Blood-Infused Tea

Chapter 1

I worked at a tea house that sold a special kind of tea. This tea, when added to food, made it incredibly delicious and irresistible, almost like a culinary delight. Countless high-end restaurant owners came to us by reputation alone. But I knew that this tea was nourished with the blood of addicts.

1

I was a clerk at a tea house that didn't serve tea drinks but only sold tea leaves, and exclusively black tea. Among them, there was a special kind of black tea known for its irresistible flavor called craving tea. As the name suggested, this tea, when added to food, made people crave it and unable to stop.

Because of its unique properties, craving tea was limited in quantity and purchase every month. The price was also extraordinarily high. Those high-end restaurant owners had to make reservations several months or even a year in advance to buy just one gram of craving tea.

"Melany, are you busy?"

The visitor was Wilbur, a regular customer at our store.

"Please have a seat, Wilbur," I said with a smile, inviting him to sit down. "Are you here to buy tea leaves? I checked, and it seems you don't have a reservation this month."

Wilbur smiled awkwardly. "Well... Melany, can you make an exception this time?"

I hesitated and said, "I'm sorry, Wilbur, but you know the rules of our store."

Craving tea was limited to ten portions per month, one gram per portion, and each gram cost a hundred thousand dollars. Moreover, each person was limited to purchasing one portion per month. Our store's reservations were always full every month. If I made an exception for Wilbur, other customers with reservations wouldn't get their tea.

I had always been curious why the store manager didn't sell more of this exorbitantly priced tea. Who would mind making more money? I could only assume that Denise was creating an air of exclusivity.

"I really need this tea right now, Melany. Can you think of a way to help me?" Wilbur stood up from his chair anxiously. "I can pay extra! Please help me!"

I let out a deep breath. "I really can't help you. Please leave."

With that, I escorted Wilbur out of the store and quickly closed the door. Listening to Wilbur knocking on the door outside, I shook my head helplessly. There was really nothing I could do. I didn't dare to question Denise's decisions and could only follow them. After all, Denise had been kind to me.

2

I was a stray child picked up by Denise. From as far back as I could remember, I had been wandering the streets. I had no parents and survived on begging and the charity of kind-hearted people. Until one day, I met Denise at the door of this tea house. She took me in, saying the store happened to need a clerk, and I stayed.

Denise had always treated me well. At least, I never lacked food or clothing, and she even paid me a salary every month. In my heart, Denise had become like a mother to me. All I could do was help her manage this store well.

There had been many people like Wilbur who came to the store begging for tea. I had asked Denise if we should sell them some tea leaves. Denise just glanced at me coldly and said, "Just do your job."

At that time, I didn't know when to stop and asked, "Is the production of this tea really that low? What makes it so precious?"

Denise's expression changed immediately. She took me to the backyard and gave me a harsh punishment. The pain of the barbed whip cutting into my skin still seemed to linger when I thought about those wounds.

The next day, when the tea house opened, I saw Wilbur squatting at the door. He must have stayed all night, as there were many cigarette butts on the ground. When he saw me open the door, he rushed up excitedly and held onto my arm. "Melany, I know it's difficult for you, but please think of a way..."

Seeing him like this, I quickly pulled my arm away and closed the door again. Anyway, there were no customers scheduled to pick up their orders in the next two days, so I might as well keep the door closed to avoid him pestering me.

But in the following days, Wilbur stayed at the door, even setting up a bed and sleeping right at the entrance. This couldn't go on! I couldn't keep the store closed forever.

When Wilbur saw me open the door, he jumped up happily and grabbed me. "I know you have a kind heart. Just help me this once, even if it's just a single leaf!"

Seeing that I wasn't speaking, Wilbur hurriedly added, "I'll pay extra! Five times the price. How about that, Melany?"

Then he whispered in my ear, "All the money will go straight into your pocket! Think about it."

I felt tempted. Although Denise paid me a salary, it was just enough to get by. When I was first taken in, having enough to eat and wear, and a place to shelter from the wind and rain, was already more than enough for me. But now...

The salary that barely covered my living expenses no longer satisfied me. I wanted more. I looked at the shabby, old phone in my hand, which I had picked up from Kellan, and made up my mind. I nodded.

Actually, there was another reason I was hesitant to get craving tea... The tea was somewhat eerie. Every time Denise brought the tea to the store, it was secured in a heavy wooden box. The box was dark red, almost like it had been stained with blood, and the fresh craving tea always emitted a subtle scent of blood.