After the meal, Old Master Yao escorted Jiang Chen to the living room to rest. As his eyes glanced over the table and saw the thousand yuan cash still untouched, he suddenly froze in his tracks.
He frowned slightly, looked back at Jiang Chen, then swept a glance at Director Yao, and suddenly laughed:
"Ha, has our Yao family fallen so low? Xiaoxue!"
The young maid, who was tidying up the tea set, quickly responded, "Yes, Master."
"Take Divine Doctor Jiang to my massage room and give him a proper massage. Haven't you been learning massage techniques all these years? Time to practice."
Xiaoxue nodded with a shy smile. "Alright."
Old Master Yao turned to Jiang Chen and said, "Divine Doctor Jiang, you've resolved a major worry for me and refused any consultation fee. Let Xiaoxue give you a full-body massage—it's just a little token of appreciation from this old man."
Jiang Chen nodded without a word.
Xiaoxue walked over and bent slightly, "Dr. Jiang, please come with me."
Jiang Chen followed her through the hallway to a softly lit room with plush mats and a faint scent of sandalwood in the air.
"Please lie down carefully," Xiaoxue said softly, handing him a clean towel.
Jiang Chen took off his jacket and lay on the soft mat. Xiaoxue covered him with the towel and began massaging his back with practiced hands.
Her touch was gentle yet firm. When she reached his shoulders and neck, Jiang Chen gave a small nod. Her full chest swayed slightly with every press, making Jiang Chen feel a little dizzy, and something else stirred.
"Not bad, eh?" came Old Master Yao's hearty voice from the door. "Divine Doctor Jiang, enjoy it well. I don't even let her massage me!"
Jiang Chen gave a soft "Mm."
Xiaoxue smiled and whispered, "Dr. Jiang, this is just practice today. Next time you come, I'll do even better."
As Jiang Chen put his clothes back on, he thought to himself: Director Yao didn't give the favor happily, and now he's trying to smooth things over with a massage? Not enough.
Then a thought struck him:
Director Yao isn't truly sincere. If I just ask him to help me, he might not put in real effort. If I don't tie a string around his finger, I might end up with nothing in the end!
Jiang Chen suddenly grasped Director Yao's hand tightly and said:
"Director Yao, if you can help me get this done, that's a big favor to me. In that case, I have one more heartfelt thing to say. I hope you and your grandfather won't mind."
Old Master Yao waved his hand. "Go ahead, Divine Doctor Jiang. Speak freely."
"It's about Old Master Yao's health."
"My health? You mean there's still a problem?"
"Not just a problem—it's a serious, life-threatening one."
"Life-threatening?"
"Yes. I mentioned before there's a black mole on your body. It's a birthmark, originally harmless, just unaesthetic. But have you noticed the area of that mole has been rapidly expanding recently? It's already doubled in size."
Old Master Yao's face turned red. He instinctively crossed his legs, trying to hide the area. He was shocked: What sharp eyes! Even this can't escape him!
"Yes... I thought it was just an age spot and didn't think much of it. Divine Doctor Jiang, do you have an opinion?"
Jiang Chen smiled. "Judging by your complexion and by deduction, I suspect it may be a cancerous growth."
"What?!"
Both the old man and his grandson cried out in alarm.
"Divine Doctor Jiang, can you treat it?" Old Master Yao, fearing for his life, was visibly shaken.
This was exactly the effect Jiang Chen wanted.
He waved his hand with a calm smile. "No rush. It won't spread within two years. But this is autumn now, and with my methods, it can only be treated in spring—when the sun's energy rises."
Director Yao and his grandfather exchanged looks and inhaled sharply.
Jiang Chen's delay made Old Master Yao extremely anxious and regretful:
That thousand yuan fee earlier was too stingy! No wonder Divine Doctor Jiang is putting off treatment until next year.
Thinking this, he took out a card from his pocket and handed it to Jiang Chen. "This is a VIP card for our Yao Pharmacy chain. If you ever need to buy herbs, just use this card—it gives you 50% off."
Jiang Chen accepted it without hesitation. "I do occasionally need rare herbs. I'll gladly accept."
