Chapter 97 (95) The Apothecary Shop

Tan Yang slowly sat down with the support of Bi Qingtang’s strength. The sudden fullness made her eyes sting, her body tensing. Bi Qingtang took a deep breath and teased in a husky voice, “Little sister, this feels better than smoking opium.” He rubbed her hand, then slid up her wrist, resting on her arm. Grasping Tan Yang’s arm, he frowned slightly and whispered, “Little sister, follow my lead.” With Bi Qingtang’s guidance, Tan Yang began to move awkwardly at first, but after several repetitions, she gradually caught on. Bi Qingtang then relaxed his grip, closing his eyes as he tried to savor the rhythm she controlled.

After a while, Bi Qingtang’s breathing grew heavier, and Tan Yang began to feel weak. He opened his eyes to find her sitting on his waist, her long black hair flowing over her alabaster skin. Her hands rested on his chest, slender shoulders straining slightly, her delicate curves swaying like a cat leaping lightly on a winter night’s eaves. Bi Qingtang’s heart stirred; unable to wait, he raised his hand to cup her chest, kneading gently. The sudden stimulation made Tan Yang moan softly.

Their passion sparked, but Tan Yang’s exhaustion led to uncoordinated movements. Bi Qingtang’s eyes reddened as he urged briskly, “Faster now!” Supporting her knees, he thrust with his waist. The sudden increase in intensity drove them swiftly toward the peak. After several more movements, Bi Qingtang let out a low roar from his throat, and Tan Yang collapsed onto him, utterly spent.

After catching their breath, Bi Qingtang pulled a blanket over her back and carefully lifted her down onto the pillow. He wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of his hand, smiling as he whispered in her ear, “How do you feel? Do you like it?” Tan Yang rested her head on his shoulder, smiling silently. Seeing this, Bi Qingtang smiled knowingly. “I get it.” “Get what?” she asked. He gave her a mischievous glance, grinning, “I know—you’re too happy to say a word!” Tan Yang feigned annoyance, poking his fingers and chiding, “You’re so annoying!” Bi Qingtang laughed heartily.

After his laughter subsided, Tan Yang pondered for a moment before suddenly asking seriously, “Why didn’t we try this before?” “You used to be too shy,” he answered without hesitation. “So now you think I’m not?” Bi Qingtang furrowed his brows, considering for a moment, then half-hidden, half-playful, he replied, “I haven’t tried either.” Tan Yang rolled her eyes and smiled, clearly skeptical. Seeing this, Bi Qingtang pinched her chin with a hint of irritation and retorted, “Ungrateful creature! Don’t you realize, who else but me would let a woman ride on top? Only you!”

Though grumbling about his lack of seriousness, Tan Yang climbed onto his neck, and they embraced tightly. At this slight movement, Tan Yang suddenly frowned. Concerned, Bi Qingtang asked, “What’s wrong? Are you uncomfortable?” She shook her head, but under his persistent questioning, she blushed and stammered into his ear, “It’s leaking… a lot…” Bi Qingtang chuckled, “Well, it’s been a while,” teasingly taking her hand. “They say, if a couple doesn’t spend enough time together, a few times like this can make it easier to conceive!” Tan Yang stiffened at his words and sighed quietly.

Thinking she was genuinely afraid, Bi Qingtang soothed her softly, “Don’t worry, little sister. Since you agreed to stay with me for a while, I brought something just for this. Next time, we’ll use it.” Without warning, Tan Yang suddenly sobbed into his embrace. “No! Why use that? To hide things from me and put me at ease, are you just going to suffer alone?” Bi Qingtang gently stroked her back, unsure, asking, “Little sister, what are you saying?” “You don’t have to hide it from me anymore. I know I can’t have children. I overheard what you said in the next room!” Bi Qingtang was stunned by her words, then pulled her close and said emotionally, “Because I knew long ago. As long as I can hold you like this when I want to, everything else doesn’t matter.”

They only left the room near noon the next day. Years of painful separation, so close yet so far, now by fortune reunited in tender embrace—the sweetness and depth between them beyond words.

