Chapter 14.2 - The Fragrance of that Tea (Part 3)
After hanging up, Zeng Li quickly reported back to Director Li, who was thrilled and praised Zeng Li for her excellent work. Then he asked what Ai Jingchu liked to eat—Chinese food, hotpot, or Western cuisine, so he could make a reservation.
Zeng Li had to call him again, “I forgot to ask what he likes to eat. I’ll let you know so you can book the restaurant.”
As soon as she turned around, Zhou Wen stood up and was about to turn toward her. Zeng Li quickly ducked back toward the elevator.
If anyone saw her talking to Ai Jingchu on the phone, especially when she was essentially arranging a dinner with him, there would be no way to explain herself.
“Chinese food, but no alcohol,” Ai Jingchu responded.
“Oh, I got it,” Zeng Li said. “Once I know the place, I’ll head over first. I’ll send you the address, and you can join us after work.”
“I’m already done with patients, so I’ll just meet you there. I’ll wait a few minutes in the parking lot,” Ai Jingchu said.
Zeng Li didn’t have to wait long before Ai Jingchu’s SUV appeared in the parking lot. After he drove a few meters forward, the car stopped.
Once she got in, she said, “Director Li said he’s having dinner nearby for your convenience. He’ll be there with his wife and kids at 6:30.”
Zeng Li and Ai Jingchu both checked the time—it was just 5 p.m. They had an hour or so to kill.
“How should we pass the time?” Zeng Li asked, unsure of what to do.
Ai Jingchu glanced at her and said, “How about a drive around?”
As it was getting close to rush hour, the roads were already congested. They were adding to the traffic jam as they drove along.
Zeng Li, not used to this sort of situation, sent a text to Ma Yiyi asking for advice. Ma Yiyi replied: “Depends on the person. Usually, you can kill time by offering a foot bath, a massage, or just tea.”
Foot bath… Massage… Tea seemed the safest option.
Zeng Li chose the latter. “How about we find a place to have some tea?”
Ai Jingchu glanced at her and said, “I know a place.”
The car turned into a quiet street. In this season, the phoenix trees had shed their leaves, but the gray tiles and walls of the traditional houses only added to the tranquil beauty of the scene.
They stopped at a courtyard with a simple black sign reading “Yi Wei.” If Ai Jingchu hadn’t brought her here, Zeng Li would never have known it was a tea house.
A beautiful woman dressed in a dark blue outfit led them through the courtyard to a side room.
As they sat down, the elegant woman said, "Mr. Ai, the tea you requested, 'Lun Dao,' has arrived."
"Then let's start with that," Ai Jingchu replied.
The woman then carefully set the tea equipment in front of them. Zeng Li, who didn’t know much about tea, thought that tea should always be served in a purple clay teapot. But instead, she saw a transparent, lidless glass cup placed in front of both her and Ai Jingchu. She picked it up, examining it curiously.
Ai Jingchu noticed her confusion and explained, “We’re drinking green tea. For green tea, in addition to tasting and smelling, you can also observe its color and shape with a glass vessel.”
The woman, with a gentle smile, softly added, “This is the finest 'Lun Dao' tea. It’s picked near the Dongshan Ping Temple in the early spring, before the rains. The altitude has to be just right—not too high, not too low. Each bud is carefully selected—one bud from thousands of shoots.”
As she spoke, she took a spoonful of the tea leaves and showed them to Zeng Li, who noticed their flat, slender shape, vibrant green color, and the fact that each leaf was distinct and plump. She couldn't help but think, albeit without any poetic flair, that the leaves resembled elongated, slimmed-down green tea seeds.
The woman then took the kettle, tested the water temperature by gently touching the edge of the glass, and once satisfied, she rinsed the cups before carefully pouring the water along the rim of the glass. After silently gesturing for them to begin, she stepped back and left the room.
Now, only the two of them were left in the room. Soft guzheng music played quietly in the background, though Zeng Li couldn’t quite place where the speakers were.
The long, slender tea leaves slowly sank into the water. At first, they floated on the surface, but then, gradually, a few began to stand upright. The once-clear water slowly changed from colorless to a pale green. All of this was visible through the thin layer of glass, and the fragrance of the tea wafted through the air, a delicate mist that seemed to fill the room with tranquility.
Zeng Li watched in silence, her gaze fixed on the glass. The subtle transformation of the tea, the way the leaves unfurled, was mesmerizing. She had never truly understood the allure of tea before, but now, as she observed the beauty of the leaves and the gentle flow of the water, she felt something stir within her. It wasn’t just about drinking tea; it was about the stillness, the calmness it brought, and the way it seemed to suspend time.
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