C11 Not Just a Hand Shake

Shen Yong deliberately withheld the name of the herb because he feared his mother might attempt to search for it alone in the remote reaches of Peach Mountain.

Now advanced in years, her physical strength was not what it once was in her youth.

Yet, she retained the same indomitable spirit and vigor that characterized her younger days.

Back then, Xie Yun was known throughout the village by a distinctive moniker: the Medicinal Herb Xi Shi!

At that time, not only was Xie Yun the most beautiful member of the herb-gathering team, but she also consistently harvested the largest quantities of medicinal herbs.

Many believed that it was Xie Yun's stunning beauty that lured the herbs to her, as if they sprang up around her, eager to be picked. This, they surmised, was the secret to her abundant hauls.

Xie Yun, however, disagreed.

She alone knew that her success came from not following the beaten path; she ventured deep into the treacherous and uncharted territories of Peach Mountain.

The less traveled and more perilous the area, the more abundant and valuable the herbs.

That was the true secret behind Xie Yun's exceptional harvests: you reap what you sow!

The rumors didn't capture the full story.

The rare medicinal herb that Shen Yong spoke of was wild ginseng, aged over a hundred years.

Such ancient wild ginseng was exceedingly scarce, fetching astronomical prices. It was considered a pinnacle among medicinal herbs, akin to a miraculous elixir rumored to have life-altering properties.

Those fortunate enough to find it would typically hoard it, selling only in dire circumstances—if at all. It was a commodity beyond price, virtually unattainable.

Despite his mother's intimate knowledge of Peach Mountain's herbal locales, Shen Yong would never allow his elderly mother to risk a solitary trek into its depths. Thus, he chose to conceal the truth.

"Mom! You're not as young as you used to be. How old are you now?"

Shen Yong offered his advice with good intentions, "These precious medicinal herbs are exceedingly rare and fetch a high price. They're not easily found! Plus, our local climate isn't conducive to their growth – you won't find them even deep within Peach Mountain! So, there's no point in searching; it's a fruitless endeavor."

"Oh! I see! Well, then Dad will just have to endure for now," came the understanding reply.

Xie Yun turned to Shen Wanshan, her voice tinged with concern, "Old man, is the pain that bad? If you can bear it, then bear it. Why didn't you run faster? Yong has worked wonders getting you back on your feet. Don't give your son a hard time."

"Ah! The pain's gone! Completely gone! No need for any medicine!" Shen Wanshan exclaimed as he hopped around, feigning perfect health. "See! I'm absolutely fine!"

"Alright, that's enough jumping around – you'll throw out your back again! Tomorrow, I'll make you a knee brace. Wear it on damp days; it should help ease the pain," Xie Yun said, shaking her head gently with a mix of affection and exasperation.

"Thank you, my dear! You're the best partner anyone could ask for," Shen Wanshan blurted out, a rare flash of romance that brought a smile to Xie Yun's face and a warmth to her heart.

Just then, the rain started to pour down heavily.

Shen Yong fetched a small stool for his parents, and they sat together at the front of the hall, watching the rain and chatting.

"Old Shen! Is Old Shen home?" a voice called out, urgent and weathered by time.

"Mr. Shen Yong! Mr. Shen Yong! It's Xiaona! Do you recognize me?" chimed in a youthful, bell-like voice.

At the sound, the three of them looked out toward the gate in unison. There stood an elder clad in a straw raincoat and bamboo hat, alongside a young girl sheltering under an oil-paper umbrella.

"Old Li and Xiaona have arrived! We're all here! Come inside quickly – it's pouring out there!" Shen Wanshan beckoned.

To Shen Yong, these two visitors were as familiar as family.

The elder's name was Lee Kun, the venerable village chief of Mountain Peach Village. He was two years Shen Wanshan's senior, and the two shared an ironclad bond.

The young girl was Lee Xiaona, Lee Kun's daughter, two years younger than Shen Yong and always looked up to him as her role model.

As children, Shen Yong and Lee Xiaona would trek to school together. The journey was a long one from Mountain Peach Village, requiring them to traverse several mountains to get there.

Lee Xiaona, frail of health, couldn't manage the lengthy trek on the mountain paths and often asked Shen Yong to carry her. He never declined, considering it a form of physical training.

Lee Xiaona used to be a tearful, snotty child with long hair that was always unkempt and dirty. Now, she had blossomed into her prime, her appearance neat and tidy, exuding a lively and clever charm, a true beauty in her own right.

Lee Kun and Lee Xiaona pushed open the courtyard gate and hurried into the house. Shen Wanshan and Xie Yun were already inside, stowing away the straw raincoats, bamboo hats, and oil-paper umbrellas on the wall hooks.

Shen Yong fetched a couple of stools.

"Uncle Kun! Xiaona! Please, take a seat," Shen Yong invited.

"Shen Yong! You're really all better! You can even say my name!" Lee Xiaona exclaimed, rushing into Shen Yong's embrace, her arms wrapped tightly around him. "Does this mean I won't have to lull you to sleep anymore?"

"Coax you to sleep? When have you ever done that?" Shen Yong asked, clearly baffled.

"Hmph! You really don't remember a thing! When you were... not yourself, I had to lull you to sleep every single night! Otherwise, you'd cry and fuss, and even your godmother couldn't calm you down," Lee Xiaona complained, pouting. "You'd cling to my hand every night, needing me to call you 'darling' before you'd finally settle down to sleep! Still trying to deny it? If you don't believe me, just ask your godmother!"

Lee Xiaona was born in the year the great drought began.

Tragically, her mother died shortly after her birth.

At that time, Shen Yong had only recently been weaned. Xie Yun, feeling sorry for the infant Lee Xiaona, decided to nurse her with her own milk.

Lee Xiaona came to regard Xie Yun as her godmother, and Xie Yun cherished her as if she were her own flesh and blood.

"Mom! Is that true?"

Shen Yong inquired.

"Would Xiaona lie? You've been out of it for a while! At night, no one could soothe you, only Xiaona had that touch. Every night, she'd trek that long mountain path to lull you to sleep. Now that you're well, you must make sure to show your gratitude to Xiaona!"

Xie Yun affirmed with a nod.

Upon hearing his mother's words, Shen Yong was taken aback once more!

No wonder there was a vivid dream in his mind of holding hands with Su Yaner as he slept!

It wasn't a dream at all, but reality!

Only, it wasn't Su Yaner's hand he held, but Lee Xiaona's!

With this realization, Shen Yong gently pushed away Lee Xiaona, who was embracing him, and took a long, careful look at her, hand on shoulder.

Indeed, there was a resemblance between Lee Xiaona's and Su Yaner's eyes.

"What are you doing? Let go! You're hurting me!"

Lee Xiaona cried out as she struggled, "Godmother! Look! Mr. Shen Yong isn't thanking me, he's picking on me!"

Xie Yun hurried over and gave Shen Yong a light tap on the back, "Release her! If you don't let go, I'll have to scold you! Did you not listen to a word I said?"

"Oh! I'm sorry, Xiaona! I just came to and didn't realize my own strength, I didn't mean to hurt you."

Shen Yong quickly released her and, scratching his head with a look of confusion, asked, "Did I really just hold your hand and call you 'darling' before falling asleep? Surely, I didn't do anything else?"