The tea garden attack incident clearly alarmed the bureau - it was as serious as thugs barging into a police station to cause trouble, a completely brazen provocation that enraged the leadership. Although the Yellow Fat Man and Black Thin Man loudly protested their innocence, claiming they didn't know about the new human employee at the Observation Bureau, their words did nothing to quell the anger of the supernatural beings at the Observation Department.
Director Hu angrily berated the Observation Department for dereliction of duty, ordering Director Miao to put aside other work and quickly arrest the escaped white-bearded criminal, or he would be held responsible.
That evening, Chu Zhishui received a concerned phone call from Director Hu. At first, she didn't recognize the unfamiliar number, but she recognized his voice when she answered. Hu Chenrui first apologized profusely with guilt, then warmly asked after her wellbeing, promised to give her an explanation, and finally repeatedly hinted that she shouldn't resign - similar to what Hong Ximing had said during the day.
"Director Hu, it's fine, I'm actually okay..." Chu Zhishui said softly, holding her phone in one hand while fidgeting with a flat pendant in the other. "Everyone came very quickly."
"Good, good, I'm glad you're alright. Please don't let this incident create any barriers between us - most supernatural beings aren't like that."
Chu Zhishui smiled and said, "Yes, I know. Don't worry, I won't resign."
"That's good then. Get some rest early, I won't disturb you anymore."
"You get some rest too, Director Hu."
After exchanging pleasantries and hanging up, Chu Zhishui first saved Hu Chenrui's number, then began searching through her jewelry box nearby, taking out a thin silver chain to turn the flat pendant into a necklace. The ink-colored pendant gleamed softly under the lamplight, similar in color to the paper umbrella Xin Yunmao had carried that day, though with an additional glossy coating on its surface.
After tidying up her things and reviewing some tea garden documents, she bid her parents goodnight and went to bed.
After the rain, the clouds were light and thin, and the warm gentle breeze was refreshing.
Although yesterday's events had been nerve-wracking, Chu Zhishui actually slept quite well. She drove to the bureau as usual, and just as she got out of her car, she saw a black shadow in the bushes, along with a nimble swishing tail.
"Kitty?"
A black cat with white paws poked its head out from among the leaves, gazing at her with bright golden eyes.
Chu Zhishui often encountered the black cat in the mornings, usually just calling out to it from afar. Occasionally she could lure it closer by offering fish or shrimp, but the cat would always grab the food and leave, rarely letting her get close enough to touch it.
Stray cats are typically alert and difficult to tame, so Chu Zhishui had never forced herself on it, letting it come and go as it pleased for meals.
This was the first time she'd seen the black cat without having food ready, which surprised her, so she crouched down and asked, "Were you waiting for me?"
"Meow."
The black cat walked over gracefully, affectionately rubbing against her and playfully wrapping its tail around her wrist, quite different from its usual grab-and-go approach to food.
Chu Zhishui was delighted by this special treatment as she petted the cat's head, experiencing the black cat's unprecedented warmth and thoughtfulness while stroking its warm, soft body. As she crouched there petting it, she had the strange feeling that it was trying to comfort her, having waited there specifically for that purpose.
"I can't stay, it's almost time..."
Chu Zhishui glanced at the time and realized she couldn't linger any longer, quickly getting up to head to work.
"Meow—"
The black cat bid her farewell and disappeared into the bushes.
In the Economic Development Department, Chu Zhishui arrived before eight o'clock. Jin Yu hadn't shown up yet, only Xin Yunmao in his black clothes was there. She noticed this supernatural being preferred dark clothing - though the styles and details varied, black was always the main color.
One thing had changed after the tea garden attack - the Berlin Wall in the Economic Development Department had fallen, and the human and supernatural being had ended their cold war, resuming normal communication.
While putting down her bag, Chu Zhishui took the initiative to greet him: "Good morning."
Just as Xin Yunmao was about to reply, his brows suddenly furrowed as he looked her over suspiciously: "Who did you just meet?"
