Chapter 56

Cha Chengye led an excited group of village committee members to a meeting to discuss the next phase of key village development plans.

In the coming period, Cha Family Village will focus on two major projects: building a hot spring bathhouse and establishing a tea factory.

Just like when they built the road a few years ago, the village’s hundreds of residents will mobilize collectively, dividing labor and responsibilities accordingly.

—-

Jiang Tiantian, having accomplished her task, walked home with Cha Jiuzhang.

Halfway there, she thought for a moment and gave an extra reminder. “Once the tea factory is established, it will take at most a month from harvesting to market. You’d better start designing the packaging now.”

“If you want a higher selling price, you must move away from bulk wholesale. Establish a brand, sell in cans—only then can you raise the price.”

Cha Jiuzhang pondered for a moment and agreed that she made sense. Some things indeed needed to be done in advance.

“I’ll handle the branding and packaging design. What do you think?”

Jiang Tiantian nodded. “Sure. You studied design, and design is universal. It’s not a conflict.”

Cha Jiuzhang, taking the matter seriously, asked again, “Then what kind of packaging do you think would be good?”

Jiang Tiantian’s eyes twinkled as she thought.

“It should look high-end and sophisticated. The material is up to you—wooden cans, bamboo cans, ceramic jars, all are fine.”

“The packaging should clearly highlight key selling points, like the village’s century-old tea heritage, longevity benefits, and limited supply.”

“It should be something people are proud to carry around, making them feel prestigious.”

Cha Jiuzhang nodded, picturing it in his mind.

Jiang Tiantian added, “You should make some sample packages first, fill them with this year’s spring tea, and have Xiao Liu and the others promote them in the market. You could even give some away for tasting.”

“Anyone who can afford matsutake mushrooms can afford premium tea. The target customer base overlaps.”

Cha Jiuzhang was stunned for a moment. He turned and scrutinized Jiang Tiantian with a curious gaze. “How do you know so much about business?”

“Hehehe~” Jiang Tiantian shamelessly shifted the blame. “God-grandpa taught me!”

Xiao Qi: Ah, my obedient grandchild!

Cha Jiuzhang chuckled, reached out, and ruffled her hair. This woman—her god-grandpa had now become her go-to excuse for everything.

He adjusted the cloth bag on his shoulder, suddenly remembering the issue with the dress.

Pointing at the bag, he said, “You are not allowed to wear this dress outside. In a few days, I’ll take you to town and buy you some proper clothes.”

Jiang Tiantian deliberately teased him. “It’s already made and looks so pretty. Why can’t I wear it? I will wear it. What can you do about it?”

Cha Jiuzhang was momentarily frustrated. He couldn’t hit her, nor could he scold her.

So, he simply attacked—tickling her!

“Hahaha~ Let go!” Jiang Tiantian laughed uncontrollably, dodging left and right in his arms.

“Will you still wear it?”

“Hahaha~ I won’t! Okay? Hahaha~ Let go!”

Cha Jiuzhang stopped and, hugging her waist, whispered, “It’s not that you can’t wear it at all. You can wear it at home—just for me to see.”

Jiang Tiantian, torn between laughter and exasperation, turned the tables and started tickling him instead.

“You chauvinistic pig! Old-fashioned! Narrow-minded!”

The two of them bickered and laughed all the way home.

From the courtyard, Zuo Mingyan could already hear their laughter from afar.

“Woof woof!”

Mop, their dog, dashed out upon hearing their voices. Seeing them playing around, it decided—it wanted to play too!

With a leap, Mop pounced on them, covering both in dust.

Cha Jiuzhang’s face darkened.

Handing the cloth bag to Jiang Tiantian, he grabbed Mop by the scruff and dragged it toward the river outside the village.

This little mutt was filthy!

Just two days without a bath, and it was already covered in mud.

Unbearable!

“Wait for me!” Jiang Tiantian wanted to go too.

She quickly ran inside, tossed the bag aside, and grabbed a bar of soap. “Mom, we’re going to wash Mop!”

Before Zuo Mingyan could respond, she was already out of sight.

“This girl…”

Zuo Mingyan chuckled, shaking her head as she continued sorting vegetables.

—-

By the River

Mop excitedly leaped straight into the water, only its head sticking out as it paddled around in doggy style.

Jiang Tiantian took off her shoes, rolled up her pant legs, and stepped into the water.

After a full day of sunshine, the water was warm and crystal clear.

Looking closely, she could see tiny fish swimming among the river grasses near the shore.

Ahh, I really want to dive in like Mop!

Back home, her favorite form of exercise had been swimming.

She even had a private swimming pool and a collection of beautiful bikinis…

Thinking of this, Jiang Tiantian suddenly looked up and saw Cha Jiuzhang holding Mop in the shallow water, rubbing soap all over its fur.

She wondered—what would he look like in swim trunks? Would he have abs?

While washing Mop, Cha Jiuzhang occasionally glanced at Jiang Tiantian—only to catch her staring at him with a… well, let’s call it hungry gaze.

His heart started pounding, and in his distraction, he tugged too hard.

“Awwooo~”

Mop yelped in protest.

“Dad, you’re pulling my fur out!”

It flicked its tail, splashing water directly onto Jiang Tiantian’s face.

Snapping out of her daze, she quickly pushed her thoughts aside.

Meanwhile, Cha Jiuzhang’s ears were completely red.

“Are you hot?” she asked curiously, not waiting for an answer before enviously glancing at Mop.

“Mop, I have to admit—I’m jealous of you right now. I really want to swim!”

“Woof woof!”

Mop proudly shook itself, sending more soapy water flying onto them.

“You little rascal!”

Cha Jiuzhang smacked Mop on the head. “Go, rinse yourself in the river.”

“Whimper…”

Feeling wronged, Mop sulked and swam off into deeper waters, looking like it was about to run away from home.

Jiang Tiantian laughed at its misery.

Cha Jiuzhang stepped closer. “You know how to swim?”

“Of course! I love swimming!”

Cha Jiuzhang nodded, considering something for a moment. “Not here. Only men swim in the river shirtless. Tomorrow, I’ll take you somewhere else.”

Jiang Tiantian’s eyes sparkled. “You know a good spot?”

“Yeah,” Cha Jiuzhang smirked slightly. “It’s my secret base.”

Excited, Jiang Tiantian playfully punched his shoulder. “You better take me there!”

—-

By the time they returned home with Mop, the dog was finally clean, but the two of them were soaked.

Cha Jiuzhang only wore a white tank top, having given his shirt to Jiang Tiantian to cover up—his insistence overruled her protests.

Zuo Mingyan chuckled. “There’s hot water on the stove. Go wash up before dinner.”

Jiang Tiantian muttered, “If only we had a hot spring at home, that’d be perfect. Soaking in a hot spring would be so nice…”

Cha Jiuzhang, drying Mop with a towel, heard her words and silently tucked them away in his mind.