Li Chen’s mind couldn’t find peace. After dropping off Zhang Mei, he decided to embark on a quest to find the Chinese medicinal herbs needed for Tang Junjie’s treatment. He drove around the city, tirelessly seeking out the elusive ingredients. It wasn’t long before he stumbled upon a quiet part of town, away from the bustling urban life.

Walking along the narrow streets, Li Chen discovered quaint shops that specialized in selling antiques. He briefly considered exploring the unique offerings in these stores but continued on his mission to find the herbs. As he wandered the unfamiliar territory, he came across a peculiar sight—a stall where a man claimed to have the ability to see the future. Li Chen couldn’t help but shake his head in amusement and skepticism, choosing to disregard such claims.

However, his journey wasn’t in vain, as he finally spotted a sign that read "Gu Herbs." Intrigued, he pushed open the creaking wooden door and was immediately greeted by a captivating aroma of herbs that permeated the air. It was a calming scent, one that seemed to wash away the restlessness from his mind.

Inside the shop, Li Chen found a collection of herbs neatly organized on wooden shelves that lined the walls. The jars and containers held various traditional remedies and ingredients. Behind the counter stood an elderly man with a snowy white beard, meticulously sorting through dried herbs. He looked up with a friendly and knowing smile as Li Chen entered.

Li Chen approached the counter, returning the warm smile. "Hello, I’m looking for some specific herbs. Can you help me find them?"

The elderly shopkeeper nodded, his eyes revealing a lifetime of wisdom and experience. "Of course, my friend. What herbs are you searching for?"

Li Chen began describing the herbs he needed for Tang Junjie’s treatment, and the old man listened attentively. When Li Chen finished explaining, the old man’s eyes reflected understanding.

"I have most of what you need," he assured Li Chen. "Let me gather them for you."

As the old man began collecting the required herbs, Li Chen felt a sense of reassurance wash over him. It was as if the shop and the elderly shopkeeper were guiding him toward something greater, a chance to offer hope and healing to Tang Junjie. And, in the process, perhaps Li Chen was embarking on a journey that would reveal his untapped potential in traditional Chinese medicine.

Li Chen stood with his back facing the door, engrossed in the comforting aroma of herbs that enveloped the small shop. He knew the shopkeeper was off gathering the herbs he needed for Tang Junjie’s treatment, and Li Chen took this opportunity to familiarize himself with the surroundings. The place exuded a sense of history, as if it had seen generations of healers and seekers of traditional Chinese medicine.

As Li Chen continued to explore the shop with his eyes, he heard the creaking of the door, signaling someone’s entrance. He didn’t turn around, assuming it was another customer here for their own herbal needs. Two elderly men stepped into the shop, and one of them gently inquired, "Is anyone here?"

Li Chen nodded even though he still didn’t turn to face them. "Yes," he replied, "the shopkeeper went to gather the herbs."

The elder man acknowledged the information with a nod and expressed his thanks. Li Chen’s demeanor and presence gave the impression that he knew what he was doing, that he was not just a random customer but someone who understood the world of herbs and remedies.

Meanwhile, the elderly shopkeeper returned with a bag brimming with various herbs. Li Chen slowly turned to face him, ready to scrutinize the herbs one by one, engaging in a silent conversation with the god of war, who guided him in the selection process.

The shopkeeper watched Li Chen’s meticulous inspection with admiration. It was evident that this young man possessed a profound understanding of herbal remedies, and his commitment to the task was unwavering. While others might have hurried through the process, Li Chen was deliberate and precise, recognizing the importance of the herbs he was selecting.

The god of war, ever present in Li Chen’s thoughts, confirmed the authenticity and suitability of each herb, ensuring that Tang Junjie’s treatment would be successful.

Finally, after checking the last herb and receiving the god of war’s silent approval, Li Chen closed the bag with a sense of accomplishment. He turned to the shopkeeper with gratitude in his eyes and said, "Thank you for your assistance. I believe these herbs will make a significant difference. How much do I owe you?"

The elderly shopkeeper, deeply moved by Li Chen’s purpose and dedication, smiled warmly. "For someone who is using these herbs to help another, there is no charge. Consider it a gift from the shop."

