The main hall fell into an almost suffocating silence when Shen Weiyuan finished recounting the origin of the tea.
Not a single breath seemed to stir the air.
Everyone sat frozen, eyes darting between him and the porcelain cup resting on the low table, as though it might at any moment reveal its own secrets.
Shen Yunci was the first to break the stillness. Her voice trembled with incredulity, though laced with the usual sharpness.
"So, big brother," she began, narrowing her eyes, "what you're saying is—technically—you just attended the opening of some restaurant, and its owner happened to gift you this?" Her brows arched higher, disbelief dripping from every syllable. "And this 'restaurant' was nothing more than another establishment trying to make a name for itself? Are you mocking us with such a story?"
Her words carried an undercurrent of ridicule, but also a desperate need to make sense of what she had heard.
Old Master Shen's gaze was far more severe. His wrinkled face, usually calm and measured, now carried a storm. He fixed his eldest son with a scrutinizing stare, as though trying to strip away every falsehood with his eyes alone.
Yet before the old patriarch could speak, Han Jingxian interjected firmly, her tone unwavering.
"Everything Weiyuan has said is true," she declared. "I was there by his side, and I can testify to every word."
Shen Weiyuan straightened, his voice steady but urgent, as though afraid that disbelief might erode the gravity of his revelation.
"Yunci, it's not some flashy ordinary restaurants and Dad, you must trust me. The tea itself is astonishing, yes, but that is not even the most shocking part. The real wonder lies in the food that restaurant serves." He paused, as though letting the suspense hang in the air, before continuing with measured weight. "Manchu–Han Imperial Feast. Tang Court Cuisine. Qing Dynasty banquets! Every dish preserved in flawless authenticity, as though the essence of those dynasties had been resurrected in their kitchen."
Gasps rippled through the hall. Several members of the family exchanged bewildered glances, their skepticism faltering under the gravity of his tone.
Han Jingxian leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with memory. "And beyond these grand cuisines, what startled me most was their… secret menu. A collection of dishes I once thought belonged only to folklore and legend—Immortal Cuisine from the Isles of Penglai, the fabled Snow Phoenix Banquet…"
Her voice trailed into silence.
The words "Snow Phoenix Cuisine" seemed to ignite the room like a spark dropped into dry kindling.
"What—Snow Phoenix Cuisine?" Shen Yunci's voice cracked in disbelief. "That's nothing but myth!"
Around her, faces reflected the same shock—astonishment, disbelief, and a trace of yearning all tangled together.
Even the usually composed Old Madam Shen blinked rapidly, her hands trembling against her cane. A wistful smile tugged at her lips as she murmured, "I once believed these old eyes of mine had already seen every wonder this world had to offer. Yet today, I find that there are still marvels I cannot even begin to fathom."
Han Jingxian's voice softened, but carried a reverence that pulled every ear toward her.
"Mom, what I tasted that evening… words cannot do justice. Each dish carried an aroma so profound, it felt as though the air itself had been blessed. Each bite was a revelation—flavors layered with such depth, such balance, that it was as if the great culinary sages—Yi Yin, Peng Zu, Zhang Zhongjing—had descended from the heavens themselves to prepare the feast. To dine there was not merely to eat, but to transcend… to glimpse immortality."
Her words left a profound silence in their wake, one that was broken only by the steady but questioning tone of Old master Shen.
"And this tea?" His gaze shifted toward the delicate porcelain once more, its faint steam curling like a living thing. "Phoenix Vein Brew… I have traveled widely, studied the rarest teas in every province, but never have I once heard of such a name. Where does it come from?"
Han Jingxian's eyes softened as she recalled. "It was given to us by the daughter of the restaurant's owner—Li Ziqing. She said it was cultivated by her master, the very man who taught her the culinary arts. According to her, this tea cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Only he has the knowledge, only his hands can coax it into existence."
Her voice lowered, but every syllable rang with awe. "Once steeped, the fragrance alone feels like the breath of heaven itself. A single sip can soothe unrest, revive the weary, sharpen one's clarity of thought. It is… miraculous."
At these words, Shen Huairen and his wife Lu Yajing exchanged a stunned glance, their disbelief warring with a strange, unspoken yearning.
