Chapter 66 – Hello, General Zuo

Translator’s Note -Heyy guys.Welcome back.

I will be back after my exams are over. Please wait and enjoy the chapters meanwhile.

Happy Reading (^-^)

The people around were engrossed in conversation. In the house of the Ping family, a group of people were also bustling with activity.

At first, Shen Huai was deceived into it, but Jian Mei was an honest child. As the medicine packages sold more and more, gradually generating income, not only did he share profits with the Ping family, but he also evenly distributed some finances to Shen Huai. Despite being a divine master, Shen Huai’s family situation wasn’t very good, which led him to work at the mayor’s mansion planting flowers. With the financial contributions from Jian Mei, his days improved significantly. Shen Huai became more enthusiastic about working on the land he was no longer as reluctant as before to do the task.

PingPing’s mother was cooking in the kitchen, while a few children chatted outside. Ping Ping was doing homework at the table, saying, “Jian ge, ever since your medicine packages sold more, Mom had money to buy meat for us.”

For commoners, having meat and vegetables to eat was rare throughout the year. Only during major holidays like New Year’s or festivals would they have the opportunity to eat meat and vegetables. Otherwise, it was mainly liquid nutrition. Although the medicine packages didn’t make them wealthy, it certainly made their daily meals more comfortable.

Jian Mei smiled and said, “Don’t say that. Your mother is truly remarkable. She’s a significant part of why these medicine packages are selling.”

Ping Ping pursed his lips, smiling as he looked at his mother coming out from inside. “Mom, you work so hard.”

The woman brought the prepared meal and said, “Don’t be so modest. Everyone has contributed significantly to making this happen.”

Once the meal was prepared, Pingping’s father returned home, and the whole family gathered around the table. Normally, this was the time they discussed important matters.

Ping Ping’s mother began, “Mei Mei, there’s something I need to discuss with you.”

Jian Mei was puzzled. “What is it?”

“The owner of the pharmacy came to see me a few days ago, hoping to collaborate with us.” PingPing’s mother explained, “You know, besides hospitals, there are also pharmacies in the city.”

It was the place where Xiao Ban used to buy red potion, and the pharmacy primarily produced moderately priced medicinal potions, but they mostly had minor effects on ordinary wounds, such as anti-inflammatory and healing properties. The effects were not very strong, and the prices were only slightly lower than those of hospitals. Now, with the emergence of the herb packages, it completely affected and snatched the pharmacy’s business. Naturally, they wanted to inquire about it.

Jian Mei asked, “What kind of collaboration do they want?”

“In essence, they want to sell medicinal herbs together.” PingPing’s mother said, “Because we don’t have an official shop, but the pharmacies are national chains. They want to sell not only in our town but also in other places.”

Jian Mei wasn’t opposed to the proposal. On one hand, he wanted to help more people and provide treatment to those who couldn’t afford it. On the other hand, with an increasing number of patients seeking treatment, he wondered if Pingping’s family might be overwhelmed. Having the pharmacies share the load would indeed be helpful.

However, being democratic, Jian Mei sought others’ opinions: “What do you all think?”

Surprisingly, only Jian Mei, who didn’t understand social norms, maintained an optimistic attitude; everyone else seemed somewhat silent.

Shen Huai was the first to speak up, “MeiMei, I think if we collaborate with the pharmacies, the demand will be too high. It won’t just be about these two acres of land. Our herbs are carefully selected, but they might not be as particular. This business often sells some low-quality products.”

Even Xiao Ban added, “MeiMei, it’s true. Sometimes the red potion they sell is expired.”

Jian Mei hadn’t considered this aspect. He was open to advice, so he nodded, “Alright, then we won’t collaborate.”

However, Pingping’s mother sighed, “MeiMei, I feel they won’t give up so easily.”

Seeing everyone’s concern, Jian Mei tried to reassure them, “It’s okay, don’t worry. It’s almost winter, and the flu season will be over soon. Let’s keep a low profile and avoid contact with them.”

The others could only agree.

Later, when Jian Mei returned to the mansion, his first task was to visit the young master. Over the past couple of months, the young master had cooperated well with the treatment, and his condition had improved. He arrived just after the young master finished his lunch.

Approaching him, Jian Mei asked, “Did the young master try standing up and walking today?”

