Chapter 477 Grandma's Black Tea
"James, we didn't want to burden you with worry, so we concealed certain matters," Virgil said, rushing to help James up after his fall. He sighed softly. "Now that you're capable of handling more, we can share some things with you."
"What is there to tell James? These old troubles aren't worth mentioning and have nothing to do with him. Let's not complicate his life," Michelle interjected, grabbing Virgil's arm. "We can handle this ourselves."
"Mom, Dad, whatever it is, just tell me. Whether it's important or not, whether it concerns me directly or not—we're family," James said, guiding both parents to sit on the sofa. "What affects you affects me too."
"What's this all about?" James added teasingly. "Don't tell me you've been hiding your identities for my benefit, and you're actually billionaires."
"Always the joker," Michelle laughed, her troubled expression lifting as she playfully pinched James's ear. "If we were billionaires, would we be running cargo ships and selling tea?"
Virgil nodded in agreement. "Even wealthy parents trying to toughen up their children wouldn't leave their family without financial security."
"Ouch!" James dodged his mother's hand. "But that's what books always say—turn eighteen and suddenly parents reveal their true identities: 'Surprise! You're actually the child of a billionaire with trillions in assets!'"
"Enough jokes," Virgil gestured for James to sit down. "This matter doesn't directly concern you, but since you're family and want to know, we'll tell you."
"You're not the child of wealthy people, but your mother once was. She was a young lady from a beverage dynasty in Sovereign City—well-educated, gentle, humble, and living quite comfortably."
"But over twenty years ago, her parents—your maternal grandparents—died in a car accident. The vehicle was destroyed, and your mother barely survived."
"Your great-grandmother always favored males over females. When she saw that your grandfather had died, she worried your mother would eventually marry and take the family assets away. So she forced your mother to transfer all her holdings to the family."
"Your mother, being gentle and trusting toward family, transferred all her parents' shares without compensation."
"Your mother had a close friend named Xanthe who, taking advantage of your mother's grief, visited daily to comfort her. A month later, exploiting your mother's trust, she stole her keys, opened the safe, and photographed the Garcia family's prized black tea formula—the foundation of their business."
"When your great-grandmother found out, she flew into a rage. Not only did she make your mother surrender her shares, but she also drove her from the family home. That was over twenty years ago."
"Although your mother severed ties with the Garcia family, her kind nature meant she never forgot she was still part of them. She felt tremendous guilt over her carelessness that led to the loss of the family's tea formula, so she's thought about the Garcia family all these years."
"To prepare for the day she might return with her head held high, your mother has worked various physical jobs while continuing to sell different black teas."
Virgil suddenly asked, "Do you know why she sells black tea?"
"Mom hopes to improve on the tea, find a better formula than the Garcia family's, and bring it back as an apology?" James easily discerned Michelle's intentions. "Is that right?"
Virgil laughed. "A son truly understands his mother's heart." Michelle's kindness meant she always saw the good in others while overlooking their flaws.
Michelle spoke with regret. "Unfortunately, despite twenty years of effort, I've never created a better formula."
"The black tea formula..." James paused briefly before asking, "So why were you crying earlier? Has the Garcia family allowed you to return?"
"Your great-great-grandmother is ninety now, and her health is failing. She's suddenly gained perspective on many things," Virgil continued. "She had someone call, saying she's forgiven your mother and hopes she'll visit when possible."
"I see," James nodded in understanding. "Since the Garcia family is willing to welcome Mom back, and Mom wants to return, why not go for a visit?"
With anyone else, James might have advised standing firm—after twenty years of no contact, why not continue that way, especially since their family was doing well now.
But he couldn't say that to Michelle. She thought constantly about the Garcia family and felt guilty about losing their formula. Without resolving this, she would carry the burden forever.
"We do want to go back," Michelle hesitated. "But we were planning to wait another week or two. I wanted to try once more to develop a formula."
"Mom, you should go in the next few days. Your great-great-grandmother is ninety—the sooner you see her, the better," James said, thumping his chest confidently.
"As for the tea formula, don't worry. Leave it to me. I'll create one for you. I can't promise it will be the world's best, but it will surpass what's on the market."
If he could develop Bashful Flower beauty cream and improve Randy's blood-replenishing pills, he was confident he could create a black tea formula.
Michelle's eyes brightened with excitement. "James, really?"
"Trust me," James assured her.
Virgil was equally pleased. "James never makes promises he can't keep. Let's quickly make a list of what to bring for Grandmother and the others."
The couple happily began preparations, making lists and gathering items. James smiled as he left their room and settled back into his bamboo chair.
Rubbing his temples, he searched his memory for something that could become a black tea formula.
Ten minutes later, James's eyes lit up as he recalled an imperial court recipe. Wasting no time, he went to the kitchen to prepare it. Michelle kept various herbs around, so James quickly gathered what he needed.
Activity in the kitchen soon had Samantha worried James might destroy it. Two hours later, the dining room filled with the aroma of black tea—subtle yet enticing.
Virgil, Michelle, and Samantha gathered around the table, where three bowls of iced black tea awaited them. The color was delicate, and the tea seemed to radiate a natural energy that made their mouths water.
"Try the black tea I've brewed," James said, wiping his damp hands before sitting down to write out the formula. "It has similar functions to what's on the market, but much better effects, with results in just ten minutes."
The tea's effectiveness was level ten, but James wrote down a level six formula to avoid shocking the entire market. Even this level six recipe far surpassed the best level five teas available.
Michelle looked skeptical. "Is it really that impressive?"
Having sold tea for years, she knew the market was fiercely competitive. Even a slight improvement could create a bestseller. Something "far better" could potentially monopolize the market.
James smiled. "Try it and see."
It was a cool evening—not typically a time when people craved tea. Yet looking at the tea before them, Michelle and the others couldn't resist tasting it.
They picked up their cups, blew gently, and took small sips. As the tea touched their lips, their expressions immediately brightened. They looked at James with undisguised amazement.
The tea was mild and pleasant, neither bitter nor astringent, somehow filled with hope. Drinking it left them feeling refreshed and content throughout their bodies.
Virgil's gum pain disappeared. Michelle's throat inflammation improved. Samantha's cold symptoms vanished.
James suddenly looked up. "Mom, what's the Garcia family tea called?"
Michelle paused. "Grandma's Black Tea."
"Then we'll call ours—Great-Grandma's Black Tea."
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