Chapter 108 - 106 — The Secret Tea Hill and a Gift for Two

Chapter 108: Chapter 106 — The Secret Tea Hill and a Gift for Two

The next morning, Lin Yue woke to the sound of birdsong.

For once, there was no urgent knocking at the door.

No apprentice shouting that a chicken had escaped.

No visitor carrying a basket of mysterious vegetables.

No one asking Shen Rui to inspect a roof, repair a fence, or explain why a wooden beam looked suspiciously crooked.

It was peaceful.

Almost suspiciously peaceful.

Lin Yue stretched beneath the blanket and smiled.

"Shen Rui."

"Hmm?"

"Do you hear that?"

He opened one eye. "The birds?"

"No."

"The wind?"

"No."

"The sound of our peaceful morning?"

"Exactly."

Shen Rui smiled and pulled her closer.

"Then we should enjoy it before someone discovers we are awake."

Lin Yue laughed softly.

Unfortunately, someone had already discovered that.

A small golden nose appeared at the edge of the window.

Then two bright eyes.

Then a tiny claw.

Lumi.

The little dragon stared at them with the solemn expression of someone who had been deeply wronged.

"Good morning."

Lin Yue closed her eyes.

"I didn’t hear anything."

"Good morning!" Lumi repeated, louder.

Shen Rui sighed.

"Didn’t we tell you that today is a dragon-free day?"

Lumi blinked.

"I am not a dragon."

Lin Yue opened one eye.

"What are you, then?"

"A very small travelling pastry inspector."

Shen Rui looked at the little creature.

"Pastry inspectors do not need to travel with us."

"But what if the pastries are dangerous?"

"Dangerous?"

"What if they are too delicious?"

Lin Yue burst out laughing.

Shen Rui sat up and gently lifted Lumi away from the window.

"Today, you are staying with Aster."

Lumi’s wings drooped.

"But—"

"No."

"But I—"

"No."

"But I have prepared—"

"No."

Lumi gasped.

"You haven’t even heard my proposal!"

"I have learned from experience."

Lin Yue covered her mouth to hide her smile.

After several minutes of negotiation, two promises were made.

Lumi would remain at Open Garden.

And Lin Yue would bring back something delicious.

The little dragon considered this arrangement.

"Three things."

"One," Shen Rui replied.

"Two?"

"One."

"Two and a half?"

"Lumi."

"Fine. Two."

Shen Rui shook his head.

"Your bargaining skills are becoming dangerous."

Aster appeared beside the doorway.

"I will supervise the dragon."

Lumi immediately looked offended.

"I do not require supervision."

Aster glanced at the crumbs scattered around its mouth.

"Your recent behaviour suggests otherwise."

"That is unrelated."

"Of course."

Lin Yue kissed Lumi lightly on the forehead.

"Be good."

"I am always good."

Shen Rui looked at the broken pastry tin on the table.

Lumi followed his gaze.

"That tin attacked me."

"Of course it did," Lin Yue said.

With that, she and Shen Rui finally left.

Neither noticed the tiny golden tail disappearing behind a folded travel blanket.

The eastern path was quiet.

Morning sunlight slipped between the trees, turning the dew on the leaves into tiny silver beads. The air carried the faint fragrance of wildflowers and damp earth.

Lin Yue walked beside Shen Rui, holding his hand.

There was no hurry.

No destination that required careful planning.

No list of things that needed to be accomplished.

Just the two of them.

"How strange," Lin Yue said.

"What is?"

"We have walked this path countless times, but today it feels different."

"Because we are not carrying tools?"

"Because we are not carrying responsibilities."

Shen Rui glanced at her.

"Then I should have arranged this sooner."

"You should have arranged it before the apprentices discovered that you could build things."

"I will remember that."

"You said the same thing last time."

"Then I will remember it twice."

Lin Yue laughed.

They continued up the gentle slope until the old tea hill came into view.

The place was beautiful.