The young master shook his head, looking at him. “You’re back?”

“Today is a rest day. I went for a walk,” Jian Mei covered the young master with a blanket. “I also brought a few comic books for the young master. They’re the popular ones selling in bookstores nowadays. I heard many people enjoy them.”

The young master asked him, “Using your own money?”

Jian Mei smiled, “Comic books aren’t expensive. I heard from Ms Li that you usually read academic books. I thought it might get boring after a while, so I bought a few for you to pass the time.”

In such a vast mansion, perhaps only Jian Mei would think of such things.

The young master patted his head “You’re full of ideas.”

Jian Mei looked outside, the sun hadn’t set yet, and the weather wasn’t too cold. He rubbed his temples and softly said, “Young Master, shall we take a stroll in the garden? I’ll help you walk a bit.”

Actually, the young master’s legs weren’t completely unable to stand; he just couldn’t exert any force. All the work Jian Mei had been doing was to promote blood circulation and help the young master’s legs regain strength.

The young master nodded, “Alright.”

Ms Li had suggested going out for a walk a while ago, but the young master hadn’t agreed until Jian Mei returned.

Guiding the young master in the garden, when they reached an empty pathway, Jian Mei gently supported the young master against himself. He helped the boy stand and walk. Although supporting someone’s weight could be a bit taxing, the young master was so thin that Jian Mei could manage.

The young master moved in small, difficult steps.

Jian Mei encouraged him, “Just a little more, Young Master. You can do it.”

The young master said, “You seem very confident in me.”

“You should have confidence in yourself too,” Jian Mei noticed that many times when the young master sat by the window, he’d gaze outside the estate. “When your legs get better, you can go wherever you want with no boundaries”

The estate¹(mansion) felt oppressive after staying there for so long. No one wanted to be immersed in it for too long.

The young master glanced at the estate’s walls and whispered, “MeiMei, do you have a place you’d like to go?”

“Yes,” Jian Mei instinctively replied, “I want to go home.”

Glancing at him, the young master remembered Jian Mei hadn’t been home for nearly half a year since arriving at the estate. He said, “I’ll give you some time off by the year’s end. Do you want to go home?”

Only after hearing this did Jian Mei understand that the young master and he had different meanings.

He paused and softly replied, “Um… thank you, Young Master.”

Despite this, there wasn’t much joy on Jian Mei’s face. The sunset highlighted a rare display of loneliness on the child’s face.

Looking at Jian Mei, the young master suddenly asked, “MeiMei, besides going home, have you ever thought about where you want to go or what you want to do in the future?”

Jian Mei found it easy to answer, “Yes.”

“I want to go to the Imperial City to find someone,” Jian Mei revealed his current plan, “I made an arrangement with someone, and I plan to go to the Imperial City next spring.”

The young master involuntarily clenched his hand. Pretending to be normal, he asked, “What will you do once you find them?”

Jian Mei hadn’t thought about that.

He simply wanted to see DaZhuang ge. Years of companionship made him accustomed to DaZhuang ge’s presence. He even subconsciously relied on him for many things. Many aspects of this world felt unfamiliar, and claiming not to be afraid would be a lie. He had to force himself not to care, to adapt. Sometimes he appeared brave, but it was merely putting on a brave face. He couldn’t show weakness in front of Xiao Ban, as it would worry him. He also couldn’t show anything unusual in front of others, as it might raise suspicion.

Because he left DaZhuang ge, he had to become an independent and sensible person by force. He couldn’t afford even a trace of willfulness because he stood alone.

The young master asked softly, “What if his identity is sensitive, or when you meet him, you find out he’s not the person you imagined?”

That question hit deep.

Jian Mei seemed caught off guard; he lowered his head. It seemed he was seriously considering this. Just when the young master felt he might have figured it out, Jian Mei lifted his head and whispered, “I haven’t thought that far.”

“I just feel, if I could meet him and have a conversation, that would be good,” Jian Mei smiled. “Regardless of who he is or how things turn out, I just didn’t have the chance to bid a proper farewell. There are a lot of words left unsaid, and many things left unfinished.”

No matter how the meeting would unfold later, those unspoken yearnings, the companionship and solace of youth, he just wanted to say a proper thank you and perhaps, a long-awaited “long time no see.”