Even Old Master Shen's stern mask wavered. His voice, though steady, carried a rare gravity.
"Such a miraculous tea… such a master… Do you know who this teacher is? What sort of man can wield such mastery over both food and tea?"
Shen Weiyuan could only shake his head, his expression tinged with both frustration and regret.
"She did not reveal his name," he admitted. "Only that he exists… somewhere in this world. Beyond that, she would say nothing."
The silence that followed was no longer skeptical. It was heavy, charged, and filled with the subtle weight of possibilities too immense to grasp.
Butler Gao Boheng and Old Master Shen exchanged a subtle glance, a silent understanding passing between the two men.
Without a word, Gao Boheng motioned to a servant standing a few steps away. The young man carefully approached, cradling an exquisite tea set in his hands. At first sight alone, one could tell it was extraordinary—delicate porcelain, its glaze rippling with the faint shimmer of age, the faintest trace of golden patterns etched along its rim. It was clearly an antique, a vessel worthy of brewing something beyond the ordinary.
Old Master Shen himself reached out, his gnarled yet steady hands receiving the set. Despite his years, there was a dignified precision in his every movement as he prepared the ritual. The hall fell into absolute silence, as though everyone instinctively knew they were about to witness something sacred.
With the grace of an old scholar, he lifted the kettle, letting the clear, simmering water stream into the pot. The soft hiss of boiling water filled the air, a simple sound that seemed magnified under the collective anticipation of the hall. Then, with utmost reverence, Old Master Shen placed the tea leaves—those mysterious Phoenix Vein leaves—into the vessel.
The moment the leaves touched the steaming water, the impossible happened.
A soft wisp of fragrance rose, at first faint, delicate… but within seconds, it unfurled with an intensity that stole every breath in the room.
The aroma did not spread—it bloomed. Like an ethereal mist, it swirled through the hall, luminous and intoxicating, as though heaven itself had exhaled. It was neither sharp nor cloying, but carried the freshness of spring rain, the sweetness of mountain blossoms, and an undertone so profound it seemed to resonate in one's very soul.
Gasps escaped lips unconsciously.
Shen Huairen, who had endured the weariness of countless sleepless nights and today itself travelled between Shanghai and Hong Kong on such a short notice, suddenly felt the exhaustion melt from his bones.
Lu Yajing, pressed a hand to her chest, her expression softening with wonder. "I… I feel lighter," she whispered. "As if I've shed years of fatigue."
Shen Yunci inhaled deeply, her eyes fluttering shut. "This… this can't be real," she murmured, a faint smile curving her lips. "It's like I'm drifting among clouds."
Across the room, Shen Weiyuan and Han Jingxian sat utterly still, but their eyes glimmered with awe. A warmth coursed through them, not just soothing but vitalizing, as though hidden embers deep within their bodies had been stoked into a steady flame. Shen Weiyuan clenched his fists once, feeling a clarity of mind he hadn't experienced in decades.
Even Old Madam Shen, who had seen the rise and fall of countless wonders in her long life, could not hold back a trembling sigh. "So many burdens I have carried… yet in this very moment, they feel as though they've drifted away."
Old Master Shen himself sat straighter, his face illuminated not by firelight but by something deeper. The heavy exhaustion of age, the weight of decades of responsibility—it was as though all had lifted. For the first time in years, he felt vigor coursing through him.
He whispered, almost to himself, "This… this is no ordinary tea. It is the breath of the heavens."
Even the maids, who had been busy tidying in the background, were caught by the fragrance. Unable to resist, they crept closer, peeking from the doorway. Their eyes widened in awe as they breathed it in, their faces flushing as though they too had been touched by something divine.
Shen Yunci, her voice thick with disbelief, finally said, "Dad… if merely its aroma can do this… what will happen when we actually drink it?"
Everyone nodded in agreement with Shen Yunci's remark, their eyes fixed upon the steaming teacups before them. Even Shen Waiyuan, who had been the first doubted it could no longer restrain his anticipation. His fingers tapped lightly on his knee, betraying an eagerness he was too proud to admit.
Across from him, Han Jingxian noticed the change and gave him a cold, disdainful glance. Hmph. If he hadn't questioned the tea in the first place, we would have tasted it long ago, she thought, the corner of her lips curving ever so slightly in contempt.