Rows of old tea bushes stretched across the hillside, their leaves glistening beneath the morning sun. A few flowering trees stood near the upper path, and beyond them grew the oldest tree on the hill.

Its trunk was broad and weathered, its branches spreading like a great green umbrella.

A small wooden table had been placed beneath it.

Two cups rested on the tabletop.

Beside them sat a covered basket.

Lin Yue slowed.

"So the note was real."

Shen Rui looked around.

"Apparently."

"Do you think someone is planning to give us another assignment?"

"I sincerely hope not."

"Perhaps a new orchard?"

"I will pretend I didn’t hear that."

A familiar voice suddenly called from behind the tree.

"About time you arrived!"

Auntie Feng stepped into view.

Behind her stood Madam He, the elderly Willowbank orchard keeper, Mei, Jun, Jun’s younger sister, and the other apprentices.

Lin Yue blinked.

Then she looked at Shen Rui.

He looked equally surprised.

Auntie Feng placed her hands on her hips.

"What? Did you think the old tree had invited you personally?"

Lin Yue laughed.

"Considering the mysterious note, I was beginning to suspect something."

The old orchard keeper chuckled.

"We wanted to surprise you."

"You certainly succeeded," Shen Rui replied.

Mei stepped forward, holding a small wooden box.

"Madam Lin, Young Master Shen... we prepared something for you."

Jun immediately leaned forward.

"And we did most of the work!"

His younger sister elbowed him.

"You did not. You carried the basket."

"Carrying is important!"

"It was empty!"

"It was heavy in spirit!"

Lin Yue laughed so hard that Shen Rui had to steady her by the shoulders.

Auntie Feng clapped her hands.

"Enough arguing. Sit down first."

She pointed toward the table.

"Today, you are not allowed to work."

Shen Rui raised an eyebrow.

"Who decided that?"

"Everyone."

"That sounds rather unanimous."

"It is."

Lin Yue looked at the others.

"What is happening?"

Madam He smiled.

"You have spent so much time helping everyone else that we began to wonder whether anyone had remembered to take care of you."

The old orchard keeper nodded.

"You helped restore our orchards, taught our children, repaired our water channels, and encouraged our people to work together."

He paused.

"And you even helped that stubborn fellow design a pavilion."

Shen Rui looked at him.

"Are you referring to me?"

"Who else? The man who believes every crooked beam has a philosophical purpose."

Lin Yue immediately turned toward her husband.

"Oh, that reminds me. How is your philosophical beam?"

"It is perfectly straight now."

"Emotionally or physically?"

The apprentices burst into laughter.

Shen Rui looked at his wife.

"I see that my reputation is beyond repair."

"Not entirely," Lin Yue said sweetly. "I still believe you are a very talented carpenter."

"Thank you."

"Especially when you are not designing philosophical beams."

He sighed.

Auntie Feng laughed so loudly that a nearby bird flew from its branch.

Mei placed the wooden box on the table.

"We all contributed something."

Lin Yue carefully opened it.

Inside lay a small tea set.

Two cups, a little teapot, and a shallow tray had been carved from beautifully polished wood. Delicate peach blossoms decorated the sides, while two slender branches intertwined around the handles.

The craftsmanship was simple but lovely.

Beside the tea set lay a small wooden plaque.

Lin Yue lifted it.

Carved across its surface were the words:

A PLACE TO REST, FOR THOSE WHO MADE ROOM FOR OTHERS.

For a moment, she said nothing.

Shen Rui stood beside her, his expression softening.

The old orchard keeper spoke quietly.

"This old tea hill used to be a resting place for our grandparents. They would come here after working in the orchards. Over time, the table collapsed, the path became overgrown, and people stopped visiting."

Madam He continued.

"We thought it would be nice to restore this little corner."

Jun pointed toward the tea bushes.

"We cleaned the path!"

His younger sister added, "And we planted a few young tea shrubs."

