Before the next day, news of Doctor Mei's special recipe spread throughout the streets and alleys, becoming more and more miraculous with each word. What started as strengthening the body gradually evolved into prolonging life, beautifying the skin, preventing all diseases, and so on. In short, long queues formed outside the shop.
A large sign hangs at the entrance, bearing the five characters "Secret Recipe of Doctor Mei".
Er Gou and his wife didn't mind the smell at all, their faces glowing as they fried pot after pot. Tie Tou and his brothers quickly divided the food, added seasonings, and the business was booming.
The father and son who run the Deli Massage Shop sighed deeply. The queue was blocking their shop entrance, and with no business today, they had no choice but to get up and prepare to close.
To the right of the barbecue restaurant was an alley, and the long queue didn't bother them; they could just line up in the alley. But the first neighbor on the left was a massage parlor, blocking their entrance. Lan Yamei felt a little embarrassed, so she took two boxes of stinky tofu and pushed the door, which was about to close, saying, "Uncle, I'm so sorry to be blocking your way! Here are two boxes of our secret-recipe new product for you to try."
The old man, who had been giving massages for years, had thick calluses on his thin hands, and his thumbs were even somewhat deformed. He chuckled as he gripped the door and said, "It's alright. Business is something you can't control. Maybe we're too old-fashioned. We'll be eliminated sooner or later. I'm getting old, but how will my son survive in the future?"
The young man standing behind the old man was short and stocky, with a pair of bean-like eyes that looked very reliable. When he smiled, he revealed a single canine tooth the size of a soybean, and said to Lan Yamei, "It's okay, if all else fails, we can sell this shop and buy a few acres of land in the countryside to support ourselves."
Looking around this street, who wouldn't be envious of them? Only this father and son lived a simple and kind life, never becoming enemies.
Lan Yamei wanted to help them, so she tentatively said, "If you really want to sell, sell to me. I'll definitely give you a good price. You don't need to go to the countryside. I've already hired people for you. They'll be paid the same as my workers over there—five taels of silver per person per month, plus a bonus at the end of the month based on the shop's profits. But I'm just saying, if you want to continue running the shop, I'll definitely help you with any difficulties you encounter."
The father and son were surprised that the girl, despite her young age, was so simple and kind. In just a few words, they settled on a price of 31,000 taels of silver. The place was larger than the barbecue restaurant, also a three-story wooden building, just a bit old.
At the dinner table, Lan Yamei said, "Aunt Guan, I bought another building!"
Aunt Guan was so surprised that she forgot to eat her wontons. Qiu Zeyu was also very surprised. This little girl was really unexpected. She built another building. Did she really plan to keep doing small business? Did she never consider marrying a rich man and becoming rich overnight?
Wang Fengyang didn't say anything. After finishing his meal, he put down his chopsticks and went downstairs to help.
Grandpa Ouyang chuckled and said, "Are you thinking of separating the clinic because the shop is a bit cramped? I think it's a good idea. It's only proper to open a separate clinic."
"Yes, yes, I want to open a clinic for Aunt Guan, the one right next to ours. I've already paid for it." Lan Yamei was a little guilty, as the money for buying the shop came from the consultation fees given by the Murong family.
"That's great news, Lan girl! I support it! This place has both food and medical care; it really should be a dedicated clinic," said Grandpa Ouyang. "Hurry up and arrange for some renovations. We'll move there on an auspicious day in five days!"
Soon the carpenter arrived, with Lan Yamei personally directing and Qiu Zeyu assisting. Lan Yamei set up the waiting area, consultation room, medicine cabinet, and even the treatment room and inpatient ward. Qiu Zeyu looked at the strange names on the doors, somewhat puzzled.
After Lan Yamei finished explaining, Qiu Zeyu suddenly understood and said approvingly, "I didn't expect you to be so smart, but you don't have the gentle demeanor of a girl. I'm afraid you won't be able to get married in the future."
"Pshaw, I don't want to get married and become a haggard housewife. Whoever marries me will have to listen to me, or I won't marry them." That's really what Lan Yamei thought.
"You've got quite the nerve! Do you think Murong Xingchen will listen to you?" Qiu Zeyu teased, a little jealous, before leaping downstairs and running away.
Lan Yamei blushed. Had her intentions become so obvious? She had indeed been trying to curry favor with him whenever she had a spare moment. It seemed she should be more reserved in the future.
After dozens of fumigation sessions, Murong Lan's complexion gradually became rosy. At first, she couldn't sweat at all, but gradually she expelled foul-smelling, stringy sweat, and finally, she produced round, odorless beads of sweat. Her limbs also went from being too stiff to move to being able to shake hands and lift her legs.
The sense of accomplishment brought by Murong Lan's gradual recovery made Aunt Guan radiant, and Uncle Ouyang became more and more energetic. The two worked together very well.
When the news reached home, Sima Rushuang could no longer hold back her tears of excitement. "Chen'er, Mother wants to go and thank Manager Mei in person."
Just then, the door opened, and Murong Feng, with tears still on his face, said excitedly, "I'm going too!"
So on the day the clinic officially opened, Murong Feng, along with his family members Sima Rushuang and his young master Murong Xingchen, brought a huge huanghuali plaque inscribed with "The Number One Divine Physician Under Heaven" to express their gratitude.
Several hundred people had already gathered under the sign of Meilin Guan Medical Clinic, including many patients who had traveled from afar for treatment. Lan Yamei stood on a stool and first explained the medical procedure to everyone. Then, she asked Aunt Guan and Uncle Ouyang to say a few words. After a round of applause, the clinic officially opened.
Just as everyone applauded, preparing to welcome the first patient, the Murong family arrived. After a thunderous roar, Murong Feng respectfully presented the plaque, saying with boundless gratitude, "Congratulations! Manager Mei's two hands that bring the dead back to life, and her heart that brings peace and compassion to the people, have saved my beloved daughter with your superb medical skills. The Murong family has no way to repay you. If Manager Mei ever needs anything in the future, I, Murong Feng, will certainly not hesitate to help."
"Lord Murong, you flatter me. Please come in, please come in." Manager Mei put aside his grudges and welcomed everyone into the house.
After Hua Manlou's scout returned and reported the situation, Hua Yuhe was so angry that she slapped him and yelled, "What are you so smug about! You think I can't do anything to you?"
Guan Hu gave the servant a look to leave, then chuckled and comforted her, "Don't be angry, my beauty. Tomorrow I'll send her two broken arms and legs to deflate her arrogance of being the best in the world."
Hua Yuhe's expression softened a bit. She took a sip of wine and said, "Business has been slow these past few days. I need to think of a solution, otherwise that girl will make all the money sooner or later."
Seeing her master growing increasingly intimate with that woman, Ru Shuang, Murong Feng's concubine smashed a set of blue-and-white porcelain teaware in anger, saying bitterly, "Since you refuse to have children with me, don't blame me for being ruthless. I'll see who the ultimate winner is." With that, she activated a mechanism under the bed and entered the underground chamber.
A man with severed tendons in his hands and feet was locked to a bed. The floor was well-lit. Above him was the mansion's lotus pond, and the fish could be clearly seen swimming there from the secret room.
"How are you? Are you settling in?"
Murong Bai opened his eyes. "So it was you! Why?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