Old Master Shen, however, remained silent. Words were unnecessary—for his bright, glistening eyes spoke volumes. With hands steady despite his age, he lifted the teapot and carefully filled the porcelain cups. The tea shimmered with a faint golden hue, releasing wisps of fragrance that lingered in the air like a celestial mist.
He first poured a cup for his wife, presenting it to her with a gentleness that softened his stern demeanor. "Here, try this." he said. Then he poured one for himself, his anticipation barely concealed.
Meanwhile, Butler Gao Boheng performed his duty with practiced grace, moving down the line and filling each cup with care. His expression remained composed, but the slight quickening of his movements revealed that even he was not immune to curiosity. Finally, once everyone had been served, he claimed the last cup—the one reserved for him.
Old Master Shen raised his cup first, setting the silent cue for the others. "Let us taste," he said softly, yet his voice carried an authority that commanded the attention of everyone present.
The first sip touched their lips, and in an instant, silence swept across the hall.
A profound warmth unfurled through their throats and spread like rippling waves through their bodies.
Shen Huairen exhaled sharply, his eyes widening. "This… this is unlike anything I've ever tasted. My body feels as light as if I've just woken from the most restful sleep of my life."
Shen Yunci, suddenly set down her cup and closed her eyes, her lips parting slightly, she murmured dreamily. "My mind… it's clearer than ever before. Is this… what immortality feels like?"
Lu Yajing placed a hand over her chest, her usually composed demeanor giving way to surprise. "Even my breathing feels easier… as though something heavy that I didn't even know weighed upon me has been lifted."
Han Jingxian sipped slowly, savoring each note of the tea as if reluctant to let it go. Her gaze softened, a light dawning in her eyes. "It's not just physical… I can feel something stirring inside me, as though hidden parts of my spirit have awakened."
Even Shen Weiyuan, who had already been enchanted by the restaurant's marvels, sat stunned. His grip on the cup tightened slightly. "Incredible… every nerve, every vein in my body feels alive. As though vitality itself flows in this tea. To think something like this exists in this world…"
Across from them, Old Master Shen and Old Madam Shen shared a long glance, both holding their cups close.
The old patriarch placed his hand over his knee, his brows raising in astonishment. "My joints… the pain I've carried for decades…" His voice trembled with suppressed emotion. "It feels… warm, soothed… as though the years themselves have loosened their grip on me."
Old Madam Shen let out a soft, almost inaudible sigh of relief. "The stiffness in my shoulders… it's gone. I feel… light, so light. As if I am no longer bound by my age." Her eyes misted faintly. "In just a sip… this tea has done what medicine and tonics could not."
Even Butler Gao Boheng, who had taken the last cup, stood rooted in place, his usually impassive face betraying uncharacteristic awe. His voice was low, reverent. "This… is no mere tea. This is a divine blessing."
No one spoke further. Words felt superfluous in the face of such quiet wonder. Only the soft clink of porcelain against the table lingered in the air, mingling with the faint curls of steam, as if the tea itself breathed life into the room.
Now cups rested in their hands, emptied far too quickly, yet none were satisfied. Their eyes, filled with unspoken longing, inevitably drifted back to the porcelain jar on the table—the last vessel of that miraculous tea.
"Can… can we order more?" Lu Yajing finally asked, breaking the silence.
Shen Yunci also nodded and spoke up. "If this tea exists in the market, we must find it."
But Han Jingxian merely shook her head, a trace of helplessness in her eyes. "I'm not certain. That girl said only her master can cultivate this tea. If that's true, then it's unlikely we'll ever find it elsewhere in the world."
The words had barely left her lips before Old Master Shen's expression darkened. He slammed his palm lightly against the armrest of his chair, his voice sharp with authority. "Nonsense! There must be a way. Find out everything you can about this tea. If we cannot obtain it from the girl, then track its origin. I'm already addicted to this tea."
His gaze, sharp as a blade, swept across the room before finally landing on the porcelain jar. "Gao Boheng," he commanded, "take the remaining leaves and lock them in the most prominent section of my tea collection room. And double the security." He narrowed his eyes toward his children, who were staring at the jar with barely concealed hunger. "Especially from greedy eyes within this house."
