PCJ – Chapter 354 Waiting in Agony

“Mikalis, the Jade Fairy Brew comes from a very small Chinese company. I’m sorry, but I’ve never even heard of that place. There’s no denying that China is the homeland of tea, but the Chinese lack brand protection awareness when it comes to their tea. Their tea quality varies greatly, with good and bad mixed together. They find it hard to maintain consistent quality, which is why I strongly oppose giving an award to this Chinese tea.” Sebastian expressed his opinion.

“If a tea like Jade Fairy Brew, which has managed to win over every tea expert here, cannot stand on the highest podium, then what is the purpose of this Quality Evaluation Conference? What are we, tea experts, even here for? The organizing committee might as well just score the teas based on region and historical performance. I believe our purpose here is to find extraordinary teas like Jade Fairy Brew. As a tea expert, when you discover such a tea, doesn’t your heart skip a beat? Yes, this is the celestial tea we’ve been looking for! I don’t want to sway anyone’s final score, but I want to remind you all of one thing: A good tea doesn’t necessarily need a medal; a good tea will always stand out. Our evaluation here won’t stop Jade Fairy Brew from becoming a world-renowned tea, but it will reflect the fairness of the entire Quality Evaluation Conference to the world. That’s all I have to say.” Mikalis scanned the room of tea experts seriously.

“I agree with Mikalis. Our job is to truthfully reflect the quality of a tea. Other aspects should be left to others. I believe that further quality inspections will objectively reflect the consistency of this tea,” said tea expert Gillis as he stood up.

The award ceremony was approaching. According to the rules of the Food Quality Evaluation Conference, any product scoring over 60% would receive an award. The bronze award goes to products with an average score of 60% to 69%; silver, for 70% to 79%; gold, for 80% to 89%; and the special gold award, for 90% to 100%.

Among the exhibitors, some were excited while others were worried. Several awards had already been announced for other industries. Some domestic food companies had won awards, though not many. However, since most of them were state-owned enterprises, they didn’t seem too concerned about whether they won or not.

Meanwhile, Zhang Jiaohua and his team were visibly anxious. Even Zhang Jiaohua found himself swept up in the tense atmosphere.

“We don’t need to be nervous at all. If our Jade Fairy Brew can’t win, then the award isn’t worth winning. It would mean they’re unjust!” Zhao Jinyuan said.

“That’s right! If such a great tea can’t win, then it’s unfair!” Ji Jiaxin said loudly, without any hesitation.

Someone nearby overheard this and snickered. It was Ding Shuzhen. “Not winning means it’s unfair? Do you think this is your little mountain village? This is London! Do you think foreign experts are as easily swayed as back home, where quantity matters more than quality? Everything here is carefully selected. It’s completely normal not to win, but if you do win, then that’s surprising.”

“Why do you talk like that?” Ji Jiaxin angrily asked.

“I’m just speaking the truth,” Ding Shuzhen snorted.

Lu Yingxiang quickly pulled Ding Shuzhen aside and whispered in her ear, “Say no more. That kid is from the consulate, the child of Comrade Shen.”

Hearing this, Ding Shuzhen went silent.

“Brother Jiaohua, why didn’t you scold her? She’s being so awful!” Ji Jiaxin complained about Zhang Jiaohua’s silence.

“I can’t be bothered with such a senseless woman,” Zhang Jiaohua replied, truly not wanting to engage. If they were back in Meizi’ao, Zhang would have dealt with her long ago. But he promised his parents that he would listen to Director Zhao while outside, so he couldn’t go back on his word. Frustrated, he pretended not to hear.

“Quiet down, the tea awards are about to be announced,” someone shouted. It was the leader of their delegation.

“Bronze award, Meishan Maojian.”

The moment Meishan Maojian was announced, Lu Yingxiang jumped up excitedly.

Ding Shuzhen also screamed in joy.

She glanced proudly at Zhang Jiaohua’s group with a smug smile. Winning the bronze felt like winning the top prize to her.

“Congratulations, Director Lu! This is huge—your factory is going to be famous! This is the first time our country’s tea has won this award.”

“Yes, Director Lu, you have to treat us to a meal now!”

…

Lu Yingxiang was elated, secretly marveling at his luck. He knew exactly how this award had been won. The tea submitted for evaluation had actually been sourced from Xintian County. Still, even a bronze award was an unexpected gain for him.

