After listening to Cheng Xiaofan’s lengthy explanation, Miao Dachun was utterly bewildered. What kind of grass was this, that when pigs ate it, they could be sold at a price several times higher than ordinary pigs upon reaching market weight?
“Xiaofan, can you tell Grandpa what that grass is called?” Miao Dachun asked curiously.
Cheng Xiaofan blinked his eyes and casually replied, “It’s called ‘Pig’s Delight’!”
“…” There was such a thing as Pig’s Delight grass?
Miao Dachun scratched his head, feeling that his entire life as a farmer had been a waste. How had he never even heard of this grass before?
“Grandpa, stop guessing. You’ll never figure it out. This grass is something I recently developed, specifically for pigs to eat,” Cheng Xiaofan said.
In reality, the grass Cheng Xiaofan was referring to was the kind that grew around White Python Lake. It was originally an ordinary grass, but after several modifications by the spiritual rain, it had become tender and juicy, its genes completely altered. Not only was it favored by the thirty-six bay red horses, but even Taogibao and Potianying, when feeling peckish, couldn’t resist chewing on a few stalks. Even some water birds that never ate grass regarded these mutated green blades as treasures. This grass typically grew to about half a person’s height, and it would regrow after being eaten.
When Miao Dachun asked for its name, Cheng Xiaofan had to make one up on the spot. The name lacked any aesthetic appeal or poetic quality, but Cheng Xiaofan adhered to the rule of "local lions play in their territory"—the more rustic and down-to-earth, the better. After all, it was for pigs to eat, so what was wrong with calling it “Pig’s Delight”? It made it immediately understandable that it was grass pigs liked to eat.
When Miao Dachun heard that Cheng Xiaofan had developed it, his face immediately lit up. “Xiaofan, so you developed it! Then the pigs must certainly like it! I know everything you cultivate is a treasure!”
“Grandpa, tomorrow I’ll have someone deliver a cartload of ‘Pig’s Delight’ to you. It won’t spoil even if stored indoors for over half a month,” Cheng Xiaofan said. “Let the pigs eat it continuously for two months before sending them to market. By then, even the meat quality will have changed. When that happens, you sell just one pig first. Within two days, you’ll find buyers coming to your door to purchase your pigs at a high price. Remember my words, don’t sell them for less than three times the market price.”
Miao Dachun smiled and replied, “Okay, I’ll listen to you.”
Cheng Xiaofan added, “When the grass is delivered tomorrow, I’ll have them bring you the grass seeds as well. Expanding the pigsty will require some funds, so I’ll have Dad send it to you then.”
“Okay, thank you, Xiaofan!” Miao Dachun said excitedly. Miao Dachun knew very well that following Cheng Xiaofan’s advice could only bring benefits, never harm. Nowadays, many people said that anyone close to Cheng Xiaofan had walked into good fortune. Now, it was his turn to have good luck.
Just as Cheng Xiaofan was about to bid farewell to Miao Dachun, Grandma Wang from next door arrived. Seeing Cheng Xiaofan, she narrowed her eyes and said, “Xiaofan, my old man’s lumbar pain has flared up again. He’s in so much pain he’s groaning in bed. Do you still have that divine water you gave to Dachun’s pigs? Could my old man have some?”
“…” How was Cheng Xiaofan supposed to respond to this? The energy water could indeed alleviate pain, but for the water used to treat pigs to be given to a person? Wasn’t that an insult?
Cheng Xiaofan quickly replied, “Grandma Wang, that water is gone. I’ll go with you to see Grandpa Wang. I have other ways to help Grandpa Wang with his treatment.”
Grandma Wang’s face immediately beamed with joy. “Then thank you for your trouble, Xiaofan!”
Cheng Xiaofan hurried to Grandma Wang’s house and entered the bedroom. He saw her husband lying on the bed, groaning in pain, his old face extremely pale and covered in sweat. Judging by the vital energy emanating from him, this was a typical case of lumbar muscle strain. In the countryside, due to years of toiling in the fields, exposed to sun and rain, many elderly people suffered from this ailment. This condition relied entirely on rest and medication, but completely curing it was extremely difficult.
However, such a stubborn ailment in Cheng Xiaofan’s hands was a piece of cake. A few acupuncture needles would completely cure it.
“Grandpa Wang, don’t move from here. I can cure your illness right away!” Cheng Xiaofan said with a smile.
Grandpa Wang nodded. “Xiaofan, I know you’re a capable person. I believe you. I just heard your Grandma Wang say that Dachun’s pigs had heatstroke and you cured them with a bottle of water!”
Hearing this, Cheng Xiaofan was truly speechless. Treating a person’s illness, and it somehow brought back to pigs? However, country folk spoke plainly and there was no need to overthink it.
Cheng Xiaofan immediately took out his Shennong Needles and inserted them into the lower back, then flipped his right palm, covering the needles with a wisp of spiritual energy.
*Ding!*
As the Shennong Needles vibrated, the spiritual energy entered Grandpa Wang’s body.
“Ah, this feels so good!” Grandpa Wang’s face, which had been contorted in pain, immediately filled with a joyful smile. “This is incredible! As soon as the needle went in, my back felt completely healed!”
“Grandpa Wang, it’s not ‘felt like,’ it’s actually healed!” Cheng Xiaofan said with a smile. For cases like lumbar muscle strain, which others considered an incurable ailment, it was nothing for a descendant of Shennong.
As Cheng Xiaofan withdrew the Shennong Needles, he heard someone say, “Xiaofan, my back has been hurting for a few days too. Can you take a look for me as well!”
Cheng Xiaofan looked up at the sound of the voice and was dumbfounded. Standing before him was a woman, and behind her stood dozens of other people. The villagers all knew Cheng Xiaofan as a miracle doctor. He rarely visited here, and now, those with chronic ailments, whose conditions weren’t improving at the hospital, had all come upon hearing the news, forming a long queue.
*Ring-ring!*
Just as Cheng Xiaofan was about to respond to the woman, his mobile phone rang. The sky outside had already darkened. Without a doubt, the caller must be Zheng Yixin, the eldest of the three Shui Hulu sisters. Cheng Xiaofan took out his phone and pressed the answer button. He then heard Zheng Yixin’s gentle and pleasant voice from the other end: “Master, it’s getting late. I’ve invited Sister Bai. Why haven’t you arrived yet?”
Upon hearing this, Cheng Xiaofan smiled and said, “Zheng Yixin, I’m really sorry. I’m in my mother’s hometown village and got delayed by some matters. I can’t come over right now. You all eat first, don’t wait for me!”
“No, Master! If you’re not here, we three sisters must wait for you, even if it’s until dawn!” Zheng Yixin said stubbornly.
Cheng Xiaofan couldn’t refuse further. “Alright, I’ll try to get there as soon as possible!”
Those standing nearby overheard Cheng Xiaofan’s phone call and knew he was invited to dinner. Such a prominent figure like him must surely have many people seeking his assistance. The woman at the front of the queue said apologetically, “Xiaofan, if you have business, we won’t trouble you any further. You should attend to your own matters.”
“It’s no problem,” Cheng Xiaofan quickly replied. “I don’t usually come here often. Since I’m here today, I’ll examine you all. It won’t take much time.” This was an opportunity to gain face for his mother in her hometown village, and as a dutiful son, Cheng Xiaofan absolutely could not refuse.