Chapter 59

At lunchtime, when Cha Jiuzhang returned home, he found his grandfather and Jiang Tiantian covered in dirt, digging in the herb garden.

For a moment, he was stunned.

Turning around, he asked, “What are they doing?”

Zuo Mingyan placed the last dish on the table and smiled. “Tiantian is helping your grandpa dig the soil.”

“Lunch is ready. Go call them in to eat.”

At the dining table—

Cha Jiuzhang asked, “Is there enough soil now? This kind of exhausting work shouldn’t be done by just the two of you. How about I do it this afternoon?”

In his heart, he thought, Grandpa really… How could he let Jiang Tiantian do this kind of work? This is a man’s job!

Clearly, he doesn’t cherish her like I do!

Cha Jizu’s sharp eyes instantly saw through his grandson’s thoughts.

Hmph…

Brat, when I was doting on my wife, you were probably still lost in the underworld!

Besides, do you think your wife is just any ordinary woman?

She’s stronger than me!

She works harder than me!

Look at her excited face—do I look like I’m forcing her?!

Cha Jizu waved his hand dismissively. “No need. It’s enough. This afternoon, we just need to till the soil in the herb garden.”

He glanced at the young couple and then smiled at Jiang Tiantian. “Tiantian, you don’t need to help this afternoon. Let Jiuzhang take you out for a walk.”

“Tomorrow, we’ll start planting.”

This clueless brat!

All that intelligence, yet he doesn’t know where to use it?!

When it comes to fostering relationships, I still have to create opportunities for him.

What a hassle!

Cha Jiuzhang had already been considering this, and upon hearing his grandfather’s words, he was secretly delighted. But he kept his face expressionless and nodded seriously.

“Alright, I’ll take her out in the afternoon, as Grandpa suggested.”

After lunch—

Cha Jiuzhang told Jiang Tiantian to rest for a while.

Meanwhile, he took out paper and pen, continuing to refine the design for the tea packaging.

There was a small pottery kiln in the village, and he planned to use it to produce a batch of ceramic tea canisters as samples.

Each would be encased in a bamboo-woven box—handcrafted by the skilled bamboo weavers in the village.

He designed different sizes and styles according to the varying tea weights.

Finally, inside each box, he planned to include a bookmark made of traditional wood-grain paper, shaped like a tea leaf. On the front and back, a few elegant lines would introduce the history of Chajia Village and its long legacy of centenarians.

—-

When Jiang Tiantian woke up from her nap, she looked at Cha Jiuzhang’s designs.

“Not bad, even better than I imagined.”

“You can make some prototypes first and have Xiaoliu deliver them to distributors in various regions. You can also check out trade fairs in major cities—if there are suitable exhibition booths, you can participate.”

“True quality will always be recognized.”

“The key is to first highlight the value and taste of a good product.”

Cha Jiuzhang nodded, his mind running at full speed as he planned the next steps.

After a moment’s thought, Jiang Tiantian added another suggestion—

“By the way, aren’t you going to stay in the capital for another year? Why not take this opportunity to open a specialty store there?”

“Focus on building ‘Chajia Village’ as a regional brand. In the future, all products from Chajia Village can follow a mid-to-high-end route—not just tea, but also matsutake mushrooms, caterpillar fungus, premium medicinal herbs, dried mountain goods, beef jerky, dairy products… And in the future, even organic fruits and vegetables.”

As Jiang Tiantian described it, Cha Jiuzhang gradually envisioned a brand map in his mind.

A diversified “Chajia Village” brand!

An expanding commercial network!

The prospect was exciting!

Looking at the little woman in front of him, passionately laying out her ideas, Cha Jiuzhang suddenly realized—

In just half a month, he would have to return to the capital to continue his studies.

All of a sudden, time felt short, and he was reluctant to leave.

If only I could fold this woman up and carry her in my pocket…

Without hesitation, he pushed aside his notebook and stopped discussing business with Jiang Tiantian. “We can talk about this later.”

Pulling her to her feet, he said, “Let’s go. Didn’t you want to go swimming? I’ll take you.”

Since time was limited, he should spend more of it with her.

“Yay!”

Swimming!

Jiang Tiantian cheered excitedly and jumped up. “Wait for me! I’ll go grab some things.”

She rushed into the house, stuffing her swimsuit, towel, and other essentials into a bag.

The two of them walked out to the meadow outside the village.

Jiang Tiantian looked around in confusion. There doesn’t seem to be a suitable place here…?

“Do you dare to ride a horse?”

Cha Jiuzhang suddenly reached out and ruffled her hair, smiling as he asked.

Jiang Tiantian’s eyes lit up. Can I?!

She nodded eagerly.

Cha Jiuzhang formed a circle with his thumb and index finger, brought it to his lips, and let out a sharp whistle.

In the distance, a tall, chestnut-colored horse came galloping over. Its long mane fluttered in the wind, its coat gleamed, and its legs were strong and well-defined.

The horse circled around Cha Jiuzhang, then bent its neck and pressed its head affectionately against his shoulder.

Jiang Tiantian was in awe. Such a beautiful and intelligent horse!

Cha Jiuzhang smiled, stroking the horse’s neck to calm it down before slowly putting on the reins.

“Her name is Little Red Date. Isn’t she beautiful?”

“She’s gorgeous.”

Jiang Tiantian carefully reached out. “Can I touch her?”

“You can try.” Cha Jiuzhang encouraged her, while his hand continued to soothe Little Red Date.

Jiang Tiantian gently stroked the horse’s nose.

Little Red Date stood still, then tilted her head and nudged Jiang Tiantian playfully, snorting as if teasing her.

“Little Red Date likes me!”

Jiang Tiantian announced happily.

“Mhm… Because you’re as beautiful as she is.”

After securing the reins, Cha Jiuzhang joked, then turned around and stood behind her. “Ready?”

Jiang Tiantian nodded enthusiastically.

“Alright, don’t be scared—I’ll lift you up.”

With that, he easily grabbed her waist and lifted her onto the horse’s back.

Her waist is so slender…

I can wrap my hands around it completely.

Cha Jiuzhang clenched his fingers slightly, trying to remember the curve of her waist in his palm.

Jiang Tiantian felt herself lifted effortlessly, and the next moment, she was already seated on the horse.

“Don’t be afraid. Sit tight and hold the reins.”

Once she was settled, Cha Jiuzhang swiftly mounted the horse behind her.

One arm wrapped around her waist, the other took the reins from her hands. A gentle squeeze of his legs against the horse’s sides, and Little Red Date began to trot.

“The place is a bit far, so riding a horse will be faster,” Cha Jiuzhang explained.

Suddenly sitting higher up, Jiang Tiantian watched the horse’s hooves step through patches of wildflowers, feeling an unexpected poetic beauty—

‘With the spring wind at my back, my steed gallops swiftly, and in a day, I take in all the flowers of Chang’an.’

The wind tousled Jiang Tiantian’s loose strands of hair, which brushed against Cha Jiuzhang’s neck.

It tickled…

It was seductive.

Cha Jiuzhang tightened his hold on her waist and leaned closer to her ear. “Are you scared?”

Jiang Tiantian, watching the scenery speed past and feeling the exhilarating wind against her face, cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted—

“YOHOOO~ THIS IS AWESOME!!!”

Then, she choked on a mouthful of wind. “Cough, cough, cough…”

“Haha—”

Cha Jiuzhang burst into laughter.

He shouldn’t have asked. This little woman was fearless!

Feeling a rush of excitement, he pressed his chin lightly against her head. “Hold on tight!”

Then, he urged the horse forward, galloping at full speed.