Chapter 27

Zhou Mingyue sat on a stool in the house while an elderly traditional Chinese medicine doctor applied medicine to her face. Her face was covered with numerous scratches, clearly made by someone clawing at her viciously. Lan Yun’er stood at the doorway and paused for a moment. It had only been one night since they last met, but Zhou Mingyue’s face now looked utterly miserable. If these wounds weren’t treated properly, they might leave scars, which would seriously mar her looks.

When Zhou Mingyue raised her eyes and saw Lan Yun’er and Huo Jincheng entering the room, her brows furrowed, and a trace of surprise flickered in her eyes, as though she hadn’t expected to encounter them here. But soon, her gaze turned fierce, filled with malice and deep resentment.

Last night, shortly after she returned home, her second aunt brought Zhou Biwu to their door. The reason? Zhou Biwu had fallen and injured his forehead, and since he had been running an errand for her when it happened, her second aunt came demanding medical expenses. Her second aunt, a greedy woman, asked for 50 yuan—a significant sum for this era. Naturally, Zhou Mingyue was unwilling to pay, especially since Zhou Biwu hadn’t even completed the task. So, she refused outright.

Unexpectedly, her refusal led to her second aunt directly laying hands on her. Zhou Mingyue’s mother and older sister, Zhou Mingli, tried to intervene, but they were stopped by her eldest aunt and third aunt, who had entered later. These two also felt humiliated because of what had happened at the Huo family’s place and blamed Zhou Mingyue for it, deciding to come over to “settle the score.” In the end, her aunts joined forces to beat her, leaving her face covered in bloody scratches.

Her mother suggested she go to the barefoot doctor in the village for treatment, but Zhou Mingyue didn’t trust their medical skills. After all, this was her face they were talking about—if it wasn’t treated properly and left scars, it would be a huge problem. So, early this morning, before 5 AM, she set off for the town. She’d heard about a private pharmacy in a secluded alley, run by an elderly Chinese medicine doctor with excellent skills. It took her nearly half a day to find it in the city. But she hadn’t expected her path to cross with Huo Jincheng and Lan Yun’er in such a small world.

While she didn’t mind seeing Huo Jincheng, the sight of Lan Yun’er immediately angered her. Just looking at Lan Yun’er’s face made her want to tear it apart!

Lan Yun’er’s gaze lingered on Zhou Mingyue for a second before she turned to thank the man leading them, who happened to be a shop assistant at the private pharmacy. After expressing gratitude, Lan Yun’er pulled Huo Jincheng’s hand and walked toward a middle-aged man, presumably the owner of the pharmacy based on his attire.

Seeing them approach, the owner, Yu Hong, quickly stood up. “Are you here to buy medicine or…?”

“Boss, I have some herbs here. Do you buy them?” Huo Jincheng set down the basket he had been carrying on his back and took out a bag.

Yu Hong looked surprised. “Herbs?”

Huo Jincheng opened the bag, revealing the contents. Yu Hong’s eyes widened in astonishment. “These herbs are quite rare! Did you gather them yourself? It’s impressive to find such valuable herbs in this weather.”

Yu Hong’s compliment was genuine. At this time of year, wild herbs were scarce, let alone ones of such quality.

Lan Yun’er glanced at Yu Hong. If he knew she had an even larger wild Ganoderma lucidum back at home, he’d probably be even more shocked. To her, though, only that Ganoderma was truly worth noting; these herbs were insignificant.

After inspecting the herbs, Yu Hong said, “These are excellent. I’ll take them all.”

Huo Jincheng and Lan Yun’er exchanged smiles, relieved that the sale had been so smooth. They had expected it to take more effort to negotiate.

Meanwhile, Zhou Mingyue, watching Yu Hong examine the herbs, felt her mood sink. These herbs were undoubtedly gathered by Lan Yun’er since Huo Jincheng had been working in another village and wouldn’t have had time to go into the mountains. Moreover, Lan Yun’er had gone to the mountains just yesterday.

This confirmed that the herbs were Lan Yun’er’s doing. Zhou Mingyue seethed with jealousy. Why did someone like Lan Yun’er have such good fortune? She could catch wild game and even find valuable herbs. Why did fate favor such a person?

Consumed by envy, Zhou Mingyue clenched her fists tightly, her sharp nails digging into her palms. The elderly doctor treating her glanced at her, noting the harsh expression on her face. This girl looks ruthless—not someone easy to deal with.

After Yu Hong purchased the herbs, his attention shifted to the wild rabbit and pheasant in Huo Jincheng’s basket. “Are you selling these too?”

Lan Yun’er’s eyes lit up. Sensing an opportunity, she quickly nodded. “Yes, they’re for sale. If you enjoy wild game, you can take them as well.”

