When Xi Yan arrived at the Zhu family home after a hurried trip, he saw Fanfan staring blankly at the sofa, while Grandma Da Mei was winding yarn beside him. Neither of them spoke, and neither seemed to be in any distress.
Zhu Fanfan noticed someone coming in. When she saw it was Xi Yan, she suddenly felt very wronged. Her tearful appearance was heartbreaking.
Xi Yan tensed up: "What happened?"
Although Fanfan often looks aggrieved, it's all an act. His aggrieved look makes it seem like he's been abandoned by the whole world, which is heartbreaking.
Lin Damei was heartbroken: "Fanfan, what's wrong? Who made you unhappy? Tell Grandma Damei, and Grandma Damei will scold her to death."
Zhu Fanfan simply said, "I want to refine pills."
Lin Damei breathed a sigh of relief: "I thought something serious had happened! Xi Yan is back. You guys go refine the pills, I'm going back to cook. Grandma Damei will bring you food in a bit."
Xi Yan refused: "Grandma Da Mei, I'll stay here to take care of Fanfan and cook for her. You can go back and do your work without worry!"
His ring contained a lot of Fanfan's favorite foods, enough to feed her. Besides, thanks to Grandpa Zhu's influence, he now has many other culinary skills besides barbecue, which would allow him to take good care of Fanfan.
Looking at Xi Yan, who is now 1.8 meters tall, and then at her own height, Zhu Fanfan felt aggrieved again. She tried her best to eat more, but she was still not tall. Xi Yan is now a handsome and imposing man. He has shed his childishness and his face is full of resolute expression, giving people a strong sense of security.
Lin Damei didn't stand on ceremony. She had watched the child grow up and he could do everything, so she was at ease. She also knew earlier than anyone else that Fanfan could refine pills, but Old Zhu said that Fanfan's ability to refine pills was a secret and could not be revealed, so she didn't even tell Old Ming.
Zhu Fanfan led Xi Yan into the pharmacy. Seeing the room full of medicinal herbs, Zhu Fanfan said, "Brother Xi Yan, could you get me some herbs for the Vitality Pill?"
Although he didn't know why Fanfan wanted him to bring the medicinal herbs, Xi Yan did as he was told. After taking them out, Zhu Fanfan started putting the herbs into the furnace according to the previous steps, and Xi Yan also helped to light the fire. However, before long, the furnace made a "poof" sound, and Xi Yan looked at Fanfan in disbelief.
Zhu Fanfan said again, "Brother Xi Yan, could you get me another one?"
Xi Yan took another portion and then looked at Fanfan nervously. Seeing that she still couldn't even do the first step of breaking down the medicinal herbs and had ruined them all, he couldn't help but say, "Fanfan, alchemy requires concentration and calmness. If you're not in a good mood, we'll do it next time."
Zhu Fanfan refused to admit defeat: "Give me another one. I'm in a good mood and I'm not unhappy."
Xi Yan had no choice but to take another batch. This time, Zhu Fanfan carefully followed the steps in her mind to begin refining the herbs. She trembled when she sensed the herbs with her spiritual power, as if she had encountered something frightening. Then, she lost control of the strange fire with her spiritual power, and the herbs were completely burned.
Zhu Fanfan couldn't help but squat down and hug her head. It seemed that she really was no good at alchemy. She had just tried her golden needles in the pharmacy. Her hands were shaking when she inserted the needles, and she couldn't even find the acupoints. She could beat nine soldiers in their prime, but she couldn't hold a small needle.
Xi Yan also realized the situation was serious and asked uncertainly, "Fanfan, what's wrong?"
Zhu Fanfan looked up and said pitifully, "Brother Xi Yan, I really don't remember anything related to medicine. This is the greatest treasure that Grandma left me, and I've lost it."
Without any loud crying or tantrums, and without even a change in expression, Zhu Fanfan's few emotionless words made Xi Yan's heart stop for a second. It was as if Fanfan was about to shatter, so fragile and vulnerable. He didn't even know what words could make her strong.
Zhu Fanfan laughed, but her smile was full of sorrow: "Don't you think I'm such a failure? Grandma was targeted because someone leaked that she could refine high-level pills. She was lured out because someone used my name. I killed Grandma and even lost the treasure she left me. I spent twelve years studying medicine, striving to be called the Divine Doctor Zhu in the future. I worked so hard, and just when I was finally about to gain a foothold, I lost everything. I have nothing left..."
Xi Yan comforted him, "Fanfan, you're just anxious and unsettled, that's why you don't know what to do. Don't put too much pressure on yourself, you'll be fine."
Zhu Fanfan continued, "I'm sorry for my grandma's upbringing, I'm sorry for my great-grandpa's expectations, and I'm even more sorry for the uncles and aunts who were still looking forward to my return to the hospital. I've made everyone's efforts go to waste..."
Xi Yan comforted him, "There's still a chance to make amends. You've studied for so many years, you couldn't possibly have forgotten. It must be because you're under stress that you can't remember for the time being. It will pass."
Zhu Fanfan didn't listen and asked pitifully, "Do you think I'm too bad?"
So she got her comeuppance. She was already punished in her past life, so why isn't she let go in this one? She never intentionally harmed anyone; she only retaliated tenfold when someone targeted her and retaliated. If she did something wrong, why should she go to her grandmother?
Xi Yan said, "Zhu Fanfan, listen carefully. This is not your fault. It is the work of those enemy agents. Their goal is to destroy you. If you give up on yourself, you will only help them succeed in their conspiracy. If you really wallow in self-pity, they should raise their glasses to celebrate. This is exactly what they want to see. Are you sure you want to do as they wish?"
Zhu Fanfan didn't want them to have their way, but she just couldn't muster the energy and could only look helplessly at Xi Yan.
Xi Yan said, "Originally, my mission was to keep it a secret. But it doesn't matter if I tell you. Our country's dragon vein has been destroyed, and our country will suffer great losses in the future. My mission is to investigate these things. But the team leader said that he divined that the country is in trouble. You are skilled in martial arts, capable, and meticulous. You must fight for the country and not be discouraged by personal feelings. Think about the future of our country."
Grandpa Zhu's identity makes Fanfan trustworthy, so it doesn't matter if he tells her. He's willing to stake his life on it, and Fanfan will definitely keep it a secret.
I thought of the legendary Cultural Revolution, the cultural break, the decline of talent, the many meritorious officials who were unjustly imprisoned, the patriotic businessmen who were labeled as capitalists and sent to suffer, and the countless dark things that bred. Human greed was exposed to the sunlight under the banner of justice, and many people died with their eyes wide open in disbelief.
But what ability does a child who can't even protect her own grandmother have to turn the tide?
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