"Xueli!"
The Station Chief snapped at her, sounding somewhat displeased.
After all, he, the Station Chief, had yet to say a word, while his subordinate kept stirring up trouble. It would have been a miracle if he had been pleased.
"Station Chief, I just can't accept this!"
Shang Xueli refused to back down.
The Pavilion Chief, however, waved his hands repeatedly. "It's no trouble, no trouble."
"I understand why the young officer is dissatisfied, but my hands are tied. It isn't that I'm unwilling to serve you all fresh lotus leaf tea. It's just that the fresh lotus leaves..."
"Just what?" Shang Xueli's tongue lashed out again. "You just can't bear to part with them, is that it?"
"No, I..." The Pavilion Chief sighed again. "Ah, I can't explain it properly. Let me have you all taste something, and then you'll understand!"
With that, the Pavilion Chief called out again.
"Someone, attend me."
"Yes, master."
"Pick a few fresh peaches, wash and peel them, then bring them here for our honored guests to taste."
The Pavilion Chief gave his instructions.
The Station Chief seemed to have picked up on the problem as well, so he waved a hand. "No need to go to all that trouble. Just pick a few peaches and bring them here!"
"Do as the officer says."
The Pavilion Chief hastily instructed the servant.
While the servant went to pick the peaches, the lotus leaf tea was served.
A cup of tea was placed on the table beside each of them, but perhaps because it was stale, Ye Qianfan's colleagues all looked disgusted when they caught its scent. Only a few who were desperately thirsty reluctantly took a sip; the others never touched it.
Shang Xueli even lifted her cup's lid, sniffed it, and rolled her eyes