Elixir Supplier

“Yes,” Lin Sitao said.

“How dare they do these things in Dao!” Sun Zhengrong was beyond angry. “Don’t know who they’re messing with? Are they seeking death?”

Somewhere in Jiang Nan, thousands of miles away…

“Third Uncle, what should I do?” Zheng Weijun asked.

“Those are the old master’s wishes. It’s hard to disobey!” Zheng Shixiong took a sip of tea.

He only had one daughter. He had settled most of the things for his nephew, who he viewed as a son, and was anxious for him. Unfortunately, there were some things he couldn’t help with even if he wanted to.

“He still loves my eldest brother more,” Zheng Weijun said.

“After all, your eldest brother was brought up by him, so, naturally, they are closer,” Zheng Shixiong said. “To be fair, your eldest brother still treats you quite well.”

“Yes, he treats me well.” The smile on Zheng Weijun’s face was bitter. “Sometimes I wish that I hadn’t been born in such a family. I came into contact with the darkness of the hearts of the people too early in life, fighting for power and profits, cheating, scheming, and planning. It makes a person physically and mentally tired.”

In these fights, brothers and relatives could even turn on each other.

After a long pause, Zheng Weijun said, “I’ve thought it through. I won’t get involved in the business of the seven southern provinces anymore!”

“Have you thought it through?” Zheng Shixiong asked.

“Yes, I only want the businesses in Qi Province, especially Nanshan Pharmaceutical Company,” Zheng Weijun said. “I want all their shares to belong to me.”

“That’s much easier since it’s less than 1 percent,” Zheng Shixiong said. “I think the old master will agree to it. Your eldest brother will agree to it too. They might even give you control of the province’s business. After all, you guys are biological brothers.”

“That’s settled then,” Zheng Weijun said. “I’ll have to trouble you.”

“We don’t have to be so polite with each other,” Zheng Shixiong replied.

In such a large family, everyone had their sorrows.

“I’m going away to relax for a few days,” Zheng Weijun said.

“Sounds good,” Zheng Shixiong said.

In a villa in another section of the city…

“Second Uncle, don’t you think that it’s too unfair to Weijun?” Zheng Weihong asked.

“Weihong, there is no fair thing in the world,” a man in his 50s replied. “Besides, this is the old master’s decision. Do you think your uncles don’t have any thoughts regarding this? You are about to take over almost one-third of the Zheng family’s industry. Numerous people are coveting it. What a big fat piece of meat this is. Even your father didn’t get this piece of meat back then. Why should you take it over? Just because you are the grandson brought up by the old master?”

“You think it’s unfair too, right?” Zheng Weihong asked.

“It’s quite unfair,” the middle-aged man. “If even I think so, what do you think others will feel?”

After he spoke, he gave a heavy sigh before continuing. “Don’t think or worry too much about it. It doesn’t matter what they think. The key is what the old master thinks. They want to intervene, but they have to have the ability to do it. You are holding the company’s shares in your hands now. Once you try to win over some uncles, you’ll naturally be able to appease this storm. In fact, the skills will speak for themselves in the end.”

“Yes, your right,” Zheng Weihong said.

“I’m already half a century old, and your two cousins are not very successful,” the middle-aged man said. “So, of course, I have to support you all the way.”

“They’re actually quite good,” Zheng Weihong replied.

“Good? What’s good?” the middle-aged man asked. “One wants to be an artist, and another wants to be a movie star. I want to give them two hard slaps just looking at their empty appearances!”

When the man mentioned his two unyielding sons, he was angry. They had left their perfectly fine family business and didn’t want to inherit it. Instead, they wanted to dabble in useless empty things. They were even obsessed with it all. They wouldn’t listen no matter how he persuaded them. This had caused his hair to turn white from worry.

“At least they can do what they want to do,” Zheng Weihong said.

“They’re just immature,” the middle-aged man said. “I’d be relieved if they had half of the skills you and Weijun have.”

…

In the mountain village, the autumn wind blew. The weather was cool.

Wang Yao sat quietly under the acacia tree, savoring his tea. Su Zhixing had specially brought him the Wuyi rock tea from Jing. It was indeed good stuff.

Maybe I can plant a few of them in those stone crevices in Nanshan Hill myself, Wang Yao mused.

Knock! Knock!

Someone knocked on the door. Wang Yao called out, “Come in, please.”

“I see Xiao Yao is here,” Wang Fengming said.

When he saw the visitors, Wang Yao got up in a hurry. “Uncle.”

