Chapter 93: Talk
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
The next day, Yuan Shu received an invitation from Li Ci, who invited her to the Yunshe Teahouse.
Yunshe Teahouse was a newly opened teahouse. The renovation style resembled that of the teahouses of the Tang Dynasty. It was a building that was a combination of ancient and modern elements.
The teahouse had a two-story patio-style design. Every room around the hall was separated by a screen, which was made of mahogany and embroidered with brocade from the south. It was elegant and extravagant.
The seats in the center of the hall were separated by calligraphy and paintings hanging from the roof. It didn’t seem too enclosed, and could leave some private space for each room.
Li Ci had reserved a seat by the window on the second floor. It was facing the wooden pear blossom window, and the lighting was very good.
Li Ci chose the spring water from Tianshan Mountain to make tea. Soon, the aroma of tea filled the entire private room. Just a whiff of it made one feel relaxed.
“Yuan Shu, I remember you saying that you like the Silver Needles made from mountain spring water the most. This teahouse has just opened and I came to try it once. The water quality isn’t bad, so I invited you to try it.”
Li Ci pointed at the teacup on the tea tray and made an inviting gesture. Yuan Shu said politely, “It’s my honor to try the tea you personally made, Mr. Li.”
While Yuan Shu picked up the teacup to taste the tea, Li Ci teased, “You’re being too polite. Since we’re friends, aren’t you treating me like an outsider by calling me Mr. Li?”
Yuan Shu covered her mouth and said with a chuckle, “I was wrong, Li Ci.”
Upon hearing this, Li Ci was satisfied. The previous pot of water had already been soaked. He placed the kettle on the stove and poured a bottle of mountain spring water to boil again.
The two of them began to taste the tea and talk about tea leaves. The two of them were extremely fond of tea and talked about tea non-stop. Whether Li Ci talked about the Song Dynasty’s tea or the Yuan Dynasty and the Ming Dynasty’s tea leaves, Yuan Shu could answer him. As long as it was about tea leaves, the two of them knew everything about it, even the most esoteric aspects.
As the two of them chatted to their heart’s content, they unknowingly lost track of time. The tea leaves had already been brewed many times and lost their taste. Li Ci ordered another set of tea leaves, but they were white Silver Needles, which were slightly different from the previous Silver Needles.
When the two of them were drinking the White Silver Needles, they couldn’t help but discuss the difference between the two types of Silver Needles. By the time they finished discussing, two hours had passed.
Li Ci had never seen anyone who knew so much about tea leaves, so he couldn’t help but gush about the different varieties. Yuan Shu, on the other hand, had never had the chance to discuss tea with anyone else. Today, they chatted to their heart’s content!
One’s understanding of tea revealed one’s character. After two hours of discussion, the two of them felt as if they had known each other for a long time and had become very good friends.
As the saying went, a hedge between keeps friendship green. This was the case between the two of them. Even if they had only met a few times, it was enough for them to become friends.
After the conversation ended, the two of them were still reminiscing about the joy of the heated discussion just now. Suddenly, Li Ci remembered something and said, “I heard that Yushu Buyi is recruiting recently. Is there anything you need help with?”
Yuan Shu put the teacup back on the tea tray and said, “You’re really well-informed. However, we’ve just started recruiting and haven’t found any problems. If there’s a need, I’ll definitely come and ask you.”
If it were any other time, a meticulous person like Li Ci definitely wouldn’t interfere in other people’s matters, let alone take the initiative to mention it. If it had nothing to do with him, he wouldn’t be nosy. If he didn’t interfere in other people’s matters, trouble would come knocking on his door. The fact that he took the initiative to ask Yuan Shu meant that he really treated her as a friend.
Although Yuan Shu had a straightforward personality, she was very vigilant. She always had her guard up when it came to making friends. This also helped her hold her position as the head of the household for so many years. If she didn’t trust people so easily, she wouldn’t be manipulated.
Hence, under normal circumstances, Li Ci’s concern would seem inappropriate. However, things were different now. She admired Li Ci’s understanding of tea and believed in his character. She treated him as a friend, so she wasn’t so vigilant.
When it was time to leave, Li Ci and Yuan Shu went downstairs side by side. “I believe in your ability to employ people efficiently. However, Yushu Buyi’s current situation isn’t optimistic, so it’s best to be careful. You must be cautious when employing people.”
In response to Li Ci’s pertinent suggestion, Yuan Shu replied solemnly, “Don’t worry, I understand..”