After Surviving the Apocalypse, I Built a City in Another World novel Chapter 327

Aberdeen City, Many Years ago

One weekend in the early summer, the family was gathered in the kitchen by Althea. They were well-behaved and waited patiently as to what this was all about, and they soon saw Althea bringing in a colorful array of jars.

These jars were filled with vibrant tea leaves, fragrant herbs, and delicate flower petals.

The school was off the week, with Ansel and the two professors were relaxing at home. There was also Garan, a special Military soldier, who was also on a rare day off.

The parents looked at her curiously looked at her, her boyfriend—as always—was just watching her dotingly, while her little brother had a teasing smile on his face.

"I have been studying and testing these for a long time."

"How many times did you get poisoned?" Ansel asked, and Althea answered with a bit of smugness.

"None!"

"Not because you’re immune now, right?"

"..."

Alicia laughed and gently tapped the boy’s head. "Let Althea have her moment."

"Che," Ansel tutted and crossed his arms, though his eyes quickly gravitated back to the curious table in front of him.

Althea cleared her throat, entering a small zone she entered during her experiment, albeit a milder version.

She smiled as she delicately scooped a blend of loose leaves into each teapot, adding different herbs and flowers to each one.

Soon aroma wafted into her audience’s noses, making her audience unconsciously lean down the table for a bit more of a sniff.

For a while, only the sound of porcelain and metal clashing, combined with rustles of tiny leaves, was heard in the room. Finally, she ended the ritual with pouring hot water on the cups, placing a different blend in front of each them.

The looked brightly at the beautiful blend in front of them, sniffing the nice aromas that whiffed up their noses.

Althea smiled and started to introduce her work. "For dad, I’ve chosen an exquisite blend of dried rose petals and camilla tea leaves. Smart and Bold, fitting dad’s scholarly pursuits."

Howard laughed in his characteristic deep and hearty laugh, taking the cup for a sip.

His eyebrows rose as the aroma and taste enveloped him. It was as if transported to a distant rose garden in full bloom.

Althea judged it to be a success and turned to her mother. "For Mom, it is a blend of green tea, lavender and chamomile. A fragrant bouquet that was calming as it is rejuvenating, much like what she is to me."

Alicia giggled. "Aww~ Thanks love. I’ll try it out now." She inhaled the soothing aroma of the concoction as she sniffed, and it felt like she was strolling through a serene lavender field. Very relaxing.

"Ansel’s is a fruit-infused herbal tea with hints of apple, hibiscus, and orange peel. It’s a playful medley of flavors, a fitting drink for our youngest."

The red head immediately took his cup, a bit excited, and was met with the tasty fruity explosion in his mouth. "Hmm! Delicious~"

They all chuckled at his reaction, and soon Althea turned to her handsome boyfriend, who made her blush a bit under his deep stare.

"For Garan, it shall be a robust blend of black tea, mint leaves, and a touch of lemongrass. It is bold and invigorating, much like you."

"Thank you, Althea." He smiled and took a sip, met with a refreshing burst of mint that invigorated his senses, though his eyes never left her face.

"Is it tasty?" She asked, blushing a bit, before turning to everyone else.

Everyone nodded, praising her for her talents.

In any case, the kitchen that day was particularly fragrant, filled with warmth and happiness…

…and the contentment of a complete family.

__________________

Bright Village, Present

Garan stood up in shock and looked at him murderously. Even his two guards who tried to defend couldn’t move, startled by the man’s aura.

Micheal coolly raised both hands. "We’re business partners. Ansel is even my friend, how can I hurt them?"

The suffocating atmosphere dispersed a little and Garan just looked at him guardedly. However, there was anticipation in his eyes which were what Micheal needed for this deal.

He turned to Dig and pointed at the cabinet with his head.

"Come, drink." He asked, and naturally they didn’t dare to risk getting poisoned.

"Why would I bother poisoning you in my own territory?"

"Because you cannot kill us otherwise."

"..."

Well, they’re not wrong…

Micheal sighed and took the cup handed to Garan, drinking from it himself. "Hm.. Delicious. It’s your loss. Such good tea from Ms. Althea."

Sure enough, Garan flinched and after a thought, he took the teapot and sipped on its contents.

Silence passed by as Garan simmered in its taste, no doubt recalling certain memories. Soon, his stance softened and he looked at Micheal with less hostile eyes.