“I love the old director. He’s the last of the old guard. If he dies, there will be no more people like him in the world.”

Mia felt a little nervous when she said this to her husband.

“Aren’t there also you and Mrs. Yi, my dear? Now I can see your potential.”

Lohan’s words echoed throughout the room, and Mia felt herself getting stronger. Although the old director’s words were sentimental, his tone—containing an ancient fervor—had told her how much he trusted Mrs. Yi. Only insiders could understand the passion. Mia didn’t really know what it was, but she longed for it.

“I’m going to lease the hill behind the village,” she said to Lohan.

“Good for you! That’s ambitious. I’ll help you.”

“I feel blessed to have such a like-minded husband.”

“Milan, come here, come and meet the future barefoot doctor!”

Their son Milan came running over and climbed onto his mother’s lap to kiss her.

“Oh, I feel much better now,” Mia said. “So many people are sick in our Deserted Village—we do need a hill full of herbs. In a few days, I’m going to learn how to grow herbs.”

“Since ancient times, various kinds of herbs have grown on Niulan Mountain in Yun Village. Our Deserted Village is not so lucky. But Mia has ambitions. She can build a hill of herbs.” Lohan was speaking slowly and thoughtfully. He was smiling and looked very happy.

“Lohan, do you really believe in me?”

“I didn’t understand you before. Now I do. You’re an herb hill.”

“When my mother was alive, she told me stories about herbs. I didn’t really understand them then . . . One day not long ago, I went with Chunli to see the herb garden. I can’t remember the exact circumstances, yet I do recall that I interacted suddenly and strongly with the medicinal herbs. I was so shocked. I seemed to be facing a life-or-death choice . . . Mrs. Yi—she knew everything from the beginning. Unlike her, I wasn’t sure at the beginning, and I didn’t figure it out until recently.”

Mia had spoken quietly. Lohan listened and nodded.

“It isn’t too late,” he said. “You aren’t a person who acts on whim. You aren’t very sure of yourself because you haven’t done it yet. No one is absolutely sure of a career before it has begun.”

Mia smiled.

8
Mia and Lohan Go into Action

Mia borrowed some medical books from Mrs. Yi. On her way home, she saw a man sitting at the roadside counting money. It was Gray. He looked up and smiled.

“How’s your business going in town?” Mia asked him.

“Not bad. Spoon is good at it. We’re going to hire some help.”

“Congratulations.”

“Congratulations for what? Congratulate me for breaking away from my dream?” said Gray blankly, blinking his eyes.

“Wasn’t it your dream to start a small business?”

“I thought so at first, and I was really into it . . . but I don’t know why, now I feel it can’t match that kind of dream. You know what I mean. Still, I don’t want to turn back, either. What’s wrong with me? Mia, I hear you’re going to plant herbs. I’d like to give you a piece of advice: you must be very careful because some weirdo could destroy you. It’s dangerous to be unconventional in a place where everyone holds grudges.”