At mealtime, Bi Qingtang’s appetite was voracious; the dishes Wu Ma cooked were nearly gone in moments. Tan Yang hurried to refill his bowl, muttering, “You used to complain about Wu Ma’s cooking!” Bi Qingtang shook his head deeply moved. “These past two years, nothing tastes good. With that pipe in my mouth, I neither feel hunger nor savor flavors!” Tan Yang placed the rice bowl close to him, gazing at him with eyes full of pity and affection.

Seeing her expression, Bi Qingtang’s heart twisted. Suddenly his mind cleared; he finally understood why he loved this woman so deeply and so long. Since his teens wandering the city’s underbelly, he had witnessed countless ugly faces and harsh realities. Occasionally, he met a few kind souls, but none truly connected with him. Only she—a good girl, persistent and sincere in her love despite his poverty, opium addiction, and aging ugliness—never minding, never leaving him. Fundamentally, proud and strong as he was, he found emotional safety and trust in this small woman—a last glimmer of faith in the world.

He could love her so much because she loved him just as fiercely. To him, even if love were a transaction, it was one exchanged heart for heart.

Tan Yang, seeing him lost in thought, nervously asked, “Why are you looking at me like that? What are you thinking?” Bi Qingtang smiled, drew her close, and kissed her cheek softly, answering gently, “I’m thinking that decades from now, even if you’re as old as Wu Ma, you’ll still be a charming old lady, and Big Brother will still adore you.”

A few days later, after dinner, Bi Qingtang returned to his room. Soon after, Tan Yang came in, closed the door, and bluntly commanded, “Quick, take off all your clothes!” Bi Qingtang raised an eyebrow, grinning mischievously. “The day’s not even over yet!” As he unbuttoned his shirt, he teased her proudly, “I’ve indulged you these past days—getting addicted, huh?”

Blushing, Tan Yang pushed him lightly, scolding, “Stop talking nonsense.” She pulled a large wooden basin to the bedside and tossed Bi Qingtang’s clothes from his trunk into it. “I’m washing your clothes!” “All of them? They’re clean!” “Clean? Smelling like opium tar!” She grabbed the clothes he’d just taken off and headed out. Bi Qingtang called after her, “If you don’t finish by morning, what will I wear?” Tan Yang turned back with a sly smile, “Wear my clothes, then?”

As dusk approached, Tan Yang hung the washed clothes on bamboo poles in the courtyard. Returning inside, she held a neat stack of clothes, carefully placing them beside Bi Qingtang’s pillow. She tenderly smoothed the slight wrinkles, saying, “These are my father’s clothes. Wear them for a day first.” Looking up proudly, she murmured, “I think your builds are about the same.”

Bi Qingtang gave a vague “hmm,” then blew out the lamp.

The next morning, Tan Yang rose early. While setting the breakfast table with Wu Ma in the small hall, Bi Qingtang entered. Seeing his shirt and trousers, Tan Yang was surprised. She touched the fabric, frowning. “They’re not dry yet. Why aren’t you wearing my father’s clothes?” Bi Qingtang picked up his chopsticks, lazily answered, “I tried them on. They’re too short.”

After breakfast, Tan Yang returned to the bedroom and carefully gathered her father’s clothes. She was surprised to find the herb sachet she had tied to the collar’s frog buttons still hanging there, untouched.

Who in the world tries on clothes without unfastening the collar buttons? Tan Yang hesitated, then leaned against her father’s headboard, her face full of confusion and helplessness.

For several days, autumn rains persisted. Though confined indoors, Bi Qingtang and Tan Yang laughed, whispered, and clung to each other. Even the narrow patch of sky beneath the eaves seemed filled with endless joy.

Pointing to the tall phoenix trees in the backyard, Tan Yang smiled, “There used to be a swing there. I loved it, even on rainy days, I’d run up to sit.” “Aren’t you afraid of catching cold? Didn’t anyone stop you?” “They did! So I took advantage of mother’s midday nap when father couldn’t see. If he caught me, he’d scold me twice, but I wouldn’t listen. Then he’d run under the tree with an umbrella to shield me from the rain.” Hearing this, Bi Qingtang sighed resignedly, “You’ve always been so headstrong. Uncle Tan really spoiled you. But I didn’t know you liked swings.”