"Who could I have met?" Chu Zhishui was puzzled, "I'm the only one here at the bureau."
"No, that's not right." Xin Yunmao stood up and moved closer to her, his gaze scanning back and forth as he stated with absolute certainty, "There's a scent."
"What scent?" Seeing his suspicious behavior, Chu Zhishui picked up a strand of her hair and sniffed it - there was only the fragrance of shampoo. "I took a shower after getting rained on yesterday..."
"It doesn't smell good."
"..."
He was really being picky, complaining about something like this, actually criticizing someone else's shampoo scent.
"How can you be so controlling about this?" Chu Zhishui complained, "You wear black clothes permanently, how dare you criticize me?"
Ignoring her complaints, Xin Yunmao lightly snapped his fingers, and his stern expression relaxed: "Much better now."
Chu Zhishui didn't know what he had done - she couldn't feel any change, her hair still carried the same fragrance. She casually brushed it aside: "How bizarre."
As Xin Yunmao was about to sit back down, a glint caught his eye. It was a thin silver chain, barely visible on her clean neck, only sparkling when caught by sunlight.
He reached out with two fingers and gently lifted it without touching her skin, revealing the familiar flat pendant hanging from the silver chain, gleaming as it moved.
Xin Yunmao paused: "So you're wearing it now."
The pendant had been warmed by her body temperature, its warmth slowly seeping into his fingertips.
Chu Zhishui pulled the pendant back directly, saying coolly, "Mind yourself, it's almost eight o'clock."
According to their agreement, during work hours she was the department leader, and there could be no nonsense or disrespect.
Xin Yunmao made no response. Instead of returning to his seat, he went out for a brief walk, returning less than a minute later wearing light-colored clothing. The cotton-linen fabric had a slight blue-green tint, no longer dark-colored, making his demeanor notably gentler.
Chu Zhishui was completely bewildered, especially as she watched him slowly walk past her, leaving her increasingly speechless.
Such a perfectionist about his image - while others came to work, he came for a fashion show.
For a moment she wondered if Xin Yunmao had actually changed clothes in the hallway in broad daylight, but remembering his mysterious finger-snapping magic, such an awkward and ridiculous scene probably hadn't occurred.
A moment later, Jin Yu appeared in the office right on time. After greeting Chu Zhishui, she mentioned the outcome of the situation: "Sister Hong said the supernatural beings from yesterday have been assigned to the tea garden. If you'd rather not interact with them, I can keep an eye on things there more often."
Jin Yu knew nothing about tea processing and usually handled paperwork at the bureau, rarely visiting the tea garden.
"It's fine, I'll go," Chu Zhishui hesitated, "There won't be any more danger, right?"
"The Observation Department has put ankle cuffs on them, so there definitely won't be any problems. You'll see when you get there," Jin Yu said cheerfully, "I'll go with you later."
Chu Zhishui didn't fully understand the Observation Department's procedures, so she agreed to Jin Yu's suggestion to have her explain things.
At the tea garden, the Yellow Fat Man and Black Thin Man were indeed present, no longer bound by supernatural chains but instead wearing ankle cuffs on their left feet. Made of dark iron, the cuffs were covered in complex and elegant mysterious patterns, with the Huaijiang Observation Bureau's emblem in the center - a simple eye design with some decorative elements.
Chu Zhishui was still wary when she first saw the two supernatural beings, since they weren't bound now and could potentially cause trouble. However, the Yellow Fat Man and Black Thin Man looked pale and exhausted, completely lacking the energy to resist, appearing much more haggard than the day before.
"The Observation Department apparently interrogated them for quite a while last night," Jin Yu said, "Once they put on the ankle cuffs, they're under control and have to follow the Observation Department's arrangements. Sister Hong said they're restricted to the tea garden, but if we have other requirements, we can file a report with the Observation Department to modify the current settings."
"That's so smart," Chu Zhishui marveled, "So how do I assign them work?"
