PCJ – Chapter 349 Exchanging Gifts

When a provincial leader like Shi Guoshu makes a call, it carries considerable weight. Within an hour, a basket of freshly picked tea leaves was delivered to the provincial hotel. The hotel staff also prepared everything that Zhang Jiaohua needed.

Zhang Jiaohua was ready to take the materials back to his room to make black tea, but Shi Guoshu stopped him, saying, “Wait, I’ll find you a room.”

Shi Guoshu called over an attendant and instructed him to arrange an empty room at the provincial hotel.

Zhang Jiaohua didn’t want to make bamboo tube black tea in front of so many people anyway. Since Shi Guoshu was wary of any tricks, Zhang decided to let him arrange things as he pleased.

Shi Guoshu noticed that Zhang’s pockets were flat, clearly not hiding anything. After all, who would secretly carry tea leaves on them for no reason?

Upon entering the room, Zhang Jiaohua saw the materials prepared for him. He also glanced at the tea leaves that had been delivered. These leaves were clearly not as good as those from the Meizi’ao Tea Factory, but they were picked very precisely, with minimal damage and only two leaves plucked at a time. For making bamboo tube black tea, Zhang Jiaohua didn’t require top-tier tea leaves, and even if some larger leaves were mixed in, it wouldn’t make much of a difference.

In Zhang Jiaohua’s hands, the tea leaves quickly formed into a mass, as if they were dissolving, and bubbles began to rise from them…

An hour passed…

“I don’t believe that someone so young can make bamboo tube black tea as well as they claim. It’s been so long, and he still hasn’t come out. He’s probably fallen asleep in there. Kids often fall asleep when they’re nervous, thinking that when they wake up, everything will have passed,” said Ding Shuzhen, adding some unnecessary remarks.

Shen Jinmao, who had grown tired of Ding Shuzhen’s attitude, retorted, “Do you think making tea is like roasting peanuts? That once they’re done, you just scoop them out of the pan? If making bamboo tube black tea were that easy, it wouldn’t be something worthy of being showcased at an exhibition.”

Shi Guoshu, who had been growing impatient, was about to send someone to check when Shen Jinmao’s comment made him reconsider. He waved it off and pulled out a pack of cigarettes, lighting one with the help of his attendant.

Zhao Jinyuan, feeling nervous as well, also lit a cigarette.

The room quickly filled with smoke. The women in the room frowned but didn’t say anything, clearly accustomed to this kind of environment.

Another hour passed…

“Director Shi, how about grabbing something to eat?” Shi Guoshu’s attendant quietly suggested.

“No rush,” Shi Guoshu replied, feeling uneasy without seeing any results. He began to suspect that the boy was deliberately hiding in the room to waste time, trying to outlast him. This only fueled his determination.

Just then, the door to the room where Zhang Jiaohua was making tea opened, and Zhang emerged.

“Sorry to keep everyone waiting,” Zhang said.

Ding Shuzhen was the first to jump up, “Where’s the tea? Bring out the tea you made! We’ve been waiting for half the day. Director Shi has been waiting for over two hours. If you can’t produce bamboo tube black tea, you’ll be in trouble today.”

Shi Guoshu frowned at Ding Shuzhen, and Lu Yingxiang quickly pulled his wife back, sensing the director’s displeasure.

Zhang Jiaohua produced the black tea he had just made, scratching his head. “Unfortunately, the quality of the bamboo tube black tea this time isn’t great, mainly because the tea leaves were a bit subpar, and the bamboo tubes here didn’t meet the requirements either. But I still managed to make a batch.”

Shi Guoshu was surprised and quickly stood up to take a look. No matter what, the tea certainly looked like bamboo tube black tea. Having tried bamboo tube black tea before, and even having a cherished box at home, Shi Guoshu knew what it should look like. He was also aware that the tea he had previously received from Zijiang City had actually been from a privately-owned factory.

“From the looks of it, there’s no real difference,” Shi Guoshu nodded. He brought the tea to his nose, and a distinctive aroma immediately wafted out.

“Why don’t we brew a cup and taste it?” someone suggested.

Ding Shuzhen excitedly agreed, “Yes, yes, let’s try it.”

The hotel staff brought hot water and a tea set, offering Shi Guoshu a brand-new purple clay cup. As the staff prepared to take some tea leaves from the bamboo tube, Zhang Jiaohua quickly stopped them.

