Chapter 150: 078 Fairness (First Watch)_5
Translator: 549690339
However, there were waiters guarding every entrance, so they couldn’t get in without a reservation.
They were stopped as soon as they approached.
Zhu Wentao said, “We heard that Mr. Shen is upstairs, we just want to greet him. Could you please let us pass?” As he said this, he took off a watch from his wrist and handed it to the waiter.
This watch could buy a car, but to Zhu Wentao, it wasn’t a big deal. If it could help him get close to Mr. Shen, it would be worth it.
Without changing his expression, the waiter returned the watch to Zhu
Wentao, saying, “Sorry sir, I can’t let you in without a reservation.”
Zhu Wentao’s face fell, as the waiter remained unmoved by his bribe.
Upstairs, several people sat down as Zhao Heng secretly winked at Song Yinzhang.
Song Yinzhang shook his head and laughed.
Jiao Mei was surprised and asked, “Do you two know each other?” He didn’t know what relationship this youth had with Mr. Shen.
Song Yinzhang said, “Zhao Heng was my middle school desk-mate.”
Jiao Mei said with a smile, “What a coincidence.”
Zhao Heng had learned from Song Yinzhang that Ming Jing would be hosting Mr. Shen today, so he had begged his uncle to bring him along.
Zhao Heng put his arm around Song Yinzhang’s shoulder and said, ‘Yinzhang,
Ming Jing, and I were all in the same math competition class.”
Jiao Mei nodded, “That’s nice. You can look out for each other.”
Ming Jing said to the female attendant, “Allow me.”
The attendant nodded and stepped aside.
Ming Jing picked up the sandalwood on the table, lit it, and placed it into the incense burner, letting the faint sandalwood aroma spread.
In a small porcelain container filled with water, a pair of slender, fair hands dipped into the water, wetting and drying them, before picking up a clean cloth to dry them completely.
As the young girl performed these tasks, she had a serious and devout expression. The dim light accentuated her dignified and calm demeanor, involuntarily eliciting respect from those watching.
Her delicate hands held the teapot, pouring water into the teacup for washing. Boiling water washed over the purple clay pot, fair cup, sniffing cup, and tasting cup. Her movements were fluid and natural, while the onlookers didn’t blink, captivated by her grace.
She picked up the Jun needle and manipulated the utensils, beginning to wash and brew the tea. The brewing process required precise timing; a few seconds difference would greatly affect the tea’s quality. To avoid uneven concentration, she poured the tea into a fairness cup and distributed it among the individual cups.
The young girl was patient, and her every movement was elegant. Jiao Mei had accompanied many leaders in drinking tea, and she knew they appreciated the art. Even the tea masters who had practiced for over a decade couldn’t achieve such perfection.
Shen Zhou laughed, “Fairness cup, fairness cup. What is fairness in this world?”
Jiao Mei was stunned, watching as the girl calmly and contently poured tea from the fairness cup into individual cups.
“Those who are content are full, those who are greedy are empty, fairness lies in the human heart.”
Shen Zhou roared with laughter, “Well said, fairness lies in the human heart.”
He looked intently at the kneeling young girl, his expression one of joy and openness that Shen Ke had never seen before.
Jiao Mei’s inquisitive gaze landed on Ming Jing, amazed at the girl’s patience and her skill in winning over Shen Zhou.
With the cups filled seven-tenths full, the girl presented the tea to Shen Zhou humbly with both hands.
“Mr. Shen, please enjoy.”
Shen Zhou took a gentle sniff of the lingering aroma, “Bitter with a hint of sweetness, a lingering aftertaste, good tea, and even better craftsmanship.”
Ming Jing gave a slight smile, as beautiful and radiant as the moon breaking through the clouds. Zhao Heng and Song Yinzhang, both young men, couldn’t help but be captivated.
Jiao Mei furrowed his brow and said with a smile, ‘Where did Ms. Zhu learn this skill? It’s impressive.”
Ming Jing said with a laugh, “My master enjoyed tea as well. We only had one set of old tea utensils in the mountains. During those difficult days, I just practiced when I had free time, I guess practice makes perfect, it’s nothing worth mentioning.”
Everyone present knew her background, and couldn’t help but sigh at her words.
Indeed, hardship was the best way to temper a person.
At this point, there was a commotion downstairs, and Shen Zhou frowned,
“What’s going on?”
Shen Ke immediately stood up, “I’ll go check..”
