Chapter 4 : Judges

Returning to the dining table, Jiang Yunshu couldn’t bring herself to drink any more porridge. With time running short, she only had a couple of sips of lemon honey water before heading upstairs to change.

The car stopped at the North City International Exhibition Center. As Jiang Yunshu got out, journalists rushed toward her, and the flashing lights of cameras grew frantic.

Jiang Yunshu understood that most of these reporters weren’t there to see her as a judge, but were likely drawn by her title as Mrs. Fu. She even suspected some entertainment reporters might be mixed in.

Gong Yan, the staff member assigned to escort Jiang Yunshu, quickly appeared with a few security personnel, shielding her from the reporters while apologizing, “Sorry, the judges are not taking interviews at the moment.”

After safely escorting Jiang Yunshu to the reception room, Gong Yan couldn’t help but praise, “Ms. Jiang, you’re looking so beautiful and graceful today, like a classical beauty who stepped out of a painting.”

“Thank you,” Jiang Yunshu smiled softly.

The young woman, in her twenties, spoke her compliment with genuine sincerity, and Jiang Yunshu appreciated dealing with such a clever and sincere person.

“Ms. Jiang, there’s something I would like to consult you about,” Gong Yan said with an approachable tone, her eyes filled with anticipation.

“Go ahead,” Jiang Yunshu replied.

Gong Yan, with an eager expression, continued, “Tea Charm World would like to invite you for a magazine feature. Do you have time?”

Jiang Yunshu nodded, “I can’t say for sure right now, but contact me later. If I have time, I’d be happy to accept the interview.”

“Great!” Gong Yan chirped with a bright voice, “Thank you, Ms. Jiang.”

—

Grandma Fu arrived early at the finals, accompanied by Old Lady Lu, both tea culture enthusiasts who often met up for tea tasting.

As they walked toward the audience seats, a stylish young woman approached and greeted Grandma Fu, “Hello, Grandma Fu!”

“Hello,” Grandma Fu replied, turning to Old Lady Lu and asking, “Who is this?”

Old Lady Lu smiled, “This is my youngest grandson, Lu Shisi’s fiancée, Yan Siyao.”

Yan Siyao immediately added with a flattering, close tone, “Grandma Fu, just call me Yaoyao.”

After the pleasantries, they took their seats.

The host began the official recording of the show, “Prepare the tea table, brew a pot of fine tea. Welcome, everyone, to the finals of the ‘Yunjiang Mingfu Tea’ National Tea Artist Competition, North City Region. I am your host, Gao Yang. After the exciting semifinals, seven contestants have successfully advanced to the finals. Let’s see who will be the champion! First, please welcome our esteemed judges!”

The applause erupted as Jiang Yunshu, the last judge to enter, took the stage, immediately sparking hushed discussions among the guests.

Standing on stage, Jiang Yunshu wore a sky blue qipao with Chinese knots, exuding the cultural depth of an Eastern woman. Her graceful posture, elegant demeanor, and commanding presence drew everyone’s attention.

Grandma Fu clapped for her granddaughter-in-law, but behind her, a voice whispered, “Why did they invite such a young judge? Will the results be accepted?”

“The other judges are all in their forties or fifties, and this one looks like she’s in her twenties.”

“She’s definitely beautiful. Even compared to the historical drama goddess Liang Shiyu, she doesn’t fall short. I bet she was specially invited to boost the program’s ratings!”

—

Yan Siyao, sitting beside Old Lady Lu, couldn’t suppress a smirk.

No wonder she was invited as a judge, she’s got the aura of tea culture, but she’s just another trophy wife from the Fu family, married into wealth.

The host continued, introducing Jiang Yunshu: “Teacher Jiang Yunshu is a national senior tea appraiser, a board member of Yunjiang Mingfu Tea Co., Ltd., and the leader of the tea culture project at North City University’s Think Tank Construction Center. Let’s welcome her once again!”

The applause grew louder, and the whispers turned to admiration.

“She’s so young yet so accomplished.”

“She’s a beautiful and talented woman. The program team really reached high for this one.”

“She’s also the wife of Fu Chengze, the new head of Fu Group. They had a flash marriage, and many people mocked Mrs. Fu for climbing the social ladder, but actually, she’s just low-key. She’s the daughter of the chairman of Yunjiang Mingfu Tea.”

“No wonder she can be on the board of a listed company so young, she’s the chairman’s daughter.”

—

Old Lady Lu leaned toward Grandma Fu and said, “Your granddaughter-in-law is beautiful, powerful, and kind. It’s truly enviable.”

Grandma Fu smiled warmly, “It’s Chengze’s good fortune, and the Fu family’s fortune too.”

Hearing this, Yan Siyao’s face darkened.

After sitting through the event for a while, she found an excuse about feeling unwell and went to the lounge to play games.

—

At the financial center, a towering office building.

In the CEO’s office, Fu Chengze typed quickly on the keyboard, hitting the return key. The computer screen displayed the live broadcast of the tea artist competition.

His arms rested on the desk, his hands crossed, his gaze fixed on Jiang Yunshu walking onto the stage.

Her radiant smile reminded him of the first time he met her when she was nineteen, her cool, elegant demeanor reminded him of their reunion in Yunjiang two years ago.

As the camera zoomed in, Fu Chengze noticed the pearl earrings she was wearing a birthday gift he had given her.

A faint smile curved on his lips, but when his eyes fell on the white jade pendant around her neck, his brow furrowed involuntarily. The smile faded.

That pendant was a gift from Gu Jingyan, he had seen it with his own eyes.

The sound of a knock interrupted his thoughts. Without looking up, he simply said, “Come in.”

Assistant Song entered with a document, “Mr. Fu, there’s a document here that requires your signature.”

“Mm,” Fu Chengze replied, “Leave it here.”

“Yes.” Assistant Song placed the document down and noticed the tea-related program on the screen, surprised.

When the camera focused on the judges, it became clear.

Jiang Yunshu was seated at the judges’ table, and the next part would feature the seven contestants.

Fu Chengze shifted his gaze from the screen, opened the file, and glanced up at Assistant Song, asking, “Is there anything else?”

“No, nothing else,” Assistant Song quickly retreated.

About twenty minutes later, Assistant Song received a call from the CEO’s office. When he returned with the signed document, Fu Chengze’s attention was once again focused on the screen.

On the screen, Jiang Yunshu’s clear and powerful commentary could be heard: “During the tea infusion and pouring, the contestant expressed insights into tea aesthetics and culture, with their performance and demonstration also being quite impressive…”