Lu Xunguang was afraid that the monkey might suddenly attack, so he stood his ground and shielded Li Ying behind him.
The monkey, however, didn't take his threat seriously. It actually bowed in a rather human - like manner and saluted the two of them.
But after all, it was an animal, and this sight was quite comical.
"Don't be hasty, my love. I think these monkeys are being quite polite to us. It seems they have something to ask of us?"
As soon as she said this, the monkey seemed to understand human feelings. It turned around and walked away. After a few steps, it stopped and looked back, as if checking if the two were following.
Li Ying stroked Maomao's fur, composed herself, then took Lu Xunguang's hand and chased after it.
In a short while, the monkey led them straight to a rock wall.
They were already at the edge of the bamboo forest. The continuous bamboo mountains ended abruptly here. The leading monkey called out twice outside the cliff. Immediately, several little monkeys half - carried and half - dragged an old monkey with graying fur out of the cave.
Li Ying looked up and saw that the old monkey had a broken leg. The wound was gaping, with the white leg bone exposed and the flesh all bloody and mangled. It was really too horrible to look at.
The monkeys surrounded her, chattering and gesturing with their hands.
Li Ying had an idea and gently asked, "Do you want me to save this old monkey?"
The monkeys nodded repeatedly. Li Ying thought it was just a simple task, so she didn't hesitate. She directed Lu Xunguang to wash the monkey's wound with strong liquor for disinfection, sprinkle some wound medicine on it, and then split two bamboo boards to use as splints to fix the broken leg.
She didn't know much about medicine. Even though she was willing to help, this was all she could do. As for whether the monkey could fully recover, it could only rely on its own luck.
The monkeys didn't seem to mind. When they saw her tightly bandage the old monkey's leg with gauze, they all looked relieved. They surrounded her, dancing and jumping excitedly.
Li Ying couldn't help but smile. Seeing that it was getting late, she didn't want to stay in the mountains any longer.
When she got up to leave, the leading monkey nimbly jumped in front of her and blocked her way.
Two little golden - haired monkeys stared at her with their big, innocent eyes. They timidly tugged at her clothes and offered her several tea stems and leaves.
At first, Li Ying thought it was just a little gift from the little animals and didn't pay much attention. She casually took them. The monkeys got excited and jumped up and down, gesturing as if they wanted her to chew the leaves.
She frowned and then carefully examined the leaves in her hand.
One bud with two leaves, the leaves were thick, tender and cute, and there was a faint, refreshing fragrance.
This...
Was it tea?
Li Ying was skeptical. She carefully picked off the bud tip and chewed it. At first, it tasted bitter, but the more she savored it, the more she could taste the clear and long - lasting fragrance of the tea with a sweet aftertaste.
When the monkeys saw the light gradually shining in her eyes, they jumped up and down excitedly and whistled continuously.
Li Ying never expected that there would be such high - quality fresh tea in the bamboo mountains by the sea.
The bamboo mountains were near the sea. The hilly soil was slightly acidic, belonging to the yellow - brown loam soil, rich in various organic substances and trace elements. The coastal tea grew slowly and had been extremely rare since ancient times.
Compared with ordinary mountain tea, the coastal tea had more upright and thicker leaves. The brewed tea was clear and bright, with green leaves showing fine hairs. The taste was fresher and sweeter, and it was very resistant to brewing. The tea fragrance was fresh and long - lasting.
Among the scholars and officials nowadays, tea - drinking was very popular. The Ping'an Bank used to start as a tea merchant. In the past, they transported new tea to the capital. Thanks to the fast - paced horse caravan traveling day and night, the tea didn't go bad.
If a large amount of coastal tea could be produced in the bamboo mountains, saving the manpower and material resources for long - distance transportation, the tea price could be greatly reduced. Ordinary people could also afford to drink the new tea of that year. It would be easy for the Ping'an Bank to make a comeback!
Li Ying felt her heart beating faster and a blush appeared on her face. She couldn't hide her joy and excitedly grabbed Lu Xunguang's hand.
"My love, now I understand why mother insisted on guarding this bamboo mountain! This coastal tea is the key for the Lu family to regain its former glory and pride!"
The spring tea of the coastal tea was the best. It was already late autumn. Although the autumn tea was not as amazing as the spring tea when it entered the mouth, it was not too inferior. Li Ying immediately rolled up her sleeves and was eager to pick the tea and fry it.
Lu Xunguang frowned and stopped her.
"Aying, I know you're eager, but look. The coastal tea trees all grow on the cliffs. It's impossible for humans to pick them. Even I have to be very careful. If I'm a little careless, I might fall into the abyss."
He was telling the truth. Li Ying felt that the excitement that was about to overflow in her heart seemed to be doused with a basin of cold water. Immediately, not even a single bubble could emerge.
The great opportunity was right in front of her eyes, but she didn't know what to do. It was really frustrating.
Lu Xunguang couldn't bear to see her so disappointed. After a moment of thought, he found two strong vines, tied them around his waist, and was about to climb down the cliff to pick the tea for her.
But how could Li Ying bear to see him take such a risk?
Just when she was in a dilemma, those monkeys climbed up the tea trees skillfully. Their nimble paws moved up and down. In a short while, they picked a whole handful of tender green tea tips.
Li Ying stared in disbelief. She watched the monkeys pour the tender buds in front of her and finally came back to her senses.
The monkeys were very skilled. They only picked the top - grade two - leaf - one - bud tea when they were picking. It was obvious that they had been trained by Mrs. Lu!
No wonder they trusted the two of them so much.
Mrs. Lu had good intentions. On the verge of death, she had carefully planned. She used the bamboo mountain as a cover, but actually left behind a large tea garden. For years, the tea trees had grown naturally and lushly, waiting for Lu Xunguang to regain his strength and make a comeback one day.
This was probably what it meant when parents love their children and plan for their future.
Li Ying was deeply touched. She stroked Maomao's head and whispered a few instructions. The little guy understood. Although it was reluctant, it still lightly jumped to the ground and meowed to communicate with the monkeys.
The Ping'an Bank had endured hardships and bided its time for many years. Now that they had such a large tea mountain and the monkeys to pick the tea, the coastal tea would surely take the top place in the spring tea market next year!
Li Ying collected the tea leaves and went back to the village with Lu Xunguang. She was eager to try and her heart was full of anticipation.
However, during the years when the Ping'an Bank had disappeared, the Lu family no longer had a place in the tea industry.
If they wanted to make a comeback now, they still had to accurately find their "market position" and wait for a suitable opportunity.
She was absent - minded and didn't even notice the scenery along the way. Lu Xunguang saw her like this and softly said, "Aying, I'm useless. I always rely on you to handle things."
Li Ying raised her head. The blood - red afterglow of the setting sun on the horizon cast a soft shadow on her face.
"Reviving the Lu family is your dream. We've already promised to be together for a lifetime. I'm willing to share your worries and do my little bit for you."
"There's no need to be so polite between us."