Chapter 91: Ring Out the Old Year and Ring in the New Year

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Wang Yao had a short break at home after he came back from his grandparent’s place. He went back to Nanshan hill and came across Wang Mingbao.

“Hi, what are you doing here?” asked Wang Yao.

“I need to ask you something,” said Wang Mingbao.

“What?”

“My grandpa caught a cold a few days ago. He has been coughing and has a fever, and he can’t sleep well at night. Could you prescribe some herbs for him? You told me you could prescribe herbs last time,” said Wang Mingbao.

Wang Yao didn’t hide the fact that he could prescribe herbs to his best friend.

“Has your grandpa had any medication yet?” asked Wang Yao.

“Yeah, but it didn’t make much difference. His fever came back, so I’m here to see if you can help,” said Wang Mingbao.

“Is it a wet cough or a dry cough?” asked Wang Yao.

“Wet cough,” said Wang Mingbao.

“Okay, give me a minute. Let me see what I can do,” said Wang Yao.

It didn’t take Wang Yao long to find a suitable herbal formula for Wang Mingbao’s grandpa, but the effects might not be the best.

Should I add something to it? thought Wang Yao. He can’t sleep well at night…so of course!

He still had some Moonlight herbs left which absorbed the essence of the moonlight. It could calm the nerves to improve sleep quality. Wang Yao decided to add some Moonlight herbs into the formula.

“I’m going to make the herbal formula for your grandpa. It is going to take some time. Do you want to come back later to get it?” asked Wang Yao.

“How about bringing it to me on your way home in the evening?” suggested Wang Mingbao.

“Well, it’s not a good idea to bring people medication, not even herbs to their houses during Chinese New Year. Although it’s superstition and you may not believe in it, the older generation believes it,” said Wang Yao.

“Okay, how long will it take then?” asked Wang Mingbao.

“Just over an hour.”

“I see. I’ll wait here.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay, take a seat, let me make you a cup of tea.” Wang Yao went to make Wang Mingbao a cup of tea then he started the process of brewing the herbal decoction.

Ten minutes passed and Wang Mingbao started to regret his decision. It was boring for him to watch his friend Wang Yao put all his heart and soul into decoction brewing. But Wang Mingbao also admired his friend. He gradually moved closer to the fire, not because of curiosity, but due to the warmth the fire brought him.

It didn’t take long for the special herbal smell to come out of the multifunctional pot.

“Is it ready?” asked Wang Mingbao after he smelled the decoction. This was the first time he observed Wang Yao brewing decoctions. It seemed to be different from the way his grandma brewed decoctions at home.

“Not yet, still a while to go,” said Wang Yao.

The smell of herbs only indicated the essence of the herbs starting to melt into the decoction.

The decoction was boiling inside the pot. Wang Yao sat in front of the pot like a monk. He just added in some firewood from time to time.

The decoction was almost ready according to the herbal formula.

“Just need one more herb,” said Wang Yao.

He put two Moonlight herb leaves into the pot. The green leaves immediately melted and Wang Yao moved the pot away from the fire.

Done!

Wang Yao poured the decoction into a white porcelain bottle.

“This is the first time I’ve watched you brew a decoction. You were like an artist!” admired Wang Mingbao.

“Haha, give it to your grandpa. Tell him to drink it warm three times a day,” said Wang Yao.

“Okay, how about having dinner at my grandpa’s place?” suggested Wang Mingbao.

“No, thanks, I have to go home; my parents are waiting for me,” said Wang Yao.

“Okay, thank you for the herbs!” said Wang Mingbao as he left the hill.

Wang Yao also left the hill in the late afternoon.

The next morning, Wang Yao heard a prompt from the system while he was working in the herbal field.

Mission: Ability to be recognized by ten people including patients and family members. No home visits. No repetition of herbal formulas.

Mission status: complete.

Completed? Really?!

Wang Yao was surprised to hear the prompt from the system. He was a bit confused, not because of happiness, but because of shock. He didn’t expect the task to be completed at this time.

Didn’t I need to obtain ten people’s recognition?

Wang Yao started to count those who could potentially recognize his ability to make herbal formulas—his uncle and his wife, Tian Yuantu’s friends (not sure how many of them), and Wang Mingbao’s grandpa. There should be about seven to eight people. How come the task has been completed?

Wang Yao soon calmed down. It was a good thing to complete the task anyway. But the rewards made Wang Yao disappointed. There were no herbal seeds and no formula. He was only granted experience points.

Looks like my experience has increased a lot. Hopefully I’ll be able to upgrade soon.

Wang Yao was relieved after he had completed the task as he was worried he couldn’t complete the task by the due date.

In the next two days, Wang Yao spent most of his time visiting his relatives. Meanwhile, he went to pick up his sister from Lianshan to home. His home suddenly became very alive.

Soon, came New Year’s Eve.

The villagers were busy sticking up the Chinese character “FU” and spring festival couplets on their doors to get ready for Chinese New Year.

Wang Yao went back to Nanshan hill after he had helped his family prepare for Chinese New Year. He also stuck a FU character on the door of his cottage and added some food for San Xian and Da Xia.

“I’m not coming back tonight. Watch the herbal field for me,” he said to San Xian and Da Xia.

Woof! Woof! Woof! San Xian replied loudly, as if he was saying, “Don’t worry, leave it to us.”

The eagle also made a loud noise in reply.

“Thank you, guys.” Wang Yao touched San Xian’s head and Da Xia’s feathers gently. “I wish you both a happy Chinese New Year.”

Wang Yao walked around the herbal field before heading down to his home. He could hear the sound of firecrackers until evening. He stayed with his family; they ate, chat and sat together to watch the Spring Festival Gala on TV.

Although the Spring Festival Gala grew increasingly boring each year, most people chose to watch it as a ritual for Chinese New Year.

People started to call each other to make seasonal greetings at night. Wang Yao unexpectedly received a call from Tong Wei. She specifically called Wang Yao to send seasonal greetings to him and his family, which made Wang Yao very surprised.

“Is Tong Wei the girl you met in the hospital the other day?” asked Wang Fenghua after Wang Yao had hung up the phone.

“Yes,” said Wang Yao.

“I think the girl is quite nice. Is she still single?” asked Wang Fenghua.

“Well, I don’t think so,” said Wang Yao.

“She’s definitely single. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have called Yao,” said Wang Ru. “Act quickly if you are interested in the girl!”

“Sis, shouldn’t you call your colleagues and manager? Leave me alone,” said Wang Yao.

“The girl is really nice, your sister is right, you should act quickly before anyone else takes action,” said Wang Fenghua.