Morning Breeze Teahouse

On Friday evening, Bai Chen was still at his desk working on his university coursework, using the materials in his hands to build a model.

Ring, ring-

Suddenly, a call came in. Bai Chen's hands were covered in glue, so he could not press the button to answer. Instead, he called out to his smart assistant to pick up automatically.

The call connected.

A middle-aged woman's clear, pleasant voice came through. "Hello? Chen?"

Bai Chen froze for a few seconds. The voice sounded familiar, but he could not remember who it belonged to, so he hurriedly lowered his head to check the caller.

The screen displayed "Mom." She was the original owner's mother.

When she heard no reply, she called again. "Hello? Chen, can you hear me? Is something wrong?"

Bai Chen immediately came to his senses and forced out a reply. "No, I can hear you... Mom, what is it?" His voice was a little hoarse.

He had not used that name in many years. Ever since his parents died, he had only called her that at the cemetery.

After so many years, he had never expected to hear a voice like his mother's from his own world again.

Calling someone Mom again today left his chest tight and his eyes stinging.

The original owner's mother asked, "Hmm? What's wrong with your voice? You sound a little hoarse. Have you caught a cold? I'm telling you, Chen, if you're sick, you have to go to the hospital and see a doctor. With us away from you, you never seem to take proper care of yourself..."

The original owner's mother went on and on, every word an earnest reminder.

Bai Chen had not been fussed over like this in years. In the past, he would simply listen and let it pass.

Now, though, he wished she would say more. His chest grew tighter, and his eyes reddened further. His voice was still hoarse as he answered, "No, Mom, I'm doing fine. I haven't caught a cold."

While Bai Chen was on the phone, Gu Yun, who was reading beside him, turned his head slightly to look at him. His brows drew together faintly, his thoughts unreadable.

The original owner's mother finally felt reassured. "That's good, then."

Bai Chen steadied his emotions. "Mom, what made you call all of a sudden?"

At that, the original owner's mother scolded him. "Oh, honestly! Can't I call you without a reason? Look at you. The older you get, the more you think we're a nuisance."

"No, that's not true! How could I ever find you a nuisance?" Bai Chen hurriedly explained.

"All right. It sounds like you have something to do, so I'll get straight to the point."

"Okay, go ahead."

"Your dad opened a teahouse over on Winter Blossom Road in City A. He named it after you-the Morning Breeze Teahouse. Tomorrow's Sunday, so go take a look and see whether anyone's slacking off or cutting corners."

"Okay," Bai Chen said. "I'll go take a look tomorrow."

Bai Chen agreed without making excuses. Although this was the original owner's teahouse, now that he had entered this body, he ought to help look after it.

"All right, then. I won't keep you. I need to hurry and get your older brother's lunch ready. I'm hanging up now."

"Okay."

Beep, beep, beep-

A moment later, the original owner's mother ended the call.

Bai Chen sat in his chair, staring blankly at the phone's dark screen.

The next morning.

Bai Chen ate breakfast out on his own, then took a taxi to Winter Blossom Road.

The weather had been getting colder lately, so Bai Chen had put on a light blue jacket.

After getting out and paying the fare, he followed the navigation directions farther in. The teahouse was tucked away in an alley, inaccessible by car, and he had to pass through several nearly identical lanes to reach it.

Leaving the bustling main street behind, Bai Chen entered the quiet alleys. Listening to the children who occasionally ran past, laughing and playing, he felt thoroughly at ease.

A little over ten minutes later, he finally reached the original owner's teahouse.

The teahouse stood on a street corner, its front facing the sun, open on all sides. The road was wide, and a large water jar stood by the entrance.

There were leaves and fish in the jar.

Several small-leaf olive pines had also been planted above it. Their leaves rustled in the breeze, occasionally drifting down to the ground. One landed against Bai Chen's forehead, and he slowly brushed it away.

Bai Chen lifted his head to look up.

The sign read: Morning Breeze Teahouse.

"Morning" came from the original owner's given name, while "Breeze" referred to the pleasantly gentle wind that blew through here in summer.

It was nine in the morning, already opening time.

Looking in from outside, he could just make out several staff members busy at work.

After studying the exterior, Bai Chen had to admit that the original owner's father had excellent taste.

It was elegant without losing its playful charm.

He walked slowly inside.

The interior had a courtyard-style layout, with a circular viewing window set into the inner space, creating a classical, tranquil atmosphere.

As soon as he entered, an elderly woman in a light blue uniform approached him. Despite her age, she possessed a grace refined by the passage of time.

She bowed to him and offered a perfectly measured smile. "Hello, sir. Is there anything I can help you with?"

Bai Chen shook his head and said gently, "My name is Bai Chen. I'm here to have a look around and check on the teahouse for my father."

Slightly surprised to hear his name, she gestured in one direction. "Young Master Bai, this way, please."

Hearing that, Bai Chen hurriedly protested. "Ma'am, you're older than me. Please don't call me that. It's far too much honor for me. Just call me Chen."

Seeing how politely he treated an old woman like her, she could not help feeling fond of him.

She agreed with a cheerful smile. "Of course, Young Master Chen."

Bai Chen thought, ...Never mind. She can call me whatever she likes.