SWNOVELXO Chapter 4: Roasting Tea
Behind the teahouse stood an octagonal pavilion, at its center a large iron wok rested above a stone stove, flames licking hungrily at its base.
Clad in a short jacket and undershirt, Wu Zhanggui worked vigorously, stirring the vivid green tea tips in the wok with a cylindrical wooden pestle.
Standing quietly nearby, Wu Guniang watched her father sweat profusely, her face etched with concern. "Father, you've just recovered from your cold. Let me handle this instead."
"You're still lacking in the art of tea roasting," Wu Zhanggui replied, tossing another handful of firewood into the stove. "With Mr. Gu here, I must roast the tea personally."
Pausing briefly, he added, "Besides, after drinking his ink tea, not only is my cold fully gone, but I'm still brimming with energy. If I don't put it to use, wouldn't it be a waste?"
"Go and entertain Mr. Gu. If he's already left, then watch over the teahouse. We won't be closing shop for the next few days."
Hearing this, Wu Guniang nodded quietly. Thoughts swirling, she returned to the teahouse, mulling over the tales her father had told her about Mr. Gu.
The name Mr. Gu was one her father had often mentioned, for as long as she could remember.
If that dashing young man truly was the Mr. Gu who had aided their family decades ago, then his unchanging appearance alone was proof enough that he wasn't an ordinary person. Could he be one of the immortals from the storybooks?
Unconsciously, Wu Guniang arrived back at the teahouse.
The scene before her was lively enough to be described as bustling with activity. Every tea table was packed with patrons, and the floor was dotted with damp footprints.
Most people were sharing tables; those without seats simply squatted near the teahouse entrance, waiting for the sudden rainstorm to subside.
Though preoccupied with thoughts of Gu Ning'an, Wu Guniang was still aware of the activity around her. When someone called for more tea or water, she merely pointed toward the cabinet on one side of the teahouse, leaving them to serve themselves.
Most of the patrons were familiar faces—traveling merchants who made a living along the Muyun Road. As such, no one voiced any complaints about Wu Guniang's detached demeanor.
It was common knowledge that Wu Zhanggui often let patrons help themselves, providing tea leaves and little else.
The teahouse had earned a good reputation over the years—its tea was rich and fragrant, yet reasonably priced. Travelers often sought shelter here during storms, and even if they occupied a spot without ordering much, Wu Zhanggui rarely said a word.
Thus, the teahouse enjoyed a strong rapport with its patrons, and the occasional lack of attentive service was met with understanding smiles.
Meanwhile, Gu Ning'an was deep in conversation with three traveling merchants who had joined him at his table. The four men chatted about everything under the sun, their laughter blending seamlessly with the lively ambiance.
From afar, Wu Guniang spotted Gu Ning'an still seated inside. For some reason, a faint sense of relief washed over her. Quickening her pace, she walked up to him and, after deliberating on how best to address him, softly said, "Mr. Gu, may I trouble you to join me at the counter for a moment?"
"Hmm?" Gu Ning'an looked at Wu Guniang for a moment, then turned to the three merchants at the table. Bowing slightly, he said, "Gentlemen, please excuse me for a while."
The merchants were quick to pick up on the situation. Observing Wu Guniang's demure demeanor and Gu Ning'an's refined elegance, their imaginations quickly ran wild.
"Oh, no need to worry about us, Mr. Gu!"
"Wu Guniang, this Mr. Gu here, with his literary grace and noble bearing, is clearly a distinguished scholar. I think you two make a fine match!"
"Hey! Watch what you're saying! Wu Guniang, don't mind him. Go on, don't let us delay your reunion."
The three merchants exchanged remarks back and forth, leaving Wu Guniang's cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
Even so, she merely shot them a sharp glance with her peach blossom eyes and refrained from offering any rebuttal.
Clang!
Gu Ning'an shifted a wooden bench slightly to the side and looked at the stunned Wu Guniang. "Why are you standing there in a daze?"
"Ah!" Wu Guniang snapped out of it in a panic and quickly pointed in a direction. "This way, please."
Gu Ning'an followed her pointing finger, then frowned. "When did your counter move to the latrine?"
Whoosh!
Wu Guniang whipped her head around and confirmed that her direction was correct. She turned back and replied confidently, "It's not! The latrine isn't even in this building!"
However, by the time she turned back again, she realized Gu Ning'an had already started walking toward the actual counter. He hadn't stayed to wait for her at all.
Realizing she'd been tricked, Wu Guniang gritted her teeth in frustration and muttered, "Father was right… The more handsome a man is, the more deceitful he becomes!"
Despite her grumbling, she hurried to catch up with Gu Ning'an as he walked toward the counter.
The tea house's counter was formed by two waist-high rectangular cabinets placed side by side.
The counter's exterior was a dark reddish hue, and its surface was sparsely adorned with a few inverted teacups, a clean tablecloth, and a single purple clay teapot.
The teapot's lid was open, revealing some aged tea leaves inside.
This tea wasn't meant for brewing but rather for letting patrons catch a whiff of its aroma, doubling as a decorative item.
Gu Ning'an picked up the purple clay teapot and sniffed it. A rich, aged tea fragrance wafted out immediately.
"Sir Gu!" Wu Guniang, still fuming from being teased, glared at him. She seemed intent on staring him down to make him feel guilty.
But this tactic clearly didn't work on someone like Gu Ning'an. No matter how much older she had grown or how her appearance had changed, in his eyes, she was still the chubby little girl he remembered as "Little Threeflower."
As the seconds ticked by, Wu Guniang's eyes began to ache from staring so hard. Meanwhile, Gu Ning'an continued to toy with the teapot, paying her no mind whatsoever.
Unable to endure any longer, she lowered her voice and complained, "Sir Gu, how much longer are you going to look at that teapot?"
A crisp snap echoed!
Wu Guniang's eyes welled with tears as she clutched her forehead with both hands. Her peach blossom eyes turned slightly red at the corners.
It was the second time.
From childhood to now, not even her father had ever hit her.
And today, the same man had flicked her forehead twice!
Overwhelmed with emotion, her slightly round cheeks and red lips trembled faintly.
It looked like the tea house was about to experience its own "rainfall"!
Gu Ning'an set the teapot down and frowned. "Enough. Don't act like you did as a child, bursting into tears at the drop of a hat."
Holding back her tears, Wu Guniang stammered, "Why did you hit me!"
"You called me over without explaining why, then questioned me harshly…" Gu Ning'an paused and smirked. "So I gave you a little lesson. Why not?"
Wu Guniang let out a confused "Ah?" For a moment, she felt like she had indeed been impolite.
Whether this handsome man was her father's old acquaintance or the "immortal" of legend, one thing was certain: he had cured her father's cold. That made him their benefactor.
Not thanking him was bad enough, but she had even questioned him. When had she ever been so tactless?
Maybe she'd been stunned by the flick—er, maybe she had simply reacted poorly. Either way, in just a few moments, Wu Guniang had already completed her "self-reflection."