Chapter 490: The Old Master's Wish

Hearing Han Chunming's words, Su Meng's smile deepened, her eyes warm; she sat at the table, gazing brightly at Han Chunming with a touch of all-seeing wisdom, raised her brow, and asked:

"Come on, you brat, do you need something from me? Otherwise why would you be so attentive, cooking and pouring wine?"

Han Chunming, having his thoughts exposed by her, didn't act shy; he threw his head back and laughed heartily, joy bubbling from his chest. He naturally reached out, grabbed Su Meng's wrist, his fingertips touching her cool skin, gently guiding her to the sofa, while his other hand lifted the red wine glass on the table and offered it to her, his eyes full of a pleasing smile, his tone tinged with endearing sincerity.

"If I didn't say you, Su Meng, are sharp—your mind's like a clear mirror, you guess right every time! Come on, sit down and try my cooking: this sweet-and-sour spare rib took me half a day with the old master to grasp the heat, and this fish, I specially picked a lively fresh one, steamed exactly ten minutes, guaranteed to melt in your mouth—eat and talk, sit, sit, sit."

As he spoke, he lightly pressed Su Meng's shoulder, watching her settle on the sofa before sitting beside her, then handed her the chopsticks: "Before we eat, let's talk about the matter first, otherwise I'll always have a stone weighing on my heart."

Su Meng held the icy wine glass, her fingertips rubbing the cup's pattern, looking at Han Chunming's serious expression, her gaze grew more earnest, she asked softly:

"The matter you mentioned is about the old master, right? I have no objection to Jin Changsheng changing its name, but you need to give me a solid reason—you can't just change a signboard that's stood for years for no reason."

Seeing her relent, Han Chunming's smile deepened; he nodded solemnly, rose, and pulled from the corner cabinet an antiquated small box made of pear wood, carved with simple cloud patterns, showing its age.

He gently placed the box on the coffee table, his movements careful as if holding some priceless treasure.

Seeing this, Su Meng's delicate brows furrowed slightly; she leaned forward curiously, her nose almost touching the box, extending her slender jade-like finger, her fingertip lightly brushing the wood grain, she asked with a hint of doubt:

"What is this? So mysterious, look at how you treasure it."

Han Chunming said nothing, just raised his hand to press the box's clasp, gave it a light twist—"click"—and the box slowly opened.

Inside lay a layer of dark red velvet, on which rested four small, exquisite enamel bowls; their bodies bright in color, painted with delicate flower-and-bird patterns, the glaze warm and lustrous—clearly not ordinary ware.

"Enamel bowls." Han Chunming's voice carried a hint of solemnity.

Su Meng's brows tightened further; she reached out, her fingertips tentative, lightly touched the rim of one small bowl—smooth and delicate—and the base bore four graceful characters, which she read aloud softly:

""Tea Fragrance, wine ceased, gather friends, return to the tower..." What do these eight characters mean? They look like a mantra."

Han Chunming's gaze softened, his fingertip lightly touching the four bowls, his tone tinged with recollection:

"These four bowls were left behind by the old master and his three friends together; they hold great significance for him."

"Now the old master is advanced in years, his health declining day by day; he has long held two wishes in his heart—this is the first: he wants Jin Changsheng to revert to its former name, 'Tea Fragrance,' to fulfill this heart's desire."