Elder Grandpa Bound to a Smartphone

Jian stood in the kitchen, staring at a battered tin of green tea, a jar of honey, and an old basil plant on the windowsill that was technically still alive.

His mom had complained of poor sleep lately.

Sheng Tai's misty figure drifted from the phone.

"What do you offer a tired soul?" Jian asked and continuedly said "I'm broke, Grandpa. All I've got is expired leaves and kitchen sadness."

"Then brew with sincerity." Sheng Tai replied

"That doesn't sound like a real technique." Jian replied

⸻

Few moments later, he plucked five basil leaves. Rinsed them. Rolled them between his fingers to release their scent.

Opened the green tea tin and noticed the faint bitterness. He measured one spoon and heated the water — not quite boiling. Let it settle then he added everything into a mug.

Watched the steam rise like a miniature spirit.

"Now. Infuse it."

Jian squinted. "With what?"

"Your calm. Your care. Your intention. Let your breath enter the brew."

"…I feel like you're making me emotionally responsible for this cup of tea."

"That is the Dao of Brewing."

⸻

Jian sat cross-legged and cupped the mug with both hands. He inhaled and counted four seconds then Exhaled slowly.

Each breath, each quiet thought, each flicker of warmth in his palms, he imagined seeping into the cup.

A pale glow shimmered around the surface.

"That is Calm Qi."

He blinked and thought that the tea felt… soft and comforting. It almost like it breathed back.

⸻

That evening, his mom got home — exhausted, groceries in hand, shoes soaked from rain.

Jian offered the mug silently. She blinked, surprised. "What's this?"

"Sleeping tea," he mumbled. "Made with uh… Daoist basil. Very premium."

She raised an eyebrow, then took a sip. Paused then shoulders slumped and a deep breath left her lungs like a burden sliding off.

She smiled — slow, genuine. "That's… really nice."

"She receives your Qi," Grandpa whispered.

Jian felt oddly proud.

⸻

An hour later, his mom was snoring on the couch — peacefully wrapped in a blanket, remote still in hand.

The mug sat empty beside her. Jian didn't say anything. Just watched her chest rise and fall.

"Your first spiritual remedy," Grandpa said. "Infused. Effective. Gentle."

Jian Li nodded and heard "She will awaken rested." Sheng Tian stated

"…Even if she dreams of basil?" Jian asked

"Possibly but that is a blessing." Sheng Tian replied

⸻

Jian opened his notebook and scribbled:

Remedy #001 – Sleep Tea

Ingredients: green tea, basil, honey

Process: calm infusion, breath syncing

Notes: surprisingly effective

Reaction: mother slept for 5 hrs, no complaints, possible mild snore-Qi resonance

Rating: ★★★★☆

He grinned and then wrote a second entry:

Remedy #002 – For Myself?

And underlined it twice.