Chapter 7: The First Money

The weather was clear, with the scorching sun hanging high. The bustling market was filled with people sweating profusely.

Arriving at the entrance of the pharmacy called “Big Pharmacy” that Chen Xin found by asking around, supposedly the largest and most reputable pharmacy in Wuding Town, she half-hugged Fang Ziyu, who was sweating slightly, and walked towards it with determination.

Of course, Chen Xin’s peculiar outfit and ponytail attracted curious glances along the way. Upon entering the shop, she wasn’t surprised to find trained staff with smiling faces. They glanced at her and then continued their work without distraction.

Some were treating patients, dispensing medicine, calculating bills for villagers selling herbs, or purchasing medicine. There were even two doctors on duty. Business was booming, and they were understaffed.

Smelling the strong scent of sweat in the room, which was stronger than the smell of medicine, Chen Xin wrinkled her brow uncomfortably and immediately closed her sense of smell. She turned to look at Fang Ziyu, noticing his slightly pale complexion. She quickly walked up to a medicine apprentice and said in a low voice that only the three of them could hear, “Miss, I have a rare life saving medicine here. Are you interested in buying it?”

Ignoring the busy medicine apprentice, she only cared about Fang Ziyu. It could be said that Chen Xin was an extremely selfish person.

She had always known that if you wanted someone to value you, you needed to have leverage. But who made Chen Xin have leverage? A rare lifesaving medicinal material was definitely a rare find. Seeing Chen Xin dressed strangely but with a more outstanding appearance and temperament than the young ladies from the official family in town, the medicine apprentice was afraid of offending an important person.

She quickly said, “Yes, yes, we’ll take it. But only the boss can make the final decision. Miss, please wait a moment. Let me consult the boss.”

Nodding at Chen Xin, the medicine apprentice quickly went upstairs. In just a few moments, they heard a grumbling voice, “Why didn’t you bring it up? Do you want me to walk up and down for fun? Okay, okay, enough complaining. Show the way quickly.”

The boss kept grumbling, but seeing the medicine apprentice’s look of grievance, they couldn’t continue scolding. These little brats always used this trick to deal with her.

“Knock, knock, knock.”

The urgent and heavy footsteps from above arrived in front of Chen Xin, and the person took a breath before saying, “Miss… I mean, I’m surnamed Ning. You can call me Shopkeeper Ning. Can you confirm what you just said?”

Glancing at Ning, who looked silly but had small, cunning eyes, Chen Xin knew things weren’t as simple as they appeared on the surface.

“It’s true,” Chen Xin nodded.

Shopkeeper Ning was a bit excited because this branch of the store was just a branch. She had been in Wuding Town for five or six years without any significant achievements. If she succeeded this time, the boss would definitely value her and transfer her back to the capital. Shopkeeper Ning felt that she was being underutilized in this small town.

“Okay, okay, Miss, please follow me. This isn’t the place to talk.” Saying this, Shopkeeper Ning led Chen Xin and Fang Ziyu upstairs to the study.

“Please have a seat and rest.”

As soon as they entered the room, without waiting for Shopkeeper Ning to speak, Chen Xin pulled Fang Ziyu over and sat him down in a chair without hesitation. She also poured him a cup of tea to quench his thirst.

Gently patting his back, she asked, “Feeling better?”

Fang Ziyu smiled softly at Chen Xin. “Don’t worry, I’m fine.”

He didn’t want Chen Xin to be distracted because of him. Although he couldn’t help her much, he didn’t want her to be distracted because of him either.

Shopkeeper Ning, who was ignored on the side, didn’t feel embarrassed. He chuckled, “Miss really dotes on her husband. I’ve never seen anything like it in all my years.”

Although he said so, Chen Xin couldn’t help feeling somewhat skeptical. No matter how good-looking a man was, he shouldn’t be spoiled. They would only become arrogant and unreasonable.

Chen Xin glanced at Shopkeeper Ning, knowing that her words weren’t sincere, but she didn’t say anything. Anyway, there was no chance of seeing each other again after today. She felt a bit annoyed but remained expressionless. Placing the medicine on the table beside her, she opened the cloth to reveal the wild ginseng inside-approximately three hundred years old and perfectly preserved.

“How much can Shopkeeper Ning offer for this three-hundred-year-old wild ginseng?” Chen Xin got straight to the point.

—

Exiting the pharmacy, it was almost noon. Negotiating with Shopkeeper Ning took some time, but she was quite competent at her job. However, Chen Xin had originally planned to concoct some pills in the pharmacy to enhance the medicinal properties of the ginseng and keep half for herself, then buy the rest back at a high price.

She knew that the efficacy of medicine wasn’t as simple as one plus one. It could directly save a person who was on the brink of death, rather than just prolonging their life. No other medicine was needed for recovery, of course, except for injuries or internal injuries, excluding poison and curses.

But upon careful consideration, she decided against it. If the person who concocted the medicine was identified as her, her quiet days would soon be disturbed. Moreover, she didn’t think Shopkeeper Ning wouldn’t inform her behind-the-scenes boss. Although Shopkeeper Ning of “Big Pharmacy” was competent, she wasn’t the real boss.

Chen Xin didn’t know it because she had just arrived, but everyone in the ^[1]Jianghu “江湖” – in Chinese it’s typically refers to the martial arts world or the world of martial artists, often depicted in Chinese literature, movies, and folklore.’Jianghu’ knew that “Big Pharmacy” was a property of the Medicine Valley, managed by the young master of Medicine Valley. Due to excellent service and never giving people a hard time, even ordinary people would be warmly welcomed. Business was always booming, which made competitors envy them, but they didn’t dare to make any moves.

With 1,800 taels of silver wrapped in cloth, Chen Xin first took Fang Ziyu to an elegantly decorated restaurant, acting as his protector along the way. Seeing that the hall was already full, Chen Xin, who was about to step upstairs, looked at the waiter hurrying over and asked, “Does your restaurant have private rooms?”

“Yes, please follow me, esteemed guests.”

The waiter approached Chen Xin and then turned around to head upstairs. Leading the two individuals to a private room named “Rose,” he said, “Guests, please come in.”