Unparalleled medical and martial arts skills, saving the CEO's fiancée at the start.

On New Year's Eve, Anhetang closed its doors for the first time ever.

Shen Bo'an said that the business only closes on this one day a year, and no one will open the door no matter who knocks.

The old neighbors in the alley all know this rule, and no one comes to disturb them.

But Shen Jingqiu still wiped the copper seal on the medicine cabinet and watered the angelica in the pot by the door, as if to say to the shop, "It's New Year's Day today, you should take a break."

Early in the morning, Ye Chen and Jiang Ruoxi went to town to buy New Year's goods.

The market in the south of the city was more lively than that in the river city. A long street along the river was crowded with stalls selling New Year's goods on both sides.

There were vendors selling sugar paintings, writing Spring Festival couplets, frying sugar rings, and making fresh rice cakes.

Ye Chen bought a string of candied hawthorns, took a bite, and his face contorted from the sourness. He then handed it to Jiang Ruoxi.

Jiang Ruoxi took the bite without changing her expression.

Ye Chen said, "Has your sense of taste gone wrong?"

Jiang Ruoxi said, "My mom used to take me to this market when I was little. This is what candied hawthorn tastes like. If you don't like it, that's your problem."

Ye Chen stopped arguing and went to buy a bag of tangerines.

The two squeezed through the crowd, their hands full of things.

As they passed a stall selling red hair ties, Ye Chen stopped and picked one out for Jiang Ruoxi, saying, "Just for the occasion."

Jiang Ruoxi took it, tied it in her hair, looked at herself in the small mirror on the stall, and said, "It's alright."

Ye Chen said, "It's more than just okay, it's really beautiful."

Jiang Ruoxi rolled her eyes at him, but didn't take off the red ribbon.

When they returned to Anhetang, Shen Jingqiu was already busy in the kitchen.

Su Qinghan sat in the courtyard picking vegetables, while Ayiguli chopped minced meat beside her.

The ghost servant was assigned to chop wood. He stood in front of the woodpile with an axe, chopping accurately and steadily, without stopping all afternoon.

Ye Chen put down the New Year's goods, rolled up his sleeves, and went to the kitchen to help.

Shen Jingqiu found him in the way and sent him off to make dumplings.

Ye Chen didn't know how to wrap dumplings, and the ones he made were all crooked and twisted, which Jiang Ruoxi laughed at for a long time.

Aygul came over, took the dumpling wrapper from his hand, pinched it a couple of times, and the dumpling stood up.

Ye Chen said, "Guli, you have this skill too?"

Aygul said, "My adoptive father taught me. He said that when you're spending the New Year away from home, you should at least know how to make dumplings."

Ye Chen fell silent and continued kneading.

Although they were still crooked, he wrapped them very slowly, pinching each one tightly, as if afraid they would fall apart.

The New Year's Eve dinner table was laden with food.

Shen Bo'an sat in the main seat, and Su Qinghan sat next to him.

Ye Chen and Jiang Ruoxi sat on one side, while Ayiguli and Guipu sat on the other.

Shen Jingqiu served a bowl of soup before sitting down.

There was chicken and fish on the table, along with preserved meats from Nancheng made by Shen Jingqiu and braised duck from Jiangcheng brought by Jiang Ruoxi.

Shen Bo'an opened a new jar of wine and poured it for everyone.

He raised his glass and said, "Anhetang has reopened this year. People from Yaowang Valley and Baizhi Valley have come. I never thought I would see this day again in my life. This glass is for you all."

Su Qinghan said, "I also respect you. There aren't many people who can keep a shop for decades."

The two clinked glasses and drank them both dry.

Ye Chen was enjoying his meal when he suddenly felt something was missing.

He looked around and noticed that the seat next to Shen Bo'an was empty. There was a bowl and chopsticks on the table, but no one was sitting there.

He asked Shen Jingqiu in a low voice, "Where is that location?"