Li Chen was touched by the shopkeeper’s generosity and nodded appreciatively. "Thank you, sir. I’m grateful for your kindness. But I can’t take them for free, you are also running a business."

The shopkeeper had a warm smile on his face and he shook his head indicating that it was no problem. Li Chen could tell that the shopkeeper really wanted to give him the herbs for free so he said "Thank you" and took the bag.

Before Li Chen could make his exit, one of the elderly men who had been observing their interactions took the opportunity to seek his assistance. The old man noticed Li Chen’s familiarity with herbs and approached him with an earnest request.

"Young man," the old man began, "you seem like you know these herbs very well."

Li Chen, always humble, replied, "I try."

The old man, slightly scratching his head in awkwardness, continued, "No need to be modest. I need your help."

Li Chen, willing to assist, responded with a warm smile, "Sure."

The old man explained his ailment, "Can you help me with confirming the herbs for me? I need herbs for migraines; I get headaches now and then."

Li Chen, without hesitation, said, "Let me see. Please stretch out your hand."

The old man followed the instructions, extending his hand toward Li Chen. Li Chen gently placed two fingers on the old man’s wrist and, just as it had occurred when he had touched Tang Junjie, he began receiving combinations of herbs that could alleviate the old man’s migraines. Li Chen closed his eyes in concentration for about two minutes. When he was done, he opened his eyes and turned to the shopkeeper.

"Do you have a pen?" Li Chen inquired.

The shopkeeper promptly handed him a pen and a piece of paper. Li Chen began to write down the names of herbal remedies that could provide relief for the old man’s migraines. The shopkeeper observed in awe as Li Chen’s knowledge and intuition guided him in selecting the most suitable herbs.

As Li Chen handed the paper with the prescribed herbs to the shopkeeper, the shopkeeper’s expression underwent a subtle change. He regarded the list of herbs, then turned to Li Chen and asked, "Who taught you Chinese medicine?"

Li Chen replied, "Self-taught."

The old man seemed to ponder this response, and then nodded. "I see."

Li Chen bid them farewell and turned to the elderly man who had requested his help. He offered some words of encouragement, saying, "Hope you get better soon, sir."

The old man expressed his gratitude, saying, "Yes, thank you."

With a warm smile, Li Chen reached for the door and was about to leave when the shopkeeper called out, "Hope to see you again soon."

Li Chen acknowledged the shopkeeper’s friendly words with a nod and a smile before exiting the shop, leaving the three old men inside. Once Li Chen had departed, the shopkeeper’s face broke into a grin as he approached the man who had sought Li Chen’s assistance.

"Chen Yunlong," the shopkeeper addressed him, "I never thought I would see you here again."

Chen Feng, the old man who had asked for Li Chen’s help, returned the smile, and they shared a heartfelt hug. It was a reunion between old friends who had been separated for years.

The shopkeeper, Wu Feng, turned his attention to the other old man, Shi Mingrui, and greeted him with a warm smile. "Shi Mingrui," he said, "you never seem to get old."

Shi Mingrui chuckled and replied, "Don’t make it sound like I’m older than you."

Wu Feng laughed in response and gestured for them to move to a different area of the shop. "Please, come over here. Let’s have some tea."

The three old men settled down, and Wu Feng, still beaming, inquired, "When did you arrive in Shanghai?"

Chen Yunlong, the one addressed, answered, "We arrived a week ago."

Wu Feng raised an eyebrow playfully. "And you’re only seeing me now?"

Chen Yunlong explained, "I had to settle in my place first."

Wu Feng nodded in understanding. "A place to stay. Does that mean you’ll be in Shanghai for a while?" 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Chen Yunlong confirmed, "Yes, I will be here for some time, my friend. I’ll be seeing more of you. Once everything is sorted, I’ll invite you to my house for tea."

Wu Feng accepted the invitation with a smile, saying, "Yes, yes."

Curious, Chen Yunlong inquired, "What about that young man we saw just now? Do you know him?"

Wu Feng responded, "No, it’s the first time I’ve seen him here. But I have to say, he’s quite skilled."

He paused for a moment, studying the paper with the herbal prescriptions that Li Chen had written. Then he pointed out, "Notice something interesting here? All these herbs are listed with their ancient names, not the names used in this era."