Yu Hong laughed heartily. “I do enjoy wild game, but my father-in-law loves it even more. His birthday is in a few days, so I’ll buy these as a gift for him.”

Lan Yun’er beamed. “Then let me wish your father-in-law a happy birthday in advance.”

Yu Hong chuckled. “You’re a sweet talker, young lady.”

Watching Lan Yun’er converse so smoothly with the pharmacy owner, Zhou Mingyue’s heart burned with jealousy. That wretched woman! She was so good at flattering men; it made her detestable to the core.

The rabbit, pheasant, and herbs sold for over twenty yuan in total. Earning that much in a single day made Lan Yun’er very happy. She tucked the money into her pocket, her face glowing with joy.

Yu Hong looked at her and smiled. “Young lady, if you have more herbs in the future, feel free to bring them to me. Rest assured, I’ll give you a fair price—whatever the black market offers, I’ll match.”

He noted that, despite Huo Jincheng’s modest attire, he carried himself with dignity—a man like him was bound to achieve success one day. As for the young woman, she was a natural charmer.

With a sweet appearance and a humble attitude,
especially with her ability to flatter with words,

she was the type of person he was willing to befriend and buy goods from.

Lan Yun’er laughed heartily. “Alright, as long as the boss is willing to buy, I’ll make sure to deliver the goods to you.”

Yu Hong smiled faintly. “Then I’ll wait for your next delivery.”

After exchanging a few more words, Lan Yun’er left with Huo Jincheng.

Watching their backs, Zhou Mingyue’s eyes were filled with gloom.

Once her facial wounds were treated, Zhou Mingyue abruptly stood up and approached Yu Hong with a smile. “Boss, I overheard you mentioning that you’re looking to purchase medicinal herbs, is that right?”

Soon, she would have her own personal space.

That space contained many seeds for medicinal herbs.

She could plant them in her space, harvest them, and with the help of the spiritual spring water within, the seeds would grow into mature herbs within a week.

She would have plenty of medicinal herbs to sell.

Yu Hong glanced at Zhou Mingyue, slightly surprised. “You have herbs to sell as well?”

Zhou Mingyue nodded. “Yes, boss. I have a large amount of premium medicinal herbs. If you’re interested, I can sell them to you at a lower price.”

Yu Hong furrowed his brows and pondered for a few seconds. Looking at Zhou Mingyue, he nodded. “Alright, if you have herbs, you can sell them to me. I’ll pay the market price.”

“Great, thank you, boss. It’s a deal then,” Zhou Mingyue replied, her face beaming with a flattering smile.

After pausing for a moment, she added, “Also, I’d like to wish your father-in-law a happy birthday—may he live as long as the East Sea and as steady as the Southern Mountain.”

Yu Hong: “…”

Looking at the overly cheerful young woman, he felt inexplicably uncomfortable.

Her voice was sweet, but he couldn’t detect any sincerity in it.

Still, after a brief hesitation, Yu Hong replied, “Thank you.”

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Zhou Mingyue left with her belongings.

In her mind, she had completely forgotten the disdain she felt earlier when Lan Yun’er flattered men to get what she wanted. Now, she herself was behaving in the same way, yet she didn’t feel cheap or annoying.

After Zhou Mingyue left, the old herbalist approached Yu Hong and said, “That girl earlier had a menacing look. She doesn’t seem like a good person. I advise you to avoid dealing with her.”

The old herbalist, being experienced, could read people well and sensed that Zhou Mingyue’s character was questionable.

Yu Hong turned to him and smiled slightly. “Thank you for the warning, Uncle Zeng. I also feel that girl isn’t sincere. If she comes to sell herbs in the future, I’ll treat her as an ordinary customer without forming any deeper ties.”

The old herbalist nodded in agreement. “Good.”

After leaving the herbal shop, Lan Yun’er pulled Huo Jincheng along as they strolled through the streets.

The town in the 1980s couldn’t compare to the towns of the 21st century—less visually appealing and lacking in variety.

However, it was still better and livelier than their village.

After wandering for a while, Lan Yun’er dragged Huo Jincheng into a noodle shop.

They had only eaten a bit of wild vegetable cake in the morning, and that had long since been digested.

Entering the shop, Lan Yun’er pulled Huo Jincheng to a seat and said to a waiter, “I’ll have two bowls of egg noodles.”

The noodles, made from refined grains, were expensive, and the eggs made them even more costly.

Huo Jincheng’s brow furrowed ever so slightly. He looked at the waiter and quickly said, “One bowl is enough.”

