The daughter was ruthlessly driven out of the wealthy family and went to the countryside

Chapter 1212 The Tea Leaves Are Lost

"Okay." Qin Dianwen settled the bill for the tea, and then went up the mountain with Gu Shulian.

Qin Yaoyao immediately sat down next to Shen Xuening: "Sister-in-law, if they can get together, my parents will definitely give you a big red envelope."

Shen Xuening smiled and said, "I think there's a good chance they'll get together. They're a good match in terms of looks and family background."

Qin Yaoyao nodded: "Yeah, that older sister is pretty good. I feel like she can keep my brother in check."

Shen Xuening said, "Actually, we don't need to worry so much. When the time is right, everything will fall into place. Besides, the two of them are quite well-matched, and there's a high chance they'll be together."

Qin Yaoyao thought about it and said, "That's true. Actually, it's because my brother is too picky. Otherwise, how could he be single?"

“Isn’t this how young people are these days? You pick me, I pick you, and in the end, you’re still alone.” Shen Xuening changed the subject. “But then again, it’s not really about being picky. After all, it’s someone you’ll be sharing a bed with, so it’s only right to choose someone you like.”

Qin Yaoyao put her arm around Shen Xuening's and said, "Not everyone can meet someone as compatible as you, sister-in-law. Most people just settle for someone, right?"

Shen Xuening said, "It depends on the person. Everyone has many choices now, and in the end, the only one who can help themselves is themselves."

Qin Yaoyao suddenly laughed: "Sister-in-law, I always learn a lot from chatting with you."

Shen Xuening corrected: "We call this an exchange."

……

The mountains are layered with lush greenery, like a green silk ribbon, and a gentle breeze carries their tenderness.

Qin Dianwen and Gu Shulian walked side by side on the mountain path, strolling slowly and chatting as they admired the beautiful scenery around them.

"Do you really enjoy hiking?" Qin Dianwen asked, taking the initiative to speak.

“I really like it. I’ve even climbed Mount Everest. Isn’t that amazing?” Gu Shulian had a good impression of Qin Dianwen, so she spoke freely and without reservation.

"What about the mountains in China?" Qin Dianwen asked again.

"I've climbed most of the mountains in China, like the Five Sacred Mountains. I took pictures of every single one of them and posted them on my WeChat Moments. I'll show them to you later." Gu Shulian stood by the plank road, gazing at the layers of ferns below the cliff. Autumn had arrived, and the ferns were turning yellow.

"Let's add each other on WeChat?" Qin Dianwen took out his phone.

“Okay.” Gu Shulian gave Qin Dianwen her WeChat ID, and Qin Dianwen immediately added her as a friend. Gu Shulian accepted. “We can chat on WeChat from now on.”

"Yes." Qin Dianwen asked, "How long do you plan to stay here?"

Gu Shulian's hair fluttered gently in the wind: "Xue Ning is going to City A for her wedding, and I plan to go with her."

Qin Dianwen also had a good impression of Gu Shulian. If Gu Shulian stayed here for a while longer, he could get to know more people: "There's still some time. You can relax and have some fun here."

Gu Shulian suddenly asked, "By the way, I heard you're in an arts troupe. What do you usually perform?"

Qin Dianwen said, "My specialty is playing the bamboo flute. I will be performing at Wuhua Tianbao tomorrow. If you are interested, you can come and watch."

Gu Shulian looked at Qin Dianwen, nodded with a smile in her eyes, and said, "Then I will respectfully accept your offer."

Qin Dianwen said, "My performance is at three o'clock in the afternoon. You can come and watch the performance after you take your afternoon nap."

Gu Shulian asked, "Are there many performances?"

Qin Dianwen said, "Yes, it's the Mid-Autumn Festival, so there will definitely be more programs. Tomorrow's program will be just as exciting. You won't regret coming to watch."

Gu Shulian smiled and said, "Then I'm starting to look forward to it."

Qin Dianwen looked up at the mountain, where a gentle mountain breeze was blowing, and felt extremely comfortable: "Shall we continue climbing the mountain?"

Gu Shulian said, "Okay, I heard there's a Flower Goddess Temple and a Jade Peak Temple on the mountain, both of which are quite efficacious. Let's go and pay our respects in a bit."

Qin Dianwen replied, "Okay."

The two got along better and better.

……

That evening, Qin Dianwen's mother sent him a WeChat message: "Son, how did the girl go? Did the blind date go well today? Did you give her a gift?"

Qin Dianwen sighed helplessly. But his mother became excited at the mention of this: "Mom, I gave her a gift, and Miss Gu accepted it. I think she has a good impression of me. Don't worry, if I can get along with her, I will definitely make the most of it."