“Are you busy?” Wang Fengming asked.

“No, there are only a few people. Sit down and have some tea.” Wang Yao poured him a cup of tea.

“Oh, thank you,” Wang Fengming said.

“Is there something troubling you?” Wang Yao asked.

“Indeed,” Wang Fengming replied. “I planted a few fields of herbs on the mountain, but I don’t have much confidence in it.”

“I’ve gone to see it, and it’s growing quite well,” Wang Yao said. “I want it to be the closest to the wild plants. Don’t fertilize it.”

He had gone to the top of Dongshan Mountain to check the herbs the two of them had planted on two plots of land. Their daily efforts could be seen. Of course, their growth couldn’t be compared to the herbs growing on top of Nanshan Hill.

“Oh, that’s good, that’s good,” Wang Fengming said.

“You can rest assured, Uncle, I will want those herbs,” Wang Yao said. “Also, I suggest you plant more. Isn’t there a new big pharmaceutical company in town? They mainly produce traditional Chinese medicine. The raw material requirements are natural and pollution-free organic Chinese herbs. Those herbs of yours will sell well in the future.”

“Really?” Wang Fengming was a bit surprised.

“Would I lie to you about this?” Wang Yao asked with a smile. “To tell you the truth, the owner of that pharmaceutical company is a friend of mine. I also have shares in it.”

“Ah, alright then, that’s good,” Wang Fengming said. “I’ll go back and plant more.”

“Sounds good,” Wang Yao said.

“I’ll go now,” Wang Fengming said.

“There’s no rush, Uncle. Finish your tea before you leave.” Wang Yao pointed to the teacup.

Wang Fengming drank all the tea in the teacup. “Oh, this tea is so fragrant!”

Even if someone didn’t know how to appreciate tea, they could still taste the difference between good tea and bad tea.

“Come often when you are free. I have plenty of good tea here,” Wang Yao said with a laugh.

“Sure.” Wang Fengming left with a smile on his face.

In the late afternoon, close to evening, Wang Yao closed the door of the clinic and went home for dinner. On the way back, an old man was squatting by the river smoking. He looked very leisurely.

Wang Yao greeted him, “Uncle.”

“Hey, Xiao Yao, going back?” the old man asked.

“Yes, have you eaten yet?” Wang Yao asked.

“No, I’m waiting for Zecheng to come back,” the old man replied.

“OK, I’ll be off now,” Wang Yao said.

The old man smiled as he waved his hand.

“Ah!” Wang Yao sighed softly. That old man. What a pity!

Even if the man was in a good mood and everything went smoothly, he could not resist the terrible disease in his body. Wang Zecheng got medicine from Wang Yao all the time for his father, but it was only delaying the inevitable and reducing his pain. He was still heading for death at a much faster rate than a healthy person.

When he came to the street on the way to his house, he saw Wang Zecheng, who had just returned from work at the factory. Wang Yao had not seen him for a while and thought he looked thinner.

Wang Zecheng, who was riding a motorcycle, greeted him, “Wang Yao.”

“Done working?” Wang Yao asked.

“Yes, work has ended,” Wang Zecheng replied.

“You should get home quickly,” Wang Yao said. “Your father is waiting for you to get home for dinner.”

“Alright, I’ll go back now,” Wang Zecheng said.

The sun was setting, creating a red glow on the horizon. Wang Yao’s mother was preparing dinner. Wang Fenghua was smoking in the yard. Wang Yao entered the kitchen to help set the table. The food was soon ready.

“It’s autumn, and the weather has grown cold,” Zhang Xiuying said. “All the people who could have moved away from the village.”

Wang Yao did see fewer people while walking around the village lately.

“They’re probably not coming back,” he said.

“What would they come back to?” Zhang Xiuying asked. “The houses have been replaced, and the land on the hill hasn’t been farmed. It’s grown barren.”

This was the way land was. Weeds would grow when it was farmed often. If no one took care of it diligently, it would be completely barren in less than a year.

Wang Yao did not speak. He just listened quietly. He didn’t care that there only a few villagers left in the village.

“I met Wang Yilong in the village today,” Zhang Xiuying said. “He is in good spirits.”

“He’s not bad,” Wang Yao said.

“How long can he live?” Zhang Xiuying asked.

“It’s hard to say, it depends on himself and his family, but Wang Zecheng’s change during this period is huge,” Wang Yao said. “He is filial to the old man and cares about his family. The old man’s mood is good. Such a state of life is conducive to the continuation of his life.”