Author: 颜凉雨 / Yan Liang Yu

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 198: Extra — The Disappearance of Xiao Sijin (5)

In the tea garden in August, the summer tea has already been harvested. A heavy rain fell last night, and though the modern irrigation system can handle drought and flood, the older generation of tea farmers still prefers to walk through the fields themselves to feel at ease.

Kuang Jinxin spent the morning following his grandfather around the tea garden. They hadn’t finished inspecting it when his grandfather became too tired to continue. Kuang Jinxin reassured him repeatedly that he would continue the inspection in the afternoon without slacking off, finally coaxing him to go back.

Kuang Jinxin spent the entire afternoon in the tea garden, occasionally brushed by the wind, carrying the fragrance of tea everywhere.

By the time he returned to the old house, it was evening, and the setting sun painted the white walls and black tiles with a warm orange-red.

“Xiao Jin Ge—” His cousin, Xiao Shuang, caught up from behind, her round face flushed. “I’ve been calling you for ages. Why didn’t you wait for me?”

Xiao Shuang, the daughter of his aunt, was still in high school and was helping in the tea garden during her summer vacation.

Kuang Jinxin was startled. “You called me?”

Xiao Shuang rolled her eyes at him and said exaggeratedly, “I almost shouted myself hoarse.” After her complaint, she curiously asked, “Jin Ge, what’s wrong with you? Ever since you came back, you’ve been distracted and listless.”

As they spoke, they entered the old house together, finding the courtyard quiet. There wasn’t a soul in sight.

Normally, at this time, everyone would have returned from the tea garden, and the courtyard would be bustling with activity.

Sensing his confusion, Xiao Shuang explained without waiting for him to ask. “This afternoon, another group came for job interviews. They hadn’t finished when I got back.”

The Kuang family’s tea garden had expanded again this year, and they had been hiring since the beginning of the year. Since Kuang Jinxin returned, his grandfather had been teaching him hands-on, guiding him in the technical aspects. The management of the tea garden was still handled by his second uncle and aunt.

Nodding, Kuang Jinxin didn’t ask further, but Xiao Shuang leaned in, her eyes shining with excitement. “Jin Ge, let me tell you, one of the people who came for the interview today is so good-looking, he’s to die for!”

By the end, the girl dramatically clutched her chest as if her heart might leap out the next second.

Kuang Jinxin smiled but didn’t respond. He didn’t believe anyone could astonish him with their looks. All the amazement of his life had been used up in that one glance towards the ship’s mast.

As night fell, the whole family finally gathered together for a meal, filled with laughter and chatter. His grandparents were so happy that their wrinkles deepened. Their gaze was mostly on him, as if trying to make up for the years he was away.

Kuang Jinxin was glad he came back.

He had already lost his parents, and if he had missed the chance to show filial piety to his grandparents, he would have truly regretted it.

After dinner at eight, Kuang Jinxin had just returned to his room when his phone rang with a message from Xu Wang in the group chat.

Wangwang: [Image]

It was a news screenshot with the headline reading, “Li Zijin’s comeback is still at its peak. XXX regrets letting go of its former ace.”

Tea Sage Lu Yu’s Little Fan: Li Zijin made a comeback?

Wangwang: A perfect comeback.

XXX was Li Zijin’s former club. From the headline, it seemed like the original club hadn’t negotiated well, perhaps due to lack of confidence in him or other considerations, resulting in Li Zijin moving to a new club.

But it doesn’t matter which club he plays for. As long as one has the skill, there’s no worry about treatment. Besides, this is what Li Zijin loves most, and Kuang Jinxin is happy for him.

Wangwang: Xiao Kuang, how have you been lately?

The topic suddenly shifted to himself, making Kuang Jinxin a bit nervous, quickly replying: I’m good.

Half a month ago, when he left without a word, bought a new phone, and got a new SIM card, the first thing he did was contact his friends. None of them complained, only telling him to take over the family business well, and they would come to drink the best spring tea when the time came.

Kuang Jinxin didn’t know what to say, only feeling fortunate to have such friends, feeling very lucky and satisfied.

Wangwang: What are you doing now?

Tea Sage Lu Yu’s Little Fan: Just finished dinner.

Wangwang: At home?

Tea Sage Lu Yu’s Little Fan: Yeah.

After replying, he realized how odd the question was and added: Is there something? You can call or video chat now.

On the other end, thousands of miles away, Xu Wang didn’t respond to Xiao Sijin but sent a voice message to another WeChat account: “Xiao Xue, Captain can only help you this much.”

Sitting on the couch, Wu Sheng pulled him into an embrace and silently sighed, lamenting his love’s worrisome fate.

Kuang Jinxin didn’t get a reply from Xu Wang but received another private message.

Especially Good-looking Chi Yingxue: Come out.

Kuang Jinxin was confused.

Tea Sage Lu Yu’s Little Fan: ?

Especially Good-looking Chi Yingxue: [Image]

A stunning side profile shot, so beautiful it was breathtaking, and behind the side profile was the gate of the Kuang family home.

Kuang Jinxin’s eyes widened in shock, nearly dropping his phone.

Without hesitation or thought, Kuang Jinxin reflexively ran out to the courtyard, opening the gate.

The side profile turned into a full face. Under the moonlight, brows slightly furrowed, he started with a complaint, but because of the unconscious tender tone, it sounded a little aggrieved. “Your family’s tea garden’s interview process is so strange. I said I wanted to learn about tea cultivation, and they suggested I consider a different career path.”

Kuang Jinxin pursed his lips. Logic told him that he needed to have a serious conversation with Chi Yingxue about his reasons for coming, their thoughts on the future, and the differences and disagreements in how they approach life and relationships…

But in the end, his lips couldn’t stay pursed, and his smile rebelliously lifted, as if reaching for the moon.

He laughed.

Chi Yingxue didn’t laugh, stubbornly restating, “I want to learn how to cultivate tea.”

The warm summer night breeze made them slightly tipsy.

Kuang Jinxin heard himself ask, “Then, shall I teach you?”

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