Mei smiled.

"We also repaired the old shelter. It is not finished yet, but the roof no longer leaks."

Auntie Feng nodded proudly.

"And the tea leaves are ready for picking."

Lin Yue looked around.

The little corner had been transformed.

A wooden bench stood beneath the tree. A narrow stone path wound between the tea bushes. A small shelter offered shade, and several pots of flowers brightened the entrance.

It was not grand.

It was not expensive.

But every detail carried the care of people who had worked together to make something beautiful.

Madam He smiled at her.

"This place is yours whenever you need it. You do not have to teach here, organise anything, or take responsibility for it."

The old orchard keeper added, "You only have to come, drink tea, and enjoy the view."

Jun nodded enthusiastically.

"And eat!"

His younger sister sighed.

"That is the only part you understood."

"It is an important part!"

Lin Yue laughed, though her eyes had grown warm.

She looked at Shen Rui.

He was studying the wooden plaque.

Then he reached for her hand.

"Thank you," he said.

It was a simple sentence, but everyone understood how much he meant it.

Lin Yue nodded.

"Yes. Thank you. We will treasure this place."

Auntie Feng waved away their gratitude.

"Good. Now sit down before the tea gets cold."

The villagers had prepared a small breakfast.

There were steamed buns, sweet rice cakes, fresh fruit, and a pot of fragrant tea.

Lin Yue sat beside Shen Rui on the wooden bench.

For once, she didn’t feel the need to inspect the surroundings, calculate how much work remained, or think about what to improve next.

She simply enjoyed the morning.

Shen Rui poured tea into her cup.

"Careful. It is hot."

"I know."

"You always say that."

"And you always remind me."

"Because you always forget."

Lin Yue looked at him over the rim of her cup.

"Perhaps I enjoy being reminded."

Shen Rui paused.

Then a slow smile appeared on his face.

"Is that so?"

"Perhaps."

"Then I should remind you more often."

"About the tea?"

"Among other things."

Lin Yue nearly spilled her drink.

"Shen Rui!"

He calmly lifted his own cup.

"What?"

"You are becoming cheeky."

"I have an excellent teacher."

She narrowed her eyes.

"Who?"

"My wife."

Lin Yue tried to look stern.

It was difficult when he was smiling like that.

Across the table, Auntie Feng pretended to be deeply interested in the tea leaves.

The old orchard keeper suddenly found the sky fascinating.

Mei whispered something to Jun.

Jun grinned.

His younger sister immediately covered his mouth.

Lin Yue noticed all of it.

"Are you all watching us?"

"No," Jun answered.

His sister released him.

"We are observing the tea."

"Very carefully," Mei added.

Shen Rui leaned toward Lin Yue.

"Perhaps we should come here more often."

"Why?"

"Because the tea is good."

Lin Yue smiled.

"And the audience?"

"Less convenient."

She laughed and rested her head briefly against his shoulder.

For a little while, the world seemed wonderfully small.

There was warm tea.

A gentle breeze.

The scent of fresh leaves.

And the man she loved sitting beside her.

After the villagers left, Auntie Feng lingered long enough to give Lin Yue a final warning.

"Do not let him turn this place into a construction project."

Lin Yue nodded solemnly.

"I will guard the tea hill."

Shen Rui looked offended.

"Why does everyone assume I cannot sit still?"

Auntie Feng stared at him.

"Because last month you repaired a broken fence while waiting for someone to bring you lunch."

"That fence was dangerous."

"And the week before that, you redesigned a chicken coop."

"The chickens needed better ventilation."

"And yesterday—"

"I understand."

Auntie Feng laughed.

"Good. Then enjoy your day."

She waved and followed the others down the hill.

Soon, only Lin Yue and Shen Rui remained.

The old tree rustled above them.

Lin Yue stretched her legs.

"Now this is a proper day off."

Shen Rui reached into the basket.

"There is something else."

He removed a small wrapped bundle.