Lan Yun’er frowned slightly and turned to Huo Jincheng. “How can one bowl be enough? That’s not enough for both of us.”

Huo Jincheng looked at her gently and replied, “I’m not hungry. You can eat.”

Lan Yun’er: “…”

After walking so far, how could he not be hungry?

He was clearly just trying to save money.

She wanted to scold him for being stingy, but she knew it wasn’t stinginess—it was poverty.

For someone from a genuinely poor family, even buying a drink could feel like an extravagance.

If he were truly stingy, he wouldn’t have followed her in here or ordered a bowl of noodles for her.

“We must have two bowls of noodles. We just earned some money today, so this small expense is nothing.” Lan Yun’er’s words were filled with a sense of heartache for him.

Here was someone who should have been attending university, yet was forced to struggle for survival in a small village.

Without him, the Huo family might have already fallen apart.

Not waiting for his reply, she turned to the waiter and said, “Two bowls of noodles, both with eggs.”

The waiter quickly agreed. “Alright, coming right up.”

Huo Jincheng looked at her with mixed emotions. He knew she cared for him and didn’t want him to go hungry.

He was deeply moved, as if a warm current was flowing through his chest.

“Yun’er…” He wanted to say something to her.

She stared at him intently and said, “Jincheng, I believe you’ll earn a lot of money in the future. I believe you’ll give me a happy and comfortable life.”

Her tone was resolute, full of trust in him and his ability to provide.

Huo Jincheng felt a jolt in his chest. He hadn’t expected his little wife to trust him so deeply.

Clenching his fists, he solemnly promised, “Don’t worry, Yun’er. I’ll work hard and make sure you live a good life.”

Lan Yun’er smiled radiantly and looked at him with shining eyes. “Alright, I’m looking forward to it. But to earn money, you need to take care of your health first. You can’t skimp on necessities or go hungry. If you ruin your health, how will you earn money?”

Huo Jincheng: “…”

She made such a valid point that he couldn’t argue.

The noodles arrived quickly. Lan Yun’er took a deep breath, savoring the aroma.

But just as she picked up a bite of noodles, she noticed Zhou Mingyue walking in.

Her movements froze, and her brow furrowed.

What kind of ill-fated connection was this? How could she run into Zhou Mingyue everywhere?

Huo Jincheng noticed Zhou Mingyue too. His expression darkened as he glanced at her before turning to Lan Yun’er. “Eat quickly. Don’t bother with unrelated people, or the noodles will go soggy.”

After the recent events, Huo Jincheng also disliked Zhou Mingyue and didn’t want to see her.

Hearing Huo Jincheng call her an “unrelated person,” Zhou Mingyue’s face twisted in indignation, her throat tightening as if pricked by a thorn.

This was her male lead—her male lead called her an “unrelated person”!

Lan Yun’er chuckled at his words and glanced at him warmly. “Alright, you eat quickly too.”

She resumed eating but kept a wary eye on Zhou Mingyue’s movements.

Was Zhou Mingyue following them intentionally?

Not long after, a young man entered the shop, immediately lighting up upon seeing Lan Yun’er.

Little Yun? Is that really you? I can’t believe it!” He rushed over excitedly.

Lan Yun’er looked confused. “Who are you?”

The man looked shocked and hurt. don’t you remember me? I’m Hu Xinkai, your high school classmate! Didn’t I tell you before? Once we got into university, I’d tell my family about us and marry you…”

Huo Jincheng’s expression darkened instantly.

The passage narrates the unfolding events and emotions surrounding several characters, primarily Lan Yun’er, Huo Jinchen, and Zhou Mingyue, set in a small town during the 1980s.

Lan Yun’er, with her sweet looks and humble demeanor, was particularly adept at saying pleasant things, which made people inclined to associate with her and buy what she sold.

Lan Yun’er laughed heartily and said to Yu Hong, “Alright, as long as you’re willing to buy, I’ll make sure to deliver the goods to you.”

Yu Hong smiled. “Then I’ll wait for you to bring me more good stuff.”

After chatting with Yu Hong for a while, Lan Yun’er and Huo Jinchen left. Watching their backs, Zhou Mingyue’s expression darkened.

Later, after applying medicine to her facial injuries, Zhou Mingyue suddenly stood up and walked toward Yu Hong with a smile on her face. “Boss, I overheard earlier that you are looking to buy medicinal herbs, right?”

Zhou Mingyue was thrilled. Soon, she would own a magical space filled with seeds of various herbs. She could plant these seeds in her space, where the spiritual spring water would allow them to grow and mature within a week. With an abundance of high-quality medicinal herbs, she could sell them and make a fortune.

Yu Hong looked at her, slightly surprised. “You also have medicinal herbs to sell?”

