Chapter 372: Chatting in the Tea Room

Qiu Xi, as soon as she heard that Wen Han was coming in,

she immediately, like a dog, bent over and ran to the outside of the tea room,

"Ah, my Second Master Wen, you're here. I just said something wrong, I should be beaten. My mouth just loves to babble."

After Qiu Xi finished speaking, she deliberately fanned her own mouth with her hand.

"It should have been beaten long ago, Qiu Xi. Mr. He Zuming, Zhao Laoban—are they both here?" Wen Han asked.

"They're all here, just waiting for Second Master Wen. You're here now." Qiu Xi said, gesturing with her hand to invite Wen Han inside.

When Wen Han entered the room, we all quickly stood up.

Wen Han did not come alone; a white‑haired elder followed behind him.

When I looked at that elder, I recognized him as the expert scholar who often appears on TV treasure‑appraisal shows.

Wen Han entered the room and glanced at us,

He Zuming, the boss, and I all quickly greeted Wen Han.

Wen Han gestured with his hand,

"Boss, is the tea ready?"

"It's all ready, Second Master Wen, what tea would you like?" the boss asked.

"Give me that Golden Needle tea, and let everyone taste its flavor." Wen Han said deliberately, as if a prince of old were bestowing it upon his servants.

The boss hurriedly instructed Xiao Yue: "Xiao Yue, change the tea, bring Second Master Wen's Golden Needle over, and use that Yùquán water. Eighty degrees."

"Alright, boss." Xiao Yue also rushed to the tea table and took out a box of tea leaves.

Then she skillfully brewed tea on the tea sea.

Wen Han said to us: "The person behind me, let me introduce him to everyone. This is Master Liu, a renowned expert. In the field of cultural relics, he is top‑notch."

Master Liu hurried to the front, bowed to us and said: "A hollow name; Mr. Wen's younger brother tends to exaggerate. It's an honor to meet the big fellow."

We also bowed in return.

Xiao Yue said at the tea counter: "Gentlemen, boss, the Golden Needle tea is ready; please come to the tea sea and sip slowly."

Wen Han pointed to the tea sea with his hand,

"Let's go sit by the tea sea, drink and chat."

The boss hurriedly said: "Second Master Wen, I won't go; I'll stay down here to watch the business. If anything's needed, just have Xiao Yue handle it."

The boss, aware of his status, deliberately avoided joining such a gathering.

Wen Han gave a slight nod; the boss shut the tea‑room door and left.

When Wen Han sat by the tea sea, we only then dared to fetch stools and sit down.

After sitting, I smelled a strong fragrance,

not the scent of the tea leaves, but the aroma emanating from the tea sea itself.

This tea sea was made from a massive tree trunk,

the carving was exceptionally precise.

I looked at the trunk; it was carved from small‑leaf rosewood. Damn, it's so fragrant.

Wen Han then said: "Big fellow, there's nothing special today; let's gather to taste tea. Xiao Yue, the tea has been brewed."

"Second Master Wen, two brews, just right to drink." Xiao Yue replied.

"Let's all try the flavor of this Golden Needle; it yields only a few dozen jin a year and is a special‑supply tea." Wen Han said, lifted his tea bowl, and began drinking.

We also quickly raised our cups to taste.

It was my first time hearing of Golden Needle tea.

I slowly took a sip; at first it was slightly bitter, then it turned sweet on the palate.

A fragrance then spread in my mouth,

it was a mixed‑aroma tea.

Very refreshing.

Damn, the good stuff is all being consumed by these people.

After a sip, I set the tea bowl down.

Wen Han glanced at me,

"Mr. He Zuming, you introduced this Zhao Laoban, who beat Qiao San twice in cricket fighting. How did you meet Zhao Laoban?"

He Zuming hurriedly said: "Second Master Wen, you know my little shop is in Xinfadi. Zhao Laoban is from that area and often comes to my shop. He heard I'm good at cricket fighting and wanted to join me.

So I introduced him to our Duel Fun Hall.

It was a coincidence that Zhao Laoban's crickets could beat Qiao San."

"The first time was luck; the second and third weren't that lucky, right, Zhao Laoban? We met a few days ago.

I want to ask you, where do your crickets come from?" Wen Han asked, looking at me.

"Mr. Wen, I buy my crickets from Renningyang. Before I was in Xinfadi I did vegetable wholesale and met many Qilu people; one friend said his brother raises crickets.

So I called his brother over, let Brother Ma bring his crickets to play, and didn't expect it would cause a stir here."

"That's true; Hongguo Li told me your crickets are wild‑grown, all from the Qilu region."

"Zhao Laoban, I want to ask you, do you know why your crickets win?" Wen Han continued asking me.

Mr. Wen, I really don't understand this, because I'm also just starting to play this thing. The first time I won was after Brother Ma heard me mention Qiao San's bomber, and he chose a cricket that could bounce.

"Mr. Wen, I really don't understand, because I'm also new to this. The first win was because Brother Ma, after hearing me mention Qiao San's bomber, chose a cricket that could 'bounce'.

The second and third times, I brought him into the Duel Fun Hall; the situation, Boss Qiu, knows.

He chose which crickets to field; I don't understand the specifics of how the matches were won."

"Seems Zhao Laoban really is a blockhead. Xiao Yue, boil water again for tea. I'll explain the situation here properly." Wen Han said.

【61】 Xiao Yue hurriedly boiled water and brewed tea.

After Xiao Yue had brewed the tea again, Wen Han took a sip,

Then he slowly said: "I watched that day's recording, the match situation I know clearly."

The first time you won, that was against the flying bomber, using the jumping cricket. I won't say more here.

The second time you beat Qiao San's Iron Spear King, using the one called Invincible East,

You should know that cricket has already won two consecutive matches,

The principle that arrogance leads to defeat everyone knows. Invincible East relied on waiting for the opportunity, exploiting the Iron Spear King's carelessness, to win.

The third time, your cricket is called Blackskin, right, to deal with Qiao San's Blue-faced Beast.

This time Blackskin sold a flaw, deliberately letting its large hind leg be bitten by the Blue-faced Beast.

Sacrifice the chariot to protect the general. You know, after the Blue-faced Beast bites Blackskin's large hind leg, it must be arrogant.

It is precisely by using this point, attacking the Blue-faced Beast, that it wins; if it directly clashed with the Blue-faced Beast, Blackskin's chance of winning would be none.

These two crickets are smart. Actually, cricket fighting is not about brute force, but about intellect.

Boss Zhao, am I right?

Before I could speak,

Qiu Xi hurriedly clapped,

"Second Master, your analysis is excellent. Once you said it, we understood; otherwise we are just spectators.

I have been wondering, how did this cricket win,

The Blue-faced Beast is so big, this Blackskin is one size smaller than it.

I thought it was divine assistance, but now I see.

I finally figured it out.

Still, my Second Master knows more.

Otherwise, I would have remained ignorant.

This flattery is truly speechless.

Wen Han didn't pay attention to Qiu Xi,

He looked at me,

gesturing for me to speak.

I quickly said: "Mr. Wen, I, I really don't understand this thing. I'm a novice, I just watch for fun, these two little toys, playing with them is very enjoyable.

I grew to like it; today you said this, I only then realized there are so many mysteries here.

I say, scholars and refined gentlemen all like this little thing,

I always thought it was just about brute strength, but actually it's about strategy.

Just like the ancient Thirty-Six Stratagems.

Know the enemy and know yourself, you will never be defeated in a hundred battles.

"Haha, excellent 'know the enemy and know yourself, never defeated in a hundred battles.' Boss Zhao is absolutely right." Wen Han laughed.