Chapter 1, Meiwu Tea

I bumped into your brother's car

Nanxi held the teacup silently, only slightly raising her eyes to steal glances at the expressions of those around her. Fu Qingquan's face was cold, revealing no thoughts or emotions, seemingly oblivious to Fu's father's words, as he rummaged through his pocket for a cigarette case. Just as his hand reached in, he remembered that they were in a tea room and that it was a family gathering, making it quite inappropriate to smoke. His hand remained in his pocket, but his cool gaze swept towards Nanxi, his expression still indifferent: "The master's degree graduates hired by the company are all in technical positions, working on development during office hours and playing online games after work. Those who have been working for two or three years without a girlfriend generally have issues with social skills."

The tea houses and farmhouse cuisine in Meijiawu are abundant, but only a few are authentic. The owner of this tea room is an old friend of Father Fu, serving their own carefully selected tea, with every step of the picking and roasting done personally. They also offer pastries made from plum blossoms and hawthorn. The family enjoys tea, chats, and takes in the mountain views, finding it all very pleasant.

Nanxi sat by the window, and a few petals from a tree of white flowers gently floated down outside, resembling a faint sigh. She smiled at the tea shop owner and said, "My parents have both told me to go with the flow, to engage when I meet the right person, and if there isn't a suitable one, then there's nothing to be done."

Fortunately, she has long been accustomed to this hostility

The Fu family of four specially came to Meijiawu today for tea, to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Fu father and Nan mother’s tin wedding. Fu father retired from the company a few years ago, and due to some unpleasant events during their remarriage, Nan mother was reluctant to make a big fuss. Therefore, Fu father brought his son Fu Qingquan, while she brought her daughter Nan and Tushuxi, to enjoy a good meal in this paradise-like Meijiawu.

The rain that falls at the end of spring and the beginning of summer is extremely pleasant. The terraced tea mountains of Meijiawu appear even more vibrant after the rain, as if all the dust and grime in the world have been thoroughly washed away by this rain

Before Sister Yang finished speaking, Nanxi was already furious, as Tangtang's right front leg showed clear signs of being crushed—this beastly Fu Qingquan

The tea shop owner shook his head with a smile, poured them some new tea, and went out to attend to his business. In previous years, old friends often mentioned Fu Qingquan, but Fu's father did not take it seriously, believing that a man should establish his career before starting a family, maturing and gaining depth over the years, becoming more appealing as he ages. Today, when he heard an old friend inquire about Nanxi, Fu's father suddenly realized that Nanxi had reached the age where arrangements should be made. He carefully considered this in his heart, glancing over Nan Mama, Fu Qingquan, and Nanxi, and finally made up his mind. He said to Fu Qingquan: "Qingquan, as the older brother, you should pay more attention to Xiaoxi. The company recruits many master's graduates every year, and I see that their ages are similar to Xiaoxi's. Take a close look and see if there are any who have graduated for a year or two, or two or three years, who are reliable in their work and currently do not have girlfriends, and help introduce them to Xiaoxi."

The phrase "as she wishes" does not imply that Nanxi is deeply infatuated with Young Master Ji. To be fair, Young Master Ji possesses quite commendable qualities, especially when standing beside Fu Qingquan, which accentuates his elegance and grace. His speech and demeanor are always polite and appropriate. In contrast, Fu Qingquan is different; his physique is similar to that of Young Master Ji, yet his features are much more rigid. His facial contours are chiseled as if carved by an axe and knife, exuding a significant sense of pressure wherever he goes, making him far less approachable than Young Master Ji.

"The clear spring has its limits," Father Fu interrupted Mother Nan's words. Mother Nan cast a wary glance at Fu Qingquan, ultimately hesitating to speak.

Mother Nan let out a slight sigh of relief, but unexpectedly, Father Fu turned to Nan Xi and said, "I believe that people in technical fields are more reliable; nowadays, young people are often unpredictable." As he spoke, he cast a disdainful glance at Fu Qingquan, clearly looking down on his own son. "Just look at the friends Qingquan has now; each one is more frivolous than the last. In my opinion, it would be better to be a bookworm! What do you think?"

I do not know what new tricks Fu Qingquan will come up with this time to mock her.

Upon receiving the reminder from Fu Qingquan, Father Fu slightly regained his composure and expressed that matters concerning young people should not be interfered with by the older generation. This meant that you could immediately and swiftly pursue Nanxi, and we would not create any difficulties for you. On the contrary, Father Fu strongly suggested that Nanxi move back home first (it doesn't matter if the commute is a bit longer, as it just so happens that Young Master Ji's company is on her way, making it convenient for pick-up and fostering their relationship). Young Master Ji, being young, was no match for Father Fu, the old fox. Not only did he agree with Father Fu's suggestion, but he also personally shared his own experience, stating that he had a lucrative offer abroad, but considering that his parents were still in Hangzhou, he would return to the country immediately after completing his degree. Furthermore, he mentioned that their homes were not far apart and that the commute was convenient, so he could take responsibility for picking her up—using the opportunity to pick up the girl as a way to ensure he arrived at work on time was indeed a win-win strategy.

The fresh air is filled with the rich aroma of tea, and the genuine pre-Ming tea harvested this season is scarce in every tea farmer's home. Taking a gentle sip, the layers of tea fragrance emerge, sweeping through one's internal organs just like this early summer rain.

