Chapter 22: Medicine Business

The next day, the Night family waited anxiously at the entrance of their mansion. When they saw Ethan stepping out of a taxi, they hurried over to greet him.

"Aiya, Grandpa Night, you're already so old. How can I make you wait out here for me?" Ethan scratched his head sheepishly. "Uncle Night, Auntie… if your family treats me this courteously, I'll be too scared to visit next time."

"Alright, alright. Next time we won't all come out. I'll just send my granddaughter. That should be enough, right?" Old Man Night laughed heartily, taking Ethan's hand and leading him inside.

"Come, Ethan, have some tea." Zoe's mother, Casandra Basiel, smiled warmly as she served him.

"Thank you, Auntie." Ethan set his backpack on the table. "Uncle Night, these are the herbs I brought."

As soon as he opened the bag, a rich medicinal fragrance filled the air.

Han, who had spent decades in the herbal medicine industry, leaned forward, his hands trembling with excitement. "This scent… Ethan, is this Summer Dry Grass?"

Ethan nodded. "Yes. I bought it yesterday at the pharmacy and soaked it in my own special formula for two minutes before drying it. The result is what you're smelling now. As for its effects, you'll have to test it yourself."

"Oh my god!" Han gently cradled the herbs in his hands. "This aroma is so pure and concentrated. I've worked with herbs for decades, but I've never seen anything like this. The effects must be extraordinary!"

Ethan chuckled. "Uncle Night, I brought a few other herbs as well. You can test those too."

Han's eyes widened with each new herb Ethan pulled from the bag. "This… this is Angelica! And this… Pig Lingling? Am I seeing things?!" He stood frozen, his mouth hanging open.

"Uncle Night? Uncle Night?" Ethan called out, snapping him from his daze.

"Oh! Ethan, sit tight. I'm heading to the testing center right now. Don't leave—tonight we're celebrating with drinks!" Without waiting for a reply, Han grabbed the herbs and rushed out the door.

Casandra sighed, shaking her head. "That man… Even after all these years, he still acts so recklessly." She turned to her daughters. "Zoe, Zara, take Ethan to your rooms and keep him company. I'll go prepare lunch. Grandpa, aren't you going to water the flowers?"

Old Man Night blinked in confusion. "Huh? When did I say I was watering the flowers?" Then, as if suddenly understanding her hint, he burst into laughter and shuffled off to the garden.

Just then, a familiar voice called from outside. "Zoe, is Wood here?"

"Yuyu, I doubt Ethan would arrive this early."

Casandra frowned at the commotion.

"Hello, Grandpa Night." Wendy greeted politely, but before she could say anything else, Yuyu had already latched onto Ethan like a piece of candy.

"Yuyu, take it easy! Didn't we agree to compete fairly?" Wendy pouted.

Yuyu smirked. "Sister Wendy, you can cling to Ethan too. It's not like I'm stopping you. Right, Zoe? Zara?"

"Don't drag me into this!" Zara waved her hands frantically. "I only see Ethan as a brother."

"Exactly! Don't involve me," Zoe added, only for her mother to scowl from the kitchen doorway.

"Zoe, if you let these girls snatch Ethan away, you'll have me to deal with!" Casandra huffed before marching back to the kitchen.

Yuyu giggled. "Looks like Auntie Casandra doesn't like us anymore."

Old Man Night watched the girls fight for Ethan's attention and sighed. Why would I like you? You're here to steal my granddaughter's man. But he only laughed and said, "This is young people's business. I won't interfere. Ethan, you go play with them. I'm off to water the flowers."

Suddenly, Zara noticed the bag Ethan had brought. Without waiting for permission, she opened it and pulled out a shiny red apple.

"Wow, delicious!" She bit into it and instantly froze. Then, like a starved ghost, she devoured the rest in big bites.

A sweet, fragrant scent filled the room, drawing the attention of the other girls. They squealed and rushed to grab their own apples.

"What's that smell?" Casandra reappeared, sniffing the air. She grabbed an apple without hesitation and took a bite, her eyes widening in shock. "Ethan, where did you get these?"

Before he could answer, Casandra grabbed another apple. Yuyu pouted. "Aunt Casandra, you haven't even finished your first one!"

"I'm taking one for your Uncle Han. If I don't, you little gluttons will eat them all!" Casandra huffed, retreating back to the kitchen.

Only two apples remained. Zara lunged for one, only to find Wendy grabbing it at the same time. They ended up wrestling each other, laughing uncontrollably.

In the middle of their tussle, Yuyu snatched the last apple and chomped down, grinning mischievously. Zara and Wendy shrieked in outrage and pounced on her, filling the room with laughter.

Amid the chaos, Zoe quietly approached Ethan, her cheeks flushed. "Thank you."

"Hm?" Ethan blinked. "For what?"

"For the ring… and for saving my grandpa." She bit her lip shyly.

Ethan scratched his head. "No need to thank me. We're friends. It's what friends do."

Friends… Zoe's heart sank a little. Was that all she was to him?

After lunch, Han returned, his face beaming with excitement. Seeing there were guests, he held back from saying much. Instead, he dragged Ethan to his study, where they spoke in hushed tones.

The deal was simple: Han would handle stock and sales as before, while Ethan focused on preparing the herbs. The herbs soaked in Ethan's special formula wouldn't just avoid mold—they'd have a longer shelf life and stronger effects.

As for the profits, Ethan's secret technique was the heart of the business. Han happily agreed to give him 60% of the shares.

Before leaving, Han showed Ethan the family's large warehouse. Ethan's eyes lit up. An idea struck him. "Uncle Night, my friend wants to start a logistics company. We'll need a warehouse. Do you think you could help us with the paperwork?"

Han nodded without hesitation. "Of course. Consider it done."

As Ethan left the mansion that evening, he couldn't help but smile. Things were finally starting to look up.