Chapter Fifty-Eight: The Ren Family

Three months later.

In the largest pharmacy of Ren Family Town.

“Sanzi, where is your manager?”

Li Yang entered the shop and, seeing the thin young man busily working inside, asked his question.

“Oh! Young Master Li, it’s you! The manager is in the backyard. Please have a seat. Ah Qi, come here and pour some tea for Young Master Li. I’ll go get the manager at once!” The skinny youth’s face lit up with delight upon seeing Li Yang. Over the past three years, Li Yang had become a regular at this pharmacy, its biggest customer, and was well-known for his generosity. Without delay, calling out to his companion to serve Li Yang tea, the clerk named Sanzi hurried off toward the backyard.

“Young Master Li, please have some tea!” The new round-faced clerk nervously brought over a cup and offered it to Li Yang.

“Just set it here.” Li Yang nodded kindly, picked up the tea, and took a leisurely sip.

“Young Master Li is truly an honored guest. It’s been a while since you’ve come in person for medicinal herbs.”

Soon, a short, plump man dressed in the manner of a prosperous merchant emerged from the backyard. His shrewd little eyes sparkled with business acumen—he appeared more a merchant than a mere pharmacy manager.

“That’s enough, Manager Wang. No need for courtesies. Have you prepared all the materials I requested—cinnabar, mercury, saltpeter, sulfur, tin ore… are they all ready?”

Manager Wang might appear cunning and sly, but his judgment was sharp and his greed tempered by caution. He knew whom he could offend and whom he could not. Most importantly, his goods were always fairly weighed and measured. This reliability was the main reason Li Yang continued to do business with him.

“Well… Young Master Li, you know these items are all rather uncommon. We don’t usually keep them in stock, and you require a large quantity. The labor costs and all, you see…”

Manager Wang grinned awkwardly, rubbing his hands together, as if about to say more.

“I understand your meaning. As long as the quality remains untouched, I can accept a price up to ten percent above market rate.”

“You can rest assured about that. If there’s one thing I, Fat Wang, never compromise on, it’s quality. We’ve done business for years—you should know that by now!” At Li Yang’s words, Manager Wang patted his chest, making a solemn promise.

“That’s best, then. Are the goods packed? As usual, Sister Jinling will come tomorrow to settle the bill.”

Li Yang nodded, rose from his chair, and straightened his perfectly immaculate clothing.

“Of course! Sanzi, Ah Qi, what are you waiting for? Go bring out Young Master Li’s order!” Seeing Li Yang in a hurry, Manager Wang quickly instructed his clerks.

“Young Master Li, these items are quite numerous and heavy. How about I hire a cart and deliver them to your residence?” After several trips, as the two clerks panted and sweated from carrying the goods, Manager Wang made his offer.

“No need for the trouble. I’ll take them myself.” With that, Li Yang bent down and, to the astonishment of both clerks, easily picked up several burlap sacks and walked off.

“Manager… am I seeing things? That’s three or four hundred pounds—just carried off like that?” One clerk rubbed his eyes in disbelief.

“Don’t make a fuss! Learn from this—some people you can offend, some you cannot. In business, you must have this kind of discernment, or no matter how much you make, you won’t live long enough to spend it.” Manager Wang glanced at his two clerks, flicking his sleeve with practiced indifference.

...

“Brother Li! What are you… I just went to your place and Sister Zhao said you were out!” Walking the path back to the manor, Li Yang ran into Ren Tingting, who looked somewhat absentminded. Noticing the sacks on his shoulder, she was rather surprised.

“Oh, it’s you, Tingting. I just picked up some medicinal materials from the pharmacy. You know, as someone who cultivates and makes elixirs, these ingredients are essential. By the way, did you need something from me?”

Since visiting the Ren household three months ago, Ren Tingting had taken to stopping by the manor frequently, and had become quite familiar with Li Yang. He was well aware of her little intentions—it was nothing more than the innocent curiosity of a young girl.

Li Yang’s handsome features, refined demeanor, and the enigmatic air of a cultivator naturally made him irresistible to a maiden just awakening to love. As for himself, Li Yang simply let things progress naturally. He was no master of romance, and to say he had no thoughts at all about Ren Tingting would be a lie. But he understood it wasn’t true affection—at most, a passing desire, and the allure of the Ren family’s wealth. Thus, he continued playing the fool.

“No… it’s not me. My father wishes to speak with you.”

Faced with Li Yang’s deep gaze, Ren Tingting’s cheeks flushed and her eyes flickered away.

“Master Ren wants to see me? That’s unfortunate—I’m busy today. When you return, please tell your father that once I’m free in the next couple of days, I’ll be sure to pay him a visit.”

He lifted the sack in his hand and smiled.

“Brother Li, are you going to refine elixirs? May I come and watch? I promise I won’t disturb you!”

Looking at the sack with curiosity, Ren Tingting raised her head, her eyes pleading.

“If you’re interested, you may come along, though refining elixirs is rather dull.” Gesturing for her to follow, Li Yang began walking toward the manor.

“By the way, Tingting, do you know why Master Ren wishes to see me?” As they walked, Li Yang suddenly asked.

“I’m not quite sure about the details. But yesterday, my cousin came to visit. She said my third great-uncle seems to be ill and wanted my father to visit. Father knows you’re skilled at alchemy and medicine, so he also wanted to invite you along to take a look.”

“You might not know, Brother Li, but our Ren family is a large clan. Since great-grandfather’s generation, the family has split into branches. My third great-uncle is my grandfather’s brother, so our branches are quite close, and their place isn’t far from our Ren Family Town. It’s also called Ren Family Town.”

Afraid he might not understand, Ren Tingting chattered away like a little bird, only to sneak a glance at Li Yang afterward. Seeing no sign of annoyance, she relaxed and stuck out her tongue playfully.

“What’s your cousin’s name?”

Walking ahead, Li Yang didn’t notice her little antics. Instead, her words struck a familiar chord with him, and after a moment’s thought, he asked.

“My cousin’s name is Ren Zhuzhu. Is there a problem, Brother Li?”

Seeing Li Yang deep in thought, Ren Tingting asked cautiously.

“No… nothing. I was just wondering how there could be two towns called Ren Family Town.”

Hearing the name Ren Zhuzhu, Li Yang suddenly understood. After giving Ren Tingting a perfunctory answer, he began to plot his next steps inwardly.