"Just give orders directly - anyone wearing ankle cuffs can be directed if they're on the roster."
Chu Zhishui looked back and forth between the two supernatural beings: "Do they have names? What should we call them?"
"Once they wear the ankle cuffs, they probably just use numbers." Jin Yu crouched down to examine the ankle cuffs, scratching her head in frustration, "I forgot where the numbers are written, but you can call them whatever you want..."
"Alright, then one will be Little Yellow and the other Little Black."
"That's perfect!"
The two supernatural beings, who had been listless until then, became angry hearing them casually assign names, but trapped as they were, they could only voice their protests.
The Yellow Fat Man said irritably, "What do you mean perfect? We have names!"
The Black Thin Man dissatisfied, chimed in: "When we took human form, heaven and earth bestowed names upon us. We're not called Little Black and Little Yellow."
Jin Yu corrected them seriously: "You don't have names. Once you wear the ankle cuffs, your names are confiscated - those are the bureau's rules."
Chu Zhishui watched them jumping in anger and calmly said, "Your original names weren't that impressive either."
"Who says so..." the Yellow Fat Man sputtered in rage, "My original name was so resounding it would make heaven and earth change color!"
"It must be something like scallion, ginger, or garlic that makes people cry after smelling it," Chu Zhishui blinked. "Ginger? Something with 'Sheng' in it?"
The Yellow Fat Man exclaimed in shock: "Weren't you supposed to be a human without demon energy? How did you know my name is Jiang Dasheng?"
"Guessing that doesn't require demon energy. The other one is probably some black root." Chu Zhishui had gradually figured out the pattern and casually said, "Could it be Polygonum multiflorum?"
"...My name is Wu Heshou."
Chu Zhishui nodded kindly: "Alright, Little Yellow, Little Black."
The two demons were furious about their new nicknames.
"You're a human who entraps others! If you weren't working with them, how could we end up like this!?"
"What human would come work here?"
They had been hiding in the neglected tea garden, taking advantage of the Huaijiang Observation Bureau's blind spot, but who knew Chu Zhishui would barge in as soon as she took office, not only seizing the tea garden but also throwing them in jail. There had never been humans in the Observation Bureau before, and attacking her carried a harsher sentence than harming demons - wasn't this entrapment?
"If I wasn't from the bureau, does that mean you could attack me? That logic doesn't make sense either," Chu Zhishui frowned and asked Jin Yu, "If I don't need them anymore, who should I hand them over to?"
Jin Yu replied with surprise: "You don't need them to pick tea anymore? Then they'll probably be thrown into the demon fire by the Observation Department for roasting. Though given their serious crimes, they might be dispersed without even being roasted."
The two demons' expressions changed drastically: "..."
The Black Thin Man put on a fawning smile, instantly changing his attitude: "My lord, please don't joke around. How could you not need us? I, Little Black, have always stayed here, and I love growing and picking tea the most. I'm willing to help you solve any problems!"
Chu Zhishui: "But I might only need one tea picker..."
"Oh my, look at him - he's fat and gets in the way. His hands and feet probably aren't nimble enough. He might not be suitable for the tea garden."
"Who says so? I have plenty of strength for work. He's clearly a slippery character - you can tell at a glance he's not a good demon. He was the one who instigated coming to the tea garden in the first place!"
"That was clearly the old man's idea! What does it have to do with me!?"
"I'm the poor demon who was used as a pawn by you all. My lord, please see the truth—"
The former demon allies were at each other's throats, wishing they could stomp on each other, and ended up wrestling in a tangled heap.
Jin Yu looked at the two fighting demons and asked in bewilderment: "So which one should we keep?"
Chu Zhishui pulled out a schedule from her bag, casually handed it to Jin Yu beside her, and decided: "Let's do this - we'll keep them both for now, let them work together for a while, and I'll see who better fits the bureau's requirements for spiritual civilization. Then we'll keep that one."
Jin Yu looked down at the schedule: "Should we have them work according to this?"