Qin Dianwen's mother was extremely grateful to Shen Xuening: "That's good, that's good. You have to thank your sister-in-law properly later, okay?"

Qin Dianwen was impatient with talking to his mother about these topics, finding it too long-winded: "I know, I know, Mom, I'm not going to say anymore, I'm going to practice my piece."

Qin Dianwen's mother quickly sent another message: "Wait, your birthday is coming up soon, are you going back to City A?"

Qin Dianwen replied: "Not for now. I don't want to celebrate my birthday. I'll go back at the end of the month with my sister-in-law."

Qin Dianwen's mother missed her son a lot, but he was grown up and had his own ideas: "That's fine too."

Qin Dianwen asked, "Is there anything else, Mom?"

Qin Dianwen's mother said reluctantly, "Take care of yourself, don't be lazy, you must exercise every day, otherwise you'll gain weight, understand?"

Qin Dianwen's expression was indescribable. Ever since he was eighteen, his mother had been pressuring him to exercise. His physique was truly impressive, and his mother would always remind him of it whenever she called: "I know, Mom, I'm not a three-year-old anymore."

Qin Dianwen's mother: "Alright, alright, that's enough. Take care of yourself and focus on your work."

Qin Dianwen: "Okay."

Qin Dianwen's mother put her phone aside and said happily to Qin Dianwen's father, "My son is finally going to have a girlfriend. It puts a weight on my mind."

Qin Dianwen's father glanced at Qin Dianwen's mother and said, "This is just a meeting; it's a long way from them becoming boyfriend and girlfriend."

Qin Dianwen's mother said patiently, "Then I can't just have a little bit of hope."

Qin Dianwen's father still insisted on his opinion: "It's definitely possible, but don't be too optimistic. You can't be sure about things like relationships."

Qin Dianwen's mother was a little unhappy: "What's wrong with you as a father? You're not happy about your son dating? Why are you always pouring cold water on me?"

Qin Dianwen's father looked very serious: "I'm not trying to discourage you, I'm just telling you the worst-case scenario."

Qin Dianwen's mother turned her face away: "I don't want to hear this."

Qin Dianwen's father added fuel to the fire, saying, "Honest advice is hard to swallow."

"You..." Qin Dianwen's mother was a little angry. "I'm too lazy to talk to you anymore." After saying that, she left.

Qin Dianwen's father shook his head helplessly: "Women are just so emotional, and they can't stand being told what to do. You have to coax them all the time."

After muttering something to himself, he took out his phone and sent Qin Dianwen a WeChat message: "Dianwen, I heard you went on a blind date. No matter what happens, Dad will support you."

Qin Dianwen was surprised to see the message and quickly replied, "Thanks, Dad."

……

The Mid-Autumn Festival has passed in the blink of an eye, and everyone has returned to school and work, resuming their busy lives.

Shen Xuening arrived at the tea garden. It had been a long time since she had visited the tea garden. She only took the time to come and see it because the autumn tea picking season was about to begin.

When Zhou Fu saw Shen Xuening arrive, he immediately smiled and said, "President Shen, you've arrived?"

"I've come to see the autumn tea." Shen Xuening walked into the tea garden and looked around. The tea garden was lush and green, with tender green tea buds nearby, full of vitality. Just looking at it made her feel open-minded.

Zhou Fu greeted Shen Xuening as they walked towards a row of tea trees: "This year's autumn tea is much, much better than when I planted it myself last year. Look, on one plant, it's densely packed, tender and whole. This kind of tea will definitely fetch a good price."

Shen Xuening said, "This is all thanks to your thoughtful care."

"It's what we should do." Zhou Fu was completely devoted to Shen Xuening. "President Shen, would you like me to show you around?"

"No need, you're busy. I'll go take a look myself. It's not like it's my first time here." Shen Xuening waved her hand and walked into the tea garden.

There were many workers busy in the tea garden. Shen Xuening didn't want to disturb them, so she turned in another direction when she got close to them and walked around the tea garden, stopping and starting as she went.

The place is the same as usual, with no major differences. The only difference is that the tea trees have grown bigger, and the tea leaves are more numerous and of better quality.

Shen Xuening walked towards the back of the tea garden, where there was a babbling brook. Shen Xuening fed many fish in the brook, and they all grew up. She had already caught and eaten them. Some of the mother fish had also given birth to many small fish, which were already three fingers wide.

Arriving at the stream, Shen Xuening squatted down to look at the little fish swimming in it: "You guys grow so fast, spirit stones really are good stuff."

