The receptionist paused, stunned by the Boss's words. Good heavens, she wasn't to make tea, but though making coffee wasn't mentioned, it seemed, judging by the Boss's wife's expression, that they might be dipping into the boss's private stash?

With that thought, the receptionist immediately upgraded her treatment of Wang Qiqi by several levels. After all, many people knew the boss, and many people visited his office for business, but very few ever managed to get served his private tea. She had initially dismissed the rumor as exaggeration, but one time when she brought documents in for the boss, she caught a whiff of fine tea aroma and knew the rumor was true. She never imagined these two would be lucky enough to experience it.

Wang Qiqi was oblivious to the receptionist's elevated estimation of her. In truth, if she had her way, she’d rather not drink Boss Ye’s private tea. While the teas were undeniably high-grade, the process of drinking them was utterly agonizing. Especially since Boss Ye loved brewing Gongfu Cha, which to Wang Qiqi was the very definition of pretentious posturing. Just drinking tea would suffice; why the elaborate demonstration? The amount poured into the tiny cups was barely enough to rinse one's mouth, let alone quench a thirst—she’d have to drink gallons to feel satisfied.

Shi Man and Li Qian could tell what was wrong with Wang Qiqi just by looking at her long face, but neither had any intention of rescuing her. Seeing the other person suffer so visibly only seemed to improve their own mood.

Ye Ruizhi began preparations after receiving the call from reception. Just as Wang Qiqi walked in, the water reached a boil. "Sit," he instructed.

Wang Qiqi glanced at the array of items on the coffee table and inwardly groaned. This master simply wouldn't let her off the hook. "Hello, CEO Ye."

Ye Ruizhi noticed her expression and chuckled inwardly. Was brewing a pot of Gongfu Cha really such a miserable ordeal? "Have some tea. You’re used to coffee now, right?"

"No, I still prefer tea," Wang Qiqi answered honestly. It wasn't that she wanted to be honest; it was that Boss Ye had offered his private reserve, and how could she possibly pass up such an opportunity? Besides, Wang Qiqi was already contemplating whether she could sneak some tea leaves home. If she admitted to preferring coffee, wouldn't that sever her connection to the tea entirely?

Wang Qiqi pinched the bridge of her nose. "It’s just that I dislike Gongfu Cha. Compared to Uncle Ye, my tea-drinking is practically guzzling water."

Shi Man looked at Wang Qiqi’s careful demeanor and thought that back in their final high school year, Qiqi hadn’t been this well-behaved. She almost wished she could snap a picture of this docile version of Qiqi, but then decided against it; provoking Qiqi too much would only bring misfortune upon herself later.

Li Qian shot a glare at Ye Ruizhi, signaling him not to tease the young girl too harshly. As his wife, she felt obligated to side with Qiqi. Ye Ruizhi looked resigned but couldn't help himself. "Is your comparison accurate, or are you just wasting expensive tea? Thank heavens the tea you usually drink isn't costly, otherwise..." Ye Ruizhi clicked his tongue several times, genuinely lamenting the waste Qiqi represented. "I'll tell reception to brew you some regular tea."

Wang Qiqi immediately got agitated upon hearing this. Uncle Ye was getting older, yet increasingly stingy. She pouted. "Look at you, moving to a new company, scaling up so much, clearly making a profit, yet you haven't hired a secretary? Sigh, Uncle Ye is getting cheaper and cheaper. The receptionist is covering secretarial duties, and probably other tasks too. Thank goodness I’m not a full-time translator, or the company would probably pay me even less."

Li Qian covered her mouth, stifling her laughter at the quick exchange. "Alright, alright. Drink your tea, drink your tea. No matter how good the tea is, it’s meant to be drunk, better than hoarding it away."

Ye Ruizhi knew his wife would inevitably side with Qiqi. "You... fine, drink the tea." While they bickered, Ye Ruizhi had already finished preparing the tea.

After several cups, Wang Qiqi felt the heat had passed. "Do you have a larger cup, Uncle Ye? I’m thirsty. I took the bus all the way here; how long will it take me to quench my thirst with these tiny cups?"

Ye Ruizhi set down his own cup with displeasure. "You, a future success story, why are you so utterly unsophisticated about drinking tea?" It was a perfect opportunity to deliver a small lecture; he had let the first chance pass, but this one offered herself up for correction.

"Crude is crude, but it’s better than being pretentious," Wang Qiqi retorted without concern. Everyone present knew her true nature, so there was no need to feign ladylike behavior. "We’re family here; there's no need for that kind of elegance, right, Uncle Ye? When outsiders are present, I certainly give you face, don't I?" Wang Qiqi felt her acting skills were quite commendable.

Ye Ruizhi conceded that point. "The tea is in the old spot." Even though the office was bigger, Old Ye liked keeping things where they were, so he wasn't worried about Wang Qiqi finding the tea.

