At home, after breakfast, Lin Yi originally planned to go to the antique market to find some treasures, but unfortunately, Empress Dowager Ye wouldn't allow it.
Having no choice, Lin Yi could only retreat back to his room to 'study'.
And at the office unit, Father Lin looked at the tea leaves that were only half a bucket left and couldn't help but sigh, "Used almost two pounds of tea leaves to make tea eggs, that's really something..."
Actually, there was something he hadn't told Empress Dowager Ye, that this bucket of tea leaves did not just cost four hundred yuan, but fourteen hundred yuan.
He just feared being scolded by his wife, so he mentioned a smaller amount, which is also why Father Lin felt so distressed.
After all, that extra thousand yuan was saved up from him being 'frugal'!
"Sigh, forget it, better pack a small box to take back."
For safety's sake, Father Lin simply used a small wooden box he got for nine yuan and nine with free shipping on Taobao to pack a small box of tea leaves, whose weight would be about one liang, which would be enough for him to drink for half a month. By then, he'd just refill it some more.
But just as he took out the tea leaves from the big barrel, Father Lin felt something wasn't quite right, why did these tea leaves look different from when he drank them yesterday?
How come the color looks brighter than yesterday? And the scent seems a bit different too?
While packing, he was puzzled. After packing the small wooden box, Father Lin sealed the large barrel of tea leaves and stored it in his office cabinet.
He picked up the small box of tea leaves, examined it closely, then pinched a few leaves into his teacup and filled it with boiling water.
Although Father Lin enjoyed drinking tea and understood tea ceremony, after all, his position now was just a deputy production manager, which frankly didn't reach the level of having tea sets in the office.
Therefore, on usual days, Father Lin still used his Yixing clay teacup for brewing.
Knock, knock, knock.
Father Lin had just closed the lid of his cup when the office door was knocked from outside. Before he could say "come in," the door was pushed open.
Then, an energetic elderly man walked in unhurriedly, taking steps in a steady but relaxed manner:
"Haha, here so early, Xiao Lin."
Seeing the visitor, Father Lin quickly stood up to greet him, showing a smile on his face:
"Oh my, Chairman Chen, how come you came in person? If you have any instructions, just call me."
This elderly man was none other than the top manager here, Factory Director Chen Tianpeng.
Although Father Lin was already forty years old, in front of Chen Tianpeng, he still could be called Xiao Lin, after all, the elderly man was nearing retirement age.
As for Chen Tianpeng, this elderly man's personality was very strict and responsible, for decades in office, he almost never took a day off from coming to the factory.
Recently, Chen Tianpeng had matters to handle here, so he came to the factory an hour earlier every day, and every time he arrived early, he'd see Father Lin.
Today was no different. When his car drove into the factory gate, he saw Father Lin riding his electric scooter ahead.
Though the old man was usually very strict, he most appreciated diligent workers like Father Lin. Compared to the high-level management under him who are just muddling along, Father Lin's work attitude was frankly impeccable.
Half a month ago, Chen Tianpeng already had thoughts of promoting Father Lin's position as deputy production manager.
Chen Tianpeng signaled to Father Lin, who came to greet him, gestured, and said with a smile:
"I saw you ahead of me when I just entered the factory, so I came over to take a look."
While speaking, the two of them sat down on the reception sofa and started chatting.
But while chatting, Chen Tianpeng suddenly twitched his nose and then curiously asked:
"Eh? Xiao Lin, did you make tea? Wait a minute, let me smell it. If I'm not mistaken, it should be Longjing! Hmm, the aroma is quite authentic! Haha, if you don't mind, could I have a taste?"
Upon hearing Chen Tianpeng's words, Father Lin immediately patted his forehead, and somewhat embarrassedly stood up to fetch the tea while speaking:
"Oh dear, you see, I got so excited seeing you that I forgot. My bad, my bad. I just got some decent tea leaves and was planning to give you some anyway, since you're here, it saves me the trip, haha."
No matter how you put it, Father Lin has been in the factory for over a decade, and naturally, he knew about Chen Tianpeng's fondness for tea.
Wherever he was, every time Father Lin saw Chen Tianpeng, he'd see him holding a big teacup. In fact, Father Lin's habit of drinking tea was partly influenced by Chen Tianpeng.
Upon hearing Father Lin's words, Chen Tianpeng didn't hold back, chuckling as he directly handed over his own teacup:
"Haha, I could smell it, your tea leaves smell much better than mine. Come on, pour out mine and put yours in, let me have a taste."
A moment later, Chen Tianpeng brought his big teacup to his nose, smelled its delightful aroma, and looked at the tender buds spreading in the water, praising it as good tea!
After taking a light sip, the flavor lingered on:
"Hmm, good tea! Good tea! Your tea is much better than the old man's I've been drinking, not cheap, is it?"
His gaze fell upon the small box of tea leaves Father Lin placed before him. Chen Tianpeng was genuinely tempted, but he didn't directly accept it and asked.
After all, if it was too precious, he definitely wouldn't take it.
Upon hearing this, Father Lin just chuckled and waved his hand:
"Hey, I can't afford really expensive tea leaves. Just bought it yesterday, fourteen hundred yuan a barrel."
As soon as he said this, Chen Tianpeng almost spat out the tea he was drinking.
Fourteen hundred yuan a barrel? Glancing at the box of tea leaves in front of him, this barrel looked like it might only hold one liang!
In other words, fourteen hundred yuan per liang! And that's not expensive??
Even for someone so fond of tea as him, the most expensive one he drank was only one or two hundred yuan per liang.
Seeing this, Chen Tianpeng smiled helplessly:
"Haha, didn't expect you to have quite a solid family background. Alright, I've had the tea, I'll be going now. I won't take the tea leaves since they're quite pricey."
After saying this, Chen Tianpeng was ready to get up and leave, and meanwhile, he was somewhat disappointed in Father Lin. After all, with Father Lin's current income of five thousand yuan a month spending fourteen hundred yuan per liang on tea leaves made him a bit dissatisfied.
But Father Lin was taken aback seeing this, as they had just started drinking tea, how come he suddenly wanted to leave?
However, Father Lin was quick-witted. Seeing Chen Tianpeng's expression, he immediately realized the other party might have misunderstood, so he promptly let out an awkward laugh and quickly explained:
"Ahem, please don't misunderstand, when I say a barrel, I didn't mean such a small barrel..."
After finishing, Father Lin hurriedly got up, walked to the cabinet, and brought out a three-pound bucket of tea leaves.
[To be continued...]