Jiang Chen lay in bed, eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling. Waves of heat surged through his body like magma erupting from a volcano—scorching and unbearable.
He gritted his teeth and muttered, "This Sanyang Guben Pill is way too powerful! It's not just for boosting yang—it's lethal!"
The urge flooding his body was overwhelming. No man could fall asleep under such conditions.
He sat up, put on his clothes, and called out to the system in his mind.
"System, the medicinal effect is too strong. It needs to be toned down. What if someone gets hurt after taking it?"
[Detected excessive potency in host's formula. Suggest adding neutralizing herb 'Shanxuan' to moderate effects and balance efficacy with safety.]
"Shanxuan? Where can I buy it?" Jiang Chen asked urgently.
[Shanxuan is extremely rare and hard to find on the market.]
He noted the name and decided to head into the city. Time was tight—if he didn't earn money fast, his sister's education would be at risk.
The next morning, he rose early and rushed to the city. With a map in hand, he searched through dozens of traditional medicine shops, one by one.
"Hello, do you have Shanxuan for sale?" he asked each time he entered.
The replies were all the same:
"Shanxuan? Never heard of it."
"Sorry, it's too niche—we don't stock it."
"We used to have it a few years ago, but it's not sold anymore."
After visiting over twenty stores, he was met with disappointment again and again. Just as he was leaving yet another shop in despair, an elderly herbalist called out to him:
"Young man, I remember that Shanji Hall in the northern part of town might still have some in stock. It's an old and reputable pharmacy. Try your luck there."
Jiang Chen was overjoyed and rushed to Shanji Hall.
Sure enough, the clerk found three dried roots of Shanxuan tucked in the corner. 75 yuan each.
Jiang Chen emptied his wallet, scraping together 210 yuan—but it still wasn't enough. After some pleading, the owner finally agreed to sell them.
Back at the clinic, he revised the formula, called in Wen-xian to assist, and together they ground the herbs, measured the ingredients, infused them in alcohol. It wasn't until nightfall that the first batch of improved Sanyang Guben Pills was complete.
Wen-xian smiled, "You're still going to test it on yourself?"
"I have to." Jiang Chen said, popping one into his mouth.
This time, it worked much better. An hour later, a warm sensation slowly spread through his body. The effects were milder and more enduring.
Though he felt energized, he was able to control himself.
Wen-xian lingered around, secretly wondering, He took the pill, so why isn't he making a move on me?
But Jiang Chen thought, Only once I've succeeded and made money will I allow myself to be with her. Not now.
Suppressing his feelings, he kept himself in check.
Wen-xian assumed he didn't love her and felt disappointed. "Maybe the medicine's not strong enough? If it's not working, you could try soaking the pills in wine. The combination might enhance the effect."
Of course! Jiang Chen realized that many successful sellers didn't sell pills directly—they infused them in wine, making medicinal liquor. It extended shelf life and avoided online platform bans.
The next day, he bought bulk liquor and glass bottles, soaked the pills in wine, and labeled each bottle with a custom design:
Sanyang Guben Wine – Warms Yang, Strengthens the Body, Nourishes Without Overheating.
He registered on a major health product platform and began selling the medicinal wine.
But things didn't go as expected. After a whole day—nothing.
Day two: still zero inquiries.
On the third day, his account was banned.
A notice appeared:
[Due to suspected illegal sale of medical products, your account has been permanently banned. According to platform policy, your IP address can no longer register new accounts.]
Jiang Chen was stunned.
What now?
Why does nothing work?
"Thud!"
He slammed his fist on the table, leaving a dent.
"Ah!"
He let out a long sigh and buried his head on the table, heart aching with despair.
What now?
All those herbs, all that wine—wasted!
Worse yet, the thousand yuan had come from Wen-xian. She wouldn't ask him to repay it, but he couldn't not pay her back. He couldn't betray her trust.
Now, new debts piled on top of old ones: bottles, label printing, platform promotion fees…
Just then, his phone rang.
It was his mother. "Chen'er, are you busy?"
"Not really," Jiang Chen replied with a bitter smile.
No job—how could he be busy?
"Then come home for a bit. I need to talk to you."
His heart tightened. He quickly caught a bus back to Jiang Family Village.
At the entrance of the village, he saw several villagers sitting under the big banyan tree.
They rushed over when they saw him:
"Jiang Chen is back! Our city doctor!"
"First doctor ever from our village!"
"Your ancestors must be so proud!"
Jiang Chen forced a smile, but his heart was heavy with sorrow. They didn't know—he was no longer a hospital doctor. He was unemployed.
Back at their dilapidated home, he saw his parents sitting in the hall, their faces filled with worry.
"Your sister called. Her university tuition is due soon. We really can't gather the money. We had no choice but to call you back to talk..."
Jiang Chen felt like a stone was pressing on his heart.
They didn't know he had lost his job.
He didn't dare tell them.
Tears began to bead on his forehead.
He wished he could crawl into a hole.
Seeing his struggle, his mother tried to comfort him:
"Chen'er, don't worry too much. Maybe she should just take a break from school. She's the one who suggested it—she doesn't want to burden the family."
"Take a break? Absolutely not!" Jiang Chen stood up, eyes bloodshot. "She worked so hard to get into college. There's no way she's quitting!"
Silence.
After a long time, his father sighed, "Well, we were thinking... aren't you still working at the hospital? Can you scrape together something? If not, maybe borrow from a colleague? I'd sell my old bones for oil if it would help pay this."
Colleagues? He didn't even have a job!
At this point, Jiang Chen could no longer hide it:
"Dad, Mom… I was fired from the hospital. I haven't made a penny."
The old couple was shocked.
The hope of the entire Jiang family—shattered?
Jiang Chen braced for their anger.
But instead, his mother gently adjusted his clothes and said:
"It's not your fault. Our family is poor. You've done your best."
"No—it is my fault! I went to college, spent all our savings, even got us into debt. That's why my sister is in this situation!" Jiang Chen cried, voice breaking.
"Chen'er… we don't blame you. All we want is for you to stay healthy. That's enough."
"No. I'm a man. I won't just make sure my sister continues her studies—I'll make sure you never have to worry about money again!" Jiang Chen clenched his fists.
He didn't stay for dinner. That night, he returned to Taohua Village.
The next morning, without telling Wen-xian, he brought the medicinal wine to the city.
He returned to the same street corner and laid out five bottles neatly. He set up a small sign:
Homemade Medicinal Wine – Warms Kidney Yang. Free Samples.
Many gathered around, but no one bought.
A few young men laughed, "Hey kid, is this even real? Looks fake."
Jiang Chen explained again and again, but no one believed him.
Just as he was losing hope, an elderly lady with a cane and a floral jacket slowly approached. When she saw Jiang Chen, her face lit up.
"Oh! You're the young man who treated my back last time! It is you!"
Jiang Chen recognized her—it was the old lady he had helped for free before.
"This wine—you made it yourself?" she asked.
"Yes," Jiang Chen nodded. "I've tried it myself. It really works."
She took the bottle, sipped lightly, and nodded, "Nice flavor. Not too harsh, a bit sweet. It's proper medicinal wine."
She turned to the crowd and shouted, "This young man is amazing! I couldn't even stand straight last time. He cured me!"
The crowd remained silent.
Who would believe an old woman?
Maybe she was hired to help Jiang Chen sell.
She talked for a while, but no one responded.
Then she suddenly said, "My son's in the health product business. Why don't you come with me? Maybe he can give you some advice?"
Could this be the opportunity he was waiting for?
Jiang Chen's eyes lit up. "Thank you! I'd really appreciate that."
"Pack your things and come with me. My home's not far," she said.