Chapter 217 - 201: Going on a Trip
Chapter 217: Chapter 201: Going on a Trip
Tang Qingshan was busy pouring hot water to rinse the teacups and portion out the tea. Suddenly, his scalp tingled. He glanced up and saw his parents staring at him with burning intensity, which left him a bit baffled. ’I was just back in March. Surely the two of them haven’t forgotten what their son looks like, right?’
He raised a simple, charmingly rustic purple bamboo tube in his hand and said to Grandpa Tang, "Father, this is the Qingming tea Manman sent me. I thought it was excellent, so I brought some for you to try!"
"What? Manman sent it to you?"
Grandpa Tang immediately walked over, took the purple bamboo tube to admire it, then lifted the lid and took a sniff. Seeing Mr. Gu approaching, he let him smell it as well. The two men exclaimed in unison, "What a fragrance! A top-quality aroma! I wonder how it tastes."
"Just a moment. The tea will be ready soon. Everyone can have a taste and judge for yourselves!" Tang Qingshan said with a smile, his hands never ceasing their work. He poured out the clear, jade-green brew, filling each teacup one by one. Instantly, the aroma of tea filled the room, as if it had perfumed the entire world.
Grandpa Tang took a deep, greedy breath, already intoxicated before he even drank any. He then took a small sip of the hot tea. It was mellow and smooth, with a rich fragrance that left a sweet aftertaste. After just one small cup, his throat and chest felt clear and comfortable, and a sense of ease spread through his entire body. He couldn’t help but say with a strong hint of jealousy:
"I say, Qingshan, how come Manman sent you tea but not me?"
Tang Qingshan couldn’t hide the triumphant look in his smile. "This is wild tea from the deep mountains. My daughter came across it when she went into the mountains during the Qingming Festival and only managed to gather half a tube. She said that since I work so hard and smoke often, she sent it over, saying that no matter how much I smoke, I’ll be fine as long as I drink this tea!"
Gu Qifan looked on with envy, clicking his tongue. "What a good daughter. I’d love to have a daughter like that... A daughter-in-law would be fine too!"
Old Mrs. Gu glanced at her younger son with a smile, thinking, ’Even if she doesn’t become your daughter-in-law, she might become your niece-in-law. You should be happy either way!’
Grandpa Tang feigned dissatisfaction. "Your Uncle Gu and I may not smoke, but we don’t work any less than you do! You have to split this tea with us, half and half!"
"Of course, I’ll share! I brought it back specifically for the two of you. I don’t need it!" Tang Qingshan said.
"Why don’t you need it now?" Mr. Gu, who had been quietly downing several cups of tea, looked up and blinked. "We just want a share. We didn’t say we were going to take all of it."
Tang Qingshan laughed. "After working hard for months, I finally scraped together a few days off. I’m heading to the South first thing tomorrow! Manman and Hao Hao are about to have their harvest break, so I’m going to have my daughter lead me into the mountains to pick some myself! Consider this half-tube of tea a gift from Manman and me, from father and daughter to our respected elders!"
Hearing this, Grandma Tang was overjoyed. "Oh, son, you truly are Mommy’s good boy! Let’s go together, the two of us. I’ve already packed my bags!"
Tang Qingshan replied, "Alright, Mom. I’ll take you on a trip to see your grandson and granddaughter!"
Grandpa Tang: ...
So the mother and son were off to enjoy themselves, soon to have a happy reunion with the two dear grandchildren, leaving him all alone... His good mood from getting the tea was instantly ruined.
Mr. Gu picked up his teacup and clinked it against Grandpa Tang’s. "They’ll only be gone a few days. I’ll come keep you company. We two brothers can set up the chessboard and play all night long!"
Old Mrs. Gu watched the two of them console each other, clinking their cups and drinking tea, looking for all the world like a pair of deeply affectionate, kindred spirits. She didn’t know whether to be exasperated or amused. ’It’s a good thing they’re the same gender and can’t be husband and wife. Otherwise, who knows how inseparable they’d be!’
After greedily drinking a few more cups of tea, Gu Qifan took the two bags of dried and candied fruit Grandma Tang gave him, said he had work to do, and took his leave.