Shen Weiyuan's face darkened, but he quickly leaned forward, his tone edged with protest. "But dad, that tea was gifted to me. Shouldn't I, the receiver, have the right to enjoy it?"
Old Master Shen gave a cold, disdainful laugh. "Enjoy it? Didn't you call this tea poison not long ago? You doubted its worth. You do not deserve it now."
Weiyuan's face flushed with embarrassment, and Han Jingxian could only sigh, shaking her head. "It's impossible to wrest such a treasure from dad once he has claimed it," she muttered under her breath.
Shen Yunci, unable to hold back, tried her luck with a gentle plea. "Dad… surely you can allow us to taste it again from time to time, can't you?"
But Old Master Shen's resolve was iron. He shook his head with a firmness rarely shown toward his most pampered daughter. "If you wish to drink this tea again, then you must find it yourselves—or obtain it directly from that girl in Wuhan. If it cannot be acquired, then this tea is beyond precious. It is not to be wasted."
Old Madam Shen, who had remained silent until now, spoke softly, her words carrying unusual weight. "Didn't you all feel its effects yourselves? This tea isn't merely for consumption—it is a gift of heaven. It should be preserved as the Shen family's heirloom."
At that, Old Master Shen's expression softened, and he nodded in agreement. "You are right."
With Butler Gao's assistance, he carefully lifted the porcelain jar and, despite the murmured discontent of his children, carried it toward the inner chambers. Gao Boheng, though silent, felt a quiet satisfaction stir within him. At least he had tasted this divine brew once; it was more than enough for a lifetime.
The air was cool and faintly perfumed with aged leaves; shelves carved from sandalwood lined the chamber, each compartment holding rare teas collected from across the world. In the center stood a tall, locked cabinet reserved only for the most exceptional finds—the pride of Old Master Shen's lifelong passion.
With reverent hands, Old Master Shen unlocked the cabinet and placed the porcelain jar upon the highest and most prominent shelf. For a long moment, he simply gazed at it, his expression a mix of triumph and longing. A deep sigh escaped his chest.
"I wish we had more of this… this Phoenix Vein Brew," he murmured, the name lingering like an incantation.
Butler Gao bowed his head slightly. "Master, if I may speak honestly—its very existence is already a miracle. To crave more would be greed. Instead, we should count ourselves fortunate. For the Shen family to possess such a divine treasure… it is already destiny's favor."
Old Master Shen's lips curved faintly, though his eyes never left the jar. "You are right. And yet…" He paused, his silence heavy. Somewhere deep within him, hope flickered stubbornly.
The words of Weiyuan and Han Jingxian came back to him—about a restaurant in Wuhan, about the mysterious girl and her master who brewed such wonders. His eyes gleamed with sudden interest. "Interesting," he muttered.
Turning abruptly toward Butler Gao, his voice grew resolute. "It has been over a decade since I last set foot in the mainland. I had thought there was nothing left to surprise me there. But it seems I was mistaken. It is time I see for myself."
Gao Boheng was stunned. Ever since Old Master Shen's retirement, he had refused every invitation, even those extended by heads of state. That he now wished to travel again—for tea, of all things—was beyond imagination. But Gao knew better than to question him.
Old Master Shen continued, his tone carrying finality. "This year, I will celebrate my birthday in the mainland. Next month."
Butler Gao immediately bowed, his voice steady though his heart raced. "As you wish, Master."
---
"Brother, I can't believe you actually know hacking!" Li Ziqing exclaimed in awe, her wide eyes fixed on the screen as she watched her twin brother, Li Zian. His fingers moved across the MacBook's keyboard with a speed and precision that made the black keys blur beneath his touch.
Li Zian glanced at her, lips curving into a calm smile. "Didn't I already tell you at the start of summer vacation that I was working on developing a game? That alone should've told you I knew programming. My fundamentals are already solid—I'm familiar with algorithms, coding, and software design. And hacking…" His tone softened, almost as though he were explaining something to a younger student. "…hacking is simply finding vulnerabilities in a system and exploiting them to bypass its defenses."
He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked at her. What surprised him was not her interest, but the sharp determination flickering in her gaze, meeting his own with equal intensity. "But A'Qing," he asked curiously, "when did you learn programming and coding? And why this sudden obsession with hacking?"