One morning after the rain cleared, Bi Qingtang saw Wu Ma squatting by the water washing rice. He watched for a moment before asking, “Wu Ma, where do you live?” She looked up and pointed casually, “There, just over there.” Following her gesture, he saw some half-new, half-old houses with narrow doorways not far across the river. He nodded slightly and walked away.

At noon, in the kitchen, Wu Ma grumbled reluctantly, “It’s almost lunchtime, and I don’t know where that man’s gone. Unreliable to the core. Miss really is blinded by lard…” Before she could finish “heart,” Bi Qingtang barked behind her, “Old lady!” Startled, Wu Ma stood awkwardly, twisting her hands and forced a smile, “Sir, my eyes are dim and ears bad. Didn’t hear you come in!”

Bi Qingtang frowned and tossed a piece of paper into her arms, saying sternly, “Here’s your name on it!” Wu Ma furrowed her brow as she flipped the paper over, confused. Bi Qingtang impatiently explained, “It’s the deed. I bought you a house to retire in.”

Wu Ma, overwhelmed by the sudden joy, stammered, “A house? For me? Where? Which one?” Bi Qingtang thought for a moment, “Across the river, the fifth house entering the town.” Wu Ma shouted, “Oh no, it can’t be the Liu family estate, can it? That’s a huge place!” Bi Qingtang nodded impatiently, “It’s the Liu house.” Looking outside at the courtyard, he muttered to himself, “Seems even bigger than the Tan family’s.”

Wu Ma was chattering excitedly when Bi Qingtang slowly said, “Old lady, tell your son to do some work for me!” Immediately, she fell silent and nodded like a chicken pecking rice, “Yes, sir, yes, sir!”

While Bi Qingtang and Tan Yang ate lunch, they heard Wu Ma loudly chatting with neighbors outside the gate, “I could save for generations and never afford such a house. It’s my son-in-law! I’ve served the Tan family all my life, not easy, and he bought me this to retire in! Where else could I have such luck, serving such a good family, with such a good son-in-law…”

Hearing this, Tan Yang rolled her eyes and laughed, complaining to Bi Qingtang, “Why do they always call you the ‘good man’? Without asking me first, I was planning to give Wu Ma the old house in town!” Bi Qingtang seriously replied, “That’s you! You were the one who told me to treat Wu Ma better the other day!”

That morning, upon waking, Tan Yang opened the window and saw a brand-new swing tied beneath the phoenix tree in the backyard. She smiled softly and turned to Bi Qingtang. He rubbed his nose and said, “I had Wu Ma’s son install it.” Embarrassed, Tan Yang replied, “We’re not children anymore. Playing on that is so childish.” Bi Qingtang came beside her with a knowing smile, “Childish? Maybe it has other uses!”

That night, under a waxing crescent moon, the ancient town was peaceful and quiet, voices hushed. Only the river flowed gently, whispering clear sounds. In this calm night, Bi Qingtang pushed Tan Yang on the swing, swinging her high—so high it seemed she could pluck stars from the sky.

After their play, Tan Yang sat on the swing catching her breath while Bi Qingtang held her close. Wrapped in the cool early autumn breeze, he stroked her back and kissed her cheek. She laughed shyly, “Stop, people outside might see.” Bi Qingtang chuckled quietly, whispering in her ear, “What’s there to fear? Wu Ma and her son are moving out. Tonight, it’s just us here—I locked the front and back doors.” His hand slid beneath her skirt. Tan Yang blushed deeply. “You can’t do this outside, right?” Bi Qingtang loosened his belt, his tone suggestive, “Not outside—inside. Just this once, trust Big Brother.” She blushed, softly complaining, “Always scheming about these things. You never used to be like this. What’s gotten into you now?”

Bi Qingtang didn’t answer. His hands paused briefly, then he lowered his head and kissed her lips—not gently, but with a hint of frustration.

Holding the swing ropes, Tan Yang looked up at the starry sky. The swing swayed with him, and at the peak of pleasure, she felt as if she were flying. She called out involuntarily, “Big Brother, Big Brother…” Hearing her voice, Bi Qingtang smiled in satisfaction, closed his eyes, and thrust several more times with great force, releasing himself.