Zhou Mingyue nodded. “Yes, boss. I have a lot of valuable herbs. If you’re interested, I can sell them to you at a discounted price.”

After a brief moment of contemplation, Yu Hong nodded. “Alright. If you have herbs to sell, bring them here. I’ll pay you the market price.”

“Great, thank you, boss. It’s settled then,” Zhou Mingyue replied, her face glowing with excitement and a hint of flattery. After a pause, she added, “And let me wish your father-in-law a very happy birthday. May he enjoy longevity and boundless blessings!”

Yu Hong was momentarily taken aback. Although her tone was sweet, it lacked sincerity, leaving him feeling uneasy. Nonetheless, he thanked her. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Zhou Mingyue left with her belongings.

She completely forgot that earlier, in her mind, she had criticized Lan Yun’er for sweet-talking men. Ironically, she herself had just done the same with Yu Hong, wearing an ingratiating smile, but never considered her actions distasteful or annoying.

After Zhou Mingyue left, the old Chinese medicine practitioner approached Yu Hong. “That young woman just now—she’s no kind-hearted soul. I advise you to keep your distance,” the doctor said insightfully.

Yu Hong nodded with a faint smile. “Thank you, Uncle Zeng, for the advice. I also feel that she’s not a genuine person. If she comes to sell herbs in the future, I’ll treat her as an ordinary customer and won’t get too involved.”

The old doctor nodded approvingly. “Good.”

After leaving the pharmacy, Lan Yun’er dragged Huo Jinchen along, strolling through the bustling town. Although not as developed as the towns of the 21st century, this place was far livelier than their rural village. After some wandering, Lan Yun’er led Huo Jinchen into a noodle shop.

They had only eaten some wild vegetable cakes in the morning, which had long since been digested. As soon as they sat down, Lan Yun’er called out to the waiter, “We’d like two bowls of egg noodles, please.”

Understanding the costliness of refined grain noodles, not to mention the addition of eggs, Huo Jinchen hesitated. “One bowl is enough,” he said quickly, his brow furrowing.

Lan Yun’er frowned slightly. “How can one bowl be enough? We won’t have enough to eat.”

Looking at her, Huo Jinchen said gently, “I’m not hungry. You eat.”

Lan Yun’er was speechless. After walking so far, how could he not be hungry? He was merely trying to save money.

She wanted to call him out for being stingy but understood that it wasn’t stinginess—it was the result of poverty. A genuine poor man couldn’t afford to spend recklessly. If Huo Jinchen were truly miserly, he wouldn’t have agreed to come in and order noodles.

Determined, Lan Yun’er insisted, “We earned money today, so this small expense is nothing.” Then, turning to the waiter, she reiterated, “Two bowls of egg noodles, please, with eggs in both.”

Huo Jinchen, seeing her resolve, felt a wave of gratitude in his chest. Her care and trust touched him deeply.

“Yun’er,” he began but was interrupted by her firm tone. “Jinchen, I believe in you. I know you’ll earn a lot of money in the future and provide us with a happy, comfortable life.”

Moved, Huo Jinchen nodded solemnly. “I promise you, Yun’er, I will work hard to give you a good life.”

Lan Yun’er smiled radiantly. “Good. I’ll be waiting. But to earn money, you must take care of your health. Spending money where necessary is essential; you can’t afford to neglect yourself.”

Huo Jinchen, unable to refute her logic, felt his heart warm even further.

Soon, the noodles were served. Huo Jinchen gave the egg in his bowl to Lan Yun’er, claiming he didn’t like eggs. Lan Yun’er saw through his lie, returning the egg to his bowl. “You eat it. I already have one.”

While they ate, Zhou Mingyue entered the noodle shop, much to Lan Yun’er’s displeasure. Trying to ignore her, she focused on her meal.

Zhou Mingyue, on the other hand, couldn’t suppress her jealousy, watching the affectionate interaction between Lan Yun’er and Huo Jinchen.

Shortly after, a young man entered the shop and, seeing Lan Yun’er, exclaimed in surprise, “Xiao Yun? It’s really you!”

Lan Yun’er looked confused. “Who are you?”

“It’s me, Hu Xinkai! Your high school classmate. I told you before, once we got into university, I’d tell my family about us and propose to you,” he said emotionally.

Huo Jinchen’s face darkened. Pushing Hu Xinkai’s hand away from Lan Yun’er, he said coldly, “Sir, please respect yourself. This is my wife.”

From a nearby table, Zhou Mingyue smirked, enjoying the scene. She knew Hu Xinkai from Lan Yun’er’s past and couldn’t wait to see how Lan Yun’er would explain this to Huo Jinchen.