said.

Zhang Qiu didn’t comment.

“Do you still have enough herbal medicine? I saw you’ve been boiling medicine for a while. I heard there are quite a few herbal shops around Zhongqiu Street. Should we go check them out together?” He Yuan said.

He Yuan was unusually talkative today.

Zhang Qiu grew suspicious and asked, “Why?”

Just earlier, Yu Xifeng had told Zhang Qiu not to go out alone with He Yuan.

And now He Yuan suddenly showed up.

It was hard not to overthink.

Zhang Qiu paused while handing over the medicine, lowered his head, and casually said, “That place? I already went with Yu Xifeng. The medicine we brought back will last for a while.”

A flash of resentment quickly crossed He Yuan’s face.

Zhang Qiu’s heart sank.

After He Yuan left, Old Cai walked in from outside and sighed, “The tree wants to be still, but the wind never stops.”

When they bought medicine before, because He Yuan’s mother’s health wasn’t good, Zhang Qiu had even asked He Yuan if he wanted to buy some together.

He Yuan said the family couldn’t afford it.

But now, it was obvious he had some other plan.

People’s hearts are hard to fathom.

In Zhang Qiu’s impression, He Yuan was still that quiet, taciturn kid from another family.

Not sure when he changed into this current form.

“The He family…” Old Cai shook his head, clicking his tongue.

He wanted to smoke again.

Old Cai wandered around the room, then self-consciously stuffed a piece of dried sweet potato into his mouth: “Xiao Qiu, remember what Xiao Yu said.”

“I know, Grandpa.”

Yu Xifeng opened the door, and outside stood a woman with a gentle smile.

She was the same woman from the last auction, the one who had competed with Yu Xifeng for the RV.

Her surname was Zhou — Zhou Qingsha.

“Miss Yu, we met at the last auction. I apologize for dropping by unannounced.”

Zhou Qingsha wore light makeup and a teal qipao with a light-colored shawl, resembling a refined lady from Jiangnan.

She said she bought the RV at the Contribution Point Center — the one Yu Xifeng had originally planned to pool money for and buy.

Though not as nice as the one Yu Xifeng won, it was good enough.

In just a few words, Zhou Qingsha eased the tension from their previous competition.

She brought a gift — a translucent glass-like jade peace amulet that responded to the space.

Not really glass, but jade that looked very glass-like.

She had taken the trouble to learn about Yu Xifeng’s preferences.

Being a guest, and because of the peace amulet, Yu Xifeng invited her in for a cup of tea.

“I rented a small venue and plan to hold a tea tasting event. Everyone has quite a few unused items; maybe we can exchange them.”

That tea tasting event post was actually Zhou Qingsha’s idea.

If it involved trading unused goods, then it was worth going.

Yu Xifeng agreed.

Zhou Qingsha smiled gracefully while drinking tea; after setting down her cup, she complimented Yu Xifeng’s good complexion.

Youth really makes a difference.

Yu Xifeng never lacked meat, eggs, dairy, or fresh fruit.

With good nutrition and exercise, few in the inner circle had as good a complexion as Yu Xifeng.

But hearing it from Zhou Qingsha felt especially pleasant.

Dabai came crawling out from behind the curtain.

“You’re raising a beautiful big white goose. If you ever sell it, don’t sell it cheap,” Zhou Qingsha said generously, “No matter how much others offer, I’ll pay double.”

Yu Xifeng said, “I’ve raised it for quite a while now, and it can lay eggs. Don’t worry, I won’t disappoint you with what I bring over.”

Zhou Qingsha left smiling, trailing a faint fragrance.

The tea tasting event was in the evening. After practicing boxing at Old Cai’s place, the time was just right.

Her recent practice had improved a lot.

She was gradually able to integrate her point of power with her breathing rhythm, and when the power was hidden in her heart, she felt an extremely profound sensation.

Her body felt lighter.

Like a chef controlling heat, she could better control every bit of her strength.

Old Cai said, “The master leads you to the door, but cultivation depends on yourself. You’re already at the door; like standing post, this boxing style you can practice on your own now.”

Controlling her own strength.

Yu Xifeng went to the tea tasting event with light steps.

At the event, Yu Xifeng learned that Zhou Qingsha was the daughter of a well-known group in Lin City.

She had stepped over many brothers to claim the heir position.

Some brothers were full siblings, some half siblings from the mother’s side, others half siblings from the father’s side, and even some from other branches.

At the start of the tea tasting, Zhou Qingsha was linked arm-in-arm with a delicate-featured young man.

The tea ceremony performance was smooth and beautiful.

Some people spoke eloquently about it, describing a spring breeze on the face, and the color of the tea soup.

Yu Xifeng thought the tea smelled quite good and drank two large pots while watching the performance.

The buzz cut guy cast a disdainful look.

Later, Zhou Qingsha personally brought over a cup of tea poured from the stage tea master.

The buzz cut guy sheepishly stopped his grand talk.

Yu Xifeng traded two chicks for a sky-blue jade bracelet, a string of agate beads, a uniquely designed bronze sheep statue, a half-human-high stone Guanyin statue, and even half a phoenix robe.

The buzz cut guy squeezed over and pulled out a worn jade pendant: “This is my family heirloom. Miss Yu, will you take it?”

Yu Xifeng glanced at it, showing no mercy: “Fake.”

“You country bumpkin, what do you know? This is Tang Dynasty blue-white jade!” the buzz cut guy shouted.

Yu Xifeng didn’t care: “Then it’s real. But I’m not taking it.”

The space gave no response. She had spent real money and didn’t want to be the fool.

The buzz cut guy’s expression froze, then turned pleading: “It’s real. My great-grandfather passed it down. Miss Yu, please take another look.”

He brought a lot of stuff, but no one was interested.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t be so eager to sell it to Yu Xifeng.