Chapter 57 - 56: Da Hong Pao (3)

"Dad, what are you talking about!"

Hearing Ning Tianliang’s words, Ning Ruoxi stomped her foot in a fit of pique.

’When was I snatched away...?’

’No, wait, how am I a cabbage?!’

’What kind of father compares his own daughter to that?’

Ye Ling was also a little embarrassed, surprised that such a powerful figure could say something so down-to-earth.

"Ahem, Uncle Ning, you’ve misunderstood. I just heard from Ruoruo that you’re quite passionate about the art of tea, so I did a little research."

Ye Ling immediately explained.

Ye Ling’s attention to detail at this moment was impeccable, and his words were so precise that they left no room for doubt.

In reality, Ye Ling had been preparing to meet Ning Tianliang for days and had rehearsed these lines countless times.

"Oh? Is that so?"

Ning Tianliang couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, a hint of surprise on his face.

"Dad, it’s true! The tea Ye Ling makes is delicious, even better than yours!"

Ning Ruoxi, who was standing to the side, chimed in at once.

Hearing this, Ning Tianliang raised an eyebrow again and casually pulled a small bag from his drawer. Inside was a small piece of a tea cake.

"Is this... Da Hong Pao?"

"Correct, it is Da Hong Pao. Since this little girl of mine is praising you so highly, would you mind showing us what you can do?"

Ning Tianliang was a little surprised that Ye Ling had identified the tea by name with just a glance, and he added his question.

"Then I’ll try not to embarrass myself."

Ye Ling didn’t decline, replying with a smile.

As Ning Tianliang was a tea enthusiast, a full tea set was already neatly arranged on the side of his desk, so Ye Ling didn’t need to prepare a thing, making it very convenient.

Ye Ling gently broke off a sliver from the tea cake, held it under his nose, and sniffed. A look of astonishment appeared on his face once again.

"Uncle Ning, this is truly extravagant of you."

Ye Ling couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

Ning Tianliang said flatly, "What have you figured out now?"

"Da Hong Pao’s fame comes from its brew, which has a fresh, greenish-brown luster and a bright, orange-yellow liquor. But in reality, all the Da Hong Pao on the market comes from descendant trees. The highest-quality mother tree Da Hong Pao has long been forbidden from harvesting, meaning that every little bit used is a little bit gone forever."

Ye Ling smiled faintly and then said,

"Uncle Ning, this piece of yours... it must be from the mother tree, isn’t it?"

"Correct. It is."

This time, Ning Tianliang’s expression turned slightly solemn.

He wouldn’t have been so surprised if Ye Ling only knew a little about the properties of tea. But for Ye Ling to identify it as mother tree Da Hong Pao with a single sniff was a sign of true expertise.

Even he would have found it difficult to identify it just by rubbing and sniffing it so lightly.

"Then this junior has truly broadened his horizons today. After all, mother tree Da Hong Pao like this is priceless..."

Ye Ling smiled faintly, then began to prepare the tea.

His movements were unhurried, as fluid as moving clouds and flowing water, giving off a very soothing feeling.

The reason tea isn’t especially popular in the modern era is mainly that it clashes with the fast-paced lifestyle of today.

In the United States, although many people enjoy drinking tea, they lack the patience to slowly sip the scalding liquid. This led to the creation of iced tea and a whole series of quick beverages.

In truth, these can’t be considered tea at all; they’re merely soft drinks.

True tea can only be appreciated by slowly savoring it while it’s hot. Only then can its true essence be understood!

As Ning Tianliang watched Ye Ling’s tea-brewing technique, a look of astonishment gradually appeared on his face. The young man’s proficiency was like that of a tea master who had been immersed in the art for decades!

Moreover, Ye Ling’s control over the temperature was absolutely perfect. As he watched the stream of water fall slowly into the cup, the aroma, carried by the steam, filled the entire study.

The quality of a cup of tea depends first on the leaves, and second on the skill and experience of the brewer.

Even with good tea leaves, if the brewer’s control of temperature and time is lacking, the tea’s aroma and flavor cannot be fully expressed. It would be nothing but a waste of good tea!

But Ye Ling had perfectly unearthed the ’potential’ of this Da Hong Pao. Even when Ning Tianliang brewed it himself, he had never achieved such a rich aroma.

"Uncle Ning, please."

Ye Ling smiled faintly and gently pushed the teacup in front of Ning Tianliang.

Ning Tianliang gave Ye Ling a deep look, picked up the cup, and took a sip. He closed his eyes to savor it, and when he opened them again, the astonishment in them had deepened.

Before, when he heard Ye Ling claim to have done "some research" on the art of tea, he thought it was just flattery. Now, however, he realized it wasn’t just "some research"—the man had a profound understanding!

"Xiaoling, your knowledge of the art of tea is no weaker than my own."

Ning Tianliang said with a soft sigh as he put down the teacup.

After drinking Ye Ling’s tea, his attitude toward the young man had changed significantly. At the very least, he was no longer as indifferent as before, even addressing him as ’Xiaoling’.

Beside them, Ning Ruoxi couldn’t help but bat her eyes at Ye Ling. She hadn’t expected her silly boy to receive such high praise from Ning Tianliang.

’She thought it was the first time she had ever seen Ning Tianliang praise someone so highly...’

"However, business is business. Let’s talk about this girl of mine."

Ning Tianliang coughed lightly, his expression returning to its previous impassivity.

Although Ye Ling’s cup of tea had indeed satisfied him, that was all it was.

"Please speak, Uncle Ning."

Ye Ling wasn’t surprised by the shift in his attitude. After all, for a man of his stature, it would have been truly surprising if he had given his approval just because of a single cup of tea.

"I only have one precious daughter. If you want to take her away from me, you’ll have to satisfy me first. That’s non-negotiable. If you want to marry my daughter, you have to show me you have what it takes."

Ning Tianliang’s expression was indifferent, his brow filled with an air of arrogance:

"I’ve looked into your background. Your family is just ordinary working-class, yet you own sixty percent of the shares in Shengding Group. You even managed to use the power of public opinion to take down the Yu Group not long ago. That, I admit, was well done."

Hearing this, Ye Ling couldn’t help but narrow his eyes. He clearly hadn’t expected Ning Tianliang’s reach to be so extensive that he could even uncover the fact that Ye Ling had secretly spread the scandals about the Yu Group!

At this thought, Ye Ling’s heart sank.

’If Ning Tianliang could find out, it means others can too. The relationships between the major powers in Xia Country are extremely complex right now. If someone on good terms with the Yu Group finds out, they might come after me...’