In the old days, when people went to teahouses to listen to storytellers, they would also order a fruit platter. The stories they listened to were all casual chitchat.

Today, to listen to this story, you need to close the curtains, light up the kerosene lamp, and if it's raining, light some incense to get rid of the dampness. The most delightful thing is to play a Yue Opera tune, from "The Eighteen Farewells" to "Ying Tai Crying at the Grave." That's when this story comes to an end.

The story begins in the period of the Republic of China.

There is a most prestigious place in Hezhou City called Xiaotongguan, which is located right next to the concession area and serves as the headquarters of the military commander. It was built for the first time by the soldiers of Hezhou City in repelling the Japanese invaders, and it was named after the word "copper". It is also sometimes referred to as "Xiao Tongque Stage" by the people in the neighborhood.

On this day, Xiao Tong shuttled two Ford cars out of the gate and drove them along Jiangwan Road, heading straight towards Jishan Road. They stopped only when they reached Dejiu Hospital.

First, two rows of soldiers with guns got out of the car, and then a foot wearing military boots made of cowhide stepped out. Above were slender legs, followed by the tall figure of a soldier dressed in military uniform and adorned with a long cloak. On top of that, there were a pair of very sharp eyes.

Duan Yelin, the commander of Xiaotong Pass.

He led the people straight into the dean's office, without anyone daring to stop them along the way. Even some of the nurses and patients did not dare to speak.

Dean Hu hurriedly poured tea and smiled as soon as he saw him, saying, "Commander, how did you find time to come over?"

Duan Yelin didn't beat around the bush: "I heard that you used expired medicine on the injured soldiers?"

Dean Hu immediately understood the purpose.

These days, with wars breaking out everywhere, the public hospitals are already overwhelmed. Even his private hospital has taken in a considerable number of wounded soldiers. However, these soldiers are poor, and the government's funding is only provided to public hospitals. Director Hu is not a saint, so why would he be willing to do such a thing?

Commander, please don't say it like that. Those medicines are all good, they have just been stored for a bit too long, but they can still be used! I really don't have the money to buy those expensive medicines. The patients downstairs who have paid enough money are also patients, we can't just take away their medicines for others to use, right?

Duan Yelin sneered and said, "If it weren't for you intentionally keeping the medicine in the warehouse and selling it at a higher price, how could it have expired? Director Hu, this is a hospital, not a place for you to arbitrarily raise prices."

Who is Director Hu, he can associate with the Chief of General Staff, so naturally his temper is also arrogant. He smiled without a real smile, saying, "These patients, they will always be in abundance. If you want to treat patients, you must first feed the doctors well, right?"

Duan Yelin stood up and walked up to Director Hu, looking down at him from above: "I lead my brothers into battle on the front lines, while you play games with people's lives from behind. I can see that you're truly tired of living!"

With a loud "pa," Director Hu also became furious. He slammed the table and shouted at the door, "The commander looks down on my hospital, fine, today I'll have someone clear out those injured soldiers! As for you, find a place to settle yourself!"

After this remark, Duan Yelin fell silent for a moment. Then, he burst into a furious laughter and stormed out of the door.

Dean Hu sat down, drank a cup of tea, smoked a cigarette, looked at his pocket watch, felt that it was time for a meal, and hummed a tune as he went out.

He had just stepped out of the hospital gate, before he could even walk a hundred meters, bam, something happened.

A Ford car rear-ended, causing Director Hu to tumble to the side like a baby chick. He fell to the ground in a daze, with shattered arm bones, resulting in serious injuries!

There's more to come. Another Ford car closely followed and ran over Director Hu's leg, the sound of bones fracturing was very clear.

The car window was rolled down shortly after, and Qiao Song, sitting in the passenger seat, turned around and asked, "Commander, how should we handle this?"

Duan Yelin glanced over, sneering, "Send him back to the prison in Xiaotong Pass. Only allow him to be treated with expired medicine. Release him only when he's cured."

"Yes, so where are you going next?"

"He Ming Medicine Hall."

He Ming Pharmacy is located next to Jiuxi Lane and occupies a large portion of the lane. It is the property of the Xu family.

The Xing family was once prosperous with many descendants. However, due to the chaos of war in earlier years, a considerable number of them died, leaving only one sole heir in the main branch. When he was around ten years old, he arrived at the city of Hezhou and was taken in by his own uncle's household. Within a few years, his uncle's family also perished, and the entire family business fell into the hands of the young master of the Xu family.

Some people say that Master Xu of the Xu family is very fortunate and can overcome any challenge. But ever since the opening of the Crane's Song Pharmacy, he has been treating the sick and saving lives, accumulating good deeds. Slowly, no one says such things anymore.

