Chapter 25: Arriving with the Wind

She walked openly, making no attempt to hide.

"Old Fang, are you carrying that chicken to..."

As Aunt Fang and her chicken stepped out, the sharp-eyed neighbors warming themselves by the fire in the alleyway spotted her immediately. Curiosity piqued, the others wondered what she was doing out with a chicken at this hour.

"I’m taking it to young Lu. She gave me three tablets for my cough and phlegm yesterday, and after my old man Li took them, he’s completely recovered. I have to give her a gift; her medicine is incredible."

Aunt Fang wanted to be seen. After all, Lu Jiaojiao hadn't just given free medicine to her family yesterday, but to two others as well. With such miraculous results, wasn't it worth the price of a chicken?

"Oh, really? Is that true?"

"Ahem, Old Fang, is Old Li’s illness really gone? He’s in the same boat as me."

"I’ve never heard of medicine like that. Sounds like a scam, doesn't it?"

"Exactly. Even the doctors at the big hospitals can’t cure us completely. Especially at our age, the medicine hardly works, and we have to take it year after year just to stay comfortable."

Those warming themselves in the alley were of the same age as Uncle Li and Aunt Fang. They were all retired, spending their days babysitting grandchildren, reading newspapers, and buying groceries. In their spare time, they sat by the fire or played chess, and almost all of them suffered from chronic ailments like coughs, phlegm, rheumatism, or aching backs. Hearing Aunt Fang, they were skeptical. The medicine from the big hospitals had failed them, with doctors claiming that their bodies were just worn out from age. They were told they couldn't be fully cured and would have to live with the recurring pain.

"Of course it’s true. Why would I lie to you? We’ve been neighbors for decades. Young Lu isn't a relative of mine; I’m not some shill for her."

"That’s true. We know your and Old Li’s situation well."

"Actually, it started because young Lu has been brewing medicine constantly. The whole alley smells like it. A few days ago, Old Li’s rheumatism was acting up badly. You all know that—what ointments or medicines haven't we tried? None of them worked."

"Right, right. Same here. I’ve tried everything, and even if it worked, it only lasted a day or two before the weather changed and the pain came back."

"Exactly. Old Li was the same. That day, he couldn't eat or sleep from the pain. I was desperate, so I asked young Lu. She gave me a jar of ointment. I figured since it wasn't for eating, it wouldn't hurt to try. I took it home, and guess what happened?"

"What? What? Did it really work?"

"Did Old Li get better?"

"If it worked for him, I have to try it. It’s miserable when the weather turns."

Aunt Fang was on a roll now. She wasn't in any rush to deliver the chicken; she was energized and excited. This was the perfect chance to advertise for young Lu. Having people egging her on only made it more fun.

"Hey, Old Man Lu, didn't your wife buy a jar from young Lu, too? Hasn't she used it on you yet? And Old Man Zheng, your wife, Aunt Ma, bought one too. Don't tell me you haven't used it! Young Lu said the supply is limited—only the first ten people get the discount price."

Aunt Fang had noticed the husbands of Aunt Cai and Aunt Ma. Seeing their clueless expressions, she was baffled. Hadn't those women applied the medicine to their husbands yet?

Aunt Fang’s eyes widened in shock as she stared at them, feeling as though she had stumbled onto some major secret. The other old men turned to look at Old Man Lu and Old Man Zheng with the same suspicion.

"What’s with those looks? We used it. I think so, anyway. I remember my wife applying the ointment last night. I didn't ask; I assumed she got it from the hospital."

"I used it too. Old Cai was muttering about it costing three yuan. My hearing isn't great, so I didn't catch the details. Is it possible that ointment really came from young Lu in our alley?"

"Never mind who made it! I’m asking you, how is it? Is it as good as Aunt Ma said?"

"If it works, three yuan isn't expensive at all, as long as it relieves the pain."

"Exactly. I’d pay that, provided it works."

"Hey, didn't you hear Aunt Ma earlier? Old Li is already better!"

"What did Old Li use? I heard his cough is gone too?"

The group of elders was stunned by these revelations. Anxious and eager, they peppered Old Man Lu and Old Man Zheng with questions. If the medicine was as effective as Aunt Fang claimed, they would head straight to young Lu’s place to buy some.

"It works! Old Li used it for less than three days and he’s better. Now he uses it once a day, and young Lu says if he keeps it up, he’ll be fully recovered."

"As for his cough and throat, he started taking the pills young Lu gave him last night. He only took three, and his cough stopped today, and the phlegm is gone. That’s why I’m taking this chicken to young Lu—to thank her. Her medicine is just too effective."

Aunt Fang excitedly shook the chicken in her hand as she spoke. She needed to get more medicine from young Lu; it was too good to pass up.

What? Old Li was actually better?

Forget it, they had to go buy some from young Lu!

The elders couldn't sit still anymore. What were they doing by the fire? Those without money on them rushed home to grab their wallets. Those who had cash on hand stood up immediately, urging Aunt Fang to lead the way.

"Old Fang, let’s go! Take us to young Lu."

"Alright, but listen: young Lu said the first ten jars of ointment are three yuan. After that, it’s five yuan for everyone. I bought five jars yesterday, and I’m already wondering if I should have bought more. We have a big family, and if young Lu moves away, where would we go to find her?"

"Ah, only ten spots? How many are left?"

"I don't know, we have to ask young Lu."

"Let’s go! Hurry, before the spots are all taken!"

...

A knock at the door brought Lu Jiaojiao out. She opened it to find Aunt Fang and several old men staring at her with intense anticipation. Aunt Fang, straightforward and quick-tongued, loudly explained their purpose, thrusting the chicken into Lu Jiaojiao’s arms as she spoke.

Lu Jiaojiao: "..."

Though she had expected this, she was still surprised.

"Young Lu, I heard your ointment is great for rheumatism. Can I have a jar? Is it still three yuan?"

"I want one too. Three yuan, right?"

"One isn't enough! I want two."

"Right, I want two as well. Glad I brought enough money today."

Before Lu Jiaojiao could respond, the elders began shouting their requests over one another. Just then, Old Man Lu, Old Man Zheng, their wives, and several other neighbors hurried over.

"Young Lu, I want three jars. That’s nine yuan, right?"

"Me too, three jars."

"I’ll take two."

"No, I want two."

"I need four."

"What? Then I want five. That's fifteen yuan."

...

Suddenly, Lu Jiaojiao’s doorway turned into a bustling marketplace. Nearly ten elders crowded together, shouting their orders. The commotion drew others out of their homes to see what was happening. They were shocked to discover that the medicine brewed by the new tenant, young Lu, was actually highly effective, and everyone was scrambling to buy it.

Knowing there were only ten spots for the three-yuan price before it went back up to five, those who understood the value couldn't afford to hesitate.