At home, after breakfast, Lin Yi originally planned to take a trip to the antique market to find some treasures, but Empress Dowager Ye just wouldn't allow it.
With no other choice, Lin Yi could only retreat to his room to 'study'.
Meanwhile, Father Lin, who had arrived at the office, looked at the tea leaves, which were already reduced to less than half a bucket, and couldn't help but sigh, "Boiling tea eggs used up almost two jin of tea leaves, that's quite something..."
In fact, there was something he hadn't told Empress Dowager Ye—the bucket of tea actually cost not just four hundred yuan but fourteen hundred yuan.
He just feared getting scolded by his wife, so he understated the price a bit, which is also why Father Lin was feeling so distressed about it.
After all, this one thousand yuan was money he had saved up by 'scrimping and saving'!
"Sigh, forget it, I might as well pack a small box to take home."
For safety's sake, Father Lin simply used a small wooden box that he bought for nine yuan with free shipping on Taobao from his office to hold a small amount of the tea leaves—about one liang, which would be enough to last him half a month. When that's used up, he'd just fill it again from the bucket.
However, just as he was scooping out the tea leaves from the large bucket, Father Lin felt something was off; the tea leaves didn't look quite the same as when he drank them yesterday.
How come the color looked more vibrant than yesterday? And the aroma seemed a bit different too?
While packing, he was filled with doubt. Once the small wooden box was packed, Father Lin sealed the big bucket of tea leaves and put it back in his office cabinet.
He picked up the small tea box to examine it, then pinched a few leaves into his teacup and stood up to fill it with hot water.
Although Father Lin enjoyed drinking tea and understood tea culture, his current position as just a deputy general manager of production didn't quite grant him the status to set up fancy tea ware in his office.
So typically, Father Lin still used his purple clay teacup for brewing.
Dong dong dong.
Just after Father Lin had closed the tea cup lid, he heard the office door being knocked from outside, and before he could invite the person in, the door was already pushed open.
Soon after, a lively old man strode in with unhurried and confident steps:
"Hehe, here so early, huh, Xiao Lin."
Seeing the visitor, Father Lin quickly stood up to greet him with a smile on his face:
"Oh my, Chairman Chen, what brings you here personally? You could have just given me a call with your instructions."
This lively old man was none other than the current top leader here, Factory Director Chen Tianpeng.
Although Father Lin was already forty, in Chen Tianpeng's presence, he could still be addressed as Xiao Lin, since the old man was nearing retirement age.
Speaking of Chen Tianpeng, the old man was known to be rather strict and responsible—he hardly missed a day at the factory over the decades in his role.
Recently, because there were things needing his attention at the factory, Chen Tianpeng had been coming an hour early every day, and every time he entered the factory early, he would see Father Lin.
Like any day, today when he drove his car into the factory gates, he saw Father Lin riding his electric bike ahead.
Despite his sternness, the old man was particularly fond of diligent people like Father Lin. Compared to the other slack top managers under his domain, Father Lin's work ethic stood out remarkably.
About half a month ago, Chen Tianpeng was already entertaining the idea of promoting Father Lin's position as the deputy general manager of production.
Waving his hand at Father Lin approaching him, Chen Tianpeng smiled and said:
"Saw you in front of me as I entered the factory, so I thought I'd stop by and take a look."
While talking, the two sat on the guest sofa and started chatting.
But as they chatted, Chen Tianpeng suddenly wriggled his nose and, sounding a bit puzzled, asked:
"Hmm? Xiao Lin, did you just make some tea? Let me have a sniff. If I'm not mistaken, it should be Longjing, right? Hmm, it has a really authentic aroma! Haha, if you don't mind, could I have a cup?"
Hearing this, Father Lin immediately patted his forehead, looking sheepish as he got up to take the tea leaves while saying:
"Oh my, I got so excited to see you, I totally forgot about it; it's all my fault. I happened to score some pretty good tea and was thinking of bringing some to you. Now that you're here, I don't need to make the trip, haha."
Anyway, Father Lin had already worked in the factory for about ten years, so he naturally knew about Chen Tianpeng's love for tea.
Regardless of where he was, whenever Father Lin met Chen Tianpeng, he would see him holding a big tea mug. Actually, it's fair to say that half of Father Lin's habit of drinking tea is due to Chen Tianpeng.
Listening to Father Lin, Chen Tianpeng didn't stand on ceremony. He laughed and passed his tea mug over:
"Haha, I could smell that your tea leaves are more fragrant than mine. Come on, dump mine and fill it with yours so I can taste it."
A moment later, holding his big tea mug, Chen Tianpeng took in the refreshing aroma and peered at the tender buds unfolding in the water, unable to help but praise it as good tea!
After gently sipping, he found the taste lingered delightfully:
"Hmm, good tea! Good tea! This tea of yours is far better than the stuff this old man drinks, not cheap, is it?"
Glancing at the small box of tea leaves on the table, Chen Tianpeng was genuinely envious, but instead of accepting it right away, he asked.
After all, if it was too expensive, he absolutely wouldn't take it.
Upon hearing this, Father Lin smiled and waved it off:
"Oh, I can't afford to drink such expensive tea. I just bought it yesterday, fourteen hundred yuan a bucket."
As soon as he said this, Chen Tianpeng almost spurted out the tea in his mouth.
Fourteen hundred yuan a bucket? He glanced over at the tea bucket, which seemed to hold only about one liang!
This would mean fourteen hundred yuan a liang! How's that not expensive??
Even he, who loved tea so much, only spent at most one to two hundred yuan a liang.
Seeing this, Chen Tianpeng smiled helplessly:
"Hehe, I had no idea you were so well-off! Well, I've had the tea, so I'll be on my way. I won't take the tea leaves since they're quite pricey."
After saying this, Chen Tianpeng prepared to leave, feeling a bit disappointed in Lin father because at Lin father's current monthly income of five thousand yuan, buying tea at fourteen hundred yuan a liang seemed a bit indulgent.
Father Lin was stunned for a moment, as they had just started drinking tea, why was he suddenly leaving?
However, Father Lin was quick-witted; seeing the look in Chen Tianpeng's eyes, he quickly realized there might be a misunderstanding, so he awkwardly laughed, explaining:
"Uh, please don't misunderstand, when I said a bucket, I didn't mean this small one..."
Upon finishing, Father Lin hurried to the cabinet and fetched a three-jin bucket of tea leaves.
[To be continued...]