enjoyebooks Chapter 22 A busy morning, making drinks, my hands were practically smoking from all the swinging.
Chapter 22 A busy morning, making drinks, my hands were practically smoking from all the swinging.
Breakfast over.
The two worked together seamlessly at the kitchen counter, preparing refreshing summer drinks.
Inside the white porcelain teapot, emerald green tea leaves unfurled in the hot water, wisps of steam carrying the aroma of tea into the air. Ten minutes later, the amber-colored tea liquor was slowly filtered out, shimmering with a crystal-clear luster in the glass pot.
Watching the amber-colored tea gradually cool in the glass pot, once the temperature was suitable, I put it in the refrigerator.
Zhao Mingzhe stood by the pond in the courtyard.
The fine white salt grains rustled on the lemon peel as he turned the lemons in his palm, gradually revealing their bright yellow color, filling the air with a refreshing citrus aroma.
the other side.
Ye Fan skillfully took out a small pot and added the prepared white sugar, water, and other ingredients in equal proportions to the pot. The proportions and preparation method were based on what he had learned in a milk tea shop in his previous life.
"Whoosh—" The fire in the stove was lit.
The entire production process requires careful control of the heat and cannot be interrupted. He holds a wooden spoon in his right hand and adjusts the heat with his left hand, stirring continuously while heating over high heat, causing the sugar granules to turn into fine bubbles and surge upwards.
Once the sugar water boils, turn the heat to medium-low to allow the water to evaporate slightly and the syrup to thicken.
He then quickly added the lemon juice he had squeezed out beforehand, and stirred rapidly, as the syrup slowly turned a perfect amber color.
Finally, pour the prepared syrup into a large bowl and let it cool.
"Old Ye, what's the situation on your end?"
"I'm all set here, I'm going to make some tea now."
"Come over for tea when you're done!"
Zhao Mingzhe sat at the tea table in the living room, leisurely washing the teaware, and then the aroma of tea rose with the steam.
As people from southern Fujian, tea is an indispensable part of every household. Whenever guests come in, the first thing to do is to boil water and brew tea.
When they were children, the two of them always saw their elders sitting in front of the tea tray, scalding the cups, washing the tea, brewing, and so on. Their movements were smooth and fluid, and the tea soup was cool and fragrant.
Through constant exposure, they naturally learned how to brew and drink tea, and naturally developed a love for tea.
"You drink first, I'll be right there." Ye Fan was pouring the cooked syrup into a large bowl to cool in the kitchen.
After finishing, I cleaned the stove, which I learned from my mother. Whenever I use the kitchen, I wipe down the stove.
I went into the living room and plopped down on the sofa.
"Have a cup first, it's freshly brewed." Zhao Mingzhe pushed a cup of tea towards him.
Tea! It's considered a precious thing by the Chinese.
The two sat on the sofa, slowly savoring the fragrant tea.
Sometimes we have to admit that drinking tea is a truly elegant way of life, and it can put people in a very comfortable state. Hence the saying that drinking tea can cultivate one's character.
The scalding hot tea glides over the tongue, its fragrant and smooth taste bringing peace to the mind. In this small tea setting, worries dissipate, fatigue melts away, and only the quiet joy of sitting with a close friend remains.
"Old Ye! Have you decided which university you want to apply to?"
"Hiss~ Hiss!" Zhao Mingzhe said while drinking tea.
Ye Fan sat quietly at the tea table, his fingertips gently rubbing the rim of the cup, his gaze passing over the rising steam as he looked out the window, lost in thought for a long time.
The morning sunlight in June streamed through the glass window, casting dappled shadows on the tea table, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
"Jinling! Nanjing University," he said in a steady, soft voice, but with a firm tone.
Zhao Mingzhe didn't speak, his hands constantly stirring the tea, the only sound being the soft gurgling of the tea.
Ye Fan looked at Zhao Mingzhe, the tea reflecting in his cool eyes: "Mingzhe, you also need to work hard. If there's anything you don't understand, feel free to ask me. And you must remember the questions I gave you."
"Nanjing, a city steeped in the glory of six dynasties, is a hub of culture and home to many top universities. I hope you can also get into this city."