Zhao Jinyuan and Shen Jinmao had complicated feelings. They knew all too well how this award had been secured for Zijiang Tea Factory. The quality of their tea had drastically declined this year. Now that Zhou Xinghai was no longer at Zijiang Tea Factory, the quality was likely to deteriorate further. This award would surely boost sales for Zijiang Tea Factory, but how long could that last?

Without being directly involved, Zhao Jinyuan and Shen Jinmao sighed. Surprisingly, they weren’t too nervous about whether Jade Fairy Brew would win. After all, if Meishan Maojian had won an award, how could Jade Fairy Brew not? The question was whether it would take silver, gold, or even the special gold award, but neither of them was completely certain.

Ji Jiaxin took out some candy from her pocket. “Brother Jiaohua, want some candy? It’s not chocolate, it’s fruit candy—very tasty, and it’s fruity!”

She handed some candy to Zhang Jiaohua, who felt a little embarrassed. “You’re helping us out, and now you’re offering me candy. I feel bad!”

“It’s no big deal, we’re friends! My mom says good things should be shared with friends. Brother Jiaohua, I wish you were studying in London too; I could share tasty things with you every day.”

“Are you studying in London?” Zhang Jiaohua asked, surprised.

“Yep! My parents work at the consulate, so of course I live and study here.”

“Aren’t you worried your classmates will bully you?” Zhang Jiaohua asked.

“Of course not! We’re all good friends,” Ji Jiaxin responded, finding Zhang Jiaohua’s question a bit odd.

By now, the silver awards were being announced, and another Chinese tea factory won—this time, Jiangnan Biluo Spring Tea Factory, exciting the delegation once more.

“Aren’t you worried that your Jade Fairy Brew won’t win?” Ji Jiaxin asked.

Zhang Jiaohua shook his head. “What’s there to worry about? Our Jade Fairy Brew sells well enough back home. Even if we don’t win this award, it won’t affect us much. But Uncle Zhao believes that such a good tea deserves the highest honor. Why can’t we be recognized as world-class tea?”

“Uncle Zhao is right! Jade Fairy Brew is delicious. I don’t usually drink tea, but I love it! It doesn’t have that bitterness most teas have. One sip, and I feel like all my pores are releasing a fragrant aroma,” Ji Jiaxin said, making an exaggerated expression of enjoyment.

As the gold awards were about to be announced, everyone started to get nervous.

The first announcement went to a domestic tea factory—Jianghuai Red Year won the gold award. The team from Jianghuai Red Year erupted into cheers. If no other Chinese tea factory won, they would be the only ones from the country to receive a gold award. This could significantly boost the factory’s future, and while it was state-owned, better profits meant more secure salaries for employees. The gold award might even open doors to the international market.

When the list was fully read, Meizi’ao Tea Factory’s name hadn’t been called. Zhao Jinyuan and Shen Jinmao’s faces darkened.

Zhang Jiaohua was equally stunned. After all, he’d heard that the special gold award wasn’t something that was given often.

Seeing this, Ding Shuzhen couldn’t resist anymore and began mocking loudly. “I told you, some people have unrealistic dreams! A small village tea factory thinking they could win at the World Food Quality Evaluation Conference—what a joke! Our Zijiang Tea Factory has decades of experience, and we only won a bronze. A small, newly built village factory trying to win such an important international award? Ridiculous!”

“I’ve had enough of you! If you keep talking nonsense, I’ll make you mute for life!” Zhang Jiaohua was furious.

“Oh really? Go ahead, make me mute! If you don’t, then you’re my child!” Ding Shuzhen, being fiery, immediately escalated when Zhang Jiaohua threatened her.

“Hmph! Ignorant!” Zhang Jiaohua scoffed.

Ding Shuzhen thought Zhang was just bluffing, but the moment she opened her mouth, she found herself speechless! She couldn’t utter a single sound, as though a ghost were choking her. She touched her throat in horror.

At that moment, the announcer continued, “This time, one tea has received a perfect score, earning the special gold award. This has never happened in the history of the World Food Quality Evaluation Conference. In other words, this tea has won over every single judge. It’s an honor to have been one of the judges, and I’m delighted that this tea has gained unanimous approval. Truly, it’s a well-deserved win. And the tea is…”

Zhang Jiaohua was taken aback. Could it be that Jade Fairy Brew had won the highest award?

Hope reignited in the eyes of Zhao Jinyuan and Shen Jinmao.

Ji Jiaxin tugged on Zhang Jiaohua’s sleeve. “Brother Jiaohua, do you think it’ll be Jade Fairy Brew?”

The entire audience fell silent, awaiting the final announcement.