“Rehmannia, dandelion… are you running a traditional Chinese medicine clinic?” Qin Yunan flipped through the basket. Most of the herbs were common ones—they’d even covered them in their training, and some were things the team would use when treating minor injuries during exercises.
A few herbs he didn’t recognize, and Wen Yifan explained them to him.
“The one with spines on both sides of the leaf is ‘double-sided thorn.’ It can promote blood circulation, resolve bruising, or repel pests. After touching it, make sure you wash your hands—it’s toxic.”
Qin Yunan froze, casually pulling his hand back before it could touch the herb. Wen Yifan glanced at him and chuckled: “Don’t worry. The toxicity is very mild. Accidental ingestion might just cause dizziness or nausea—you’d vomit it out and be fine.”
“I’d better not touch it,” Qin Yunan said, politely declining. He then looked at the last herb in the basket.
“Oh, Bupleurum,” Wen Yifan said, scanning it. “It clears heat and detoxifies. This one’s safe. Be careful not to damage the roots—I’m going to plant it in the garden later.”
She spoke matter-of-factly, and Qin Yunan didn’t notice anything unusual, just a bit surprised that she was serious.
“With skills like yours, why set up a clinic in such a remote place?”
“Because it’s quiet,” Wen Yifan joked, rare for her, but seeing his disapproval, she didn’t push it.
The area wasn’t impressive now, but in five years, some opportunity would transform it into a bustling inland city. The small clinic was just a way to have a legitimate reason to buy the land.
Qin Yunan sensed she was hiding something. Normally he wouldn’t pry, but perhaps out of his innate sense of responsibility, he warned her: “We train in these woods all year and have encountered many large wild animals. The elders in the team said animals sometimes come down to attack people. If you stay here overnight, you should put up a few layers of fencing around the courtyard.”
Wen Yifan understood his good intentions, pointed to the visible white traces around the courtyard, and explained: “Don’t worry, I’ve scattered pest-repellent herbs around the perimeter. Wild animals usually won’t come near.”
Besides, she didn’t plan to sleep here at night. She didn’t reveal this to a stranger, and soon after her divorce, if she couldn’t secure her house, this small courtyard might actually become her refuge.
Qin Yunan was interested in the repellent and asked, “Does it work on insects?”
“It repels snakes, bugs, rats, and ants,” Wen Yifan replied. Remembering that they often stayed in the mountains, she went back inside, bought two packs from the system store, and handed them to him.
Qin Yunan refused, but she forcefully stuffed them into his arms.
“They’re cheap. Take them, comrade. After I scolded you earlier, you still brought me back safely. If you don’t take them, I’ll feel bad.”
Qin Yunan frowned but couldn’t refuse, so he promised: “If it works, I’ll bring the brothers to check out your clinic.”
“Then I’ll be waiting for your visit,” Wen Yifan said, grinning from ear to ear.
Once he left, Wen Yifan’s smile turned mischievous. She hadn’t admitted how much it hurt when Qin Yunan was around, but now that he was gone, she rushed inside, scooped a ladle of Spirit Spring water, and drank it.
The moment it went down, a sharp pain shot through her arm.
Wen Yifan gritted her teeth. After about ten seconds, the pain gradually subsided, replaced by a pale white scab.
“It scabbed over so quickly!”
She was amazed— the Spirit Spring’s effects exceeded her expectations. With this, her small clinic alone could establish a solid foundation!
Meanwhile, Qin Yunan returned to base before dark. Zhou Hua anxiously waited at the dorm entrance, sighing in relief when he saw him intact.
“So? That female comrade’s family didn’t give you trouble, right?”
“No trouble exactly… it’s just…” Qin Yunan sighed.
Zhou Hua tensed, but Qin Yunan’s tone shifted: “That female comrade seems to be alone. Not only did she not scold me, she even gave me two packs of pest-repellent herbs.”
Qin Yunan clicked his tongue, “Lucky it wasn’t you—otherwise, you wouldn’t have gotten this benefit.”
“You’re teasing me, Qin Yunan! I’ll deal with you later!” Zhou Hua clenched his fists in anger. Predicting this, Qin Yunan immediately ran off.
Zhou Hua, shouting, got caught by the building manager and lost two discipline points.
Back in the dorm, fuming, Zhou Hua shouted silently, “Qin Yunan, we’re sworn enemies!”
Just as he finished speaking, a packet of powder fell into Qin Yunan’s lap.
Halfway through his tantrum, Zhou Hua froze, picked it up, and puzzled, “What’s this?”
“This is the pest-repellent herbs that female comrade gave me. She said it repels wild animals, snakes, and insects. Hurry—while the lights are still on, sprinkle it around and we’ll see if it works.”
If it worked, they could sleep soundly tonight.
Living in the mountains had this drawback—at night, animals acted like they were holding a meeting, disturbing people. Last time Qin Yunan woke up, he nearly locked eyes with a small green snake, scaring Zhou Hua so badly he couldn’t sleep for two nights.
“Will this really work?” Zhou Hua asked. Not that he underestimated the herbs—he’d bought pest repellents before, eight or ten packs, none ever worked.
This one looked ordinary, without even a strong smell.
Some students from the neighboring dorm peeked over, smelled it, and scoffed: “So fragrant—repelling or attracting insects? Don’t bring bugs over here and disturb us tonight.”
Zhou Hua blew up: “What do you mean, Liu Shan?!”
“Don’t you understand? Qin Yunan, why are you trying to become friends with him?” Liu Shan’s gaze swept over Zhou Hua, full of disdain.
Fuming, Zhou Hua was about to fight him, but Qin Yunan finished sprinkling the last bit, clapped his hands outside, and mockingly said: “Whose dog is barking so loudly? Should’ve tied it up.”
“Qin Yunan!”
“I hear you,” Qin Yunan said, tugging his ear and scolding Zhou Hua. “Still not closing the door? If a dog bites you, I’m not taking you to a vet.”
The door slammed shut, but Zhou Hua’s dissatisfied voice could still be faintly heard.
“Your grandmother, I’m not going to the vet…”
Other dorms peeked, noticing Liu Shan glaring at Qin Yunan’s dorm, whispering: “Those two are at it again…”
The next morning, both woke up refreshed. Zhou Hua tidied himself and saw Qin Yunan staring at a corner of the dorm, hurriedly calling out: “Old Qin, what are you staring at? Weren’t we supposed to visit yesterday’s injured person? Let’s go—the half-day leave won’t wait.”
“Whoa! Isn’t this the little green snake you didn’t catch the other day? Is this really the medicine?” he exclaimed, incredulous.