Keemun black tea

Chapter 5: Keemun Black Tea

After Gu Yanchen left, Shen Qingci reviewed the new renovation plan. It was indeed a very thoughtful plan. Not only did it preserve the main structure of the "Evening Fragrance Teahouse" but it also planned to beautify the surrounding environment and even promised to cover part of the teahouse's renovation costs.

This was almost the best outcome she could have imagined.

But she still felt hesitant. She wasn't sure if Gu Yanchen's transformation was genuine or a more subtle business strategy. After all, the business world was like a battlefield, and she knew too little about Gu Yanchen.

Over the next few days, Shen Qingci managed the teahouse while thinking about the plan. She consulted with several old neighbors, including Grandpa Chen, and they all thought the plan was very rare and advised her to seize the opportunity.

That evening, after the teahouse closed, Shen Qingci was packing up. She took out her phone, looked at Gu Yanchen's personal number, hesitated for a long time, and finally pressed the dial button.

The phone rang a few times before it was picked up. Gu Yanchen's deep voice came from the receiver, with a hint of subtle surprise: "Miss Chen?"

"Hello, Mr. Gu." Shen Qingci's voice was a little nervous. "I want to discuss the plan with you in person."

"Okay." Gu Yanchen's voice sounded very happy. "I happen to be free tomorrow afternoon. Let's meet at the Evening Fragrance Tea House?"

"Can."

After hanging up the phone, Shen Qingci breathed a sigh of relief, feeling both excited and nervous.

The next afternoon, Gu Yanchen arrived at the teahouse on time. He was still dressed in casual clothes and holding a briefcase.

"Good afternoon, Miss Shen." He greeted with a smile, his attitude natural, without the previous alienation and oppression.

"Mr. Gu, please sit down." Shen Qingci poured him a glass of warm water.

The two sat down by the window. Gu Yanchen opened his briefcase and took out a more detailed supplementary agreement: "Ms. Shen, this is a supplementary agreement based on the previous plan. It clearly defines the rights and obligations of both parties, especially the clauses regarding the protection and repair of the teahouse. You can take a closer look."

Shen Qingci took the agreement and read it carefully. The terms of the agreement were clearly written, without any ambiguity, and indeed fully protected the interests of the teahouse.

"Mr. Gu, this agreement..." Shen Qingci raised his head and looked at him with some confusion, "Why do you want to do this? This doesn't seem to be in the interests of your company."

Gu Yanchen looked at her, was silent for a few seconds, and then smiled slightly: "Ms. Shen, not everything can be measured by interests."

He paused, then continued, "I actually lived in a similar old neighborhood when I was a kid, but later moved because of renovations. The warmth between neighbors and the memories in those old houses are priceless. Seeing the Evening Fragrance Tea House brought back so many memories from my childhood."

Shen Qingci was a little surprised. She didn't expect Gu Yanchen to have such a past.

"Furthermore," Gu Yanchen's gaze fell on her face, "I believe that a place with history and warmth is more valuable than a cold commercial building complex. In your hands, the 'Evening Fragrance Tea House' will become a highlight of this old street, which is also a good thing for our renovation project."

His words were sincere and earnest, which gradually dispelled Shen Qingci's doubts.

"Mr. Gu, thank you." Shen Qingci said sincerely, "I have no objection to this agreement."

Gu Yanchen nodded, a pleased smile on his face. "Great. Then we'll arrange the signing as soon as possible."

The matter was settled and the atmosphere became much more relaxed.

"Miss Shen, to celebrate our consensus, how about I treat you to a cup of tea?" Gu Yanchen suggested.

"I should be the one to invite Mr. Gu." Shen Qingci said with a smile, "Thank you for your understanding and support of the teahouse."

She stood up and walked to the counter. After thinking for a while, she took out a can of Keemun black tea.

"Mr. Gu, try this." Shen Qingci brewed some tea for him and handed it to him. "Keemen black tea is known as the 'Queen of Black Tea'. It has a very unique aroma and is known as the 'Keemen fragrance'."

Gu Yanchen picked up the teacup and sniffed the aroma. It was a complex and elegant fragrance, with notes of flowers and fruits, and a hint of honey, rich and layered. He took a sip; the tea was rich and sweet, with a smooth taste and a lingering aftertaste.

"It truly lives up to its reputation," Gu Yanchen exclaimed. "Miss Shen's understanding of tea continues to deepen."

"I learned all this from old professors and tea farmers." Shen Qingci said somewhat embarrassedly.

As they drank tea, they chatted casually, from tea leaves to ancient book restoration, from the history of the old neighborhood to their respective hobbies. Shen Qingci discovered that Gu Yanchen was actually a person of great substance and taste, not as cold and heartless as she had initially imagined. Gu Yanchen was also attracted by Shen Qingci's intelligence, tenacity, and love of life.

Before I knew it, the sky gradually darkened.

"It's getting late. I should go." Gu Yanchen stood up. "I'll have my assistant contact you as soon as possible regarding the contract."

"Okay." Shen Qingci saw him to the door.

Gu Yanchen walked to the door, turned around and said, "Miss Shen, if you need any help in the future, you can always come to me."

"Thank you, Mr. Gu."

Shen Qingci felt a warm feeling in her heart as she watched Gu Yanchen's car disappear into the night. She returned to the teahouse and looked at the steaming cup of Keemun black tea on the table. The corners of her mouth unconsciously curled up.

She knew that the crisis at "Wanxiang Tea House" had finally been resolved. And the relationship between her and Gu Yanchen, quietly entering a new beginning over this cup of mellow, sweet Keemun black tea, was finally over.