Lin Yue looked at him.

"What is that?"

"A gift."

"Another one?"

"This one is from me."

She accepted the bundle and carefully untied the string.

Inside lay two small wooden bookmarks.

Each had been carved into the shape of a peach blossom branch. One bore a tiny inscription:

For the one who always finds another page.

The other read:

For the one who makes every journey feel like home.

Lin Yue turned them over in her hands.

"You made these?"

"Last night."

"You were busy making gifts while I was wondering whether we would ever get a day off?"

"I was trying to be efficient."

She smiled.

"Your efficiency is suspiciously romantic."

"I will take that as praise."

She leaned forward and kissed his cheek.

"Thank you."

Shen Rui looked at her.

"Only my cheek?"

Lin Yue raised an eyebrow.

"You are negotiating?"

"I am asking politely."

She laughed, then leaned in and kissed him properly.

For once, Shen Rui had no clever reply.

When they finally parted, he rested his forehead against hers.

"Worth the wait," he murmured.

Lin Yue smiled.

"Very."

Then a tiny sneeze came from inside the basket.

Both of them froze.

Another sneeze.

A faint golden spark drifted out from beneath the cloth.

Lin Yue slowly turned her head.

"Shen Rui."

"Yes?"

"Did you hear that?"

"I did."

"Please tell me it was a bird."

The basket moved.

A tiny golden head emerged.

"Good morning!"

Lumi blinked at them.

Lin Yue stared.

Shen Rui closed his eyes.

"How?"

Lumi climbed out of the basket and shook its wings.

"I travelled independently."

"You were supposed to stay with Aster," Shen Rui said.

"I did."

"Then how are you here?"

Lumi looked extremely pleased with itself.

"I left Aster a very realistic dragon-shaped pillow."

Lin Yue pressed her fingers against her forehead.

"A dragon-shaped pillow?"

"It was made from a blanket."

Shen Rui sighed.

"I am going to have a conversation with Aster."

Lumi hurried to the basket and pulled out a small cloth bundle.

"But I brought something!"

Lin Yue’s expression softened.

"What did you bring?"

"Peach cakes!"

It opened the bundle.

Inside were several little cakes.

Some were round.

Some were square.

One looked suspiciously like a small roof.

Lin Yue picked up the least damaged one.

"You made these?"

Lumi nodded proudly.

"With a little help."

"Whose help?"

"Aster."

Shen Rui looked toward the distant Open Garden.

"I see."

Lumi pushed the cakes toward them.

"I wanted to bring you something because today is your special day."

Lin Yue’s heart softened.

She broke one cake in half and offered a piece to Lumi.

"Thank you, little pastry inspector."

Lumi beamed.

"I am a very good inspector."

Shen Rui took a bite.

He chewed thoughtfully.

Then he nodded.

"Not bad."

Lumi gasped.

"Not bad?"

"Very good."

The little dragon immediately puffed up with pride.

"Then I shall open my bakery!"

Lin Yue laughed.

"Perhaps you should practise a little more."

"I shall call it The Golden Dragon Bakery."

Shen Rui glanced at the oddly shaped cake.

"Will you sell roofs?"

"They are special edition pastries!"

Lin Yue laughed until her shoulders shook.

The quiet tea hill had officially become a little less quiet.

But somehow, she did not mind.

By the time they began their journey home, the sun had moved beyond the highest branches.

Lin Yue carried the wooden tea set carefully.

Shen Rui carried the basket.

Lumi rode on his shoulder, nibbling the final peach cake.

"Today was wonderful," Lin Yue said.

Shen Rui looked at her.

"Would you like to come back next week?"

"Definitely."

"Then perhaps we should keep a few afternoons free."

"Are you proposing another day off?"

"I am proposing a regular appointment."

"With tea?"

"With tea."

"And cakes?"

"Certainly."

"And no construction?"

He hesitated.

Lin Yue stopped walking.

