Qi Chengyan did not look sideways, but his mind could not help but wander.
Behind him was Cheng You, the girl he held dear.
"If you want to come again in the future, I'll bring you."
"Okay."
Cheng You felt she wouldn't dare come alone.
After working so hard, a comfortable soak here could lift her spirits.
Perhaps because of the hot springs, even in winter, the nearby vegetation was abundant, with glimpses of small flowers.
She turned back and asked, "Qi Chengyan, are the flowers you send me picked from here?"
"Yes."
Cheng You understood why he could always find fresh flowers every day.
After soaking for a while, Qi Chengyan spoke, "Time to get up."
"So soon?"
Cheng You felt a sense of reluctance.
Qi Chengyan said, "Soaking for too long can cause dizziness. This duration is just right. If you like it, I'll bring you again next time."
Cheng You pouted, "Alright then."
Qi Chengyan closed his eyes and recited a calming mantra in his heart.
Only when Cheng You said she was dressed did he open his eyes and get up.
Once both were dressed, he knelt down in front of Cheng You again.
"Get on."
Cheng You smiled and climbed onto his back, quite accustomed to it.
After only a few steps, Cheng You spotted a familiar green plant.
"Qi Chengyan, wait!"
Before he could steady himself, Cheng You jumped off his back.
"Look at this!"
Cheng You reached into her pocket, only to realize she hadn't brought her notebook.
Qi Chengyan, unfamiliar with it, asked, "What is it?"
"Ginseng! San Leng and I found one before, but someone dug it up."
She hadn't expected such good luck today to find another one.
Cheng You pushed aside the grass beside her and exclaimed with joy, "No! Not just one! There are more here!"
She scanned the surroundings and discovered three ginseng plants.
She read the Hundred Herbs Collection every day, so she was sure she wouldn't mistake them.
"It's getting dark, but I want to dig them up first."
Otherwise, like last time, what she found would be taken by someone else.
She still felt a sense of injustice when she thought about it.
"Alright, I'll accompany you."
Cheng You felt a bit guilty, having him stay so late.
"Then I'll trouble you to starve with me. I'll cook you something delicious when we get back."
Qi Chengyan ruffled her hair, "Teach me how to dig."
"Slowly, try to keep the roots intact."
As it was her first time digging, Cheng You was excited but extremely cautious.
Finally, all three ginseng plants were dug out perfectly intact.
"I don't know if there are any more nearby. I'll come up again another day to look."
Qi Chengyan pulled her up and handed her the flashlight.
"You hold this, I'll carry you down the mountain."
He would go faster.
Cheng You didn't argue. She leaned onto his back, clutching the three ginseng roots tightly.
"Qi Chengyan, we discovered this together. Half of it is yours."
Just like the wild boar before, Cheng You had said the same thing.
But Qi Chengyan disliked it intensely and insisted on keeping things clear-cut, separating their involvement.
"I don't want it, it's all yours."
"How can that be?"
She didn't know how much ginseng sold for, but she estimated it would be expensive.
Qi Chengyan insisted on refusing.
"You've given me a lot of medicine before, and I haven't paid you."
Cheng You mumbled, "That's not the same."
Before, she and Qi Chengyan were dating, but now they weren't.
Qi Chengyan understood her meaning and remained silent.
He took Cheng You to her doorstep and prepared to leave.
Cheng You spoke, "Do you want to stay for a bite to eat?"
He had been a little upset, but upon hearing her words, all his anger dissipated.
"Okay."
As Cheng You walked into the house, she saw Cheng Wenyu emerge.
"Sis, where did you go? I couldn't find you at Uncle Li's place either."
Cheng You said, "I went up the mountain to gather herbs. I saved some food for you in the pot. Have you eaten?"
"Yes, I have. What about you?"
"Not yet. I'll go cook now."
While she was cooking, Cheng Wenyu pestered Qi Chengyan.
"Brother Yan, there are a few moves from last time that I don't understand. Can you guide me?"
Qi Chengyan nodded slightly and looked towards the kitchen, "I'll help your sister with the fire first, and then I'll talk to you."
Cheng Wenyu nodded excitedly, sensing an opportunity.
It would be great if Qi Chengyan could become his brother-in-law.
It would be quite impressive to brag about.
There wasn't much time for cooking, so Cheng You simply made two bowls of egg noodles, sprinkled with chopped green onions.
Although simple, they were visually appealing and fragrant.
After Qi Chengyan finished eating, he glanced at Cheng You and asked, "Do I pay for this?"
He was referring to the noodles.
"Of course not..." Cheng You said subconsciously.
She quickly realized that Qi Chengyan was referring to the ginseng.
But the prices were too different to compare.
"Alright, I won't charge you for this. Let me ask Uncle Li what medicine can be made from ginseng. When it's ready, I'll give you a jar."
Qi Chengyan was then satisfied. After demonstrating a few moves to Cheng Wenyu, he left.
...
The next day, Cheng You, carrying the three ginseng roots, secretly went to find Uncle Li.
When she took them out, Uncle Li couldn't help but gasp.
"Your luck is incredible!"
He had been active in the mountains for so many years, yet this was his first time seeing something like this.
Cheng You then told him about Qi Chengyan discovering the hot springs.
"I found it nearby. I don't know if there are any more. I plan to go back today."
Uncle Li nodded, "If it's too far, it's best to have Chengyan accompany you. It's not safe otherwise."
Cheng You smiled and nodded, "Okay. Uncle Li, what medicine can be made from this ginseng?"
Uncle Li pondered, holding a ginseng root and examining it repeatedly.
"Ginseng is a precious thing. It greatly replenishes vital energy and stabilizes the pulse. This is real ginseng."
Cheng You asked, "Are there fake ginsengs?"
"Years ago, an old man in the village dug up fake ginseng. It wasn't truly fake, he just mistook it for something else, Phytolacca. Phytolacca has a purgative effect and is poisonous. After accidentally ingesting it, he suffered from vomiting and diarrhea, nearly losing his life."
Cheng You felt a chill run down her spine. Fortunately, she hadn't picked it herself but brought it to Uncle Li.
If she had dug up the wrong plant, it could have been fatal.
"Uncle Li, what should we do with this ginseng?"
"If you don't mind, making ginseng pills is good. The rest can be dried and used directly in medicine, or you could make ginseng wine."
Of course, given its rarity, anything made from ginseng would not be cheap, and probably not many people could afford it.
"Then let's do as you say."
Cheng You was still thinking about going up the mountain, wanting to see if there were any more.
This was ginseng, after all. The more the better.
Leaving the three ginseng roots with Uncle Li, Cheng You went out.
However, Qi Chengyan was busy, and Cheng You was a bit hesitant to go up alone.
She might also get lost.
Qi Chengyan then said, "Wait for me to accompany you. There's no rush."
"Alright then. Come find me when you have time."
Safety was more important than ginseng.