Looking into his friend's expectant eyes, Zhao Mingzhe felt a sudden heaviness in the teacup in his hand. Coming back to his senses, he replied firmly, "Okay! I'll give it my all for these last 20 days. No matter what the final results are, I'll apply to Nanjing University with you."
Ye Fan smiled upon hearing this, raised his hand, and drank the warm tea in one gulp.
The porcelain cup made a "thud" as it hit the table, as if stamping this agreement.
"Alright! Time to get to work!"
Zhao Mingzhe also drank the rest of the tea in one gulp.
"Damn, so soon? Can't you sit a little longer?"
"Here it comes, here it comes."
---------------
About half an hour later.
The two finally finished beating all the lemons, their hands almost smoking from the force of their blows.
Zhao Mingzhe firmly believes that if he does this every day, he may develop muscular arms in less than a month.
Three hundred plastic cups were neatly arranged on the table, each filled with amber-colored tea, with a few slices of lemon floating in the tea, and condensed water droplets slowly sliding down the cup.
"Phew—" Zhao Mingzhe shook his numb wrist. Although he was very tired, he looked full of energy.
He casually picked up a freshly made lemon tea, added a few ice cubes, and then tilted his head back to gulp down most of it. The icy tea slid down his throat, washing away his fatigue.
"Ah, this feels good! This work is much more tiring than studying." He wiped the tea from the corner of his mouth.
The two carefully fastened each cup lid, the plastic lids making a crisp "click" sound as they rubbed against the rim of the cup.
After finishing all the preparations, he checked the time on his phone. "We can take a break. It's still relatively early, so we don't need to go so soon."
Zhao Mingzhe made an "OK" gesture with his hand, then walked to the sofa and lay down on it.
..............
The weather is still very hot today.
In front of the No. 1 Middle School gate.
The scorching sun softened the asphalt road surface, and the rising heat distorted the distant scenery slightly.
On the day of the teacher qualification exam, it goes without saying that in this sweltering heat, the first thing a huge crowd of people will do after the exam is to look for iced drinks.
"quack--"
An old tricycle slowly drove up, its rusty chain groaning rhythmically as Ye Fan pedaled.
The vehicle was equipped with an insulated box filled with hand-squeezed lemon tea and lemonade, which rattled loudly on the bumpy road.
A bicycle followed behind the tricycle; upon closer inspection, it turned out to be Zhao Mingzhe riding the bicycle.
Hearing the noise outside, the window of the security booth creaked open, and Old Zhang poked his sun-darkened face out. He squinted at the person, and when he recognized him, the wrinkles on his face smoothed out: "Oh, it's Xiao Fan! I thought it was some old man!"
With a smile, he asked, "Xiao Fan, where did you get this 'old relic'?"
Ye Fan grinned upon hearing this, the chain of the tricycle still clicking rhythmically.
He parked the car skillfully and took out a cup of lemon tea, still damp with water droplets, from the box: "Old Zhang, have a taste, I just made it."
Old Zhang took the cup, and the cool touch made him sigh with relief. The two had a fairly deep friendship.
For the past three years of high school, she has seen this boy appear at the school gate every morning. This is a very basic situation, but what attracts her attention is that this boy always brings her a different kind of warmth - sometimes a bottle of water, sometimes a snack, sometimes a chat. In return, she would also bring the boy some treats from time to time.
That's how their friendship gradually developed.
"Yeah! Haha, I'm just using this old relic to earn some pocket money."
Ye Fan wiped the sweat from his forehead and skillfully set up folding tables, chairs, and other furniture: "This will do. It's cooler here and suitable for setting up a stall."
The two men unloaded the goods quickly, the ice cubes rattling in the insulated bags. There were several boxes of chilled hand-whipped lemon tea and lemonade, along with a price list on a handwritten blackboard—hand-whipped lemon tea 7 yuan per cup.
The remaining boxes were taken to the Second Middle School by Zhao Mingzhe on his tricycle for sale.
Ye Fan: "Old Zhao, I'm leaving the Second Middle School to you."
Zhao Mingzhe nodded, and before leaving, he didn't forget to take a glass of lemonade from the table: "You can rest assured that I'll handle things."