Chapter Ninety-Five: The Rejuvenation Elixir!

Qin Luo saw that Wang Jiujiu’s face had turned blue with anger and worried that the mother and daughter would continue to quarrel. He quickly stepped in to mediate, smiling as he said, “Auntie, happy birthday.”

Honestly, Qin Luo found himself at a loss over how to address Zhang Yiyi properly.

Calling her “aunt” felt somewhat appropriate, but her youthful appearance made it feel off.

Calling her “sister” was impossible due to the age difference. If he called her sister, then how would he and Wang Jiujiu address each other?

In the end, only “auntie” seemed fitting, hoping that this woman—who was no longer young but yearned to be—would not take offense.

“Auntie? You mean me? Haha, thank you, Xiao Qin. Come, have a seat. Just wait a moment; dinner will be ready soon,” Zhang Yiyi’s face, which had been tense moments before, suddenly blossomed like a bouquet of flowers. She smiled brightly at Qin Luo.

“It’s okay. I’m not hungry,” Qin Luo smiled. “I came in such a hurry that I didn’t have time to prepare a gift. This is just a small token; please don’t mind.”

With that, Qin Luo handed over a folded piece of paper he had prepared.

“What’s this?” Zhang Yiyi took the paper, her expression filled with curiosity.

She had never received such an unusual birthday gift before.

Who gives a piece of paper as a present?

Could it be a check?

Even Wang Jiujiu leaned in curiously, reaching to snatch the paper from Zhang Yiyi’s hand. “Come on, let me take a look.”

“It’s not for you. Can’t I read it myself?” Zhang Yiyi clutched the paper tightly.

“I’m afraid you might embarrass yourself if you can’t read the characters,” Wang Jiujiu said helplessly, then let go.

“No way,” Zhang Yiyi opened the folded sheet and read a few lines written there. At the top were five large characters: “Rejuvenation Soup.”

“Rejuvenation Soup? What is this?” Zhang Yiyi asked, puzzled.

“I study traditional Chinese medicine and have some knowledge of health preservation. This Rejuvenation Soup, also called Beauty Soup, when taken regularly, can invigorate the blood and dissipate stasis, unblocking the meridians. Blood and meridians are two core elements of the human body. When the blood flows smoothly and the meridians are clear, all bodily functions operate normally. This leads to nourishing yin, enhancing beauty, and eternal youth.”

“Long-term use will not only prevent aging but actually make one appear younger. That’s why it’s called Rejuvenation Soup,” Qin Luo explained with a smile. This recipe is a secret of Daoist health cultivation, recorded in the latter part of the “Daoist Twelve Silk Brocades,” a text given to him by his Daoist master.

Qin Luo had once had his mother try it, and the results were indeed miraculous.

So when Wang Jiujiu called earlier today, Qin Luo thought to gift this beauty tonic to Zhang Yiyi.

Some can refuse luxury cars and mansions, some can refuse diamond rings, but which woman could possibly refuse eternal youth?

Sure enough, Zhang Yiyi’s eyes lit up. Even Wang Jiujiu widened her eyes in surprise.

“Xiao Qin, is this real? Can it really keep me young forever?” Zhang Yiyi eagerly grabbed Qin Luo’s arm.

“Eternal youth might be a bit of an exaggeration. But slowing down aging is definitely possible,” Qin Luo nodded with a smile.

“Really? That’s amazing!” Zhang Yiyi was overwhelmed with excitement. “Xiao Qin, I really love you. No, I love the gift you gave me! Luckily, I get to celebrate my birthday twice this year; otherwise, I wouldn’t have received such a wonderful present—ah, you brat, why are you pinching me?”

“Don’t get too cocky,” Wang Jiujiu shot Zhang Yiyi a warning glance.

“I know, I haven’t let the secret slip, right?” Zhang Yiyi nodded knowingly. “Xiao Qin, can I drink this soup every day?”

“Once a week is enough,” Qin Luo replied with a smile. “But when you make the soup, you must add this herb.”

He then took out a tiny porcelain bottle.

Inside was a powder called Golden Cocoon Powder, which Qin Luo had carefully taken from a large container.

Though only a small amount, if sold on the black market, it would be worth hundreds of thousands in gold.

This scarcity was why the Qin family’s business had failed to mass-produce this tonic despite their efforts.

Golden Cocoon Powder was incredibly rare and essential to the soup; no other herbs could replace it.

At least, no one had found a substitute yet.

“Drink it every day? Eventually, I won’t even need to call you mom; you might as well call me mom,” Wang Jiujiu grumbled.

“Hehe, that would be best,” Zhang Yiyi giggled.

“——”

“Teacher Qin, can I drink this Rejuvenation Soup?” Wang Jiujiu asked reluctantly.

Qin Luo nodded, then shook his head.

“What do you mean? I can’t drink it?” Wang Jiujiu questioned.

“You can, but not right now. You’re very young—your body’s functions are healthy and growing. Even without this tonic, you’re at the best stage of your life.”

“It’s like an apple about to ripen naturally. Why would you use pesticides to force it to ripen? Drinking this soup now wouldn’t help; it could disrupt your body’s functions and be harmful.”