Upon hearing Shen Xuening's voice, the little fish sank into the water with a "whoosh" and disappeared, leaving only ripples on the surface.

Shen Xuening reached out and touched the stream water: "It's so cool and refreshing, it's really a good idea to feed the fish here."

There are also big fish in this stream, but they need to be caught with nets. Considering the need to protect the local ecosystem, Shen Xuening decided to keep a few as a way of giving back to nature.

After watching the fish for a while, Shen Xuening prepared to go back. The tea picking here had already formed a production line, so she didn't need to worry about it anymore.

Walking and stopping intermittently, Shen Xuening arrived at the entrance of the tea garden. There she saw Zhou Fu anxiously heading towards the temporary warehouse next door. Puzzled, she called out to him, "Old man, what are you rushing off to?"

Upon hearing Shen Xuening's words, Zhou Fu's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly replied, "President Shen, I'm sorry, some tea leaves may have been lost."

"Some tea leaves are missing?" Shen Xuening asked. "Aren't tea leaves sent to the tea processing room immediately after picking?"

Zhou Fu explained, "Yes, most of it has been sent over, but a small portion is still here, stored in the warehouse. I just heard that the tea leaves were running low, so I came over to check."

Shen Xuening asked, puzzled, "Why not ship them over?"

Zhou Fu said, "These are the leftover tea leaves after the large batch of tea. Even if we transport them over, we wouldn't be able to process them all, so we simply left them here to process separately. We plan to take them to the tea processing room once we have a certain quantity. I didn't expect that some of them would be lost."

Shen Xuening reassured her, "No rush, let's go take a look first."

"Okay." Zhou Fu took out his key, unlocked the door, and went inside.

The warehouse is very large, capable of holding over a thousand kilograms of tea leaves. Wooden shelves line the walls, displaying various tea-frying tools, as well as packaged tea leaves…

Shen Xuening looked around but didn't find anything amiss.

Zhou Fu walked towards the wooden shelf where the tea was kept, and seeing the empty shelf, his heart sank to the bottom: "It's really gone, a whole box is gone, a box worth five thousand..."

Shen Xuening looked at the other boxes, and there were five more boxes next to them: "Grandpa, did you put these boxes here?"

“Yes, I put it there.” Zhou Fu nodded. “They don’t know how to preserve tea, only I do. I pack the roasted tea properly and send it over when I have ten boxes. I didn’t expect that one is missing now.”

Shen Xuening frowned: "Then who do you think took it?"

Zhou Fu shook his head, feeling utterly overwhelmed: "I don't know. The theft has only happened once before, and I have no clue what to do."

Shen Xuening suggested, "Let's check the surveillance footage."

Zhou Fu sighed: "There are no surveillance cameras here. It's just a tea garden. Even if someone came to steal tea leaves, they wouldn't be able to steal much. Besides, tea leaves can't be eaten directly, so very few people come to steal them. That's why there are no surveillance cameras installed in the warehouse."

Shen Xuening: “…”

Does one mistake mean I'll suffer a loss?

Zhou Fu walked out of the warehouse and looked around, full of helplessness: "Who came in and took the tea? If it was really theft, they should have taken all the boxes. Why did they only take one?"

He was very puzzled and couldn't figure it out at all.

Shen Xuening walked around the warehouse and said, "The person who came to steal must have known there was tea here. We have strict management of our tea, so usually no one would come here, right?"

Zhou Fu's heart sank: "You mean the thief is someone who stole from the person in charge?"

"Very likely," Shen Xuening suggested. "Think back, has anyone recently inquired about the warehouse? Or perhaps they've been sneaking around the tea garden?"

“This…” Zhou Fu tried to recall carefully, but his mind was blank and he couldn’t remember anything.

Shen Xuening said, "Go and call everyone over here. I'll ask them something."

"Okay." Zhou Fu immediately called everyone over, and they now stood in a line in front of Shen Xuening.

Shen Xuening spoke directly: "A box of tea has gone missing from our warehouse. Have you seen anyone enter the warehouse? If you have, please let me know and I will give you a reward of one thousand yuan."

The workers looked at each other, but none of them said a word.

Shen Xuening looked at everyone and said, "I know that the person who took the item is definitely among you. If you can hand it over voluntarily, I can pretend that this never happened."

The workers still didn't say anything.

Shen Xuening used both threats and inducements: "If you don't tell me, I'm going to call the police. That box of tea is worth 10,000 yuan. Stealing 10,000 yuan worth of property is a crime punishable by imprisonment."

Zhou Fu was very anxious. No one from their village had ever been to jail. If word got out, it would be truly despicable!