Super Rich by Doing as You Please

There were also two Spring Breeze Auspicious Jade cups: a Cyan and Red Porcelain Hand-Pressed Cup and a Dragon-Engraving and Eye-Painting Furnace Cup, each valued at over 200,000.

Not to mention the valuable tea table and other items.

’All in all, this whole setup is barely any different from the one I have at Jiangcheng Heaven and Earth!’

First came the warming and rinsing of the cups with the initial steep.

This not only sanitized the cups, but the high temperature also warmed them, making it easier for the tea leaves’ inner nutrients to be released. This served to "wake up" the tea and enhance its fragrance.

Next was adding the tea leaves.

Xu Yun used a tea scoop set to the side to handle the leaves, avoiding any bacteria from his fingers that might affect the flavor of the tea.

Then came the rinsing of the tea, pouring water over the leaves to wash away any fine dust from their surface and ensure the flavor would not be affected.

After that, he poured the water for the infusion, decanting the tea quickly to prevent the leaves from steeping too long and affecting the flavor.

From the moment the tea preparation began, Xi Huai’an had been watching Xu Yun’s every move.

His hands were light yet steady, like a dancer leaping on a stage, and every action was filled with a sense of ceremony.

His posture was tall and straight, like an elegant scholar stepping out of an ancient painting.

His eyes were deep, focused on the swirling teacup in his hand, as if he could peer into the depths of the human heart through the transparent liquid.

His brow furrowed for a moment, then instantly smoothed out, as if he were discerning every subtle change in the tea’s fragrance.

His eyes, bright and profound, were like a clear mirror on autumn waters, reflecting the serene beauty of the tea art.

His fingers were long and slender, and his movements exuded a casual elegance. Every tumbling tea leaf seemed to dance to the melody of life at his fingertips.

He carefully adjusted the angle of the teacup and gently blew away the steam, his expression revealing both respect for the tea and confidence in his own skill.

The surroundings were tranquil and quaint. The wooden table and chairs gave off a faint fragrance that perfectly complemented the aroma of the tea.

Sunlight filtered through the latticed window, dappling across his body and adding a warm radiance to the focused scene.

Xu Yun’s focus seemed to merge with the space, transforming him into an unhurried, steady, and reserved artist.

His every breath was in sync with the breathing of the tea, and his every smile was like a paean to this ancient art.

After the entire process was completed—flowing as smoothly as water in a single, unbroken sequence—Xi Huai’an, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke.

"Xiaoxu, you were holding back on me, weren’t you? You weren’t being truthful. This is much more than ’knowing a little.’"

’He had only meant to test the young man, but instead, he was the one who had been taught a lesson, leaving him feeling quite stunned.

He considered himself a tea aficionado for ten years, brewing it for a decade, but he wouldn’t dare say his own tea-brewing skills were as good as Xu Yun’s.

This kind of Tea Skill wasn’t something you could learn in a day. Without deep immersion, it was very difficult to truly grasp the art!

Therefore, for this young man to possess such skill at his age, he must have been taught by a very impressive tea master, and he couldn’t have practiced for just a short time.

It was absolutely not, as he had claimed, a matter of being self-taught for a few days!’

"Not at all. I was just playing around a bit. I was afraid you would make fun of me."

Xu Yun said to Xi Huai’an, "Especially that final pouring method. As far as I know, there are four types: high-pour fast infusion, high-pour slow infusion, low-pour fast infusion, and low-pour slow infusion.

A high-pour fast infusion can quickly release the tea’s fragrance, but the water temperature is prone to dropping, and the tea might become too strong;

a high-pour slow infusion is suitable for delicate or intense teas, allowing the leaves to infuse gradually;

a low-pour fast infusion in a round vessel can make the water swirl to lift the fragrance;

and a low-pour slow infusion involves a long steeping time, which may result in a bland tea, so it’s often combined with other techniques for rinsing and waking up aged teas.

For this tea, I used the low-pour fast infusion based on my own experience, but I don’t know if the resulting brew will suit your tastes."

"Excellent. I’ll give it a try."

In truth, Xi Huai’an was also very eager to taste the tea that resulted from such a professional performance.

He lifted the cup and proceeded to observe, smell, and taste.

The tea was a deep orange-yellow, clear and brilliant.

Upon lifting the lid of the cup, a faint fragrance of osmanthus emerged.

Then he took an appreciative sip.

The tea was full-bodied, with a distinct "rock-rhyme." The flavor was mellow and rich, leaving a sweet and refreshing aftertaste.

"A national-treasure-grade tea indeed! And professional-grade Tea Skill to match!"

For a tea connoisseur like Xi Huai’an, being able to drink a sip like this was a true pleasure!

He couldn’t help but praise Xu Yun with three consecutive exclamations: "Good! Good! Good!"

"I’m just glad you don’t find it lacking, Uncle."

Xu Yun smiled and said, "This is my first time brewing this tea, so I don’t have much experience."

"Don’t be so modest."

Xi Huai’an said, "When you have the chance in the future, come visit more often. We can drink tea and exchange notes."

"Okay."

Xu Yun agreed. "I’ll definitely come when I have time."

"By the way, do you know how to play Chinese chess?"

’As the elder, he’d been one-upped in the art of tea. He needed to win back some ground in another area. Otherwise, he simply wouldn’t be in a position to talk to him about his daughter. He wouldn’t have the confidence.

And so, he thought of his greatest strength: Chinese chess!

Chinese chess might seem simple, but it’s a serious test of a player’s ability to be a "master strategist" with the pieces on the board.

And life itself is a game of chess.’

Xi Huai’an said, "It should still be a while before dinner. If you know how to play, we could play a few games before heading down."

"Um, well..."

Xu Yun guessed what the man was thinking. He smiled and replied, "I know how to play, I guess, but I’ve hardly ever played. I’m really bad."

As he spoke, he spent another five million in the system store to purchase the "Chess Skill," intending to give the man a second shock.

"That’s fine."

Hearing that Xu Yun wasn’t just claiming to ’know a little’ this time, Xi Huai’an felt relieved.