Chapter 440: A Loving Couple

“That won’t do!”

Gao Hu, who always wore an honest and cheerful smile, suddenly turned serious and said earnestly, “Brother Wu, you mustn’t say such things. The immortal is still out there, alive and well. If he hears what you just said and takes offense, that’s not something you can bear.”

Hearing that, the youth froze for a moment, then put a hand on Gao Hu’s shoulder and lowered his voice. “Brother Hu, I’ll be straight with you. Ever since I could remember, my old man’s been talking about this Immortal Mr. Gu.”

“But I’ve been alive sixteen years now, and not once have I seen this Mr. Gu he keeps mentioning come visit him.”

“I’m not saying it’s definitely fake. It’s just… maybe the immortal is no longer in this world. You shouldn’t be so stubborn about it anymore. You work hard for your money. You should think about your wife and the children you’ll have in the future.”

Looking at the youth trying to act mature beyond his years, Gao Hu smiled and said, “I know what I’m doing…”

“Come on, Brother Hu, don’t brush me off.” The youth paused, then continued, “My old man’s just as obsessed as you. Every spring, without fail, he roasts a big batch of fresh tea, saying it’s for Mr. Gu when he comes. But year after year, the new tea turns into old tea. I’ve never seen that immortal come to take it. I’m the one who ends up drinking it all and getting a stomachache.”

“That said, the old man’s not young anymore. Roasting tea once a year helps him stretch his limbs and keep healthy. And since it’s our own tea leaves, the worst that happens is I get a little queasy from old tea.”

“But you, you should really think things through. Earning money’s no easy thing.”

Judging by the youth’s words, it seemed Old Wu hadn’t roasted tea for customers in a long time. So could this cup of tea before him have been prepared by Wu Lan?

Gu Ning’an interjected, “So this tea was roasted by Manager Wu, not Old Manager Wu?”

“Huh?” The youth blinked, then smiled. “Yeah, my old man handed that job over to my mother a long time ago.”

Taking a light sip of the Wishing Spring, Gu Ning’an tasted its lingering sweetness and delicate fragrance. If he hadn’t known beforehand, he wouldn’t have been able to tell whether it had been roasted by Old Wu or Wu Lan.

“Color, aroma, and flavor — all top-notch. Your mother’s skill is no worse than Old Manager Wu’s now.”

Hearing that, the youth looked a little puzzled. “You’ve had my old man’s tea before?”

Gu Ning’an nodded. “Of course I have.”

Maybe he’d once bought an earlier batch?
Or perhaps, like Gao Hu, he’d visited this teahouse with family when he was young…

Without thinking too much, the youth said politely, “Please enjoy,” then led Gao Hu and his wife to a seat. After serving them each a cup of tea, he went to attend to other customers.

At the tea table, Gao Hu’s wife stared into her teacup, absent-mindedly turning it in her hands, clearly preoccupied.

Seeing this, Gao Hu imitated her movement, deliberately spinning the cup loudly so she would have to look his way.

Noticing her husband copying her, she rolled her eyes. “Why are you mimicking me?”

“Ah, I didn’t mean to.” Gao Hu feigned innocence. “Maybe we just share the same thoughts.”

“Pfft. Smooth talker!” the young woman teased.

“Heh heh!” Gao Hu chuckled sheepishly, then picked up his cup. “Wife, have some tea. It’s not too hot now.”

“Mhm.” She took a sip, then sighed. “Husband, we really can’t keep spending money like this year after year. Let this be the last time, okay?”

“Wife, I can compromise on everything else, but not this.” Gao Hu set down his cup and said seriously, “Grandma taught me to repay kindness. I haven’t fulfilled that yet, so I can’t stop halfway.”

“Ai…” She let out a long sigh. “You work so hard carrying heavy loads, barely make some money, won’t buy yourself new clothes or shoes, and you won’t even pay to see a doctor about your leg. Why live such a bitter life? Why be so stubborn?”

“Do you really think an immortal is going to care about one or two cups of tea from you?”

“My clothes and shoes are still fine. No need to change them… And I don’t think life is bitter. As long as I’m with you, it’s never bitter.” Then he added, “And as for the immortal, of course he doesn’t need my tea.”

“But Grandma taught me to do this every year. Now that she’s gone, I have to carry it through to the end. I don’t want her to feel regret even in the afterlife. Don’t you agree?”

“Fine, fine. Have it your way!” she said, then added, “But when we get home, you are coming with me to Jiangling Prefecture to see a doctor!”

“Ah…” Gao Hu rubbed his leg with a sheepish smile. “Yeah, I’ve got a lingering problem with my leg, but it’s not that bad.”

“Tch!” She pinched his calf hard and whispered, “You think you can fool me, your own wife?”

“I’ve caught you more than once sneaking into the woodshed in the middle of the night, clenching your teeth and shivering from the pain!”

“Er…” Gao Hu was stunned. “Wife, what if I said I just went to the wrong place on the way to the latrine—would you believe me?”

She glared at him. “What do you think?”

“Alright, alright!” Gao Hu waved it off. “I’ll go get it treated. Doctor Hou in the village is pretty good—I’ll go find him.”

She scoffed. “Doctor Hou treats livestock.”

Gao Hu blinked. “Huh?”

“You didn’t know that?” she looked at him, surprised.

Gao Hu nodded earnestly. “I’ve never paid attention to that… But look at me—built like an ox! Maybe a vet’s exactly what I need…”

“Ptui!” She slapped his thigh with a crisp smack. “Who calls themselves livestock?”

Gao Hu didn’t mind. “What’s wrong with that? Every family’s got livestock—like cows and such. We common folks treasure them a lot!”

“Alright, enough!” she waved. “Don’t try to talk your way out of this. When we get home, you’re coming with me to Jiangling to treat that leg.”

“I’ve already prepared the money — there’s no room for negotiation!”

“Huh?” Gao Hu looked stunned. “Don’t tell me you’re planning to use your dowry for my leg treatment?”

She nodded. “Yeah, what about it?”

Gao Hu protested, “Of course that’s not okay! I’ve never even bought you anything nice—and now you want to use your dowry for me?”

She rolled her eyes. “You’re the pillar of this household. What if this drags on and gets worse—and you collapse someday?”

“What then? You want me to remarry?”

Gao Hu quickly shook his head. “No way!”

She smiled. “Then are you treating that leg?”

Gao Hu replied firmly, “Yes!”