Still lingering in the afterglow, Tan Yang lay in Bi Qingtang’s arms. He held her tightly, whispering with grievance in her ear, “That’s because you only call me ‘Big Brother’ at times like this…”

Bi Qingtang’s body was strong by nature, and with only a short time smoking opium. With Tan Yang’s careful care, his health recovered quickly. A month passed, and though life in Tongli was peaceful and comfortable, they both missed the children in Shanghai and felt a shared yearning to return.

“Why don’t we bring Nan Nan to Tongli?”

“That won’t do; she’s still in school!”

“Then she should quit. What’s the use of so much schooling?” Bi Qingtang said with drooping eyelids.

Tan Yang glared at him, thinking him unreasonable, and said nothing.

After a moment, Bi Qingtang spoke again with feeling, “Little sister, don’t you think sometimes it’s not that the daughter can’t live without us, but that we can’t live without her?” Tan Yang was startled, then nodded, her voice soft and a little bitter, “Yes, but she’ll grow up, get a husband and children, have her own home. She will leave us, won’t she?”

Hearing this, Bi Qingtang frowned stubbornly, “Because that day will come, no matter how hard it is, I have to quit opium. I don’t want to be old and sick before you, leaving you alone.” Then, with unwavering resolve, he declared loudly, “So, little sister! You must have me! And I must have you!”

Planning to leave for Shanghai the next day, Tan Yang and Bi Qingtang strolled through town after dinner. Autumn was the season for water caltrops, and Tan Yang saw freshly harvested ones on a fishing boat. “Should we buy some for Nan Nan? The girls in town love them.” Bi Qingtang snorted resignedly, “Don’t bother. You don’t know how picky your daughter is. Even Commander Kai’s cakes aren’t fancy enough for her. If you bring this home, she won’t even glance at it!” Tan Yang nodded thoughtfully, “The world changes fast. Children aren’t like when we were young.”

They walked laughing until Bi Qingtang suddenly stopped. “Little sister, wait here a moment. I have something to do.” Tan Yang nodded. He turned and walked back as she waited.

At dusk, many townsfolk leisurely wandered along the riverbank after dinner. A man in his thirties wearing a blue silk long gown walked slowly toward Tan Yang. After a glance, he passed by thoughtfully, then turned hesitantly and asked, “May I ask, are you Miss Tan?” Tan Yang smiled and nodded. She studied the man, vaguely familiar but unable to place his name, puzzled.

The man spoke quickly, “Miss Tan, don’t you remember me? My surname is Niu. My family runs a pharmacy. When my father was alive, you often came here to get medicine for your father and mother. Don’t you recall?” Tan Yang thought back to when her father was seriously ill and she couldn’t go pick up the medicine herself. The pharmacy owner, Niu, would send his son to deliver it. The young master, only a few years older, always blushed and lowered his head deeply when handing her the medicine, so she never got a clear look at him.

So he was the pharmacy master’s son. Thinking this, Tan Yang sighed coldly in her heart.

Just then, Bi Qingtang arrived, beaming with a large bag of water caltrops. “Little sister, look what I bought!” Tan Yang glanced at them. “The child doesn’t like them!” Bi Qingtang pinched her cheek, “The child may not like them, but her mother does!”

Bi Qingtang’s affectionate behavior made Tan Yang uneasy thinking about the young master Niu watching. She looked up at him and saw him staring fixedly at Bi Qingtang. Suddenly recalling something, he paled, grabbed his clothes, and fled in a flustered, almost ghostlike manner.

“What’s with that guy? Why does he look at me like I’m a ghost? Even if he liked you before, it’s no reason to act so guilty.” Bi Qingtang joked.

Tan Yang turned to him and answered slowly and deliberately, “That’s the pharmacy owner Niu’s son.”

Seeing Bi Qingtang’s face turn ashen as if struck by lightning, Tan Yang felt a sudden chill inside and out.

For two people living together, could there be any truly major secrets? Whether it’s an affair or murder, with time, the cracks always show…