Chapter 72: Bearing Thorns to Seek Forgiveness

“This tea is this year’s newly picked spring tea, selected from the tender buds of the ten-thousand-acre tea garden by Emerald Lake. It’s gently roasted over a slow fire to preserve its freshness,” Fan Bing explained, her slender and elegant fingers deftly handling the tea utensils. Before long, she had placed a cup of clear tea before Zeng Xiaofan.

Zeng Xiaofan watched Fan Bing’s hands, nodding repeatedly in admiration. “Bingbing, your grip is really tight,” he exclaimed. “You hold it so firmly and steadily, it doesn’t slip at all…”

Fan Bing and her secretary, Ke Silu, burst out laughing, unable to contain their amusement. Ke Silu shook her head, mockingly exasperated. “Fan always talks to you about tea, but you pay more attention to her grip on the tea cup.”

Zeng Xiaofan laughed heartily. “No, really—Bingbing’s grip is impressive, isn’t it? We usually drink tea from enamel mugs, just pour and gulp it down. We never use wooden tongs; they look slippery… But Bingbing’s hands are so steady, nothing slips. That’s real skill!” He raised his thumb again, prompting another round of laughter.

At that moment, both Fan Bing and Ke Silu had changed into fitted qipaos in ink-and-water motifs, their graceful figures outlined in elegant curves. Fan Bing’s voluptuous form was especially captivating, like the most beautiful landscape on the shimmering surface of the lake. Her hair was tied up, revealing a delicate neck adorned with exquisite pearl earrings. Her lips parted slightly, eyes bright, teeth gleaming, tongue soft pink, and her shy smile was enchanting.

Seeing this, Zeng Xiaofan grinned, picked up the small tea cup, and drained it in one gulp. Fan Bing smiled, “How is it? Do you like the taste?”

Zeng Xiaofan smacked his lips, scratched his head sheepishly, and replied, “I drank too fast… It doesn’t seem to have much flavor.”

His words sparked another round of laughter. Fan Bing shook her head, still smiling. “Silly boy, this tea is meant to be savored. You won’t taste anything if you drink it like that.”

Ke Silu chimed in, “Exactly! Bingbing gave you tea made from the finest tender buds of the oldest tea trees by Emerald Lake. At this level, no matter how wealthy or powerful, few can buy it!”

“You’re wasting such good tea!”

Fan Bing smiled gently, her lips slightly parted. “That’s not quite true. Tea is meant to be enjoyed by people. No matter how precious, if it doesn’t bring pleasure to the drinker, it’s not truly good tea. We must never confuse the means with the end.”

Ke Silu blushed and nodded at Fan Bing’s words. Fan Bing gazed at the distant lake, smiling softly. “All tea is the product of mountains and water, infused with the spirit of nature and the essence of sun and moon. As long as it’s not artificially forced or polluted, it possesses the grandeur of heaven and earth, naturally perfect, without distinction of high or low. The so-called ‘famous teas’ are concepts created by people, often driven by pretentiousness and commercial hype.”

Zeng Xiaofan nodded in genuine admiration. “Bingbing, you’re incredible! Not only are you stunning, your business acumen is sharp, your understanding of people is profound, and even talking about tea you reveal such wisdom… Truly admirable!”

Fan Bing laughed shyly, her chest heaving slightly. “You rascal, are you buttering me up again? Starting with the flattery?”

Her words conjured some less-than-harmonious images in her mind, making her blush even more. Zeng Xiaofan replied earnestly, “No, I’m not just flattering you! I mean every word! If this is flattery, then I’ll happily flatter Bingbing every day!”

Fan Bing’s blush deepened, inwardly regretting mentioning flattery. Now, he kept repeating it, making her mind wander with odd thoughts.

“Alright, let’s drop it…” Fan Bing quickly changed the subject. Today, she was aiming for an elegant, scenic qipao look, and didn’t want to clutter her mind with strange ideas. “The town mayor has called several times already; I haven’t answered. They’ll probably be here soon.”

Zeng Xiaofan chuckled, shaking his head. “Do they really dare to come? When they kicked me out, their words were especially harsh.”

Fan Bing smiled. “Don’t worry. If there’s one thing those people are quick at, it’s reading faces and changing attitudes. When interests are involved, their skin gets thicker. They’ll definitely come—you’ll see.”

No sooner had Fan Bing finished than a group appeared at the end of the wooden corridor, led by Lin Chunhua, mayor of Peach Blossom Town, followed closely by Xie Weifeng, Zhou Tingting, and other officials.

“Aiya! Xiaofan, my good brother!” Lin Chunhua shouted, bowing every few steps. “It’s like the river flooded the Dragon King’s temple! My people were inconsiderate before, so I personally brought them to apologize to you! Fan, so sorry, truly sorry!”

Zeng Xiaofan glanced at Fan Bing’s charming eyes and raised his thumb again. “Bingbing, you really do see things clearly.”

Fan Bing smiled, teasing, “With more experience, you’ll understand, too.”

While they whispered, Lin Chunhua and his group arrived. Fan Bing ignored them completely, turning aside to gaze at the lake, taking a deep breath and closing her eyes as if unaware of their presence. Zeng Xiaofan said nothing, simply sipped his tea, savoring it. Finally, he exclaimed, “Bingbing, this time I can taste it! Truly, tea must be savored slowly to reveal its flavor. Smooth on entry, lingers in the throat, clean and refreshing, leaves a fragrant aftertaste. Good tea, indeed!”

Lin Chunhua and his entourage were left awkwardly standing by, their faces flushed with embarrassment. Even the seasoned Lin Chunhua was visibly uncomfortable. He turned and kicked Xie Weifeng toward Zeng Xiaofan, scolding, “Xie Weifeng, you fool! Hurry and apologize to my brother! And you, Zhou Tingting!”