Earlier that evening, she had burst into his room clutching her own MacBook, demanding that he teach her. At first, Li Zian assumed it was nothing more than childish curiosity—that she wanted to know the basics, perhaps learn how to write a few lines of code. But within an hour, his assumptions had been shattered. Not only had she absorbed every explanation effortlessly, but she had already built a rudimentary firewall and even managed to design simple software on her own. When she finally revealed her true intention—to learn hacking—he had been stunned into silence.
His first instinct was to refuse her outright. The risks were too high, and she was far too inexperienced to meddle in something so dangerous. But faced with her stubborn persistence, he realized that if he didn't guide her, she might attempt it on her own and make a disastrous mistake. Reluctantly, he agreed to teach her.
Even so, nothing could have prepared him for how quickly she adapted. For the past seven hours, the twins had sat opposite each other, dueling through their laptops—attacking and defending, trying to breach one another's systems. What began as a lesson had turned into a fierce yet playful competition.
Now, hearing his question, Li Ziqing's expression flickered with hesitation before she finally answered in a quiet but steady voice, "You were always busy at that internet café, and Mom and Uncle were tied up with the food stall. So…I taught myself. Programming, coding—whatever books I could find. I learned it all on my own."
Li Zian froze. He had expected some flimsy excuse, yet her words carried no sign of boastfulness, only simple truth. He wanted to doubt her, but he couldn't. Not after all the astonishing changes she had shown in recent weeks. If not for her, they would still be struggling in that northern district with no hope of escape.
His thoughts were interrupted by a sharp beep from his laptop. His brows furrowed as he checked the alert—then his eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait…you blocked my attack and simultaneously broke through my firewall?" His voice rose with shock.
"Yes!" Li Ziqing shouted triumphantly, springing to her feet in excitement. "Yes, I finally did it! After hours of trying—I finally broke through!" Her laughter rang in the small room, pure and infectious.
For a moment, Li Zian simply stared at her. Then, instead of disappointment, a chuckle escaped his lips. He leaned back in his chair, shaking his head. "I should be upset, but honestly…I'm impressed."
It wasn't easy to make him lose. The firewalls he designed weren't child's play—they could withstand even professional-level attempts. And yet, his sister, with only a few hours of real practice, had managed to break them. Her persistence had paid off.
Still bouncing on her feet, Li Ziqing looked like she could go another seven hours without rest. Li Zian, however, caught the time flashing on his screen and sighed. "Alright, that's enough. It's already past two in the morning. Go back to your room and sleep—and don't make noise. Mom and Uncle are still asleep."
She immediately pressed a finger to her lips in mock obedience, though her eyes still gleamed with restless energy. Turning back to him, she puffed out her chest with mock pride and teased, "Brother, don't tell me you're jealous? Your little sister just defeated you at something you're supposed to be good at."
Li Zian smirked and clutched his chest dramatically. "Jealous? You've hurt my ego beyond repair. Now tell me, A'Qing, how should I punish you for bruising your brother's pride?"
She grinned mischievously. "Punish me? Hah! The mighty hacker who can't even protect his own firewall wants to punish me? You should be thanking me for reminding you not to get rusty."
"Rusty?" he echoed, raising an eyebrow. "You mean to tell me, after one lucky win, you're already this arrogant?"
"Not luck," she said, wagging a finger at him. "Skill. Pure talent. Maybe I should be the one teaching you from now on."
"Teaching me?" he scoffed, though the amusement never left his eyes. "Fine. Next time you try to invade my system, I won't go easy on you. Let's see how long that so-called 'talent' lasts then."
Her laughter filled the room again. She dropped back onto the bed beside him, still giggling, and after a moment, she leaned over and hugged him tightly. "Thank you, Brother. For teaching me. For not giving up on me."
He allowed a faint smile to soften his expression as he patted her head gently. "Idiot. You're my sister. Who else would I teach, if not you?"
Li Ziqing finally released her brother from her embrace, her bright laughter still echoing softly in the dimly lit room. She quickly bent down to pack her MacBook and charger, carefully sliding them back into her backpack.
Just as she zipped up her bag, ready to go back into her room, a familiar, mechanical chime that reverberated directly in her ears.
[Ding... Growth in Technical Skills detected. Reward has been triggered.]