Immortal Travel of Longevity

Chapter 528: Never Lonely with Lihua Around

After Niu Da became the manager, he changed his name. It didn’t sound quite right to be called Manager Niu. According to him, the name was chosen by Master Cao back then, opting for the character ‘Liu’ as it sounded similar. He became known as Liu Jingshan.The meaning was deeper, of course, but it also expressed the hope that after becoming manager, Niu Da would honor the name—a wish for his future.

Chen Changsheng asked, “Is Master Cao still telling stories at the Teahouse now?”

Manager Liu shook his head. “He left years ago.”

“About three years ago, Master Cao handed over the role of Teahouse storyteller to his apprentice. He himself went up to Shangjing with Third Master Jin.”

“Third Master Jin has returned?” Chen Changsheng paused.

Manager Liu nodded. “Third Master Jin came back four years ago. Changed quite a bit. Both Master Cao and I almost didn’t recognize him.”

Chen Changsheng paused. His gaze shifted to the package of dried fish he had brought along.

What should make of this?

Neither of them were here.

Chen Changsheng then asked, “Did they mention when they might be back?”

Manager Liu replied, “Master Cao and Third Master Jin return every year before the New Year. But it’s still early days yet.”

“It’s good that they are returning.”

Chen Changsheng handed over the bundle of dried fish. “Earlier, traveling from the coastal regions down south, I encountered an old acquaintance of Third Master Jin’s. He entrusted me with delivering this packet of dried fish to Third Master Jin. He also had two messages to pass on.”

Manager Liu was stunned. “The coast!?”

“My word!”

“That’s such a long way!”

In these times, never mind carrying dried fish, even delivering a letter was extremely difficult. The farther the distance, the harder it got. Sometimes, you’d send ten identical letters to ensure one might get through.

So, when Manager Liu heard this, he was amazed. He reverently accepted the packet of dried fish with both hands.

Chen Changsheng continued, “The man said his name was Heiliuzi. As for the messages he entrusted me to pass on to Third Master Jin…”

Manager Liu asked quickly, “A lot? Should I fetch paper and brush?”

Chen Changsheng shook his head. “Not necessary, I think. The man asked for me to tell Third Master Jin: ‘This year, the fish are plentiful, the pearls abundant. Everyone has enough to eat. Everyone is well. Tell him not to worry too much.'”

Manager Liu stared blankly upon hearing this.

After a moment, he looked down at the dried fish bundle in his hands and fell silent.

“Truly…”

Manager Liu couldn’t find the words to describe the feeling.

Chen Changsheng too had paused briefly when the man originally spoke the words. But later, he understood.

This was perhaps the elusive warmth of the mortal world—a human connection that remained undiminished, even across mountains and rivers.

Manager Liu breathed out softly. “When Third Master Jin returns, I’ll deliver this for him.”

Chen Changsheng nodded. Another matter settled.

Manager Liu enquired where he was staying. On hearing, Manager Liu reacted instantly. “The courtyard where Mr. Chen used to live?”

“Exactly.”

“Are you in need of anything? I can have someone send some things over.”

“Manager, please don’t trouble yourself. I won’t be staying long and I lack nothing.”

“That simply won’t do! Mr. Chen showed great kindness to the Teahouse years ago. As manager now, I must repay that kindness. You are his junior, so it’s only right I treat you courteously. Since you’ve come to Qingshan City, you must be properly received.”

The manager was very polite, a contrast to his simpler approach when he was just a waiter. He was far more polished now.

Faintly, Chen Changsheng began to see shadows of Manager Zhuang in him. Many things new Manager Liu had learned by watching Manager Zhuang back then.

These were the nuances of human interaction, suffused with Manager Zhuang’s way of handling them.

Perhaps that shadow would linger in the Teahouse for a long time. Perhaps one day it would fade entirely. But there was no denying it—in the way current Manager Liu spoke and acted now, traces of Manager Zhuang were always just beneath the surface.

The Teahouse patrons too might sometimes glance up suddenly, caught a fleeting moment so familiar it was like seeing the old manager again.

This was the Teahouse’s unique touch of warmth.

It resonated deeply with the reasoning behind Chen Changsheng bringing the dried fish.

After Chen Changsheng declined several attempts, the manager stopped insisting immediately. Instead, he arranged for someone to prepare some excellent tea for Chen Changsheng to take back—a gift that couldn’t easily be refused.

“Back then, Mr. Chen was known as Mr. Jiucha—fond of wine and tea. Wine came first for him. Pity is, after Master Cao left, the Teahouse lacks good wine now. This tea flavor is good though, take it to try.”

“Then I offer my thanks, Manager.”

Chen Changsheng didn’t linger much longer at the Teahouse. He left carrying the packet of tea.

Manager Liu himself saw him out, walking dozens of paces from the Teahouse. Only when Chen Changsheng insisted he need not keep accompanying did the manager stop.

Offering a parting farewell, the manager watched as Chen Changsheng gradually walked away into the street crowds.

The manager stood watching. The sight of that retreating figure momentarily stunned him.

“Truly resembled him…”

Sometimes he felt that this visitor wasn’t simply Mr. Chen’s nephew, but felt like Mr. Chen himself.

Perhaps because of this, during their earlier tea talk, Manager Liu felt troubled; he didn’t know how to address him properly. It always felt inappropriate, too familiar, disrespectful deep inside.

Manager Liu admired Mr. Chen wholeheartedly. Although he only served briefly under him, the memory lingered vividly; those were truly the Teahouse’s liveliest times.

…

Back at the little courtyard, Chen Changsheng boiled some water and made tea.

He didn’t know much about brewing tea. Pour in hot water, wait till it cools a bit, then drink—he was very undemanding.

But so what? Whatever people choose to do, to eat, to wear—it all boils down to pursuing their own simple sense of contentment.

The tabby cat lay nearby, watching the steam swirling above the tea cup. It stretched out a paw and gave it a playful bat, scattering the steam trails.

Its eyes wide with wonder. It seemed instantly captivated by the curling white vapor.

The cat saw Chen Changsheng take a sip. “What sort of sip-sip is that?” the tabby blinked and asked.

“This is tea. Not ‘sip-sip’.”

“Tea.”

“Yup.”

Lihua had heard about tea before, but had never tasted it.

“Smells pretty fragrant,” Lihua said.

Chen Changsheng glanced sideways at it. “Fancy a taste?”

“Can I?”

“Naturally.”

“Well, Lihua wants to try.”

Chen Changsheng flipped the lid of the teacup upside down on the table. He poured a little of the tea from the cup onto the upturned lid.

Lihua crept forward cautiously, gave it a sniff, then carefully licked a tiny bit with its tongue.

“Ptui!”

It pawed at its mouth for a moment. Looking up at Chen Changsheng, it exclaimed: “Bitter! Not yummy!”

Chen Changsheng laughed, “Tea holds feelings within it; tea carries human intentions within it. You simply don’t understand tea just now, Lihua. Maybe later you will.”

“No understand.”

“You will one day.”

Lihua still shook its head stubbornly. “So bitter. What’s the point of drinking it?”

It expressed clear distaste, deliberately shifting further away, putting space between it and the dreadful tea cup.

Seeing it react that way made Chen Changsheng chuckle inwardly.

Never feel lonely when you’re around.