Chapter 12 (2/2)

”Stop bulls.h.i.+tting. He is my customer!” Yan Pinmin shot a glare at her, blus.h.i.+ng.

”Just kidding, what's that guilty conscience? How long we've been knowing each other? Your man is not always home, occasional libido is acceptable, no one would bother speculate it. Am I right, young hunk?” the woman who sat over there wears a chemise-like lacey dress, teasing ceaselessly at Yan Pinmin.

”Yupe. As the saying goes, when nine out of ten women consented, the only worry is a man's loose mouth. What do you say, sister? Am I right?” Pick on me? I secretly sneered. Then move myself to sit in front of the lacey lady.

”Pfft!” the lacey lady seemed choked on my words and spurt out a mouthful of tea on her laps. Flurriedly, she clean up the mess with tissues.

”Where did you find this weirdo?” After she cleaned up the mess, she rolled her eyes at Yan Pinmin, who is now t.i.ttering hysterically.

”Nice tea!” I lift up the teapot which was placed before the lacey lady and pour myself a cup to tea. Then move the cup closer to my nose and took a sniff.

”You know the art of tea?” Yan Pinmin's eyes brightened up as she asked.

Customers here are roughly divided into two types. The first type will be those poseurs and pretenders, whereas the rest of them covet for her beauty and hit on her whenever the chance they got. When she saw me picked up my cup of tea, instead of drinking it immediately, I studied the tea carefully and scented the smells. Perhaps this is how Yan Pinmin has thought about me, the person who knows the art of tea.

”Roughly!” said me, in a reserved manner before I slightly sipped a mouthful of tea and drink it slowly.

”Tsk, tsk, tsk. A soul mate. Fine, I cannot be an obstruct here. Pinmin, we'll have a meal together some other day. Ciao!” Lacey lady glanced at me and Yan Pinmin before she walked out from the door with her teasing click from her mouth.

”It's alright, I can accept jokes. Furthermore, jokes from a pretty lady is just what I needed!” I thought for a while and replied after I had finished my tea.

”Thank you for your tea, I should head back to my shop.” After I placed the tea on the table, I stood up and bid her goodbye.

”Here's a member card for you. 20% discount for your every visit onwards.” Yan Pinmin quickly hand out a member card from her purse and gave it to me before I left.

”Oh ya, may I ask, where do you plan to burn these paper monies? Right before the tombstone or just around a random corner?” I pocketed the member card and asked.

”My granddad's grave is located at another place. Today is his death anniversary, I don't think I can head home in time. I'll look for a quiet place to burn these offerings, just to express my reverent to him. Am I doing it right? I never had the chance to approach these matters. If there are any taboos, you have to let me know!” Yan Pinmin worriedly questioned after she heard me asking. She is like most other people, afraid of ghost but never believe its existence.

”Taboos aren't the one should be worried. Find a quieter place, draw a circle on the floor but leave an open. Then write the name of the specific ancestor will do.” This is a method without being presence before the grave, different area will have different custom. I pointed out few cautions to Yan Pinmin once more.

”Thank you. I didn't know any of these particulars if you didn't tell me.” Yan Pinmin nodded and agreed to what I've said.

Perhaps of loneliness, or maybe I know one thing or two about the art of tea which make us click in conversations. From that day onwards, Yan Pinmin will occasionally call in to invite me over to the Little Tea House.

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