Chen Fan was very happy. He casually picked a few more wild fruits and excitedly went home.
"Little Fan, back so soon? Is this... the medicinal herbs you picked?"
Chen Dongshan stared in shock. What Chen Fan brought back were just the most common wild grasses and vegetables.
These things were everywhere on the mountains, and apart from feeding pigs, they couldn't be sold for money!
"Dad, don't worry about it. If I say they can be sold, then they definitely can!"
"By the way, where's Little Ran?" Chen Fan didn't see his sister return.
"Little Ran is working at a restaurant on the east side of town. She'll be back in the evening," Chen Dongshan said.
"Dad, what are we having for lunch?" It was almost noon, time to prepare lunch.
Chen Dongshan's gaze dropped slightly. "Dad... usually doesn't eat lunch."
"How can you not eat lunch! I'll make something!"
Chen Fan turned and went to the kitchen. The kitchen was just a small corner of the woodshed, partitioned off with wooden boards.
But when Chen Fan reached the kitchen, he frowned immediately.
There was no rice in the rice jar, only a bit of coarse cornmeal.
This stuff was usually used to feed pigs in other households. How could they eat this?
"Dad, is this what you and my sister usually eat?" Chen Fan turned to look at his father.
Chen Dongshan mumbled, "I thought we could make do for now. Once the debt is paid off, we'll buy a bag of rice."
Chen Fan's eyes turned red.
He didn't say anything, just clenched his fists tightly.
It was all because of him that the family ended up like this.
But Chen Fan was confident, and he had to change everything!
Suddenly, Chen Fan remembered the pancakes Sister Fang had given him, which he hadn't eaten yet.
He quickly took out the pancakes and handed them to Chen Dongshan.
"Son, these are from Sister Fang for you, you eat them!" Chen Dongshan hurriedly pushed them back.
Chen Fan smiled and pushed them back again. "Dad, I'm not hungry, you eat."
Worried that Chen Dongshan would push them back again, Chen Fan quickly said, "Dad, I'm going to prepare the medicine. Don't disturb me!"
With that, Chen Fan quickly turned and walked away.
Chen Dongshan's eyes were moist as he watched his son's back, picking up the pancake but only breaking off a third.
The rest, he carefully put away.
After eating, Chen Dongshan, leaning on crutches, struggled to walk out the door.
In three days, the debt collectors would come again, and Chen Dongshan planned to go out and borrow some money.
...
On the way back from picking herbs, Chen Fan stopped by a grocery store in town and bought two porcelain jars for decocting medicine.
He placed the porcelain jars over the fire and threw in the herbs he had picked in a specific order.
The dosage, sequence, and heat were not to be taken lightly.
Any mistake would greatly reduce the efficacy of the medicine.
One of the jars was for medicine that could be sold, and the other was for the medicine to treat Sister Fang's illness.
As for treating his father's leg, it required a few rare herbs that weren't available on Panshi Mountain. So Chen Fan had to wait a bit longer.
Once he sold the medicine, he planned to visit the large pharmacies in the county or city to gather the necessary herbs to treat his father's leg.
Two hours later, the medicine was ready.
The medicine for treating Sister Fang was set aside for now.
The other jar of medicine was cooled, and Chen Fan found a few mineral water bottles to fill with the liquid.
Then he took a bus to the county town.
Panshi Town was not close to the county town, and an hour later, Chen Fan arrived at the most bustling area of the county.
The spot in front of Chen Fan was right in the center of the commercial street. Next to it was the county's largest commercial club, Ninety-Nine Supreme.
It was said that Ninety-Nine Supreme was owned by a big boss from the provincial capital, though the name was unclear. But it was rumored that the boss was very powerful and influential.
Chen Fan laid out a cloth next to Ninety-Nine Supreme and set up his stall.
On the stall were thirty mineral water bottles, filled with the medicine Chen Fan had brewed.
Chen Fan also prepared a piece of cardboard with a neatly written line.
"Ancestral Secret Recipe, Kidney Tonic and Yang Strengthening. Prolong Time, Extend Life."
In the evening, the commercial street was bustling with people.
Soon, a crowd gathered in front of Chen Fan's stall.
"Hey, does this medicine work?" A bald man picked up a bottle, curiously examining it as he asked.
Chen Fan held up one finger and said, "It'll let you last an hour, no problem."
"Really? How much are you selling this for?" the bald man asked again.
Chen Fan held up the same finger, saying, "One bottle for 10,000 yuan!"
"What? 10,000?"
"Are you crazy for money?"
The bald man was startled. What kind of miracle drug was this, more expensive than Viagra!
The bottle was only a fifth full of the 500ml mineral water bottle.
Looking at the dark liquid inside, how could he dare to ask for 10,000 yuan?
This guy must be a scammer, right?
"Viagra only extends time. My medicine not only prolongs time but also nourishes the yang energy, completely improving your body."
Chen Fan patiently explained, confident in the medicine he had brewed himself.
"Sounds too good to be true, must be a scam!"
"For such a small amount to cost 10,000, why doesn't he just rob someone!"
The onlookers didn't believe it, discussing among themselves.
Some even took out their phones, ready to report Chen Fan for selling fake medicine.
Chen Fan frowned, realizing he had underestimated the situation.
The medicine was good, but there wasn't a single person who recognized its value.
Just then, the luxurious glass doors of Ninety-Nine Supreme suddenly opened, and a group of uniformed security guards rushed out.
Leading them was a tall, burly man, presumably the captain.
"Hey, who told you to set up a stall here! We don't allow stalls here, move it!"
The security captain was arrogant, fierce, gesturing for Chen Fan to leave immediately.
Chen Fan frowned, "I'm not obstructing your business, you have no right to interfere."
The security captain glared, "Kid, who do you think you're talking to? Do you know what this place is?"
"If you know what's good for you, get lost! Or we'll smash your stall!"
The security at Ninety-Nine Supreme was always arrogant, especially on their turf.
Chen Fan's face darkened. He was about to argue further when a surprised voice suddenly came from behind the security captain.
"Little Fan, is that you!"
Chen Fan looked over and was slightly taken aback, then a smile spread across his face.
"Fatty, what are you doing here?"
A chubby man squeezed out from behind the security captain, full of surprise, and punched Chen Fan playfully on the shoulder.
"Little Fan, when did you come back? You didn't even let me know!"
The chubby man was Pang Lei, a childhood friend who grew up with Chen Fan. Seeing Chen Fan, he was very affectionate.
Fatty quickly approached the security captain, nodding and bowing, "Brother Li, this is my brother."
Security Captain Li nodded, "Alright, for your sake, I'll let it go this time. Tell him not to set up a stall here again. Otherwise, if Sister Hong finds out, neither of us will be able to handle it!"