Grandma Tang packed another small bag for Old Mrs. Gu, saying with a smile, "This is the last of it, I’m afraid. The jar’s empty now."
Old Mrs. Gu picked up a slice of dried peach, placed it in her mouth, and savored it carefully. She then reluctantly re-wrapped the paper bag and put it away. "This tastes too good. I’d better save it for my third daughter-in-law. She’s pregnant and needs special care, so she deserves the best!"
Grandma Tang looked at Old Mrs. Gu and smiled, pursing her lips. "We were so competitive when we were young, always bickering. But ever since Qingyun disobeyed and ran off with that man, I haven’t had the heart to compete with you anymore. You’re the truly fortunate one. Your children and grandchildren are outstanding, and all your daughters-in-law are so filial. You can even dote on them... I can only dream of that!"
"Listen to you," Old Mrs. Gu chided her gently. "Our two families are practically one and the same. You’re envious of my good fortune? How about I share it with you? I have three daughters-in-law. Pick whichever one you want, and I’ll send her over for you to dote on!"
The two old friends burst into laughter.
Old Mrs. Gu said, "But speaking of which, that batch of dried fruit was truly exceptional. Of the few pounds you gave me, the little ones snatched them all up in less than half a day! The dried fish was amazing too—thick, fragrant, perfectly chewy, and without a hint of fishiness. It’s much better than the sea fish my second son brings back. No wonder my third daughter-in-law wants more after trying it! If we can find out where it’s from, we should buy a large stock and let these little gluttons eat their fill."
"The dried fruit is from Lingnan, and the dried fish and shrimp are from the deep lakes around Jingzhou. I have no idea how they’re made, they’re just delicious. It’s a shame we got so little this time."
Grandma Tang answered vaguely. The relationship between the Tang and Gu Families was extraordinary. Tang Renqian and Gu Yuanhua had even been betrothed before birth; when they couldn’t become husband and wife, they became sworn brothers instead, and their bond was seamless. There was really no need to hide things from Old Mrs. Gu. However, a few days ago, she had spoken with her granddaughter on the phone and asked where she bought all these delicious things and if she could send more, even if the price was high. But her granddaughter had said: ’These are all treasures from the mountains and rivers, precious and rare. You can’t just find them when you want to. Grandpa and Grandma, please don’t make a big deal out of it or tell everyone. If we have them, we eat them. If we don’t, there’s nothing to be done!’
The old couple had discussed it and decided to make up a story, vowing not to mention that their granddaughter had sent the items.
Five people were gathered around the tea table, split into two separate conversations. But now, the topic being discussed by Mr. Gu, Grandpa Tang, and Tang Qingshan drew the attention of the two grandmothers as well.
"Uncle Gu, now that Shaojun has recovered, shouldn’t he be coming home?" Tang Qingshan asked as he refilled Mr. Gu’s cup.
Mr. Gu shook his head. "The battle was won, and the troops have withdrawn from the front lines. They’re all regrouping at a designated location to rest and await orders. Shaojun is very busy right now and can’t come back yet. The initial reports were mistaken. He was only ’scratched’—it was just a minor injury. He was out of the hospital in less than a week. He’s perfectly fine, nothing to worry about!"
Old Mrs. Gu pouted. "You didn’t see him with your own eyes, so how do you know he’s perfectly fine? You men always say ’minor injuries don’t leave the front line.’ As long as a man can still hold a rifle, you call it a minor injury. Scars all over his arms and body, covered in blood—that’s terrifying! Why else would he have been in the hospital? And for a whole week at that..."
"See? You just refuse to believe me. Weren’t you right there last time Shaojun called home?"
"You didn’t even let me take the receiver! I couldn’t say a single word to my eldest grandson!"
"That’s because time was tight! Next time, I’ll let you talk. You can do all the talking!"
Mr. Gu recalled something amusing. His thick, dark, sword-like eyebrows shot up as he smiled at Grandpa Tang. "That boy Shaojun is quite interesting. I don’t know what got into him. He’s on the battlefield, but it’s as if he can sense what’s happening at home. When he got back from the front line, he had a chance to call me. In just a few short minutes, after reporting on the situation, he made a request."
"What request?" Grandpa Tang asked, piquing everyone else’s curiosity as well.