Wang Xiaoqiang saw that Little Xu Xiaoya was busy treating patients, so he didn't bother her. Instead, he tentatively asked, "Doctor Xu, may I take a look inside the pharmacy?"

The pharmacy was an important area, closed off to outsiders. Usually, Little Xu Xiaoya would have declined, but the situation was different now. Wang Xiaoqiang had come especially to find her, and since she was busy, she couldn't very well let him just wait on the side. Doing that might also arouse suspicion from others.

Therefore, Little Xu Xiaoya nodded at Wang Xiaoqiang, "Go ahead, you can sit inside for a while first."

Little Xu Xiaoya's response left Wang Xiaoqiang somewhat baffled... Huh? Sit for a while first, what does that mean?

I came here just to look for Wild Mountain Ginseng, not to see her for treatment or to talk. Telling me to sit for a while, could it be that she intends to examine me again, to check for the unidentified "object" in my stomach?

Thinking this, Wang Xiaoqiang's heart sank, but he still nodded calmly to Little Xu Xiaoya, then walked eagerly into the pharmacy.

The village health clinic's pharmacy, naturally, wasn't as large as those in big hospitals; it was about the size of a small rural house. However, small as it may be, it had everything necessary. There were two counters in this tiny pharmacy: one for Western medicines and one for Chinese herbal medicines.

The medicine cabinet on the left was filled with boxes and bottles of Western medicine, while the one for Chinese herbal medicines on the right had drawers with the names of the herbs neatly written in brush calligraphy.

At a glance, everything was clear and in order.

Wang Xiaoqiang quickly found the little drawer labeled "Ginseng," located in the bottom left. He glanced through the window at the consultation room to see if Little Xu Xiaoya was looking his way, and seeing that she wasn't, he approached the herbal medicine cabinet closer to the "Ginseng" drawer.

He pressed his hand against the drawer to test and found nothing out of the ordinary—no reaction from the Five Elements Spiritual Spring in his heart, and the drawer itself was silent and still.

Wang Xiaoqiang felt a bit disappointed, but not entirely without hope. He peeked through the window again and saw Little Xu Xiaoya examining a child. With that, he turned his head back, took a deep breath, and then pulled open the Ginseng drawer. Inside, there were five ginseng roots wrapped in a transparent steamed cloth.

Each root, as thick as a thumb and as long as a middle finger, showed a slightly dried-out exterior.

Wang Xiaoqiang didn't have time to assess the quality of the few ginseng roots. He hurriedly reached into the drawer, grabbed all five ginseng roots along with the steamed cloth in his hand, and then noted that there were no anomalies. Neither the ginseng in the cloth package nor the Five Elements Spiritual Spring inside him reacted at all.

It seemed that these five ginseng roots were not Wild Mountain Ginseng. Or perhaps, the ginseng used in the Xia Family's medicinal wine was Wild Mountain Ginseng and the Five Elements Spiritual Spring inside only absorbed the essence of Wild Mountain Ginseng?!

At that moment, Wang Xiaoqiang had no time to ponder these issues. He hastily put the ginseng back in its place and closed the drawer. Just as he breathed a sigh of relief, he heard Little Xu Xiaoya's voice behind him, "I never knew you were interested in Chinese herbal medicine!"

Wang Xiaoqiang's heart skipped a beat, then he forced himself to remain composed as he turned around, only to see Little Xu Xiaoya swiftly grabbing medicines in front of the Western medicine cabinet.

True to her professional training, Little Xu Xiaoya's methodical way of dispensing medicines left Wang Xiaoqiang secretly impressed.

"Psh, what kind of research could I have done? I was just looking around..." Wang Xiaoqiang said, seeing that Little Xu Xiaoya did not seem suspicious and feeling relieved.

"Wait for me just two more minutes, and I'll be finished..." Little Xu Xiaoya said with a hint of apology in her voice.

As she spoke, she had already prepared four packages of medicine, which she placed in a small steamed cloth bag and carried it out of the pharmacy.

Wang Xiaoqiang was completely perplexed by her words. Wait two more minutes... What did she mean by that? Could it really be that she thought I came to see her for treatment? Was she going to examine me?

Wang Xiaoqiang remembered the embarrassment from yesterday morning's examination and shivered all over.

It seemed there was no Wild Mountain Ginseng here, and staying any longer was pointless!

With that thought, Wang Xiaoqiang was about to make a quick escape when he hadn't even made it out the door before he heard Little Xu Xiaoya calling him, "Hey, Wang Xiaoqiang, come back here!"

Wang Xiaoqiang had no choice but to return obediently. He felt guilty, as sneaking a peek at the pharmacy medicines was, at best, impolite and, at worst, akin to stealing. If Little Xu Xiaoya wanted to make an issue of it, he would have to accept her judgment.

Seeing Wang Xiaoqiang make for the door as if to slip away, Little Xu Xiaoya thought she had made him wait too long. Yet, even though Wang Xiaoqiang's face did not show any signs of impatience, she became puzzled to see a hint of nervousness on his face.

