Chapter 110: Milk Tea
Da Tou was brought back, and Wen Xiuyi had a talk with him. The boy seemed quite willing; after all, he had benefited greatly from Shopkeeper Qiu’s guidance these past days. He only felt that gaining another father would be unfair to Wen Xiuyi, so he had been hesitating, even considering refusing.
Compared to studying, he liked his dad more.
After learning what Da Tou was thinking, Wen Xiuyi felt both touched and heartbroken. The child was so young, yet already so sensible.
“Son,” Wen Xiuyi said earnestly, “some opportunities are rare and hard to come by. Shopkeeper Qiu is a man of great learning. You’ll gain more following him than staying with me. In this lifetime, I can only ever be a mere xiucai, but you’re different—you have a bright future ahead.”
Da Tou looked at him, suddenly feeling a little sad.
“Dad, won’t you be sad?” If he agreed, he would have to call someone else Dad.
Wen Xiuyi smiled. “Silly boy, why would I be sad? If you acknowledge Shopkeeper Qiu as your godfather, does that mean you’re no longer my son?”
Da Tou frowned tightly. Wen Xiuyi patted his head and continued, “If you accept Shopkeeper Qiu as your godfather, it just means there will be one more person in this world who loves you, who treasures you like I do. It doesn’t mean you stop being my son, understand?”
He paused before adding, “I know your mother’s situation hurt you, but that was between the adults. Your mother had her own reasons for leaving—it was her choice. But that doesn’t mean no one loves you. Look at me, your brother and sister, your grandparents, your uncles and aunts—we’re all your family. And in the future, Shopkeeper Qiu will love you too. Isn’t that wonderful?”
Most importantly, son—this is a powerful thigh to hold onto.
Da Tou seemed to understand. After hesitating for a moment, he nodded. “Dad, I’m willing. Uncle Qiu said he doesn’t have a son, so I’ll take care of him in his old age.” Then, worried Wen Xiuyi might be unhappy, he quickly added, “I’ll take care of you too.”
“Good son.” Wen Xiuyi resisted the urge to pull him into a fierce hug and kiss him twice, then took his hand and returned outside, nodding to Shopkeeper Qiu from afar.
Shopkeeper Qiu beamed with joy.
By evening, the New Year’s Eve dinner was ready to be served. Two large tables were set up in the Wen family’s main hall, and everyone’s faces shone with happiness. Madam Luo, together with her daughters-in-law and granddaughters, brought out dish after dish.
With Wen Yao in charge, the New Year’s Eve feast was exceptionally abundant. Though the dishes were ordinary, everything she made was both beautiful and delicious.
Old Man Wen and Doctor Jin sat at the main seats, followed by Shopkeeper Qiu and Wen Xiuyi. The rest sat according to seniority and age. Madam Luo led the women and children to sit at the other table.
Everyone was seated, yet no one picked up their chopsticks. Old Man Wen’s grin nearly reached his ears. He had planned to say a few words, but seeing Doctor Jin present, he said, “Doctor Jin, why don’t you say something?”
Doctor Jin declined. “Elder brother, that wouldn’t do. You are the head of the household—you should speak. Old Qiu and I are merely guests; we can’t steal the host’s role.”
Old Man Wen waved his hand. “What guests? You’re Xiaojun’s master—we’re all family, all family! Hahaha!”
After the polite exchanges, Old Man Wen cleared his throat. “I don’t have much to say. I just hope we’ll all do well in the coming year. Come, let’s raise our cups and wish for a good year ahead!”
He lifted his cup first, and everyone followed. Those who could drink had wine; those who couldn’t drank the milk tea Wen Yao had made.
The milk came from the space—brought back during a family outing, claiming they’d run into someone selling fresh cow’s milk. No one suspected anything.
It was everyone’s first time tasting such tea. The creamy fragrance blended with the aroma of tea—it was delicious.
Soon, everyone forgot the toasts and started praising Wen Yao’s milk tea instead.
“Milk tea? May I try some?” Doctor Jin’s eyes lit up. He’d thought the wine was already excellent, but there was something even better he hadn’t tasted.
Wen Yao poured a cup each for Doctor Jin and Shopkeeper Qiu. At the first sip, the tea and milk aromas filled their mouths. Two seemingly unrelated ingredients created a unique and delightful flavor.
Both men began to doubt their own experience. The Wen family were farmers, yet the tea they served was more fragrant than the finest teas they’d ever tasted. Even the wine earlier had been exceptional—rich aroma, yet unbelievably smooth.
They had thought that was the peak—until they tasted the milk tea. This strange yet perfect blend made them want another sip immediately after the first.
Seeing them drink cup after cup, finishing one and clearly wanting another, Wen Yao smiled confidently.
Throughout history, no one has ever been able to resist milk tea!
“Well? Is it good?” Wen Yao asked with a grin.
Doctor Jin nodded repeatedly. “Yao girl, did you make this yourself?”
“Yes, just something I tinkered with.” She spoke with guilty confidence, silently apologizing to the bloggers who had taught her how to make milk tea.
“Good, very good. Another cup.” Doctor Jin handed her his cup.
But Wen Yao didn’t refill it. “If you like it, I’ll pack you a pot to take home tonight. Don’t you want to drink more of this wine now?”
Don’t waste the expensive purchase she’d made! If Professor Wen hadn’t begged, she wouldn’t have spent two taels’ worth of achievement points on just two small bottles.
Doctor Jin suddenly remembered and laughed. “Right, right! This wine is excellent too. Where did you buy it? I’ve been in Yunwu Town so long and never tasted wine this good.”
Shopkeeper Qiu agreed. Forget Yunwu Town—even the capital didn’t have wine this fine.
Wen Yao wanted to slap herself. She forced a smile. “I brewed it secretly before. Just these two bottles.”
Everyone was shocked—even Old Man Wen and the others. When had Wen Yao brewed wine? How did they not know?
Just as Old Man Wen was about to question her, Wen Xiuyi quickly changed the topic before the truth slipped out. “Yes, Doctor Jin, Brother Qiu—come, come, let’s drink! Let the women and children have the milk tea.”
He pulled them into a toast and dragged Old Man Wen and his brothers along, leaving them no chance to interrogate Wen Yao further.
