40 Nothing Can Be Traded for the Hill

"I was just joking. Don't be upset Sis. But don't look down on me. Even gold can't be traded for my Nanshan hill and my herbs!" Wang Yao laughed.

"Okay, say whatever you want!"

"Haha." Wang Yao laughed and didn't say anything more.

Wang Yao left home and went back to the hill after lunch. He planned to brew two decoctions—one for the task and one for Tian Tuyuan.

He started a mild fire, and the smell of the herbs started to diffuse into the air. Wang Yao was careful with every single step. Brewing decoctions was a very boring process to most people, but not to Wang Yao, who somehow enjoyed it.

At last, an Anshensan was successfully made. Wang Yao was relieved and poured the warm-colored decoction into a white China bottle. After cleaning up a bit, he started to brew another decoction.

It started to get dark outside.

Outside the cottage, San Xian seemed to hear something, and he walked to the window. After a while, Wang Yao started to read Natural Classics again.

It was windy outside.

The next morning, on the top of Nanshan Hill, there was a rock with a wide surface and a narrow bottom. Next to the rock was a cliff about a couple meters high. People could feel a bit faint of heart when standing near the cliff. There was a person sitting on the rock. He was as still as the rock itself as he practiced his breathing.

Suddenly, he felt a warm current moving inside his belly. It was Qi!

Wang Yao was thrilled. This was the entry level of the method to being self-renewed and inducing Qi. It consisted of deep breathing carefully controlled by the diaphragm. The trace of Qi was also called essential Qi. The essential Qi consisted of congenital Qi and acquired Qi. Life completely relied on the essential Qi.

In some novels, transferring a trace of essential Qi to a person could prevent aging, sickness and even death. It was not all fake.

The sun rose high into the sky.

After a short while, Wang Yao got off the rock and returned to the herbal field. A Land Rover drove into the village in the morning; it was the fourth time this vehicle had come to the village. Some of the villagers had even recognized the vehicle.

"This car again?" said one of the villagers.

"How come they are here again. Are they going to Nanshan hill?" said another villager.

"Going up to Nanshan hill?" Wang Ru, who stayed at home heard people talking. "Are they gonna look for my brother?"

She took a glance at the Land Rover and saw a couple number "9's" on the number plate.

What a special number plate! I think I've seen it somewhere, thought Wang Ru. Out of curiosity, she followed the vehicle up to Nanshan hill.

The Land Rover stopped tens meter away from the cottage, and a man walked out of the vehicle and up the hill. He was Tian Tuyuan; he had made an appointment with Wang Yao to fetch the decoction.

"Morning," said Tian Tuyuan.

"Morning Mr. Tian, please come in." Wang Yao invited Tian Tuyuan to the cottage. The cottage was full of the smell of herbs, as Wang Yao had been brewing decoctions inside for days.

"Please have some tea." Wang Yao used ancient spring water to make a cup of tea for Tian Tuyuan.

"Fabulous tea!" said Tian Tuyuan after drinking it.

"It's just some common tea from the hill." Wang Yao smiled.

"You are too modest; this tea is not common at all! Is the decoction is ready?" asked Tian Tuyuan.

"Yes." Wang Yao took out the Anshensan and gave it to Tian Tuyuan.

"Thank you." Tian Tuyuan transferred money to Wang Yao's bank account immediately. Soon after, Wang Yao received a text message from the bank indicating he had 200 thousand more yuan in his account.

This was probably what they called "making fast money."

When Wang Yao was chatting with Tian Tuyuan, San Xian started to bark.

Is there someone nearby?

"Sis? How come you are here again!" Wang Yao felt annoyed when he saw his sister.

"Am I not welcome here? How come the stupid dog didn't recognize me!" Wang Ru was cranky.

"Mr. Tian, let me introduce you. This is my elder sister, Wang Ru. Sis, this is Mr. Tian."

"Hello," said Tian Tuyuan.

"Hello. Have I seen you somewhere before?" Wang Ru stared at Tian Tuyuan for a while. "Jiahui Group! Are you Mr. Tian from Jiahui Group?"

Wang Ru finally recognized Tian Tuyuan after thinking for a while. She was very surprised to see him here.

"Yes, that's me," said Tian Tuyuan with a smile.

Oh my god, how come the CEO of a company with hundreds of millions of assets, a prominent figure of Lian Shan—even the whole of Hai Qu—is talking casually with my brother? Seems like they've known each other for a while.

Suddenly, Wang Ru's head was full of questions.

Tian Tuyuan left after chatting with Wang Yao and Wang Ru for a short while. After he left, Wang Ru looked at Wang Yao strangely.

"Sis, why are you looking at me like that?" asked Wang Yao.

"Tell me the truth. How do you know Tian Tuyuan?" asked Wang Ru.

"He came to the hill once, and we chatted for a bit," said Wang Yao with a smile.

"Coming up to the hill? How would a CEO of a big company have the time to come here? There is absolutely nothing on Nanshan Hill!" said Wang Ru.

Wang Ru looked about. All that she could see were trees, farms and some rocks. There was nothing special on the hill, and the place was quite isolated. No one came here apart from the villagers.

"I think it's quite nice here. There are trees and water, fields and gardens. It is nice and quiet here," said Wang Yao.

"Bullsh*t! Tell me the truth!" demanded Wang Ru.

"I'm telling you the truth. Is he someone special?" asked Wang Yao curiously. He previously heard from his auntie that Tian Tuyuan was a businessman who made a lot of money. Otherwise, he wouldn't have spent over 700 thousand yuan so easily just for three formulas.

"Of course! He is the CEO of Jiahui Group and one of the top three entrepreneurs in Lian Shan. He is even a respected person in Hai Qu. He was on TV just a few days ago!" said Wang Ru.

"I see," said Wang Yao casually.

"Hey, look at you! You've got to maintain a good relationship with him. I heard he even hangs out with the leaders of Lian Shan and Hai Qu!" said Wang Ru.

"Why? I don't need his help, and our village has nothing to do with him," said Wang Yao calmly.

"You..." Wang Ru was speechless. Her brother's nonchalant attitude almost caused her to go mad.

"I'm not going to waste my time talking to you anymore. I'm off!" Wang Ru left the hill.

Wang Ru was such a pretty girl, but her hustling and bustling personality made her seem too aggressive. 

"Don't rush Sis!" Wang Yao called out.

When he was having lunch at home, the way Wang Ru looked at him was still quite strange. Wang Yao didn't want any bad advice from his sister, so he went back to Nanshan Hill afterwards.

"Mom, is my brother on the Nanshan Hill all the time?" asked Wang Ru.

"Yes, what about him?" said Zhang Xiuying.

"What has he been doing up there?" asked Wang Ru.

"Growing herbs!" said Zhang Xiuying.