The tea was all good tea, and the girls were all good girls.
To keep the good tea from going to waste and spare the good girls the exhaustion, Chen Shi'an took the work upon himself and politely declined all three girls' eager offers to help.
"It's getting late, and the hot water in the pot is ready. Hurry up and take your baths, then go back to your rooms and play. I'll need the big pot in a bit."
"Creepy tea! You're actually stir-frying it in the big pot you use for bathwater!"
"...What the heck? It's not like you bathe inside the pot. Get moving."
"Me first, me first!"
Wen Zhixia reacted quickly, running into her room first to get a change of clothes.
Lin Meng Qiu didn't compete with her, instead heading straight for the spot in front of the stove.
With nothing else to do, Li Wanyin fetched Chen Shi'an's cup and brewed him some tea to soothe his throat. She sat beside him with a cup of her own, not disturbing him, just quietly watching how he made the tea, hoping to learn so she could help him in the future.
"Want to learn how to make tea, Sister Wanyin?"
"Mmm, I'm just watching. Keep doing what you're doing, Shi'an. Don't mind me."
"Then come sit over here, Sister Wanyin. I'll teach you."
"...Really?"
"Yeah, come over."
"Okay~"
She was about to help with the work, yet she looked overwhelmed by the favor.
Because she really did feel favored. After all, Shi'an wouldn't let Zhizhi or Meng Qiu help, but he was willing to let her.
"Have you washed your hands, Sister Wanyin?"
"Mm-hmm, they're clean."
"Good. Do this, Sister Wanyin... Hold the leaves between your palms... and roll them in circles in one direction."