Chapter 41: Soothing the Throat

When Zeng Xiaofan opened his eyes again, the sunlight was already shining on Aunt Yao. He gazed at her sleeping peacefully under the golden rays, unable to suppress a gentle smile at the corners of his mouth.

Without realizing it, the morning had spun by busily for several hours, and now it was already past eleven—almost lunchtime. Zeng Xiaofan pushed open the back door, intending to pick some greens from the vegetable garden.

But as soon as he opened the door, he was instantly stunned by the sight before him! The goji tree that used to stand knee-high in the corner had, overnight, grown into a towering giant! Its branches and leaves were lush, and the massive tree was laden with clusters of bright red goji berries.

“Whoa!”

“What…what’s going on?”

“The little goji bush I used to pick leaves from for soup has suddenly turned into a gigantic tree overnight?”

“And it’s covered with berries?”

Zeng Xiaofan was so astonished his jaw dropped. “After so many years of picking goji leaves, it’s the first time I’ve seen berries growing!”

Overwhelmed by curiosity, he quickly plucked one and popped it into his mouth. With a gentle bite, a fragrant sweetness lingered on his lips and teeth—the taste was simply exquisite!

“My goodness!”

“That little gourd must really be a treasure!”

“I can’t believe its catalyzing power is so strong!”

“It turned a goji seedling into an old tree in just one night!”

Zeng Xiaofan couldn’t help but marvel, and a thought rose in his heart: With this catalyzing gourd in hand, it would be hard not to get rich!

If he rented dozens of acres and planted medicinal herbs everywhere, catalyzing them each day...

Wouldn’t that be a money-printing machine?

And the herbs could be used for alchemy later, aiding cultivation...

A blueprint unfolded in his mind, filling him with so much joy he nearly jumped for it!

Just then, Xiao Changgui returned. At a glance, he saw the enormous goji tree in the garden and cried out in shock:

“Holy—!”

“Xiaofan! What’s going on?”

“Where did you get such a huge goji tree?”

Zeng Xiaofan smiled faintly, speaking calmly:

“Uncle, I didn’t bring it from outside. This goji tree is the same one that used to grow in the corner.”

“What!”

“How is that possible!” Xiao Changgui scoffed, “Yesterday I picked goji leaves to make pork soup—the tree was only knee-high. How could it grow into this overnight?”

“You think I’m a three-year-old? So easy to fool?”

“Honestly, how much did you pay for it?”

Zeng Xiaofan shook his head, chuckling. “I’m not lying, Uncle!”

“It really is the same little tree in the corner!”

“I just tried out a new medicinal solution last night and watered it. I never imagined it would grow like this by morning!”

“What?”

“Are you kidding me?”

“That’s impossible…” Xiao Changgui still didn’t believe him.

Zeng Xiaofan pointed out a scar on the trunk. “Look, Uncle, isn’t that the mark you made with your knife when you got annoyed at being scratched by it?”

“Take a close look—the scar’s bigger, but the shape is the same!”

“Is it really…” Xiao Changgui, half convinced, leaned forward for a better look. At last, astonishment gleamed in his eyes!

“My goodness! It really is the same tree!”

“This is incredible!”

“How could there be such miraculous medicine? Xiaofan, how did you do it?”

“It’s unbelievable. If you have medicine like this, our whole family is bound to prosper!”

Recovering from his surprise, Xiao Changgui became excited, calling out toward the house:

“Wife! Come outside!”

“It’s huge!”

“Xiaofan’s is huge!”

Sure enough, Bai Qingyao was woken by the commotion. She emerged slowly, supporting herself against the wall, and cast a reproachful glance at both men, saying in a teasing tone:

“What’s so big about Xiaofan’s… Even if it’s big, must you shout about it? Aren’t you embarrassed if someone hears?”

“I know whether it’s big or not… Honestly…”

She muttered under her breath, frowning, then looked up to find both Zeng Xiaofan and Xiao Changgui staring at her awkwardly.

Seeing their strange expressions, Bai Qingyao was baffled: “What…”

“Did I say something wrong?”

Xiao Changgui smiled sheepishly. “Wife… I meant…”

“The goji tree Xiaofan grew is really big…”

“Did you misinterpret something…”

Zeng Xiaofan lowered his head in embarrassment, staring only at his toes.

Bai Qingyao glanced at the immense goji tree, then at the two men’s faces, and suddenly realized her mistake:

“Ah!!!”

She shrieked, her face instantly flushing red to her neck, wishing she could dig a hole and crawl inside!

“You…”

“I…”

“It’s all your fault!”

“You should have explained yourself!”

“You did it on purpose, didn’t you! Hmph!”

“I’m not talking to you anymore!” In a fit of embarrassed anger, Bai Qingyao stamped her foot, a tingling soreness shooting through certain parts of her body.

The pain made her cry out again...

Hearing her, Xiao Changgui and Zeng Xiaofan felt even more awkward.

“Well… Auntie… you’re not feeling well, are you?”

“If you’re uncomfortable, let me help you back to rest for a bit~”

“I’ll pick some goji leaves later and make soup for you, so you can taste the flavor of this freshly grown tree.”

As he spoke, Zeng Xiaofan explained again about watering the tree with his medicinal solution.

Bai Qingyao exclaimed in amazement, but gently pushed Zeng Xiaofan’s hand away, refusing his support.

When Xiao Changgui wasn’t looking, she gave Zeng Xiaofan a fierce glare and whispered:

“It’s all your fault…”

“Now I ache all over… My legs are so weak…”

Zeng Xiaofan stifled a laugh, worried Uncle Changgui might overhear and feel uncomfortable, so he quickly changed the subject:

“Well… I’ll go pick some leaves now… I’ll start making the soup…”

With that, Zeng Xiaofan hurried up the tree to gather tender shoots and leaves, then turned to the kitchen to get busy.

Once Xiaofan was out of earshot, Xiao Changgui approached Bai Qingyao and whispered:

“You two… did it this morning?”

Bai Qingyao glanced at him nervously, her face crimson, and nodded.

Xiao Changgui nodded as well. “I thought so… You were crying out so loudly this morning…”

“Your voice must be hoarse by now, huh? Here, I brought you some loquat syrup—drink some to soothe your throat~”