Elixir Supplier

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

When Wang Yao arrived home, he saw that Wang Ru, his sister, was at home as well.

“Hi sis,” said Wang Yao.

“Yao, mom said you’re on the hill all the time, even staying overnight there. Are you possessed? I thought you were going to find a proper job in town? How come that didn’t happen?” Wang Ru started to preach Wang Yao even before he sat down.

“Don’t try to change the topic, you said you found a boyfriend last week,” said Zhang Xiuying with her hand tapping on the table.

“I dumped him,” said Wang Ru with a smile.

“Why?” said Zhang Xiuying with her eyes wide open.

“We didn’t get along,” said Wang Ru.

“Again!? Darling, can’t you find a different excuse next time?” said Zhang Xiuying.

“Mom, Why bother about such things? I’m not even worried myself,” said Wang Ru impatiently.

“Of course I’m bothered! I don’t even want to go out because everyone in the village asks me when you will get married. And you don’t know what they say behind our backs!” said Zhang Xiuying angrily.

“Who’s been talking behind my back? Those freakin’ gossipers!” Wang Ru rolled her eyes and hit the table when she stood up.

“Sit down!” shouted Zhang Xiuying. Wang Ru sat down obediently.

Wang Yao could sense the tense atmosphere. He stood up and walked towards his room in case they started to talk about him.

“You! Where are you going?” Zhang Xiuying lifted her head up and spoke to Wang Yao.

Shit! thought Wang Yao.

“When will you find yourself a girlfriend?” asked Zhang Xiuying.

“Well, mom, you probably should talk to my sister first. She’s older than me. I should wait until after she’s married. What do you think?” said Wang Yao.

“What are you saying…” Wang Ru pointed at Wang Yao angrily.

“I agree with Yao, you should hurry up and find a boyfriend next month!” said Zhang Xiuying.

“Mom! You’ve asked me to bring home a boyfriend when it’s Chinese New Year. How come it changed to next month?” said Wang Ru.

“Don’t bargain with me!” said Zhang Xiuying firmly.

Wang Fenghua didn’t have dinner at home as he had other arrangements. Wang Yao still couldn’t have dinner in peace with his mother and sister when his father was not around. Wang Yao quickly finished his meal and hid in his room. He started to read some medical books as usual, but not for long because Wang Ru entered his room.

“Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor, Compendium of Materia Medica, Invaluable Prescriptions for Ready Reference. What are you doing? Learning medicine?” Wang Ru asked in surprise as she read through the books on Wang Yao’s table.

“Just for leisure,” said Wang Yao casually.

“The entry examination for civil servants is going to start soon. There are a lot of vacancies in town and in the city. I think you should start to prepare for the exam!”

Wang Yao would have listened to his sister if it had been several months ago, but now, he was not interested.

“Sis, I’m not interested in becoming a civil servant,” said Wang Yao.

“Then what do you want to do? Grow herbs and become a quack doctor?” challenged Wang Ru.

“I’m a traditional Chinese Pharmacist.”

“What pharmacist? Like a drug analyst?

“Sis, I think your priority should be finding a husband. Don’t worry about me and what I do for a living!” said Wang Yao.

“Your sister is as pretty as a flower; I have numerous admirers,” said Wang Ru.

“I do admire your confidence, sis. If that’s the case, then you should bring someone home in no time. Choose someone reliable!” said Wang Yao.

“What do you mean?” said Wang Yao.

“I’m going to sleep now. You should go out to chat with mom,” Wang Yao said as he pushed Wang Ru out of his room.

After sending her sister away, Wang Yao went to sleep after reading one of the books for a short while.

He got up early the next morning to start his busy day. He watered the herbal field, climbed to the top of the hill and practiced his breathing. Then he went to the cottage to brew decoctions. As soon as he started though, someone came to look for him.

“Hi, what is this?” It was his sister Wang Ru. “This one looks good. What do you need so many herbs for?”.

Wang Ru went on and on with her questions. She looked around, checked here and there, and was really disruptive. It took Wang Yao a while to send her away. By the time Wang Ru had left, it was already time for lunch.

Fortunately, Wang Ru didn’t come back and Wang Yao successfully made another formula. He also made an Anshensan decoction for Tian Tuyuan’s friend. After he returned home at night, he found his sister Wang Ru was still at home.

“Hi, sis, you don’t need to go to work?” asked Wang Yao.

“It’s Saturday today,” replied Wang Ru.

Wang Yao wasn’t aware that it was the weekend as he had been so busy working on the hill.

“Well, you rarely come home on the weekends. What happened this week?” asked Wang Yao.

Wang Ru’s phone suddenly rang as she was about to speak. She took a look at the number and frowned, then threw her mobile phone away.

“Who was it? Why didn’t you pick up the phone?” asked Wang Yao.

“Someone annoying!” said Wang Ru with a stern face.

“One of your admirers?” joked Wang Yao.

“Who? Which admirer?” Zhang Xiuying caught their conversation even when she was in a different room. She immediately came in with a knife still in her hand.

“What the hell, mom?” Wang Yao and his sister jumped as they saw the knife.

“You just said you have an admirer?” Zhang Xiuying put the knife on the table and asked eagerly.

“One of my co-workers,” said Wang Ru as she didn’t think she could hide it anymore.

“This is a good thing. What’s his name? What kind of person is he? Does he have any siblings?” Zhang Xiuying asked with a smile, as if she was checking on household occupants.

“Not a nice person. He’s into drinking, food, prostitutes and gambling. He and his ex-wife just divorced!” said Wang Ru grumpily.

“What?!”

Zhang Xiuying and Wang Yao were in shock after they heard this.

“Such a scumbag!” said Wang Yao.

“You must ignore him then!” said Zhang Xiuying anxiously.

“Of course. I don’t even want to talk to him. That’s why I’m hiding at home,” said Wang Ru.

“That’s good!” Zhang Xiuying went back to the kitchen.

“Sis, what’s the name of that guy?” asked Wang Yao.

“Hu Chengan,” said Wang Ru casually. But she didn’t feel quite right. She turned her head around and asked Wang Yao, “Why do you ask?”

“Just curious. I was also wondering what kind of social status he’s in?”

“Why is that?” asked Wang Ru curiously.

“Because you are not the kind of person who hides from someone. I presume that person is either a rogue or someone with a strong background and I don’t think the Agriculture Bureau would hire a rogue. So, he must have a strong background,” explained Wang Yao.

“Good, you didn’t waste time watching Detective Conan!” said Wang Ru. “His father started a business of selling rocks which brought thousands of millions of yuan to his family. One of his uncles is the deputy chief of the Auditing Department. I don’t want to get into a conflict with him.”

“I see. But if he crosses the line, I won’t be scared of any conflicts!” said Wang Yao.

“No, I still want to keep my job. I don’t want my boss to stab me in the back!” said Wang Ru with a frown.

“You can always quit your job,” said Wang Yao with a smile.

“Quit? What else can I do? Grow herbs with you?” said Wang Ru.

“Mm….I don’t think that’s a bad idea—I don’t just hire anybody.”

“No way! I would be too stupid to give up my job and grow herbs with you!” said Wang Ru.