Zhang Wei, Cheng Yong, and Li Mei went to the village chief's office to discuss the recent outbreak of a disease that has been affecting the villagers.
The village chief described the symptoms, "They are experiencing frequent loose and watery stools, abdominal cramps, bloating, nausea, and fever."
Li Mei spoke up, "It sounds like they have diarrhea. I can go to the mountains and find herbs that can help cure it."
Zhang Wei nodded in agreement, "I will come with you to help find the herbs."
"I will go with you too." Cheng Yong said with a serious face.
As Cheng Yong spoke, Liu Yan arrived at the office and overheard their conversation. "I don't believe Li Mei can cure the disease," Liu Yan interjected. "She's not a doctor."
Zhang Wei turned to her, his eyes narrowed. "I trust Li Mei's knowledge of herbs."
Li Mei smiled gratefully at his support and turned to the village chief. "We can try the herbs first while waiting for the doctor from the city to arrive. We're not even sure if a doctor will come."
The village chief thought for a moment and sighed, before nodding in agreement. "I trust your judgment, Li Mei. Please do what you can to help the villagers."
Li Mei turned to the village chief, "We need to advise the villagers to boil their drinking water to prevent the spread of the disease."
Liu Yan chimed in, "Boiling water wastes firewood. We should be conserving it."
Li Mei countered, "But it's necessary to keep the villagers safe. Drinking unclean water can lead to the spread of many diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, and dysentery."
The village chief nodded in agreement. "Li Mei is right. We need to prioritize the health of our villagers. We will advise them to boil their drinking water and provide them with firewood if needed."
Zhang Wei and Cheng Yong added their support, "Yes, we should do everything we can to prevent the spread of the disease."
Liu Yan still looked skeptical, "But what if the doctor from the city arrives and says something different?"
Li Mei replied firmly, "We can't wait for that. We need to take action now to prevent more people from getting sick. It's better to be safe than sorry."
The village chief then interjected. "Liu Yan, stop sowing discord and help take care of the villagers affected by the disease."
Liu Yan harrumphed and turned to go outside of the room. "You'll be responsible if this outbreak gets worse. Hmph!"
Li Mei did not pay attention to her and thanked the village chief before turning to leave, with Cheng Yong and Zhang Wei following closely behind.
As they walked towards the mountains, Liu Yan's words continued to echo in Li Mei's mind. She knew that some people didn't believe in the power of herbs, but she was determined to prove them wrong.
As they trekked through the forest, Li Mei scanned the ground for signs of the herbs she needed. "We're looking for Huang Lian and Fu Ling," she explained to Cheng Yong and Zhang Wei. "Huang Lian is a small yellow root with a bitter taste, while Fu Ling is a white mushroom-shaped herb."
Cheng Yong asked, "How do we know if we've found them?"
Li Mei pointed to a small yellow plant with a jagged edge. "That's the Huang Lian. And over there," she said, pointing to a cluster of white mushrooms, "is the Fu Ling."
Zhang Wei nodded, impressed with Li Mei's knowledge of the herbs. "Let's gather as much as we can and bring them back to the village."
Li Mei also got live plants so she can plant them near their house for later use.
Cheng Yong and Zhang Wei helped Li Mei gather the herbs, filling their baskets to the brim.
As Cheng Yong helped Li Mei gather herbs on the mountainside, his thoughts wandered to the village woman beside him. He couldn't help but marvel at her knowledge of herbs and the natural remedies she was able to concoct.
He had always been skeptical of traditional medicine and herbs, believing that Western medicine was the only legitimate way to cure illnesses. But Li Mei's expertise and confidence in her craft had him questioning his beliefs.
Cheng Yong also couldn't help but admire Li Mei's beauty, not just her physical appearance but her temperament as well. She was intelligent, resourceful, and fiercely independent. He couldn't help but feel drawn to her, even though he knew it was inappropriate.
But despite his admiration for Li Mei, Cheng Yong couldn't help but feel suspicious of her identity. How could a village woman like her have so much knowledge of herbs and natural remedies? It didn't make sense to him.
For now, he pushed his suspicions aside and focused on the task at hand, enjoying the beautiful scenery and the company of the lovely village woman beside him.
Li Mei, Zhang Wei, and Cheng Yong walked down the mountain path, each carrying a bundle of herbs.
"We have to hurry and prepare these herbs," Li Mei said. "The sooner we can distribute them to the villagers, the better."
Zhang Wei nodded in agreement. "Yes, we need to act fast. I'll go and gather everyone."
As they walked towards the village, Liu Yan suddenly appeared from behind a tree.
"What are you doing out here?" Li Mei asked, surprised.
Liu Yan sneered, "I was out for a walk. But what's in those bundles? You're not planning to give those herbs to the villagers, are you?"
Li Mei stiffened, "Yes, we are. These herbs can help cure the diarrhea outbreak."
Liu Yan shook her head, "I don't believe you. You're not a doctor. How can you be trusted to know what you're doing?"
Zhang Wei also added, "We have to trust Li Mei. The doctor is not here yet so we have to do what we can do now to stop the ourbreak."
Liu Yan still looked unconvinced, but she didn't say anything else.
As they entered the village, Zhang Wei and Cheng Yong went to gather the villagers while Li Mei started to boil the herbs.
Some of the villagers were hesitant to drink Li Mei's medicine, but others were desperate for a cure and took the drink right away. After an hour, those who drank the medicine felt better, and their symptoms began to fade.
The villagers who were skeptical before started to believe in Li Mei's methods, and more and more of them began to drink the medicine.
Liu Yan looked humiliated as she watched the villagers flock to Li Mei for help. She could not help but resent Li Mei even more. She already took Zhang Wei from her and now she's becoming a benefactor of their village.
Liu Yan can't help but to want to scratch Li Mei's face and pray for the medicine not to work so she can brand her as a witch.
Li Mei looked at the now empty pot and smiled, "I'm glad the herbs are working. We need to keep boiling more so that everyone can be cured."
Zhang Wei and Cheng Yong continued boiling the herbs to make the medicine for the sick villagers, while Li Mei went back to her house to cook dinner for her family. Cheng Yong couldn't help but stare at Li Mei with admiration as she walked away.
"Zhang Wei, you're lucky to have a wife like Li Mei," Cheng Yong said.
Zhang Wei nodded. "Yes, I am. She's like a bright pearl in the palm of my hand."
Cheng Yong smiled. "She's not only beautiful, but also intelligent and resourceful. She's like a lotus flower in the mud, shining with her own light."
Zhang Wei chuckled. "You speak highly of her, and you're not wrong. She's a great help to me in this village."
Cheng Yong smiled warmly. "She is a rare gem in this world, a true treasure."
He had a look of longing in his eyes. Why had he not seen Li Mei first?
Zhang Wei looked at his friend with appreciation. "You can see the qualities that I see in her, my friend. She's a hard worker and always puts others before herself."
Cheng Yong nodded. "She's also fearless, and not afraid to stand up for what she believes in. That's a rare quality in a woman, especially in these times."
Zhang Wei smiled at his friend. "You have a good eye, Cheng Yong. I'm proud to have her as my wife."
Cheng Yong smiled back and sighed, "You're a lucky man, Zhang Wei. I hope to find someone like her someday."
Zhang Wei patted his friend on the back, "You will, my friend. And when you do, I'll be there to celebrate with you."