Chapter 46: Tea Tasting
The address given by Su Feng was a tea house on a pedestrian street.
The tea house was named Mingya Studio, an antique three-story building, and they even specially hired someone inside to tell stories, truly giving it an air of elegant leisure.
As soon as Jiang Ce arrived, Su Feng on the third floor spotted him from the window facing the street, hurriedly waved at him, then came downstairs to greet him.
Coming down with Su Feng was also an old man dressed in Tang-style clothing, who was calling over the waiter to attend to them; he appeared to be the tea house’s shopkeeper.
“Master Jiang, long time no see.” Su Feng greeted him with a smile, and Jiang Ce nodded amicably in response.
Sensing the faint and serene atmosphere in the tea house, Jiang Ce praised, “The style here is quite high-class.”
“Restaurants and hotels are ultimately just for social obligations; for making friends, chatting, and passing the time, of course one comes to a tea house.”
Su Feng led Jiang Ce upstairs, enthusiastically introducing:
“Our general manager usually likes to gather here with old friends; he’s a regular. Influenced by him, I also like to come here in my spare time to listen to storytelling, order a pot of tea, and sit for an afternoon without feeling bored. If you find it satisfactory later, I’ll have the shopkeeper send you a membership card, so you can invite a few friends to relax here in the future.”
Jiang Ce secretly sighed to himself, thinking he had already stepped into the world of capital, but unexpectedly he was still so far off; real rich people thought about drinking tea to cultivate their temperament, while his mind was full of bar emperor seats cranked to the max.
The realm gap was still too big.
Compared like this, one was born into wealth, the other a parvenu—clear as day.
The shopkeeper was perceptive and immediately subtly showed Jiang Ce the value of membership while highlighting Su Feng’s status:
“Since this distinguished guest is Boss Su’s friend, even if not a member yet, our shop will definitely serve you to membership standards. We just don’t know what tea Boss Jiang usually likes? Not to brag, as long as you name it, we have the best quality and rarest domestic varieties here, and we can give you an 80% discount at market price.”
Hearing this, Jiang Ce felt a bit unconvinced.
Yo, such a big tone?
“Do you have this June’s new tea here?”
“June’s new tea?” The shopkeeper blinked, first glanced at the bewildered Su Feng, then cautiously probed, “Does Boss Jiang mean the one with ink fragrance? We don’t have it now, but we can prepare it and notify you when it’s ready.”
Damn! It really exists? Sorry, I spoke too boldly.
Jiang Ce suddenly felt a bit dizzy and hurriedly waved his hand: “Ah no no, I don’t know much, just said it in jest; arrange something casual is fine.”
“Uh, alright, then shall we arrange according to Boss Su’s usual specifications?” The shopkeeper was puzzled but didn’t ask more.
“Whatever.”
After sending the shopkeeper away, Su Feng then said, “I didn’t expect Master Jiang to have quite some knowledge of tea. I was originally prepared to recommend a few I usually like; nearly made a fool of myself showing off in front of an expert.”
Jiang Ce shook his head, looking calm and composed: “Just average research, average research.”
Heh, I know jack about tea; damn, I just knew these rich people couldn’t possibly have any refined pursuits.
Is this a tea house? I don’t even want to point it out!
The two harbored their own thoughts, exchanging pleasantries, and arrived on the third floor while talking.
Pushing open the room door, Jiang Ce discovered that the person he was meeting wasn’t just Su Feng alone; three people were already seated in the room.
Jiang Ce looked at Su Feng puzzledly, and the latter responded with an apologetic glance, then first arranged for Jiang Ce to sit before introducing those present.
“Let me introduce everyone: this is Jiang Ce, Master Jiang, whom I’ve mentioned to you all. He’s not only an achieved high person but also saved my son’s life; he’s our family’s benefactor.”
Then he raised his palm toward the white-haired old man in an exquisitely tailored suit at the seat opposite the sect leader position: “This is Old Liu, the sect leader of Luoshan Group, a renowned real estate entrepreneur in the country.”
Jiang Ce nodded: “Old Liu.”
Old Liu smiled: “Little Su has mentioned you; I thought you were advanced in years, but unexpectedly so young—truly a young hero.”
“You’re too kind.” Jiang Ce responded indifferently.
Seeing Jiang Ce wasn’t very interested, Old Liu said a few more polite words and left it at that.
Su Feng’s eyelid twitched; he thought, a few days no see, and Jiang Ce was putting on even more airs?
But he had indeed misunderstood Jiang Ce; his aloofness was just because after seeing Wei Lao’s demeanor, he had no interest whatsoever in these random people who dared to call themselves “old” regardless of who they were.
Others’ “old” had style, but yours just meant actually old in age.
Of course, the most important point was that he had never heard of Luoshan Group and didn’t know its weight.
So to him, this introduction was merely a label to let him know what you do—wasted effort showing charm to the blind; he didn’t even know you were trying to show off.
“This is Assistant Jin; the one beside is the expert he invited to discuss solving the problem, Daoist Wang.”
Hearing this, Jiang Ce raised an eyebrow: “So I’m actually the backup?”
Su Feng panicked upon hearing: “No no, Master Jiang, don’t misunderstand; it’s just to pool ideas.”
Jiang Ce gave a cold laugh twice and said no more.
The atmosphere suddenly became awkward.
Old Liu lightly coughed twice and smoothed things over: “Master Jiang, don’t blame Little Su; he personally thinks very highly of you. It’s just that Little Jin was also concerned about this matter and pulled strings to invite Daoist Wang. I’m an outsider; my mind still holds to that old idea of strength in numbers. If I’ve offended any taboos, it’s my fault; I apologize to you first.”
Clearly, Su Feng hadn’t expected Old Liu to say this and was momentarily flattered, gratefully looking toward Old Liu.
With Old Liu saying this, Jiang Ce felt much better inside and couldn’t help secretly admiring: no wonder he’s an entrepreneur; regardless of ability, at least his words are pleasant to hear—one sentence explained the situation clearly, and even elevated him; truly skilled.
But before Jiang Ce could go along with it, a clown suddenly jumped out.
That so-called expert in a Daoist robe scavenged from who-knows-which second-hand market actually chimed in affectedly: “Old Liu is indeed a big shot; such magnanimity is beyond us. Actually, when I came, like this master, I thought I was the only choice. Only after arriving did I learn there were other experts present.
I originally had some ideas too, but out of respect for Old Liu, I didn’t mention anything. Unexpectedly, this master voiced dissatisfaction before me. Sigh, actually everyone needn’t worry; we’re all here to solve the problem. The most important goal is to handle this matter beautifully; everything else is secondary.
If it’s really difficult, I can leave now and vacate the spot; it’s fine to leave it for this master.”
Old Liu frowned slightly; Assistant Jin, seeing this, hurriedly smoothed things over and appeased him. Su Feng awkwardly picked up his teacup for a sip, while Jiang Ce tsked lightly.
“No wonder it’s a tea house; this tea aroma is truly exceptional, just a bit pungent.”
Daoist Wang was stunned: “What do you mean?”
Jiang Ce shrugged: “No meaning; you leave then. You don’t think I’ll try to keep you, do you? No way, no way, no one talks like a dry fart—just noise without substance, right?”