"Yes, but add one more thing at 7 PM - watching the Evening News broadcast." Chu Zhishui raised an eyebrow and said, "All this 'Divine Lord' and 'My Lord' talk sounds like feudal remnants. It would ruin the bureau's reputation if word got out. They must be enlightened with new era thinking."
"Alright."
Little Yellow and Little Black were assigned to the tea garden, undergoing labor reform according to the schedule. Since demons' physical capabilities differ from humans, and even the Observation Department operates 24 hours, their labor reform was also round-the-clock.
At first, Chu Zhishui pondered about prison human rights, but then realized since they weren't human, discussing human rights became meaningless.
With free labor force, various tasks in the tea garden became much easier. Under the competitive mechanism, Little Yellow and Little Black worked even more efficiently than humans, picking fresh leaves on schedule and processing them meticulously. They had clearly been in the tea garden for many years, supposedly taking advantage when the bureau neglected to manage its assets.
The freshly produced green tea was beautifully packaged and sent as samples to the Yinhai, Qi Wu, and Kong Sang Observation Bureaus to expand the tea-selling business of the Economic Development Department. Regrettably, Chu Zhishui only received a response from the Yinhai Observation Bureau, while the other two bureaus gave no clear reply, almost like throwing stones into the sea.
In fact, Chu Zhishui only managed to get a reply from the Yinhai Bureau by using some tactics. After all, she had studied and worked in Yinhai City for many years and knew quite a few friends there. She had Wang Yiwen bring the tea in person and brew it on the spot, which finally got things moving - face-to-face meetings were always more effective than messages or phone calls.
After establishing contact, the Yinhai Bureau readily agreed to buy the tea, but they had one special requirement - they would only buy one type of green tea.
Chu Zhishui was quite puzzled by this and didn't immediately agree to Yinhai Bureau's request. Instead, she went to the tea garden to question the two demons.
"If I remember correctly, the green tea we sent recently should all be the same variety," Chu Zhishui held two cans of tea leaves and asked suspiciously, "Did you use different processing methods? Or did you cut corners somewhere?"
Logically, both cans of tea leaves were picked and processed by Little Yellow and Little Black, so there shouldn't be any difference.
"How could that be possible? We work diligently, heaven knows!" Little Yellow shook his head vigorously, and seeing her serious expression, quickly added, "...At most we might have gotten distracted during the news broadcast."
"But they say the tea leaves are different, and now they only want to accept one type."
"How could they be different? They're all freshly processed."
Little Black stepped forward and opened the packaging. He grabbed some tea leaves and began carefully rubbing them between his fingers, occasionally bringing them to his nose to smell.
Chu Zhishui didn't stop him, and as she watched him check the other can, she asked, "Is there a difference?"
Little Black crushed the tea leaves from the other can and smelled them, suddenly his expression changed slightly, and he couldn't help but take a deep breath. He seemed quite intoxicated, almost floating away, then suddenly realized: "I understand now, there is indeed a difference. It's the effect of that person's demon energy!"
Chu Zhishui looked confused: "That person?"
"This can of tea leaves was picked from the tea field where we att..." Little Black hurriedly corrected himself, "where we met you, and it might have been influenced by that person's demon energy, so it's different from other tea trees. I thought they looked particularly good at the time."
Chu Zhishui was stunned, then had a sudden realization: "Demons find it especially fragrant, right?"
The first time she went out on business with Xin Yunmao, she received a truck of vegetables from Old Li the next day, and Jin Yu had praised them endlessly after tasting them.
Little Black confessed: "Actually, it's not just the fragrance, it's nourishing for demons. Tea naturally gathers the spirit of heaven and earth and absorbs the light of the sun and moon. Compared to other plants, it's more sensitive to these things, so naturally, it tastes different."
This meant the tea leaves had an even more pronounced effect than the vegetables from before.
"Doesn't your demon energy work on the tea leaves?" Chu Zhishui said, "He said plant-type demons are very good at this."
"How could we compare to that person!"