When Duan Yelin walked into the He Ming Medicine Hall, the previously bustling hall suddenly fell silent.

The common folks in this land have developed a deep-rooted fear of government officials and soldiers. As a result, those waiting to see a doctor keep their heads down and remain silent, while the apprentices in the pharmacy devote themselves to their work.

At this moment, a person wearing a gray long gown walked out from the inner room. He was very slim, with fair skin and pale lips. He held a bunch of mugwort in his hand. As soon as he emerged, he looked up but showed no surprise.

This person is Xu Hang. Xu Hang gives off the feeling that he was born to be in this pharmacy. His whole body seems to be covered in the scent of medicine. Now, compared to a room full of people holding knives and guns, he is even more different.

Qiao Song had seen Master Xu Hang, the young master of the Xu family, before, but every time he saw him, he was amazed by his imposing aura. Then, he turned around and sternly whispered to the new recruits, "Lower your heads and stop gawking!"

Xu Hang walked to the side of the chopping board and began to chop the mugwort little by little. The juice of the mugwort stained his hands a verdant green, which was pleasing to the eyes of those who watched.

Duan Yelin walked forward in big strides and said to Xu Hang, "I sent someone to pick you up, but you dare not come?"

The mugwort has been chopped up, Xu Hang put it into the mortar, and said lightly, "You see, the medicine hall is very busy."

"You are indispensable, and you don't even see patients!"

Xu Hang glanced at him and asked, "What are you here for?"

Duǎn Yè Lín smiled a bit mischievously and also seemed a little displeased. He said, "Can't I come to see a doctor?"

Xu Hang then pointed to the long line that stretched all the way to the entrance and said, "In that case, go and take a number there and wait. As I mentioned earlier, I won't be coming to consult or treat patients."

"I want you to watch."

At this moment, Dr. Zhou, who was sitting on the main seat, stood up. He stroked his beard, bowed to Duan Yelin, and then, in a polite tone, spoke to defuse the tension: "Commander, where does it hurt? Let me examine you first."

Duàn Yèlín didn't even look at him and spoke impatiently, "Sit down, it's none of your business!" Then he snatched the pestle from Xǔ Háng's hand and threw it aside, saying, "Are you deliberately trying to pick a fight with me today?"

Xu Hang's hands were empty, and then he picked up the handkerchief on the table to wipe his hands. He looked up at Duan Yelin and said in a voice only audible to the two of them, "This is the dispensary. If you're not sick, then leave."

This conversation completely annoyed Duan Yelin, who had already suffered humiliation at the hospital today. He grinned, without a trace of warmth in his smile, and then grabbed Xu Hang's hand tightly. He suddenly pulled him closer and said, "Whether you're sick or not, I don't care. Today, I want you to treat me!"

Everyone thought they had come looking for trouble, so they all looked down and dared not speak.

In the next moment, Xu Hang's ethereal body was pulled by Duan Yelin into the back hall. As soon as the door curtain dropped, Duan Yelin pressed Xu Hang against the wall and passionately kissed him.

Duan Yelin's kisses had always been direct. His tongue darted in, tangling with Xu Hang's, then traveled from the leftmost tooth to the rightmost. The intensity of the kiss caused Xu Hang's pale face to flush slightly.

"Ugh—"

No matter how many times, Xu Hang's reaction was always with a hint of wanting to refuse but unable to refuse. His whole body was stiff, even his hands were clenched into fists, but he could only be nibbled and licked by others.

Xu Hang's eyebrows furrowed, seemingly displeased, as Duan Yelin, who had experienced countless battles, took great pleasure in bullying him. He intentionally kissed with audible smacking sounds, just to make Xu Hang feel ashamed. Particularly when Xu Hang couldn't help but tilt his head to avoid it, Duan Yelin kissed him even deeper.

When he finally let go, Xu Hang seemed visibly drained. He turned his face away, with a somewhat helpless expression.

Duan Yelin smiled and squeezed his chin, forcing him to look at him as he said, "Can we talk properly now?"

Xu Hang remained silent. Duan Yelin asked again, "If you don't answer, I'll stay here..."

"...I'll go back in an hour." In the end, Xu Hang couldn't hold it in any longer and blurted out these words.

Duan Yelin smiled with satisfaction, lightly grazing Xu Hang's lips with his thumb, then he lifted the curtain and left.

Hearing the soldiers' orderly departure footsteps, Xu Hang used his sleeve to vigorously wipe the water stains off his mouth, rubbing his skin until it turned red.

There was also the scent of mugwort on his sleeves. Mugwort, with its warm, bitter, spicy, slightly sweet nature, had the effect of dispelling cold and stopping bleeding. It was a very gentle herb.

However, even if the entire city of Hezhou were to be filled with mugwort, Duan Yelin's temperament would not become docile.