…

The next day

Bright and early, Jian Mei was pulled out by Xiao Ban and Shen Huai.

They went out together, and all along the way, Xiao Ban explained the current situation to Jian Mei. It wasn’t until they arrived at Ping Ping’s house that he said, This morning, the Pharmaceutical Supervisory Bureau from the hospital came. They bulldozed all the herbs we were growing and administratively detained Ping Ping’s family for a week.”

Jian Mei was shocked, “Why?”

Shen Huai explained, “It was the owner of the pharmacy who reported us. Because we refused to collaborate with them, they reported Ping Ping’s family. The report was groundless, and the herbal packages we were selling entered the market without proper approval from the Pharmacists Association.”

“…”

It was simply outrageous.

Jian Mei looked at Xiao Ban puzzledly, “So it needs approval? Then, Xiao Ban, why didn’t you remind me? We could’ve gone for the approval.”

Xiao Ban sighed, “Jian Mei, things aren’t that simple, you know? For a new medicine to pass the Pharmacists Association’s review, first, you must hold a pharmacist’s certificate yourself. And the basic condition for this certificate is that you must be a pharmacist.”

Jian Mei realized it was about his qualifications.

“It’s very difficult to become a pharmacist. For a commoner, you first need to enter university, then achieve a perfect score to become a pharmacist,” Xiao Ban explained. “But you haven’t even started school yet.”

In other words, it wasn’t a matter of not going for approval; it was simply a lack of qualification.

However, Shen Huai was a bit more mature than the two children. He said, “Right now, we should first go and bail out Ping Ping’s family. Detention isn’t a good place. Spending a few days there could cost half a life.”

Jian Mei nodded hastily, “Yes, yes, let’s go quickly.”

Xiao Ban was completely unaware.

On the way to the detention center, everyone was quite downcast. Initially, they created these herbal packages to do a good deed. Compared to the hospital’s price of one gold coin, their profit was meager with just one copper coin. Despite this, they persevered. Eventually, as they started making a bit of profit, each person began to hold a glimmer of hope. Xiao Ban was even planning for them to leave the mansion next month and make preparations to go to the Imperial City earlier. Now, everything came crashing down like a bucket of cold water.

When they reached the detention center, it was already afternoon. The soldiers, upon learning their intentions, didn’t immediately allow them in. Instead, they said, “Please wait inside.”

The Stan Star Detention Center was strict in adhering to regulations. To redeem someone early, a redemption fee needed to be paid: two gold coins per person, totaling six for three people.

Jian Mei volunteered, “I’ll go pay.”

During this time, solely from the herbal packages, they had earned a total of seven gold coins. After paying, they’d still have one left. Redeeming wasn’t a problem.

The soldier said, “The person who’s redeeming can come in with me, others should stay outside.”

Jian Mei agreed. He went in with the soldier. The detention center was linked to the town’s guard department. Along the way, he saw many vehicles and soldiers moving around. At the forefront of the police department, several robust-looking vehicles were parked, and it seemed like a few people had come down from there, creating quite a grand scene.

Jian Mei waited outside as the soldier went in to retrieve the person. Some others were also there to visit the detainees, quietly discussing among themselves, “Who are those people coming from over there?”

Jian Mei didn’t know why but he perked up his ears to listen to their conversation.

“I heard it’s General Zuo,” one person whispered.

“Oh heavens, why would General Zuo come to our town?”

“I don’t know, but look, the one leading them, his uniform is dark blue, and he has a golden emblem on his shoulder. That’s something only a general would have.”

“Could it really be General Zuo?”

“Is that Zuo Qingshan? We’re so lucky to run into him.”

Jian Mei listened, feeling confused and unaware of who this person was exactly. Nevertheless, sensing the importance of the situation, he glanced over in that direction. Standing on the steps about ten meters away was a young man in a neatly dressed military uniform. He seemed young, yet his aura was strong, exuding a natural masculine vibe.

Perhaps sensing Jian Mei’s gaze, the person on the steps also glanced over. As their eyes met, both General Zuo and Jian Mei were momentarily stunned.

Translator’s Note-Guys don’t forget to support and comment your views(^-^)

I will be back soon (^_^).

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