After leaving the Yao villa, Director Yao drove Jiang Chen back to town.
When they reached the township, Zhao Liang called, his voice excited: "Xiao Fan, we have news about the Yi Yuan Tonic Wine!"
"What, someone wants to buy it?"
"You gave me a bottle last time, right? Yesterday, I let a big shot try half a glass. He's been impotent for years—basically done for. But after drinking, overnight he slept with his mistress, his side girl, and his new lover one after another. This morning he called me, and he wants ten bottles!"
"It's not like baijiu. Why does he want that many?"
"Who cares! He wants to buy—sell it to him!"
"Alright then."
Director Yao overheard and laughed, "Selling aphrodisiac wine?"
Having learned his lesson from the last time the drug authority cracked down on him, Jiang Chen deflected, "Just a small remedy for joint pain. Not worth mentioning."
Once home, Jiang Chen worked on the formula again and had Wen-xian help mix and dry the pills. As she did so, her feminine energy would infuse the ingredients. Only then would the wine be effective.
However, once a batch was done, Jiang Chen drank half a cup to test it… and something felt off.
His hand trembled. "Something's wrong!"
Suddenly, a system alert echoed in his mind:
[Failure. The medicine preparer has been physically touched by a man. Her five elements are now in balance. The wine will no longer be effective.]
Jiang Chen was stunned.
Damn it! I didn't think of that!
"What's wrong?" Wen-xian asked.
Jiang Chen looked her over and said, "You're different now."
"How?"
"You're no longer suitable to make this wine."
"Why not?" Wen-xian was startled. She had always taken pride in helping Jiang Chen prepare the wine.
"Think about it. Since our wedding night, you've received my yang energy nightly. You're no longer a widow. That special yin resentment you once had is gone. The wine you make now just doesn't work."
Wen-xian suddenly understood. "That's right. I'm your woman now. My body… is no longer what it was."
Jiang Chen drank the half-cup anyway and waited.
One hour passed. As expected, no reaction.
They looked at each other and smiled bitterly: the catalyst was gone, and the wine had failed.
Jiang Chen called Zhao Liang. "Uncle Qian, I'm really sorry. I'm missing a rare herb, so I can't make the Yi Yuan wine for now."
Zhao Liang was clearly disappointed. "That's a shame. The client is pushing hard—he's offering 20,000 per bottle!"
Jiang Chen knew there was no way now. He replied, "That herb is extremely rare. I'll try, but I can't make any promises."
Zhao Liang sighed. "Then so be it. But don't mess up the sweet pear delivery. Bring 200 tomorrow."
Jiang Chen hung up with a heavy heart.
Wen-xian quietly fidgeted with her sleeve hem.
"What's wrong?" Jiang Chen tried to cheer her up.
Wen-xian sighed, "It's my fault… I just had to give myself to you. And now I've ruined your chance to make a fortune."
"Sister Wen, don't say that. Without you, what's the point of money? And besides, a night of passion is worth more than gold. We don't have the wine, but we still have each other."
He locked the door of the clinic, lifted Wen-xian into his arms, and carried her to the bed.
She was the type to melt with a single hug. She murmured happily, "You're insatiable! This isn't food!"
"Wrong. I want to feast on your body like three meals a day."
Wen-xian giggled in a daze. "Go ahead… I'm all yours. If you want four meals a day, I won't stop you."
The next morning, they picked 200 ripe sweet pears, packed them up, and drove them to the county.
Zhao Liang paid them 3,000 yuan for the delivery. They were about to have breakfast when Wen-xian's phone rang—it was her father.
Her grandmother was critically ill and wished to see Wen-xian one last time.
Wen-xian had been raised by her grandmother and was very close to her. Hearing the news, her face turned pale, and tears streamed down.
Her hometown, Tu County, was in the neighboring province—about 300 km away.
Jiang Chen said, "Let's go now."
"But you're so busy… won't it cause trouble?"
Jiang Chen wrapped his arm around her waist and smiled, "What could be more important than you? If I don't go, who's going to keep you company at night?"
"Then let's go," Wen-xian blushed and whispered. "Besides, I can't spend a single night without you anymore…"