Chapter 127: Fury of the Peach Blossoms

In the midst of the bustle, time passed quickly. The two couples, the Songs and the Zhangs, had become Qin Huiyin’s dedicated assistants. Qin Huiyin paid them at the standard labor rate; though the four initially declined, they accepted once they saw she was insistent.

Market day arrived once again. Just as Uncle Tang’s ox cart pulled to a stop, Boss Gong and Boss Ning approached simultaneously, both wearing similar smiles.

Li Taohua teased, "Boss Ning, people say a nephew takes after his uncle, but why does it feel like you and your nephew here are quite alike?"

Boss Ning laughed like a Maitreya Buddha. "This nephew of mine grew up by my side; how could he not be like me? Dear bosses, you’ve finally arrived. We’ve been waiting here since daybreak, hoping you’d come soon. You have no idea—we didn't have enough stock this time to meet the demand."

"Your business is truly remarkable if a hundred jars weren't enough," Qin Huiyin remarked. "I brought ten large crocks this time. One large crock holds as much as several small jars, and they are two hundred wen each."

"I’ll take them, I’ll take all of them," Boss Ning said generously. "Also, do you have any extra sweet bean sauce and crab roe sauce? Oh, and the fermented black bean sauce too. I sent your sauces to my wife’s noodle shop, and now her shop is doing even better than mine. If you have any extra, I’ll take ten jars of sweet bean sauce, ten jars of fermented black bean sauce, and five jars of crab roe sauce."

"I don't have any on hand right now, but I'll bring them next time. It’s only three days away, so it won’t be long."

"Don't say that; my wife’s noodle shop is doing so well that losing even one day means losing a lot of money. How about this? I’ll have Gong Qi follow you to learn the way, and next time, if there’s anything you need, he can go directly to your village to find you. How’s that?"

"We can call for him when we’re ready to head back later. It’s just that our village is a bit far, and it will be quite late by the time we return today. Your nephew will have to stay the night in our village."

"No problem, I have plenty of hands at the shop; it won’t hurt to be one short."

Gong Qi pulled a long face. "Uncle, you’re really hurting my feelings, making it sound like I’m dispensable."

"What you’re doing now is more important," Boss Ning said, patting him on the shoulder. "From now on, you’ll be the one coordinating with these bosses. Recording the location of their home is a major accomplishment."

Boss Ning settled the payment for the current batch and agreed with Qin Huiyin on an order of one hundred and fifty jars for next time. Qin Huiyin arranged to collect the empty ceramic jars after they finished their stall duty, as they couldn't fit them now.

"Do you really have to take these stalls back with you? If you trust me, why not just leave them here at my shop, and you can pick them up to use whenever you deliver the goods?" Boss Ning suggested.

"I actually had the same thought, but I was worried it would be too forward, so I didn't feel comfortable bringing it up. Since you suggested it, Uncle Ning, I’ll take you up on it without being shy."

"Haha... what’s there to be shy about regarding such a small matter? If you have any difficulties in the future, just let me know," Boss Ning said magnanimously.

After leaving the roast duck shop, Li Taohua remarked, "That Boss Ning really knows how to win people over. Still, doing business with a clever person like that saves a lot of trouble."

"His business is successful for a reason," Qin Huiyin agreed. "It’s also good that they know where we live; perhaps it will save us the trouble of delivering goods in the future."

"You mean they’ll come and pick them up themselves?" Li Taohua asked. "If that’s the case, it certainly would be convenient."

"I don't understand," Tang Lüwu asked. "They sold a hundred jars of sauce in three days—the business is too good. Can they really sell that much roast duck?"

"Regardless of what he uses it for, the goods are sold to him, and he can do as he pleases."

Qin Huiyin had, of course, sensed that something was unusual, but she was selling food, and it was unlikely that anyone would use her food for anything nefarious. Whether the other party used it to accompany roast duck, noodles, or other dishes, or even resold it to others, she only cared that their transactions proceeded normally.

The ox cart stopped at the medical clinic.

Qin Huiyin said, "Uncle Tang is here; let’s go see him."

Li Taohua hopped off the cart, lifted her skirt, and ran toward the clinic entrance. Even though she usually complained about Tang Dafu, it was clear at critical moments how much she cared for him.

"Ouch... it hurts... Doctor, it hurts so much... please give me some pain relief," Tang Dafu’s cries could be heard from inside.

Li Taohua stood at the entrance, hesitating to go in. When Qin Huiyin and the others caught up, they saw her standing there with a strange expression. Following her gaze, they saw Tang Dafu lying on a sickbed with his leg immobilized by wooden splints, groaning in pain.

Dr. Wei stepped out from inside, holding a medical text, muttering to himself, "The prescription is prepared just like this; why would it cause diarrhea?"

Tang Dafu’s eyes widened. "What? You’ve never prescribed this medicine before?"

Dr. Wei glanced at him. "Treating the symptoms, treating the symptoms—what does that mean? Every person’s body is different, and every injury is different. How could I prescribe the exact same medicine for everyone?"

"Doctor, if you can’t handle it, why don't you just refund my money? I’ll stop the treatment..." Tang Dafu said anxiously.

"Dafu..." Li Taohua tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and walked in with a sway of her waist. "How is your injury? Does it hurt?"

Seeing Li Taohua, Tang Dafu tried to sit up immediately.

"Ouch..."

The movement was too sharp, pulling at his injured leg, and he fell back down.

"Wife, you’re here. Wife, I’m fine, I’m doing great. Once my leg is healed, I can take you out to the market."

Qin Huiyin and the Tang siblings: "..."

Dr. Wei recognized Qin Huiyin and greeted her with a smile. "Morning, you’ve come into town quite early." He glanced at Li Taohua, a deep look flashing in his eyes. "And this is..."

"This is my mother," Qin Huiyin said. "The man you are treating is her husband."

"Your own mother?" Dr. Wei asked.

Li Taohua was talking to Tang Dafu and turned around sharply at Dr. Wei’s question. She scrutinized the man before her, and upon confirming that she had never seen him before, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief. But why would he ask that?

"Don't we look alike? You’re an interesting person, a doctor who suffers from poor eyesight. Can you really cure my husband’s leg? Are you a quack doctor?" Li Taohua said sharply.

Qin Huiyin covered her forehead. Dr. Wei certainly knew how to talk; he hit exactly on Li Taohua’s insecurities, causing her to revert to her usual persona.

Even though Li Taohua was furious, Dr. Wei remained calm and unhurried, his smile unchanged. "Just a joke, don't be so angry. Anger is bad for your health."

"It’s not funny," Li Taohua sneered.

Tang Dafu rubbed Li Taohua’s chest and said, "Don't be angry, don't be angry. We won't be angry with him. If you don't like him, we’ll stop the treatment."

"Are you stupid? The money is already paid, why would we stop?" Although Li Taohua was angry, she hadn't lost her sense of reason. "Not only must he treat you, he has to heal you properly, or he’ll have to answer to me."