Shen Jingqiu said, "It was left for my grandma. Grandpa does this every year for Chinese New Year. He said that Grandma passed away early, but she still needs a place for her during the New Year."

Ye Chen didn't ask any more questions, but simply rearranged the bowl and chopsticks.

Jiang Ruoxi saw it and moved the box of pastries she had brought to the empty seat.

After the meal, everyone gathered in the courtyard to stay up all night to welcome the New Year.

Shen Bo'an brewed a large pot of medicinal tea, while Shen Jingqiu brought out melon seeds and peanuts.

Firecrackers crackled in the alley, and fireworks exploded in the distance, their vibrant colors illuminating the night sky.

Dahuang wasn't there, but Ayiguli placed the wicker basket at her feet; the basket contained dried moonflower flowers.

She said, "It also celebrates the Lunar New Year."

Ye Chen smiled and said, "You're even more particular than me. It's good to have you."

Aygul ignored him.

Su Qinghan sat in the rattan chair, unusually talkative.

She told Shen Bo'an about the old stories of Medicine King Valley and Anhe Hall, saying that Ye Changfeng had gotten drunk in this alley when he was young and was carried by Su Youdao for three streets.

Shen Bo'an said, "I've met that Su Youdao once. He doesn't talk much, but he's good at judging people."

Su Qinghan said, "You're more accurate than him; you could tell at a glance that Ye Chen resembles his father."

Shen Bo'an smiled and said, "It's not that I can tell, it's written all over his face."

Aygul sat beside her, listening quietly.

She held the red ribbon that Ye Chen had bought for Jiang Ruoxi in her hand, examining it over and over.

Jiang Ruoxi noticed and said to Ayiguli, "You want one? I'll buy you one later."

Aygul shook her head and said, "I'm thinking that when I go there next spring, I'll bring one back for my cousin too."

Jiang Ruoxi said, "Okay, I'll help you choose."

Aygul nodded and returned the red ribbon to her.

As night deepened, Shen Bo'an and Shen Jingqiu went back to their room to rest.

The ghost servant also went to sleep.

Only Ye Chen, Jiang Ruoxi, Su Qinghan, and Ayiguli remained in the courtyard.

The four sat on the veranda, watching the fireworks bloom one after another in the distance.

Ye Chen suddenly said, "Master, let's have a gathering in Baizhi Valley next year. Let's invite Grandpa Shen and Jingqiu, and also invite Seventh Uncle. The more people, the more lively it will be."

Su Qinghan said, "You can arrange it. You don't need to ask me about such a small matter."

Ye Chen said, "Master, it's settled then. I'll make the decision myself and arrange the follow-up activities."

Jiang Ruoxi leaned on his shoulder, her eyes closed, and the corners of her mouth slightly curved.

Aygul, holding a wicker basket, leaned her head against a pillar and fell asleep sometime during the night.

Su Qinghan glanced at her, got up, went back into the room to get a blanket, and gently covered her with it.

Ye Chen watched this scene with a calm mind.

Like New Year's Eve, after the festivities, what remains is a clean and warm feeling.

He looked down at Jiang Ruoxi; she had fallen asleep on his shoulder.

The red ribbon was still tied in her hair, small and unassuming.

The fireworks were still going off in the distance, but they were getting farther and farther away.

He sat for a while, gently pulled Jiang Ruoxi closer, then looked at the sleeping Ayiguli, and noticed that the light in Su Qinghan's room was still on.

Then he closed his eyes, leaned against the pillar, and slowly fell asleep.

In his dream, he stood in the middle of that medicinal herb field again.

This time, however, the field not only had medicinal herbs, but also a small courtyard.

The courtyard was full of people, including Ye Changfeng, Su Youdao, Mei Ruxue, Jiang Yuanshan, and many others.

They smiled and waved at him. Ye Chen walked over and sat down in the crowd.

The sun was shining brightly, and the wind carried the scent of herbs in waves.

Ye Chen didn't speak, he just sat quietly. This was good enough.