The golden ring on her finger bore the Silver Leaf’s insignia. He Haotian’s earlier doubt was replaced with amusement. A Silver Leaf student, eh?
He sat properly and left the wine bottle he was drinking on his side. His eyes stared at Lu Xinyi’s face with such interest that Mo Lihui felt creepy and uncomfortable. Was he really that two-star Michelin chef? She had learned her lessons now; she couldn’t just assume what the other was capable of based on his looks.
“Yes,” Lu Xinyi replied. The scent of the brewed tea tickled her nose. She couldn’t help but smell her teacup before having a small sip.
“What’s your name again?”
“I am Lu Xinyi. We’ve been looking for you even before the festival started. Just what my husband expected, you’re nearby… keeping tabs on what’s happening to Grace Palace.”
“That makes sense. It wouldn’t be easy for anyone to look after Grace Palace if one doesn’t have the skills in the kitchen. So what brings you here, Madam Shen?”
He Haotian leaned forward and put his elbow to the table as he cupped his chin lazily. He heard about Lu Xinyi’s win at the cooking festival competition and had wondered what kind of woman she was.
“I wish to know if Mr. Chu is still interested in Grace Palace. I’m just a student; I still have a lot to learn before I can truly manage the restaurant.” Lu Xinyi wasted no time and told her intention right away.
“You still sought after me, knowing I have long abandoned the culinary world?”
Lu Xinyi smirked. “A chef that can turn his back on what makes him alive? I don’t think so.”
“Do you think it’s too far-fetched that I can stop cooking for the rest of my life?”
“The fact that I’ve got your attention by making you see my ring is proof that you still have an affinity to cooking.” Lu Xinyi retorted.
He Haotian tapped his fingers lightly on the table while Mo Lihui was also at her limit. Why was Lu Xinyi testing Mr. Chu’s patience? She was starting to think that Lu Xinyi might be a reckless girl when she was younger… as if beating and startling a snake was her past time.
The girl attendant left and was replaced by a woman who Mo Lihui recognized as the owner of the inn, Gu Meina. She only heard her name and saw her shopping at their local market. This was the first time she officially met her in person.
Her traditional robe was simply lavender-colored with floral designs. Her long hair was kept in place by a long hairpin, making her face bright and clear. Just by looking at her face, one could feel the sense of peace through her smile.
“So this is what you meant when you said I’ll get a surprise today.” He Haotian hummed and gave Gu Meina an accusing look.
“I told you, Madam Shen will surprise you.” Gu Meina grinned back. She’d watched the cooking competition and had seen these two visitors of her childhood friend.
Gu Meina moved the empty teapot away and started brewing another kind of tea for He Haotian. Lu Xinyi watched her with fascination as Gu Meina revealed a tea bag with some unique flat leaves and a brew that was unlike any other green tea.
A few moments later, Gu Meina served another round of teacup to their visitors and for herself.
“I cannot believe that there would be a time that I can taste high-quality and authentic Longjing tea at this time of the year. What’s more, it is in superior grade. The sweet, mellow, and fruity taste of the tea was here. ” Lu Xinyi sighed contentedly after tasting it.
“You know about Longjing tea?” Gu Meina asked. She then noticed the sudden change on He Haotian’s face.
“Yes. My husband and I are occasional tea drinkers. He has introduced me to some tea varieties.”
“Can Madam Shen describe this tea to us? Indeed, Longjing is quite expensive, and it has been counterfeited by some sellers. For you to notice its authenticity, I’m sure Madam Shen can impart her knowledge to us.”
Gu Meina had asked these questions in He Haotian’s stead. She knew that he was curious as to how Lu Xinyi knew about these.
“These…” Lu Xinyi paused as she tried to remember everything she knew about this tea. “I’ve only seen and tasted Longjing tea once. The tea that Miss Gu brewed for us has the same tight, flat shape, and light-green color I’ve seen before. You’ve steep the tea in a clay teapot and used the perfect temperature for the water, which is around 70 to 75 degrees Celsius, to achieve the best infusion result.” Lu Xinyi answered and resumed drinking her tea.
Mo Lihui gaped at Lu Xinyi. How was she able to know about that?! An occasional drinker like Lu Xinyi couldn’t possibly know how to distinguish an authentic Longjing tea from their cheap counterfeits. Even she once had been scammed by a cheating seller.
He Haotian kept his silence, but his attention had stayed on Lu Xinyi. It had been a long time since he met a person who could deconstruct a drink and describe its quality and process just by tasting it.
‘Lu Xinyi… could it be…?’
His thoughts were in disarray. There was only one person in the world he knows that could do this. He Haotian stared at Lu Xinyi’s face again and tried to guess her age. If he was right, then this woman possibly inherited the gift of his long-deceased best friend.