Flower fragrances and birds chirping filled the backyard while the sun shone brightly in the sky.An older gentleman was lying on a bamboo rattan chair, rocking it leisurely. He held a purple teacup in his hand, putting his mouth to it and sipping from time to time. He was free at this moment.He wore a white wife beater, while a pair of woven slippers was on his feet, but only on one side. He used the other foot to sandwich the slipper between two of his toes as he shook his leg, with the slipper looking like it could fall any minute.No one would have imagined that this older gentleman, who appeared to be just another older man, was Dominic Fike, the legendary doctor everyone wanted to meet. He squinted his eyes and appeared to enjoy the moment. From time to time, he would open his eyes and look to his right. That appeared to be a casual gaze, but he was always anxious.On his right side was a vast herb field, and all the plants were his “babies.” Besides himself and the profes
“Since you know what it is, why did you want to touch it? You…” Dominic blinked his eyes, suddenly realizing something as he said sternly, “You did it on purpose!”“I didn’t do it on purpose. I was just curious if there were any exceptions, like perhaps it isn't as poisonous now that it has been improved and cultivated differently.”She held her cheek up with one hand and looked out over all the other ferns and plants, straight at the yellow flowers of the wilfordi root.The herb looked average, similar to other plants. The tender, green buds looked like tea leaves, but who could have imagined this was the poisonous wilfordi root?Most people might not be familiar with the wilfordi root. It belonged to the famous plant family—heartbreak grass!According to the myths, a farmer had tasted all sorts of herbs and finally tried the wilfordi root, which brought about his death as it was something that could not be treated.Although it was just a myth, it was a fact that the wilfordi ro
“What? What the hell are they up to?” The older man was appalled and somewhat angry. Being at his age and having gone through so much, he was used to all kinds of trouble. However, after he figured out what the research institute was up to, he was shocked and appalled. “I don't know what they're planning, but it's not improving herbal medicine for the benefit of humanity, as we first presumed they were doing.”She held up the cup of tea and took a sip. It had a mellow taste. The older man knew how to enjoy himself. He had tea leaves of good quality here, and both the herbs and tea leaves were gifts from nature. Thousand s of years ago, the ancestors were wise in using various herbs to treat patients. However, they have dual therapeutic and harmful potential. Poisons and medicines were always used in tandem. Some medicinal herbs have the potential to save lives if used properly, but they also carry the risk of death if misapplied. Lily knew about this and had always been ex
“Yes, I’ve already decided to pull out of the project, and Alex’s company will also divest. However, as the project has gone on for such a long time, I’m afraid they won’t give up and will look for other people,” Lily said thoughtfully.“Then let them get another person as long as it has nothing to do with you!”Waving his hand, the older man had learned to take things easy at his age. In his opinion, one could not save everyone with medicine, and what mattered most was to do their best. He got up and walked toward his beloved herb garden. “There are people who learn herbal medicine to help people, and there are those who want to cause harm. Human beings are much more complex than these herbs.”Lily got up and sat down in his rattan rocking chair. She felt great about being able to stretch. Rocking the chair, she said leisurely, “You’re right. There are all kinds of people. Some don’t like to be high-profile and prefer to stay at home in the middle of nowhere, while some enjoy d
The older man chuckled since he knew his students well. "You've never cared about claims like these. Why did you mention that little brat all of a sudden? Did he do anything to upset you?"He looked intrigued, as if he was eager to hear gossip.“Not really,” Lily answered blandly, then suddenly widened her eyes. “He went to the research institute.”“What?!” Dominic’s jaw dropped, and he could not wrap his head around it. “Why was he there? How could someone, who knows so little, contribute to the research? He better not make a fool of himself!”Lily did not know how to respond to that.“So you guys met? Does he know you’re my…”“No,” Lily answered quickly. Sitting up, she said almost warningly, “You’d better not tell him either!”“Yes, yes, of course!” Dominic nodded, not minding her request.He was somewhat whimsical when it came to taking a student. He would take one if he thought the person was someone he liked and suitable. He also did not care if his students did not becom
Dominic wanted to curse Alexander when he first saw Lily’s bulging belly.‘The Russell family isn’t about to die out. What’s the rush in making babies?’However, Dominic was Lily’s teacher and had no say in this matter. Besides, he could imagine how Wilfred would happily brag about him having great-grandchildren if the man were still alive.‘Oh, Wilfred…’ Dominic’s eyes dimmed when he thought about his departed friend. ‘Our short lives are full of endless encounters and separations.’He had not met the right woman since he devoted all his time and energy to learning about herbal medicine. He would have missed her if he did. Therefore, he had always been alone and had nothing else except several manors and countless exotic plants.‘Oh, yes, I also have several students! They are scattered worldwide, but only Lily would visit me occasionally.’ Thinking so, he became saddened. At the mention of her child, Lily suddenly remembered she was no longer alone and was living with a restle
Lily went around the garden and saw the housekeeper leading Austin in when she rounded the rockery.Austin was not wearing a suit and instead dressed casually, looking humbled. Lily raised her brow, quickened her pace, and walked away.Austin had waited so long at the gate that he fell asleep. When he woke, he noticed that the gate was still closed, and there was no indication that they would let him in. The most puzzling thing was that the red sports car was still at the gate.‘This doesn’t make sense! Dominic usually doesn’t entertain his guests for too long and usually tries to get rid of them within half an hour. However, he’s been with the same guest for so long today. That person must be special.’Fortunately, just as he thought he could not go in today, the housekeeper came to tell him that Dominic was ready to meet him.Thrilled, Austin followed the housekeeper into the compound. However, he felt a chill run down his spine as he rounded the bend in the garden. Austin shudd
If treated in such a way by another person, a man like him would have stormed off or lost his temper on the spot, but he dared not do so to the older man before him. He could only hold back his temper, saying, “Well, you’re my grandpa’s brother after all…”“Wait a minute! We had different moms.”Dominic and Austin's grandfather were half-brothers who were born to different mothers. Due to what happened during the last generation, they had not been close. It was a difficult time. Although Dominic was the younger brother and deserved to be treated well, Austin’s great-grandmother was partial to her son. Later, when it was time to pass on the family fortune, the woman fiddled with the papers, and everything fell into Austin’s grandfather’s hands. Left with nothing, Dominic was kicked out of the house to earn a living by himself. Dominic later went all over the country and gradually became famous. After all, there was karma. As Austin’s grandfather was not made for doing busine