43: The First Sale at the Village Festival
Li Mei stood at the bustling center of the village square, where the festival was in full swing. The energy in the air was palpable. Vendors hawked their goods from every corner, children ran through the streets laughing, and the scent of fresh baked goods and roasting meats filled the air. The village festival was an event that only occurred once a year, drawing people from neighboring villages, making it the perfect opportunity for Li Mei to make her debut as a herbalist and healer.
Li Mei had carefully prepared for this moment over the past weeks. She had worked from dawn until dusk in her little cottage, crafting a variety of herbal remedies, carefully testing each one, and ensuring they were packaged and presented well. The booth she had set up was small but tidy, with colorful fabric draped over a wooden frame, giving it an inviting and warm look. A sign she had carved herself hung over the stall with the words:
"Li Mei's Healing Herbs: Remedies for Body and Soul."
The shelves of her booth were stacked neatly with vials of tinctures, jars of healing salves, small bags of dried herbs, and colorful pouches of herbal teas. Each item had been personally crafted by Li Mei with herbs from her mystical garden, and she had poured all her knowledge, care, and love into creating them.
Li Mei felt a mix of excitement and nerves as the crowds of villagers passed by. Would they accept her remedies? Would they believe in her abilities as much as she did?