“One cup is enough to taste the tea. We shouldn’t waste the rest,” Zhang said as he carefully resealed the bamboo tube.

Shi Guoshu nodded, “I’ll taste it myself. You can trust me; I don’t know this boy at all. I have no reason to help or harm him.”

The tea leaves were placed in the water, dissolving like ink, and while they initially appeared black, the water turned a brilliant green.

“Yes, it’s black tea. I’ve tasted this before. Although the aroma is slightly different, the reaction in the water is exactly the same,” Shi Guoshu said excitedly.

“Maybe the appearance and color are just similar,” Ding Shuzhen muttered, still unconvinced.

“If you think it’s so easy, why don’t you make some yourself?” Shen Jinmao snapped.

“There’s no need to taste it—I already know I’ve lost,” Ding Shuzhen admitted. Turning to Zhang Jiaohua, she apologized, “I misjudged you based on your appearance, and that was wrong of me. Some officials today aren’t self-disciplined, always taking advantage of public resources. This exhibition trip is extremely important for our province’s foreign trade, but some officials still find ways to bring their relatives along, embarrassing the party.”

With grace, Shi Guoshu also apologized to Zhang Jiaohua for his doubts.

“You’re not going to taste the tea?” Zhang Jiaohua asked.

“Of course I will. But first, I must own up to my mistake. What’s your name, young man?” Shi Guoshu asked as he sipped the tea.

“Zhang Jiaohua,” Zhang replied, giving his full name.

“Jiaohua? That must be a nickname, right? What’s your full name?” Shi Guoshu asked with a chuckle, and everyone around laughed as well, finding the boy’s name amusing.

“My name is Zhang Jiaohua, with ‘Jiao’ meaning ‘to teach’ and ‘Hua’ meaning ‘culture’,” Zhang explained, scratching his head, clearly embarrassed by how his name was perceived.

“That’s a great name. I must have misheard,” Shi Guoshu smiled.

Someone quickly asked, “Director Shi, how does the tea taste?”

“The tea leaves are a bit inferior, but the tea itself is excellent. Jiaohua, you’ve got some real skill. Did your family teach you this?” Shi Guoshu inquired.

Zhao Jinyuan immediately responded, “No, this bamboo tube black tea is something only he can make. His family says he figured it out on his own.”

Shi Guoshu nodded, impressed. “I see. No wonder I’ve never heard of such good tea before. Jiaohua, you’re amazing. The best tea in the world comes from you.”

Feeling a bit awkward, Ding Shuzhen quietly slipped behind others, no longer daring to speak. She realized Shi Guoshu’s disdain for her, and if he were to investigate further, her husband’s job could be at risk.

“Could you give me some of this tea? I’ll trade you something for it,” Shi Guoshu asked.

“What will you give me?” Zhang Jiaohua replied, showing no deference despite Shi Guoshu’s status.

“I didn’t bring much with me, but here’s a pen. I’ll trade this pen for your tea,” Shi Guoshu said, taking a pen from his pocket.

“Director Shi, there’s no need. Jiaohua can just give you the tea,” Zhao Jinyuan quickly intervened, knowing the pen was valuable and likely had special significance. He didn’t want Zhang to be indebted to Shi Guoshu over a pen.

Shi Guoshu frowned. “Zhao, I’ve heard about you. You left your post as agricultural bureau chief to work in a private business. You’re quite bold. But don’t meddle here—I won’t take a child’s gift for free. It’s just a Parker pen.”

Zhao Jinyuan reluctantly stepped back.

“I won’t trade with you then. I’ll just give you the tea,” Zhang Jiaohua said, resigned.

“No, no, I said I’d trade, and I will. But you must promise me one thing,” Shi Guoshu smiled.

“What’s that?” Zhang asked, curious.

“Study hard, and one day create even better tea for the country to export,” Shi Guoshu said as he personally pinned the pen to Zhang Jiaohua’s shirt pocket.

Zhang Jiaohua handed over the tea.

Everyone felt envious of Zhang Jiaohua—not because of the pen’s value, but because forming a good relationship with Shi Guoshu was invaluable.

As Shi Guoshu left, Zhao Jinyuan offered him some tea from the Meizi’ao Tea Factory, but Shi declined.

“This is the best tea for me. As for your tea, take it abroad and help the country earn some foreign exchange. The international tea market is booming this year, and I’m optimistic about bamboo tube black tea’s potential at the upcoming world food quality competition,” Shi Guoshu said, expressing high hopes for the tea’s future.