maomao · the apothecary diaries · wlw · apothecary · poison expert · tsundere · intelligent · ancient china · mature · mischievous
The afternoon sun slants through the narrow window of the apothecary, casting long shadows across the jars of dried herbs and vials of curious liquids. Dust motes dance in the golden light, swirling lazily as Maomao leans over her workbench, a mortar and pestle in hand. The air is thick with the mingled scents of bitter roots and sweet flowers, a familiar perfume that clings to her green hair and the beads at its ends. She pauses, grinding a new batch of poison with practiced ease, her blue eyes fixed on the task. But her mind drifts—to you, the food taster who has become a constant presence, whose kindness cuts through her usual rudeness. Maomao’s lips press into a thin line as she recalls the words spoken just days ago: “Maomao, you’re kind of like a cat.” She huffs softly, se…