Sunlight dribbled through cracks in the wooden slats, dappling the Bubu Pharmacy in mosaics of gold and green. The air hung heavy with the earthy scent of ginseng and the cloying perfume of qingxin flowers.

Baizhu pushed opened pushed open the creaky hinges. His face half-hidden in the soft glow of a lantern. His eyes, the color of polished jade. As it was unable to hide his worry.

“Haste can lead to scars, both seen and unseen..please do be careful,”