Biluochun
Chapter 2: Biluochun Language
After Gu Yanchen left, Shen Qingci sat alone in the teahouse for a long time.
The rain outside the window had stopped at some point, and the sun shone through the clouds, casting dappled shadows on the wet bluestone slabs. The fishy smell of rain gradually dissipated, replaced by the unique freshness after the rain.
Shen Qingci watched the Longjing tea leaves sink to the bottom of her cup, but her mood wasn't quite so bright. Gu Yanchen's words weighed on her heart like a stone. She knew that Shi Yan Investment was a powerful and wealthy company, and that keeping Wanxiang Tea House alive would be no easy task.
She couldn't just sit there and wait for death.
The next morning, Shen Qingci set to work. She first contacted a senior professor of tea culture whom she had met while working at a museum, seeking his knowledge of tea and his experience running a teahouse. The professor admired her determination and offered valuable advice, including recommendations for several classic tea books.
Next, she began sorting through the teahouse's inventory. She discovered that while there was still plenty of tea, much of it had lost its peak flavor due to improper storage. The tea sets were also mostly old, some even dented.
If you want to revive the teahouse, the most urgent thing is to find high-quality tea and suitable tea sets.
Following the old professor's advice, Shen Qingci learned that it was the season for the new Biluochun tea. Known for its "beautiful shape, vibrant color, rich aroma, and mellow flavor," Biluochun was a favorite of many veteran tea drinkers. If he could secure authentic Dongting Mountain Biluochun, perhaps he could attract the teahouse's first customers.
So, Shen Qingci checked the route, packed a simple bag, and headed straight for Dongting Mountain in Suzhou.
Dongting Mountain, shrouded in mist and boasting a humid climate, is the core production area of Biluochun. With the guidance of local tea farmers, Shen Qingci found a family that had been growing tea for generations.
The tea farmer's surname was Wang, and he was a simple and warm-hearted old man. When he heard that Shen Qingci came to look for good tea in order to inherit her grandmother's teahouse, he was very moved and took her to visit his tea garden.
Tea trees grow lushly all over the mountains, their tender green buds and leaves gleaming in the sun. Old Man Wang teaches Shen Qingci how to distinguish good tea from bad, how to judge the fullness of the buds and leaves, and how to smell the aroma of tea.
Shen Qingci studied very seriously, her fingertips brushing over the tender buds and leaves, as if she could feel the gift of nature. With the help of Mr. Wang, she carefully selected a few kilograms of this year's Mingqian Biluochun tea.
After buying the tea, Shen Qingci wandered around the local teaware market. Based on the style of her teahouse, she selected a set of elegant white porcelain covered bowls and several blue and white porcelain cups. Looking at these exquisite tea sets in her hands, she could almost see the delightful expressions of her guests as they savored their tea.
Shen Qingci, having returned with a full load, immediately got busy at the Wanxiang Tea House. Following Mr. Wang's instructions, she carefully packed the tea leaves into clean tin cans to preserve their freshness. She also cleaned the newly purchased tea sets and arranged them neatly.
Just as she was wiping the counter and preparing to greet the first customer, the door of the teahouse was pushed open again.
"jingle--"
Shen Qingci raised his head and looked at the person at the door with some surprise.
The person who came was Gu Yanchen.
He didn't wear a suit today, but a casual white shirt and khaki slacks, which made him look less aggressive and more casual and refreshing. He didn't bring an assistant with him, only one person.
When he saw Shen Qingci, Gu Yanchen's eyes flashed with a hint of subtle surprise, as if he didn't expect her to be busy here. Moreover, the environment in the teahouse was much tidier than the last time he came.
"Mr. Gu?" Shen Qingci looked at him with some confusion, not understanding why he appeared again.
Gu Yanchen didn't answer directly. Instead, he looked around the teahouse, his eyes falling on the new tea cans and tea sets on the counter. Finally, he looked at Shen Qingci, his tone a little softer than last time: "I heard you went to Dongting Mountain?"
Shen Qingci was stunned for a moment. She didn't expect that he even knew this. She nodded without saying anything.
"It seems like you're really planning on keeping this teahouse going." Gu Yanchen walked over to a table and sat down. "Since you're here, do you mind if I have a cup of tea? I heard you brought a new Biluochun."
Shen Qingci looked at him and hesitated. She didn't know what Gu Yanchen was up to, but it didn't seem right to refuse.
"Okay, wait a moment."
She turned and walked to the counter, pulling out her newly purchased Biluochun tea and a white porcelain covered bowl. Following Mr. Wang's instructions, she first moistened the cup with warm water, added the tea leaves, and then poured in hot water at about 80 degrees Celsius.
The tea leaves slowly unfold in the water, like tiny green leaves dancing. The tea soup is clear and bright, exuding a fresh and elegant floral and fruity fragrance.
Shen Qingci brought the brewed tea to Gu Yanchen and gently placed it on the table: "Mr. Gu, please have some tea."
Gu Yanchen picked up the teacup, sniffed the aroma, and then took a sip. The tea was sweet and refreshing, with a noticeable aftertaste. A refreshing feeling spread from the tip of his tongue to the bottom of his heart.
He narrowed his eyes slightly and nodded: "Yes, it is authentic Dongting Mountain Biluochun, and it is made before the Qingming Festival."
Shen Qingci was a little surprised that he actually knew about tea.
"I didn't expect Mr. Gu to also understand tea."
"I understand a little bit." Gu Yanchen put down his teacup and looked at Shen Qingci. "Miss Shen, I know you value this teahouse very much. But the plan for the old city renovation has already been decided, and you can't change it alone. Why don't we talk about it in a different way?"
Shen Qingci's heart was lifted: "What does Mr. Gu want to talk about?"
"I don't have to buy your teahouse." Gu Yanchen's words made Shen Qingci's eyes light up, but his next words made her heart sink again. "However, you need to cooperate with our renovation plan. For example, you can give up part of the teahouse area to widen the street, or renovate it according to our requirements."
Shen Qingci frowned. "How is this different from an acquisition? Once the layout of the teahouse changes, it's no longer the original 'Wanxiang Teahouse'."
"At least it's still there." Gu Yanchen looked at her, "Miss Shen, this is the biggest concession I can make. Please think about it carefully."
He stood up, took out a business card from his pocket, and placed it on the table: "This is my personal number. You can call me when you have time."
After saying this, he turned around and left the teahouse without stopping.
Shen Qingci looked at the business card on the table, then at the cup of steaming Biluochun tea, feeling mixed emotions.
Gu Yanchen's proposal was indeed better than a direct acquisition, but it meant she would have to make compromises and changes to the teahouse, which was something she didn't want to see.
She picked up the cup of tea in front of her and took a sip. The sweetness of Biluochun tea was still on her tongue, but she could not taste any joy.
She knew that the battle for the "Wanxiang Teahouse" had only just begun. And the story between her and Gu Yanchen seemed to be quietly undergoing subtle changes amidst the aroma of this cup of Biluochun tea.
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