"Shen Rui."

"No construction."

"No apprentices?"

"Unless they are bringing cakes."

"No work?"

"No work."

She smiled.

"Excellent husband."

He gently squeezed her hand.

"Excellent wife."

Lumi raised one claw.

"What about excellent dragon?"

Lin Yue looked at it.

"That depends."

"On what?"

"Whether you can stay out of the pastry basket for an entire day."

Lumi considered this.

Then it lowered its head.

"That may be too difficult."

Shen Rui laughed.

At the bottom of the hill, Lin Yue glanced back.

The old tree stood peacefully beneath the afternoon light. The little shelter, the wooden bench, and the tea bushes seemed to belong there, as though the place had simply been waiting for someone to remember it.

She held Shen Rui’s hand a little tighter.

They had spent so much time building a home for others that they had almost forgotten how lovely it was to be given a place of their own.

Today, they had received something more precious than a beautiful tea set or a restored shelter.

They had received the kindness they had spent years giving away.

And for once, they did not need to do anything in return.

That evening, back at Open Garden, Aster was waiting near the entrance.

"I would like to report an incident."

Shen Rui looked at Lumi.

"I already know."

"Actually, there are two incidents."

Lin Yue blinked.

"Two?"

Aster projected a small image.

It showed Lumi standing proudly beside a wooden sign.

The sign read:

COMING SOON!

THE GOLDEN DRAGON BAKERY

GRAND OPENING — TOMORROW!

Lin Yue stared.

Shen Rui stared.

Lumi smiled.

"I have already accepted three orders."

"From whom?" Shen Rui asked.

"Moss."

Aster added, "Moss ordered seed cakes. He has also requested that the bakery not be built beside his vegetable patch."

Lin Yue covered her mouth.

"And the second incident?"

Aster displayed another image.

This one showed a small group of apprentices gathered around a table, holding a large sheet of paper.

At the top were the words:

THE FIRST OPEN GARDEN HARVEST FAIR!

Lin Yue’s smile slowly faded.

Shen Rui looked at her.

She looked at him.

Then both turned toward Aster.

"Please tell me," Lin Yue said carefully, "that this is not happening tomorrow."

Aster paused.

"The apprentices have scheduled it for three days from now."

Shen Rui exhaled.

"Three days. That is manageable."

Lumi jumped excitedly.

"I shall sell peach cakes!"

Lin Yue laughed.

"Of course you will."

Aster enlarged the poster.

Beneath the harvest fair announcement was a smaller handwritten note:

SPECIAL EVENT: THE MYSTERIOUS GIANT PUMPKIN CONTEST.

Lin Yue blinked.

"Giant pumpkin?"

Shen Rui looked toward the garden.

"Who planted a giant pumpkin?"

Aster’s projection flickered.

"I believe the answer is currently growing behind the eastern shed."

Lumi’s eyes widened.

Then it whispered:

"It’s bigger than the chicken coop."

Lin Yue slowly turned toward Shen Rui.

He sighed.

Their peaceful day off had lasted almost an entire morning.

But as she watched Lumi proudly announce its future bakery and imagined the apprentices preparing their first harvest fair, Lin Yue could not stop smiling.

Perhaps this was what their little kingdom would always be like.

A little messy.

A little noisy.

Full of unexpected visitors, strange ideas, growing vegetables, and people who somehow became family.

And apparently, one extremely ambitious dragon.

Shen Rui slipped an arm around her waist.

"Shall we inspect the pumpkin tomorrow?"

Lin Yue looked at him.

"Is that work?"

"Possibly."

"Then no."

He smiled.

"Agreed."

Behind them, Lumi suddenly shouted.

"WAIT! WHAT IF THE PUMPKIN IS BIG ENOUGH TO BECOME MY BAKERY?"

Lin Yue closed her eyes.

Shen Rui laughed.

And somewhere behind the eastern shed, a very large pumpkin continued growing.

To be continued...