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Bear root was described to have a very earthy, fresh scent. It grows in rocky, mountainous soil and thrives in colder conditions. Bear root also does wonders when it comes to the respiratory system. All types of colds and infections could be treated with this herb.
But, bear root is native to North America and has specific growing conditions. Some would even consider the bear root rare, especially depending on where you resided.
That’s what confused Maomao. But how could she sweat over the small stuff when she had such a wonderful herb in front of her! Thinking about who could’ve left this in her room was an afterthought. Right now there are more important things to think about, like what to possibly do with this!
Should it be preserved? Should it be turned into medicine immediately? So many options! Maomao lifted the herb in the air and practically danced around her room. She hugged the root close to her chest like it was the cure to lung cancer.
Right outside the door to her room was a certain man, pressing himself against the door. The cackling and chanting he heard made his heart skip in a way that felt like a cardiac disease. Maybe if he claimed it was a heart attack she would, begrudgingly, take care of him.
The door gently opened. The soft creak stopped Maomao mid rant and she turned around. The giddy smile on her face quickly dropped into a stoic expression.
“Hello, Sir Jinshi. Do you require help?” She coughed out.
“I just wanted to stop by and see you, apothecary.” He chuckled slightly while she barely concealed her grimace.
He looked at the discarded paper wrapping on the floor, then to the root in her hands. “Now, what’s this?”
“Bear root. It’s good for colds and lung related illnesses.”
“I’m glad to see you like the little gift I got you. It took a while to obtain.”
Maomao cleared her throat. “Then, thank you.”
…
He wasn’t moving.
It took everything for Maomao to not roll her eyes so far back into her head that she could see her brain.
After a few beats of silence she spoke. “Is there something wrong?”
“Oh, nothing.”
“Fine. To thank you for this gift, you can hug me for four to five seconds.”
Jinshi’s face brightened. “Forty five seconds!?”
“No. Four to five seconds. Single digit numbers.” Her protests were muffled into his clothes as he grabbed her in a secure hug.
After five seconds, she tried to shift. He just tightened his arms and brought her closer.
Maomao spoke, voice still muffled. “Will you let go soon?”
“My forty five seconds are not done yet.”
She groaned into his clothes, already imagining the satisfied smirk on Jinshi’s face.
With nothing else to do, she buried her face into his shoulder, inhaling the rich aroma of his incense. She mentally counted each second passing by in the comfortable silence.
After the forty sixth second, Maomao tapped his back.
He sighed as he pulled away. She took the opportunity to rush back to her desk and admire the bear root.
Jinshi shuffled behind her, a curious look on his face. “What will you do with that?”
“There’s many things to do with this! I must take great care of such a herb! It’s difficult to get and almost like a medicinal miracle.”
She continued her ramblings about all the possible uses of bear root while Jinshi stood with awe.
He was quite lucky, wasn’t he?