“So, I can drink it later? When I reach an age like this big lady?” Wang Jiujiu pointed at her mother.

Qin Luo nodded.

Zhang Yiyi snapped, “You brat, who are you calling big lady? Believe it or not, I’ll burn this recipe after I’m done with it.”

“You dare?”

“Just watch me.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“I would.”

------------

Qin Luo watched the mother and daughter bicker again, a bitter smile on his face.

“Madam, Miss, dinner is served,” the servant said as she came by, having tidied everything neatly.

“No more arguing. Let’s eat,” Zhang Yiyi suddenly said.

Wang Jiujiu glanced awkwardly at Qin Luo. “Teacher Qin, sorry about my mom. She’s always like this. I’m sorry you had to witness it.”

“Hey, Wang Jiujiu, what do you mean? Why am I the one making Xiao Qin laugh? Didn’t you argue with me?”

“You started it.”

“You were the one who called me big lady.”

“Who told you you could burn the Rejuvenation Soup recipe?”

“This is Xiao Qin’s birthday gift to me. It’s mine. If I want to burn it, I will.”

“Teacher Qin gave you the gift because of me. If I hadn’t invited you, would he have given you anything?”

“If I hadn’t had a birthday, would you have had the chance to lure Xiao Qin into the house?”

“——”

“Let’s eat first. Let’s just eat,” Qin Luo said awkwardly, deciding to leave immediately after the meal.

These two were too fierce.

However, Qin Luo’s plan was foiled.

Halfway through dinner, as he suffered through the nourishing soup Zhang Yiyi had made, the doorbell rang.

“Jiujiu! Jiujiu! It’s me, Hu Niu!” a rough female voice called out.

The visitor seemed impatient and started shouting from the doorstep before anyone could open the door.

The maid went to open it, and soon the sound of high heels clicking sharply against the cement floor echoed through the yard.

Honestly, Qin Luo had once enjoyed the crisp sound of high heels—a melody that was clear, elegant, and sexy to the bone.

But he hadn’t expected someone could wear heels with such earth-shattering intensity.

“Jiujiu, are you there? Haha, I knew you were!” A plump woman in a black evening gown and heels rushed in.

“Hu Niu, have you eaten?” Wang Jiujiu obviously had a good relationship with her and pulled her over to eat.

“I’m almost full already, but I’m saving some room to eat out later,” Hu Niu said, eyes scanning Qin Luo’s face with a cheerful smile.

Though close in age to Wang Jiujiu, Hu Niu’s weight was vastly different, and her appearance was tough and plain, with a very old-fashioned shoulder-length student haircut. Perhaps because she was going to a banquet, she wore a very loose black evening dress.

Actually, the gown suited her well; it just looked bulky because of her size.

“Eating out? Where are you going?” Wang Jiujiu asked.

“Jiujiu, don’t you know? Ya Tou called me and said there’s a socialite event tonight. I want you to take me,” Hu Niu said happily.

Wang Jiujiu glanced at Qin Luo. “Hu Niu, can’t you go by yourself? I have plans tonight.”

She wanted to take Qin Luo out after dinner to test his mood. After all, she had worked hard to get him home and didn’t want to come away empty-handed.

Hu Niu was smart enough to notice Wang Jiujiu’s gaze lingering on Qin Luo, so she smiled and said, “Jiujiu, let’s go together. You can bring your friend along too. If you don’t come, they’ll just tease me again.”

Wang Jiujiu looked at Qin Luo, hesitating.

Hu Niu was her childhood friend from the same compound. Because she was chubby, she was often bullied by other kids. One time, Wang Jiujiu had stepped in, beating up a boy who pulled Hu Niu’s braid, and after that no one dared to bother her.

As they grew up, Hu Niu became Wang Jiujiu’s shadow. Though they attended different universities, Hu Niu would always come find her when she had free time.

The more unattainable something is, the more people desire it. Hu Niu was the least like a socialite in their circle, but whenever there was a fashion show, masquerade ball, or socialite gathering, she would cheer and be overjoyed.

Her presence was always a source of amusement among a group of women who put on airs of elegance but were sharp-tongued beneath. They mocked Hu Niu’s size and appetite, laughing uproariously.

If Wang Jiujiu accompanied her, it would prevent such ridicule.

Hu Niu knew her place, so whenever there was an event, she dragged Wang Jiujiu along as a kind of amulet.

Tonight was no exception.

Wang Jiujiu noticed Zhang Yiyi eavesdropping nearby and thought it would be better to take Qin Luo out for a heart-to-heart. What better place than a party?

She nodded. “Alright. I’ll go with you.”

Then she turned to Qin Luo. “If the soup tastes bad, don’t force yourself. Let’s go out and have some fun.”

Feeling like he had been pardoned, Qin Luo put down his spoon. One more sip and he might vomit.

Zhang Yiyi’s soup was poisonous.

“You’re just leaving? You haven’t even cut the cake with me yet,” Zhang Yiyi called after them.

“We’re full. You can eat by yourself,” Wang Jiujiu laughed heartily.