Do Not Speak Ill of My Mother!-Chapter 660 - 605: Throttled Again

Ever since collaborating with Wankang Auspicious Hall to launch a series of herbal health beverages and pastries, the nation’s enthusiasm for traditional Chinese medicine has been fully ignited.

Long queues have formed outside each storefront, with customers vying to purchase these innovative products that combine effectiveness with flavor—like the barley and red bean cake exuding a grainy fragrance, or the special blend of herbal milk tea with its rich and lingering taste. The discussions on social media about "herbal conditioning" and "dietary health maintenance" continue to be fervently discussed.

Chu Fengteng, dressed in a simple and elegant teal robe, is focused on introducing a newly launched calming tea formula to a middle-aged customer, his gentle voice clear and patient.

As he looked up, he happened to see Yan Yueqing smiling at the doorway, a delighted spark instantly lighting up his eyes. His refined and graceful face immediately came to life: "Aunt Xiaoxing!" He quickly circled the counter to greet her, respectfully and affectionately guiding Yan Yueqing to a quieter private room. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

"Aunt Xiaoxing, look," Chu Fengteng said as he seated Yan Yueqing by the window and poured her a cup of clear tea, gesturing toward the bustling crowd outside, his gentle voice filled with heartfelt gratitude, "Everyone’s enthusiasm has exceeded our expectations. Many have begun with trying a cup of health tea and gradually stopped to listen to us explain the principles of medicinal ingredient combinations and the four natures and five flavors. The old shopkeeper and doctors of Wankang Auspicious Hall have all said they’ve never seen such lively scenes at a herbal shop in years, as if the dormant roots have been revitalized."

He continued to report the progress: "Old Master Bai’s research on his end is going very smoothly as well. The two hundred million you invested earlier is being primarily used to tackle key issues in herbal medicine for antiviral purposes, and the progress is encouraging. Meanwhile, the joint venture revenues from the Food Supplement Shop are, as agreed, continuously supporting Wankang Auspicious Hall, used for the collation of ancient texts, apprentice training, and support for medicinal herb cultivation, forming a positive cycle."

Yan Yueqing picked up the teacup, took a small sip, and nodded appreciatively: "Ultimately, all of this is a result of your perseverance and efforts bearing fruit. The wisdom of Chinese medicine is deeply rooted in life, and you have found the key to making it shine anew."

Her gentle gaze fell on Chu Fengteng, whose youthful energy was becoming more composed, his brows reflecting a budding command of the overall situation.

However, her keen eye still detected a subtle and almost indistinguishable heaviness hidden in his slightly relaxed brow.

"What’s wrong? Encountered a new problem?"

Chu Fengteng sighed softly, put down the teapot, and his expression became serious: "Aunt Xiaoxing, your insight is commendable... Lately, we’ve indeed encountered some trouble again."

He gestured for the apprentice to gently close the door of the private room, lowered his voice a bit, and with concern, said, "Do you remember the time when Neon Country’s capital heavily purchased shares in Chinese medicine, attempting to choke us by controlling resources, and even causing my father to have difficulty obtaining medicines, once leading to his kidnapping?"

Yan Yueqing’s eyes sharpened: "Of course I remember. What? Is history repeating itself?"

"It’s a similar script, but with more concealed and forceful actors."

Chu Fengteng took a document from the drawer and spread it out in front of Yan Yueqing, listing recent price trends and market analyses of several key medicinal herbs.

"This time, it’s a joint action by several foreign capitals with deep backgrounds, targeting the monopolization of upstream rare medicinal resources. Look, the prices of wild ginseng and top-grade cordyceps have been speculated to shocking prices, and even common herbs like angelica and astragalus have been massively stockpiled by them."

"Again trying to strangle us?" Yan Yueqing tapped her fingers lightly on the table, her tone calm yet sharp with insight.

Chu Fengteng nodded heavily.

"Exactly. They initially seduce the upstream farmers and cultivation bases with high prices, forming a de facto monopoly, then use this leverage to either buy out or maliciously suppress small- and medium-sized pharmaceutical companies, attempting to control the mid and downstream of the entire industrial chain. Wankang Auspicious Hall’s stock of wild ginseng, at the current consumption rate, might only last half a month... If we really face a supply cut, the hard-fought Chinese medicine health boom could suffer a heavy blow, and the public’s trust might be shaken."

His long fingers unconsciously rubbed the embroidered patterns on the cuffs of his teal robe, revealing his inner anxiety. "Father is urgently contacting familiar old herbal farmers and associated bases across the country, but the purchasing prices they’ve set are simply too high, far exceeding reasonable ranges, leaving us... somewhat powerless."

"Back then, they relied on ample capital, trying to crush our millennium-old foundation with money." Yan Yueqing’s lips curled into a cold smile, her eyes still steady without a trace of panic, "Now they want to repeat the same trick? It seems they think we are easy to bully."