Others, worried about trouble, quickly went to report the incident.
Not far away, Cheng You and a few others were waiting for the bus.
They saw the scar-faced man approaching from a distance, and the three of them tensed up, sensing trouble.
This scar-faced man was clearly here to cause a scene.
Fang Yunbao cowered, "He's not that petty, is he? He can say whatever he wants about others, but others can't talk back?"
Cheng You shielded her behind her, "We live in a society governed by law now. If he dares to do anything, we'll just report him to the police."
With so many people watching, and them eating nearby, a group like them wouldn't be able to escape easily.
The scar-faced man stopped in front of them and sneered, "Why are you hiding? Weren't you quite arrogant just now?"
Cheng You said calmly, "Do you want to control everything and everyone? And control what others say and eat? Did my friend say anything wrong? Everyone knows women can hold up half the sky, yet you say female comrades are useless. My friend said you came out of your mother's womb, was that wrong? Were you born of your father?"
Cheng You's words were logical, clear, and well-reasoned.
The people nearby who overheard her looked over.
Many elderly people on the bus had looks of condemnation in their eyes.
"Young man, the most useless time your mother had in her life was probably when she gave birth to you."
"What era is this, that there are still people like you."
"Women can work in the fields while pregnant, try showing me you can do that."
"You look like a decent human being, but your heart is as small as a bean."
The scar-faced man's face contorted with anger, turning red and then pale as he clenched his fists tightly.
"That's not what I meant!"
Cheng You scoffed, "Do you want me to repeat your exact words?"
Fang Yunbao, emboldened now, chimed in, "We men protect the country and fight on the battlefield. These useless women just care about eating! That's what you said!"
This statement only intensified the condemnation from the crowd.
Cheng You said coldly, "I admire soldiers who protect the country, and I despise people like you who do nothing but attack others with their words."
The scar-faced man's anger had reached its boiling point, and Cheng You's words were the final spark.
"You're talking nonsense!"
He flew into a rage, his muscles bulging as he raised his fist and swung it at Cheng You.
Cheng You, prepared for this, stepped back and sidestepped his punch.
Fang Yunbao seized the opportunity, darted behind the scar-faced man, and, following Cheng You's instructions, kicked hard at the back of his knee.
The burly man's legs buckled, and he fell to his knees.
"You son of a bitch..."
"Mo Zi!"
The scar-faced man's fierce expression froze on his face. The elderly people around them quickly moved away, fearing they might get caught in the crossfire.
A man who had rushed over from a distance, possessing even greater strength, lifted the large man as if he were a small chicken.
"How long have you been out, and you're already causing trouble!"
For the first time, the scar-faced man felt wronged. How was he causing trouble? He was the one being beaten!
The aunties nearby seized the opportunity to fuel the fire, "He's not causing trouble, he was going to hit someone! A grown man bullying a few young girls, how shameless can he be."
The man's gaze, deep and steady, fell on Cheng You.
"I'm truly sorry. My brother was impolite to you. I apologize on his behalf."
Cheng You shook her head, "Just control him in the future."
They hadn't suffered any significant harm, so there was no need to be unforgiving.
The man nodded, "My name is Xu Boyan, and this is Mo Zi. We've offended you today, and I'm truly sorry."
Just then, the bus arrived. Cheng You pulled Cao Yanyan and Fang Yunbao aboard.
These people exuded an aggressive aura; they clearly weren't easy to deal with.
After watching the bus drive away, Xu Boyan began to scold, "I didn't send you here to get into conflicts with others, but to make money! If this happens again, you can pack your bags and leave!"
The muscular man, who had been ferocious moments ago, now lowered his head like a child being reprimanded.
"Brother Xu, I know I was wrong."
Xu Boyan lightly smacked his head, "Hurry up and go!"
...
On the first day of the winter break, Cheng You paid a visit to Zhen Shan Tang.
Chen Qin saw her arrive and said, "You're here at a good time. I have something I need to ask you about."
"What is it?"
"Hui Chun Tang wants to order medicine from us."
Pei Kesheng himself came to talk to him, which made him feel flattered.
When Chen Qin first came to Zhen Shan Tang, many people had waited to see him fail.
Now, even Pei Kesheng was coming to him for favors.
"What kind of medicine, and what's the quantity?"
Chen Qin said, "Specifically, they want medicinal herbs."
Recently, Hui Chun Tang had been subtly inquiring about Zhen Shan Tang's sources for medicinal herbs. They knew it was Yongcheng, but not where in Yongcheng.
Even if they knew, the herbs from Qili Village and Wujing Village were all purchased by pharmaceutical factories, leaving nothing for Hui Chun Tang.
Cheng You shook her head, "I can't help with that."
The herbs were barely enough to supply the local pharmaceutical factories, so there was no capacity to sell them to Hui Chun Tang.
Chen Qin nodded, "Then I know what to say. But be prepared; they probably won't let this go easily."
If they managed to find out where the herbs were grown, they would likely pay a premium to procure them.
Cheng You also considered this and pondered for a moment.
"I'll contact them and let them know to be prepared."
After all, the herbs belonged to the villagers, and it was their freedom to sell them to whomever they pleased.
However, Cheng You still sent a telegram to Qili Village, alerting Elder Jiang.
She wasn't worried about Qili Village selling their herbs to Hui Chun Tang, but she wasn't so sure about Wujing Village.
With Cheng Tianhua, an unreliable captain, in charge, any situation could become uncertain.
The day after sending the telegram to the elder, it was time for her volunteer work at the botanical research institute.
Everyone gathered at the institute's entrance and entered by class.
Unexpectedly, Cheng You also saw Cheng Tao.
"Why is she here too?"
Fang Yunbao pouted, "She said she wanted to come at the last minute."
Due to the matter of donating money, Cheng Tao had gained favor with Su Jinwen.
Not only had she gained favor with Su Jinwen, but everyone else also had a generally good impression of her.
After all, she had money and often treated people to meals.
Su Jinwen took attendance and confirmed everyone was present.
"Classmates, let's go in. Today, we've been assigned to the plant specimen museum to help create a popular science section for the specimens. This is a rare opportunity, so you must study hard."
The specimen museum was also categorized, and their class was assigned to the medicinal herb section.
The students were a little excited. Cao Yanyan voiced everyone's thoughts, "I wonder if we'll be able to see Muyi Grass here?"
Cheng Tao feigned ignorance, "Didn't you hear that Cheng You lost the Muyi Grass?"
This was common knowledge, but the fact that Cheng You had returned the Muyi Grass was something most people didn't know.
Cheng You looked up, "Heard? Who did you hear it from?"
Cheng Tao covered her mouth, "That's what everyone is saying."
"Who is 'everyone'? Did the research institute tell you personally that I lost it?"
Cheng Tao lowered her head, remaining silent, which made Cheng You appear somewhat aggressive.