Chapter 82: The Good Person Card

According to Wen Mubai, who was present at the time, Tang Banxia looked at Director Yu as if she wished she could pledge herself to him. Though this remark carried a hint of personal sentiment, it accurately expressed the gratitude Tang Banxia felt then. After thanking him, she carefully opened the wooden box. Inside, a row of dazzling golden needles lay neatly arranged.

Director Yu explained in tandem, “There are one hundred and eight golden needles, each crafted with exquisite workmanship.”

Tang Banxia picked one out and rolled it between her fingers, examining it closely. Joy radiated from her face. This was her very first set of golden needles, truly her own. And not just any set, but the top-tier version. She couldn’t be more satisfied.

After admiring the needles, she began inspecting the medicinal ingredients. Checking them one by one, she realized Director Yu was indeed an honest man. Since that was the case, she couldn’t be vague herself. “Director Yu, rest assured. The Mongjin Powder is my responsibility.”

Her face was solemn, but inside she was making calculations. With these medicinal ingredients, she could finally start preparing a cure for Wen Mubai’s stomach illness. There were also some ideas in her mind she could slowly experiment with.

As for the Mongjin Powder, she had always wanted it to work like the knockout drugs in martial arts novels—one breath and you’re unconscious. The powder was already potent, but it still fell short of her expectations. Previously, she had run out of ingredients and had to give up, but now things were different.

Director Yu had been waiting for those words; the weight in his heart was lifted, though he was somewhat impatient. “So, when can I come to collect it?”

“About a month,” Tang Banxia considered.

Some of the ingredients required complex processing and took time.

Director Yu was a bit disappointed, but good things were worth waiting for. “That’s fine. I’ll come again in two months.”

Tang Banxia nodded, looking at him with genuine friendliness. She had dared to ask for much, never expecting Director Yu would actually gather everything she requested. This connection must be cherished!

Having delivered the items and received his answer, Director Yu departed. He had plenty of affairs to attend to.

Before the New Year, because of Wu Meng’an’s incident, Director Jing of the Revolutionary Committee had been caught with evidence against him. After several rounds of political maneuvering, Director Jing was honorably removed from office, sent off for years of labor at the farm. Even his domineering nephew was sent along to keep him company.

Now, the county’s Revolutionary Committee was left without a director, and the deputy directors were all eyeing the position, working hard to rack up achievements and boost their chances. Everyone in the county was on edge.

Before leaving, he advised, “For the time being, unless necessary, try not to go to the county town. Things are very chaotic there now.”

Tang Banxia understood the underlying meaning. “I’ll be focused on making medicine. I doubt I’ll have any time to visit the county.”

Director Yu gave her an appreciative look.

Before he left, Tang Banxia packed some snacks for Director Yu, asking him to deliver a portion to Chen Gang’s household as well. Friendships needed tending, especially since Sister Xiang had sent her quite a bit of rice noodles before the New Year, fulfilling her dream of savoring noodles.

Director Yu came and went in a hurry, but his visit dropped a bombshell on the hearts of everyone in Guyue Village. The reason was simple: among those watching the excitement, someone remarked, “Why does that man look so familiar? Isn’t he Director Yu from the county Public Security Bureau?”

At those words, the crowd was stunned.

“No mistake, that’s Director Yu. I’ve seen him before.”

Good heavens! So Young Tang had such powerful connections! The director of the county’s Public Security Bureau—what a high-ranking official! Definitely not someone to offend!

Everyone began recalling whether they’d ever crossed Tang Banxia. Those who had were visibly unsettled, especially Liu Liyun and Xu Guiming. They never imagined Tang Banxia had such strong ties.

Liu Liyun was particularly resentful. If Tang Banxia had such an impressive relative, why hadn’t she said so? If only she’d known sooner, she wouldn’t have ended up in a bitter feud. With the Public Security Bureau director on her side, returning to the city would have been a breeze. Now she was consumed with regret.

But Tang Banxia paid the gossip no mind; she was completely absorbed by her medicinal ingredients. Saffron, datura, deer antler, snow lotus, tiger bone—each rare ingredient struck a chord in her heart. “Director Yu is simply wonderful,” she exclaimed.

Wen Mubai stood nearby with a sour expression.

Tang Banxia caressed each precious ingredient before carefully returning them to the box, storing them safely. She organized everything meticulously, feeling as if she were swimming in wealth.

After wiping the drool from her mouth, she cheerfully announced, “Xiaobai, get ready. Tomorrow, I’ll start treating your stomach.”

Wen Mubai was taken aback. “You’re this happy because you can treat my illness?”

“What else?” Tang Banxia gave him a look. “Medicinal ingredients only fulfill their purpose when used. Would you rather keep them locked away forever?”

With that, she turned and placed the ingredients in her bedroom, piling them on the bed she used in summer. “Xiaobai, I think I need a cabinet for my medicines.”

Wen Mubai replied, “I’ll make one.”

He left the courtyard and headed straight for the carpenter’s house. On the way, his expression shifted constantly, feeling once again grateful for choosing this place.

However…

Seeing the old man approaching, Wen Mubai quickly masked his face, speaking coldly, “Is something the matter?”

The old man opened his mouth, “Comrade Wen, could I speak with you privately?”

At that moment, Wen Mubai shed his usual disguise, his demeanor turning gloomy and fierce. He raised his brows impatiently, about to refuse.

The old man quickly said, “It concerns your father.”

Wen Mubai’s face turned icy. “None of my business.” He strode off without another word.

Around the corner, Song Qing stood pressed against the wall, trying to make herself invisible. As Wen Mubai passed by, he shot her a glance that nearly made her collapse in fear. “I—I won’t say anything,” Song Qing stammered.

Wen Mubai acted as if he hadn’t heard, walking away with measured steps, leaving Song Qing trembling in place.

She was left questioning in her heart: Who exactly was Wen Mubai? In her previous life, he was just a kept man, and after the incident with Tang Banxia, she never heard from him again. But now, his gaze was terrifying—like someone who’d killed many people. How could this be? Everything was in chaos!

Ever since Tang Banxia survived, nothing was as it should be. She remembered that in her past life, the Ma Wu brothers weren’t discovered until 1980, and Hu Zhaodi and her sisters had all been handed over to Ma Wu by her cowardly uncle Hu Shenggen, with tragic consequences.

This time, she had just seen the sisters. Though still thin, their faces now bore smiles and vitality. The Hu Laoquan family should have died, she remembered clearly. In her last life, their deaths had caused such outrage that even the team leader had been dismissed, replaced by her sly, lazy, greedy uncle.

How could things be so different in this life? She hadn’t done anything. Most importantly, how was she supposed to seize Song Yu’s opportunity now?

Song Qing huddled in the corner, her mind in turmoil. Suddenly, her gaze sharpened—Tang Banxia! Tang Banxia was involved in each of these incidents!

Tang Banxia: ???

Of course, she had no idea Song Qing was cursing her in her heart. At that moment, she merely sneezed, then eagerly followed Aunt Sun and Aunt Hu to see the commotion...