Nanxi was extremely upset. Carefully picking up Tangtang, she asked Sister Yang, "How did its leg become lame?"

Nanquan has been waiting for the second boot for a long time, the one that has yet to fall and has kept the tenants downstairs from sleeping. This is her sixth sense as a woman. She is always afraid that at any moment, Fu Qingquan will drop the second boot, waking her abruptly from her sweet dreams, which is why she dares not fall asleep easily

Alright, let me take a look first. The gaze of Fu Qingquan swept over her as if it were there yet not there, and a very gentle and casual remark fell into her ears, unexpectedly sending a chill down her spine.

Without waiting for Nanxi and Fu Qingquan to express their opinions, Mama Nan was the first to disagree: "How can it be so casual? Just picking someone randomly from the company, who knows what their intentions are..."

Father Fu gently advised Nanxi that it would be better to move back in. Nanxi found it difficult to refuse her stepfather in front of others, so she suggested helping them by serving tea and took the opportunity to slip down to the kitchen. In the kitchen, Sister Yang was brewing tea, and Nanxi stood by waiting. As she turned to the side, she noticed a black shadow crouching at the foot of the sink. She bent down to take a look and couldn't help but smile with joy: "Sister Yang, has Tangtang been found?"

Oh, yes, the housekeeper, Sister Yang, turned around and saw Nanxi going to pick up the cat, and hurriedly called out, "No, no, no, be careful! Its leg is still injured, be careful not to touch the wound!"

During the weekend, Fu Qingquan indeed brought back a standard high-caliber talent. He introduced himself as Ji, and Fu Qingquan added that he is the son of a certain individual. Nanxi noticed that Fu's father's eyelids subtly lifted, indicating that the family background is likely quite good. Fu Qingquan further introduced that Young Master Ji had just returned after completing his master's degree at NYU last year and is now partnering with several friends to enter the domestic smartphone market. He also particularly hinted that Young Master Ji had obtained a scholarship to study abroad, which made Fu's father very pleased. Young Master Ji possesses the pure scientific and engineering background that Fu's father desires, without the concerns of being a "bookworm," and even his height and appearance ensure that, barring genetic mutations, he could not possibly produce any undesirable offspring. If it were not for Fu Qingquan's reminder that Young Master Ji has just returned to the country and is at a critical stage of career development, Fu's father would have almost been eager to visit the Ji family immediately to settle the marriage arrangement.

Nanxi did not expect things to take such a sudden turn. Her mother had always been concerned about her lifelong affairs, while Father Fu rarely inquired about this matter. When it was brought up last week, it had already surprised her, and she never anticipated that Fu Qingquan would be so proactive in facilitating this matter. Not for any other reason, but because she instinctively believed that before the second shoe dropped in the midnight building, Fu Qingquan would not easily comply with her wishes.

Every year, the tea shop owner always asks a few questions: "Is Qingquan still not married? My son brought his girlfriend home last month!" The first half of the tea shop owner's remarks has remained unchanged for N years, while the latter part has evolved from the son bringing his girlfriend home, to graduating and starting work, then to the fiancée also working, and finally to marriage and the daughter-in-law being pregnant. Father Fu always chuckles awkwardly a couple of times, and then begins to lament that Qingquan is of an age that still causes his parents concern. This year, after the tea shop owner finished talking about the hundred-day celebration for his grandson, he added, "Xiaoxi has been working in Hangzhou for several years now, why hasn't she brought a boyfriend over? You shouldn't be too strict; nowadays, they say 'leftover women' all the time, and it's all because of parents like you who are too controlling!" Father Fu always chuckles awkwardly a couple of times, and then begins to lament that Qingquan is of an age that still causes his parents concern. This year, after the tea shop owner finished talking about the hundred-day celebration for his grandson, he added, "Xiaoxi has been working in Hangzhou for several years now, why hasn't she brought a boyfriend over? You shouldn't be too strict; nowadays, they say 'leftover women' all the time, and it's all because of parents like you who are too controlling!"

Two months ago, Tang Tang suddenly went missing, and after searching for a long time with no leads, Nan Xi was very sad for quite a while, ultimately having to give up. Now that she has been found, Nan Xi is overjoyed, but then she hears from Sister Yang that Tang Tang's leg is injured, which frightens her. Cautiously, she gently reaches out her hand, and as soon as she touches Tang Tang's right front leg, Tang Tang shrinks back in fright, revealing an expression of extreme pain.

Since Father Fu has spoken this way, Nanxi obediently said: "Then let my elder brother help me find something first; if there is something suitable, I will then see if it fits."

Tang Tang is the name of a cat, which Nan Xi bought from the flower and bird market when she graduated and returned to Hangzhou. It is not a particularly valuable breed, but she has developed a bond with it. Every weekend when she returns home, she must cuddle with Tang Tang to sleep. Due to her laziness at home, Tang Tang, who was just a few days old when she brought it back, has become so fat that its belly drags on the ground when it walks, and it is constantly mocked by Fu Qingquan as Yang Guifei. Nan Xi is well aware that he calls Tang Tang Yang Guifei intentionally, as she has been studying the role of a courtesan in Kunqu opera, and the character she sings the most is Yang Guifei from "The Palace of Eternal Life." Fu Qingquan is merely finding ways to ridicule her for not being diligent.