Wang Qiqi automatically prepared two more cups, one for Shi Man. As for Li Qian, having spent so long in Yunnan and being with Ye Ruizhi for several years, she likely was accustomed to Gongfu Cha by now.

Li Qian sipped her tea slowly, briefly summarizing the recent developments at the inn. "Next year, I plan to go to Tibet. Not many people go there; it’s still an undeveloped area—a place to truly experience life." Li Qian had completely embraced a slower pace of life. Although she traveled extensively, she hadn't lost money, but her entire being felt different, exceptionally peaceful. When she met her friends in Beijing, their conversations always offered her deep insights; even though they maintained their good looks, Li Qian felt they lacked something compared to her. "I had intended to go this year, but it got too late."

To Tibet? Shi Man gasped. There were many legends surrounding Tibet, and the most terrifying was probably the altitude. "That’s even higher than Huanglong, isn't it?" Shi Man and Wang Qiqi had been to Huanglong, and she found that elevation almost too much for her to handle; just standing still was hard enough, let alone walking. "And what's so fun about Tibet?" Visiting the Potala Palace? Well, Shi Man did want to see the palace rumored to have been built by Songtsen Gampo for Princess Wencheng, but Shi Man valued her life more. There were so many beautiful spots in the world she hadn't seen; she should cherish her life. Yet, here was Sister Qian, nearly fifty, thinking of going to Tibet, which made Shi Man draw a sharp breath. She looked over at Ye Ruizhi, wondering if the boss supported such a major decision.

Wang Qiqi was both surprised and delighted when she heard Li Qian wanted to go to Tibet. Few tourists visited Tibet in those years; the popular road trips and treks that would later become common were rare sights then. Present-day Tibet felt purer. "How many days are you planning to stay?" Wang Qiqi was genuinely tempted. Although she knew she suffered from altitude sickness, she figured she could endure it. If they could drive into Tibet, Wang Qiqi estimated the altitude sickness wouldn't be too severe.

Shi Man nearly fainted. What? Wang Qiqi wanted to go to Tibet too? Now she was genuinely alarmed. "Qiqi, haven't you forgotten you get altitude sickness?" Although Qiqi’s reaction hadn't been severe that one time, her own condition hadn't been much better.

"Lhasa’s altitude is lower than Huanglong's, about 3,600 meters," Ye Ruizhi wasn't surprised by Wang Qiqi’s sudden interest in Tibet. Someone who used to spend a month or two traveling during every university vacation and wandered around the vicinity on weekends must love traveling. "And once you get there, you’ll see the kind of blue skies and white clouds you used to, where the air isn't tainted with the smell of gasoline fumes..." As he grew excited, Ye Ruizhi mentioned many Tibetan attractions.

Both Wang Qiqi and Shi Man froze. Wang Qiqi wondered how Uncle Ye knew so much about Tibet when it wasn't a popular tourist spot in this non-internet era. Shi Man looked at the boss with a hint of awe.

Li Qian noticed Wang Qiqi and Shi Man looking somewhat dazed and said softly, "Old Ye lived in Tibet for a few years previously."

Shi Man and Wang Qiqi murmured in understanding. They weren't ignorant; they knew Uncle Ye had worked in government offices, likely holding a significant post before resigning to open a translation agency. He must have gone to Tibet during his civil service years. Given how thoroughly he knew the region, he probably wasn't someone stationed in one remote location; perhaps he was a figure of higher standing.

"Wow, Uncle Ye, how did you not get tanned?" Wang Qiqi exclaimed in surprise. "Sister Qian, if we go to Tibet, we need to prepare well—plenty of sun protection and face masks. Oh, Sister Qian, we're planning to open a beauty salon; remember to come support us then." Wang Qiqi remembered that Li Qian knew many wealthy people. If Li Qian could introduce a few affluent wives, their business would certainly gain traction.

"You’re opening a beauty salon already?" Li Qian knew Shi Man was busy staying in the country, but the training institution they previously managed had made quite a splash. She assumed Shi Man was dealing with that. She hadn't expected them to come up with another money-making venture. Li Qian couldn't help but sigh inwardly. When she first met Wang Qiqi and the others, they were just kids starting university in Beijing, but now they were all doing so well—especially Han Tao, who was even launching a website; people in IT were making fortunes now, and Qiqi wasn't far behind. "And you didn't invite me to such a good opportunity? I’m the one who invited you when I saw good chances to make money back then."

Wang Qiqi and Shi Man were startled by Li Qian's sudden shift to a long face. They truly hadn't expected the busy Li Qian to be interested in their small business. Honestly, when they thought of people to include in their ventures, she was never at the top of their list.

"Relax, I was just teasing you," Li Qian said, pleased to see she had startled them both. "Don't worry, I will introduce clients, but the product quality must be excellent." Her friends didn't lack money; "What they care about is results. You know, as you get older, reputation becomes everything."