"If we hadn't met that person, we wouldn't have hit this iron plate..."
Chu Zhishui ignored the two demons' muttering. She hadn't expected it to be proprietary technology and began to consider letting Xin Yunmao manage the tea garden. He had never had a suitable position in the Economic Development Department, and that couldn't continue indefinitely. Perhaps this was a good opportunity.
Still wearing the ink-black pendant around her neck, she fingered the necklace hesitantly and tentatively called out: "Xin Yunmao?"
The next moment, a black rift split through space, dense black flames spread from within, forming a human shape behind her. The black-haired young man materialized out of thin air. He wasn't carrying his dragon bone umbrella today, but still scared the two demons pale.
"What did you call me for?" Xin Yunmao drew close to her, then noticed the two demons. His eyes like lakes filled with broken ice, he asked suspiciously, "Are they still not behaving even with the shackles on?"
Little Yellow and Little Black were pierced by his gaze, immediately terrified out of their wits, repeatedly mumbling "Divine Lord have mercy" as they frantically fled towards the tea field, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
"You came really fast." Chu Zhishui was stunned. He had indeed said just calling his name would work, but seeing it in person was still shocking - even express delivery couldn't match his efficiency.
Xin Yunmao clicked his tongue and asked hesitantly: "You didn't just call my name for no reason, did you?"
"...Of course not."
He looked suspicious.
Chu Zhishui steeled herself and asked: "Does your demon energy help plants grow?"
"It probably does," Xin Yunmao admitted, "I don't pay much attention to it."
Chu Zhishui said gently: "In that case, why don't you manage the tea garden? You don't seem to like staying in the department, you could come here to get some fresh air."
He used to like wandering around the bureau, often taking naps under the shade of green trees.
Xin Yunmao gave her a sideways glance and flatly refused: "No."
"Why not?"
"Why not let that fish handle it?" His brows were tinged with a mocking smile, as if catching her slip-up. "Using people when you need them and discarding them when you don't - you think things work that well?"
Chu Zhishui fell silent for a moment, then mumbled softly, "But you're not human anyway."
"First you insult me by saying I'm not even as good as a fish, then you expect me to come and go at your beck and call. Do you really think I have no pride?"
"..."
Good grief, she had only stated a fact - Jin Yu had more work to do - and now it had escalated to an insult.
Xin Yunmao put on an air of cold arrogance, like an untouchable snow-capped mountain, though his sidelong glances kept falling on her, clearly waiting silently for what she would say next.
His expression was so easy to read - he wasn't really refusing to work, he was just putting on airs, waiting for someone to give him a way to save face.
'Just humor me.'
His face might as well have had those words written on it.
Chu Zhishui began to reflect on herself, wondering what on earth had possessed her to recruit this ancestor to the Economic Development Department. Fortunately, he was typically all bark and no bite, generally not too difficult to handle - he just wanted to hear some pretty words.
Chu Zhishui smiled gently: "No, I just feel your temperament suits the tea garden better than Jin Yu's."
"Temperament?"
"Yes, the tea garden's atmosphere suits you perfectly. Green tea naturally gathers the spirit of heaven and earth, absorbs the radiance of the sun and moon. Plus, tea culture has such a long history, and tea's artistic conception has always been lofty - it really matches your status and taste."
Xin Yunmao's expression softened slightly.
"When I see green tea, I don't think of Jin Yu - I naturally think of you. Look, even your clothes match perfectly..." Her gaze fell on his upper garment as she smiled, "That light cyan color is so elegant."
Xin Yunmao had been maintaining a stern face, but after hearing her words, he softened, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly: "You really think my temperament suits the tea garden better?"
"Absolutely, of course it does." Chu Zhishui showed a flawless smile. "I'm certain no one understands green tea and tea gardens better than you!"
Speaking in riddles while giving pendants, being passive-aggressive and temperamental, while emphasizing inability to respond to human emotions - he had mastered the essence of being a green tea personality, making him the perfect master for the tea garden.