"Doctor Xu, did you call me over for something?"

Wang Xiaoqiang's words almost made Xu Xiaoya explode with anger. She gave him an annoyed look and retorted, "Then let me ask you, what are you doing here?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Xiaoqiang involuntarily recalled the scene where he had stealthily pulled open the drawer of the medicine cabinet, looking extremely embarrassed, but he still truthfully replied, "Uh... I wanted to see if the health clinic had any Wild Mountain Ginseng!"

"What..." Xu Xiaoya was somewhat surprised. Could it be that Aunt Big Mouth didn't send him?

"Uh... the health clinic doesn't have Wild Mountain Ginseng, only cultivated ginseng, which is what you just saw..." Xu Xiaoya let out a light sigh.

"Oh..." Wang Xiaoqiang nodded indifferently, saying, "You didn't call me over for anything then? If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving..."

Xu Xiaoya felt frustrated upon hearing this, thinking to herself, could it be true that Xiaoqiang was clueless about Aunt Big Mouth's matchmaking visit this morning? Or was he just being shy and playing dumb?

"Uh, there is actually something," Xu Xiaoya lowered her head, embarrassedly saying, "This morning Aunt Big Mouth came to see me..."

As Xu Xiaoya said this, she glanced at Wang Xiaoqiang who showed no reaction, and continued, "She, she was trying to set me up with someone..."

"Uh..." Wang Xiaoqiang responded vaguely, feeling weird, thinking to himself why are you telling me about Aunt Big Mouth setting you up with someone?

Seeing Wang Xiaoqiang's indifferent expression, as if this matter had nothing to do with him, Xu Xiaoya guessed that he truly didn't know. Thus, Wang Xiaoqiang casually replied, "That's great news, looks like I'll have to drink to your happiness soon!"

After this, Xu Xiaoya was certain that Wang Xiaoqiang had no clue about Aunt Big Mouth's matchmaking efforts.

Xu Xiaoya had two objectives for asking Aunt Big Mouth to call Wang Xiaoqiang over today. First, she wanted to see what Xiaoqiang thought of her. If he had a good impression, then she planned to date him for a while, and if they seemed compatible, she wouldn't mind marrying him.

Although it would definitely not sit well with her parents, she still held the power to decide, and if necessary, they could elope.

Second, she wanted to ask Wang Xiaoqiang for help in her clinic. With the hot weather leading to an increase in patients with diarrhea, and Elder Qingshan being away, she was overwhelmed handling everyone on her own. Since she had agreed to date Wang Xiaoqiang, it was his duty to help his girlfriend and share the burden, not to mention he could learn some basic medical skills.

However, now she found it difficult to ask for his help.

"Doctor Xu..." Seeing Xu Xiaoya staring at him with a complex gaze, Wang Xiaoqiang felt a twinge of guilt, afraid that Xu Xiaoya would insist on examining him again. So he said somewhat urgently, "If you really don't need anything, I'm going to leave."

"Am I that terrible?" Xu Xiaoya threw a sideways glance at Wang Xiaoqiang and said in a melancholic voice.

Typically, Xu Xiaoya gave off an intelligent and cool vibe, appearing unapproachable. Wang Xiaoqiang had never seen her like this before. Her display of petulant charm made Wang Xiaoqiang's heart flutter, and he no longer had the heart to leave.

"Wang Xiaoqiang, the reason I stopped you is that I actually need your help at the health clinic..." Xu Xiaoya bit her lip and finally managed to speak up, "You see, with so many people getting diarrhea recently, the infusion patients are filling up the place, and I can't handle it all alone, so..."

Before Xu Xiaoya could finish, Wang Xiaoqiang was already shaking his head indifferently, saying, "Doctor Xu, I think you've got the wrong person. I, Wang Xiaoqiang, don't know anything about medicine—it's like making a cat climb a tree!"

Xu Xiaoya was left speechless by Wang Xiaoqiang's words. Seeing his reluctant demeanor angered her; she thought to herself, so keep pretending. You even cured your own parents' leg injuries but claim to know nothing about medicine. Clearly, you're not giving me any respect! Humph! With my looks, I could just shout outside the door and immediately have a bunch of people willing to help me.

Now, I'm offering you this opportunity, and not only do you not appreciate it, but you act so unwilling, as if I'm burdening you. Humph!

After simmering with quiet frustration, Xu Xiaoya decided not to persuade him anymore. She was not accustomed to begging, nor would she start now, and simply said coldly, "Fine, my mistake for asking. You can go!"

Seeing Xu Xiaoya speak so bluntly, Wang Xiaoqiang actually turned around and left without courtesy. Watching his retreating back, Xu Xiaoya stomped her foot in vexation... Wang Xiaoqiang, you just keep being arrogant!

Wang Xiaoqiang's refusal to help certainly wasn't because he lacked medical knowledge; it was more that he feared it would interfere with his own concerns. He hadn't even figured out the mystery of the Five Elements Spiritual Spring inside him—how could he have time to help you, Xu Xiaoya?

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