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The tea was exquisite.
The moment it touched their tongues, a warmth bloomed across their palates like a gentle sunrise.
Smooth, rich, yet airy and fragrant—there was no bitterness, no powdery residue, no sharpness on the throat.
Instead, it melted like silk down their throats, leaving behind a delicate trail of jasmine, subtle roasted undertones, and the faintest whisper of honey.
They each took another sip in silence, letting the flavor speak.
Master Fu's eyes lit up. He placed the cup down carefully, almost reverently. "This tea… It's heavenly. Clean and mellow, not a hint of bitterness. It tastes like the first morning of spring."
Master Lu chuckled, lifting his cup again. "And the fragrance—subtle, but layered. A harmony of notes. It dances on the palate."
Master Chen swirled his tea gently, then sipped again. "There's depth. Earthy yet soft. It reminds me of the blend I tasted in Kyoto many years ago. But this… this is more soulful."
Master Lu swirled the cup slightly, examining the gentle amber hue before taking another sip.
"There's balance. The heat, the scent, the aftertaste—just right. Not too sharp, not too faint. It calms the chest."
—
Across from them, Lin Yue only smiled.
She remembered the taste.
The motions.
In her bleakest days, the woman had become a lighthouse. A mentor, a comfort, and in many ways, a mother.
Now she was gone.
And yet, in every swirl of aroma and every graceful pour, she lived again.
"Where did you learn this?" Master Fu finally asked, setting down his cup with awe. "This kind of tea... the soul of it is rare. It's as if you poured yourself into it."
Lin Yue's smile softened, gaze dipping slightly. "From someone very important to me."
Master Fu nodded. "Then they were a very good teacher."
"She was," Lin Yue said.
Mrs. Tang had taught her a lot. She taught her everything—tea brewing, painting, calligraphy, cooking.
But more than that, she taught her how to believe in myself. That no one is a mistake in this world.
That life gets better, even when it doesn't feel like it.
Lin Yue blinked, the rising mist in her eyes disguised by the steam from the teacup. She took a sip, her throat slightly tight.
She would visit her.
This week. When she returned to Zhongwen District, she'd bring her a bouquet of white lilies.
And maybe… maybe even this tea.
—
A soft silence fell over the room.
There was a reverence to her tone, a sacredness in the memory she held.
The three Masters, all seasoned in their years and life experiences, recognized that kind of love—the rare, unrepayable kind.
Master Lu cleared his throat after a moment. "And how's the project going?"
Lin Yue straightened. "It's going well. The bidding will be in three days."
"Ah, that's right." Master Lu leaned forward slightly. "Do you remember what I told you?"
Lin Yue frowned a little, tilting her head. "You mean... to look for you after the project?"
He nodded, a mysterious smile playing on his lips.
She chuckled lightly. "I remember. Once the bidding ends, I'll come to you."
Master Fu squinted at Master Lu, suspicious. "What exactly are you planning?"
Master Lu only rolled his eyes. "Nothing you need to worry about. Must you always assume I'm scheming?"
"Because you are!" Master Fu grumbled. "Don't go luring the girl into your weird philosophies again."
Before an argument could erupt, Master Chen turned to Lin Yue. "Do you have more paintings?"
Lin Yue nodded. "Yes, a few more I've finished recently."
His face lit up. "Would you consider selling them? I collect beautiful things—art especially. There's something honest about your work. It speaks."
Lin Yue smiled. "I can send them over."
"Perfect. Let me have your number. I'll call when I'm free."
As they sipped and chatted, the air in the tea room felt warmer, friendlier. Laughter sparked here and there.
Lin Yue's voice was soft but firm, thoughtful but not shy.
Her presence carried a quiet grace that made the space feel gentler.
—
Half an hour passed in what felt like moments.
Suddenly, Master Fu set down his cup and looked at her with hopeful eyes.
Then Master Chen.
Then Master Lu.
Three pairs of eyes glinting with... longing?
Lin Yue raised an eyebrow. "Why are you all looking at me like that?"
"Um," Master Fu scratched the back of his head. "Would it be... too much to ask if you made us another pot?"
Lin Yue laughed. "Seriously?"
They nodded in unison.
With a sigh—and a smile tugging at her lips—Lin Yue stood. "Alright, alright…"
—
As she moved toward the small tea preparation table, the three men sat in perfect stillness. Their eyes followed her every movement— no blinking.
Every move.
From how she scooped the leaves, to how she warmed the pot, to how she poured the water with a steady, practiced hand.
It was like watching a performance from a different time.
Her back straight, fingers flowing with elegance, her face serene and timeless.
She looked different now. Not like the young woman they were with just now, all quiet resilience and careful strength.
No, in this moment, Lin Yue radiated grace.
The way she held the tea scoop, how her fingers curled delicately over the porcelain, how her gaze remained serene and focused—it was like watching a scene from a period drama.
There was something deeply poetic about her.
Something refined.
Like she didn't belong in the chaos of this modern world—but in a palace garden surrounded by silk curtains and moonlight.
"She's like an ancient lady from a scroll," Master Chen whispered.
"The posture," added Master Lu. "Her hands—elegant like calligraphy."
Master Fu simply nodded, breath caught in his throat, deeply intrigued.
—
Was it thirty minutes later? Perhaps less. The time had melted.
When Lin Yue finally straightened, she quietly said, "Done."
She poured them each another cup.
This time, they sipped even more slowly.
Like the tea was gold and they feared wasting even a drop.
Lin Yue sat back, arms resting gently on her knees as she watched them with amusement.
Her lips curved into a smile. They really did enjoy it.
They chatted on, the sunlight stretching golden over the floor, casting long shadows across the tea room.
Lin Yue eventually glanced at her phone.
Almost 5:00 PM.
She stood. "I should get going. It'll be dark soon."
The three Masters looked up reluctantly.
Master Chen stood too. "Don't forget my paintings."
"I won't," she said with a laugh.
Master Fu and Master Lu walked to her side.
"You should call more often when you're free," Master Fu said. "So you can make us tea."
Lin Yue laughed again, her smile lighting up the room. "Okay, okay. I'll call."
Master Lu turned to the entrance and signaled to a man nearby. "Send her off and drive her home safely."
The man nodded and approached with quiet efficiency.
Lin Yue gave a small bow. "Thank you for the hospitality."
As she followed the man out, her silhouette framed by the golden light, all three Masters stood watching.
"Shes... not ordinary. She's going to shake the world someday," Master Chen said quietly.
"No," Master Fu replied, lifting his cup. "She already is."
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