Cici Registers for the World Tea Masters Tournament

Cici was surprised.

She wasn't surprised that the Yun Family in Japan knew she was coming; what surprised her was that Grandma Yun would actually let her participate in the World Tea Masters Tournament.

Since the Yun Family's downfall three years ago, they had never recovered and retreated to a nameless island in Indonesia, barely surviving.

Although she returned to China this time under the banner of reviving the Yun Family, she knew well how difficult it would be to restore its former glory.

The Yun Family's Three Treasures: books, medicine, and tea.

Among them, the books and medicine could never be revealed to the public.

These collections of books were worth more than money could measure—true world treasures.

Not only would the Yun Family never release them, but those in power would never allow it either.

Why was the Yun Family able to withdraw from China so smoothly back then? Without the approval and protection from above, how could their retreat have been so swift?

Another reason was that Charles Yin never intended to annihilate them.

With the support of the state and Charles Yin's deliberate indulgence, the Yun Family was able to retreat calmly to the isolated island in Indonesia.

The reason everyone was at ease letting the Yun Family hide away on the island was because their heritage was simply too profound.

A family that traces its lineage back to the Spring and Autumn Period—the roots, branches, and leaves of the Yun Family all carry the blood of China.

The purity of the Yun Family's bloodline was already exceedingly rare.

It was precisely this pure bloodline that could never be separated from its homeland.

The Chinese have a unique attachment to their land.

To return to one's roots is an obsession for every Chinese person.

For the Yun Family, this was even more true.

So the Yun Family's temporary retreat was also for a better return in the future.

That's why the close relationship between the Yun and Mo Families was also a result of instructions from above.

The Yun Family's books could never be made public, and likewise, their pharmaceutical knowledge was never to be revealed.

So the only thing they could show the world was their tea.

If the Yun Family wanted to reestablish themselves in China, reviving their reputation would depend on their tea.

Cici's trip to Japan was all part of Charles Yin's careful planning.

But who could have known that the Yun Family had been waiting for this opportunity too?

Japanese tea ceremony and Chinese tea arts share the same roots, but have developed along completely different paths.

If the Yun Family could shine at the World Tea Masters Tournament in Japan, their road to returning home would be halfway paved.

Of course, the Yun Family knew about Cici's return to China. But all this time, they had kept silent and never intervened.

This all came down to Grandma Yun.

It was thanks to Grandma Yun's firm control that things had reached this point.

Now, with Grandma Yun personally calling Cici and asking her to compete in the World Tea Masters Tournament in Japan, it meant the Yun Family was finally about to make a move.

Charles Yin was extremely skilled at reading people.

He knew the Yun Family's patience had reached its limit, so he directly ordered the Japanese branch to host this year's World Tea Masters Tournament.

He wanted to force the Yun Family's hand, make them take a stand, and incidentally resolve the lingering effects of the Forbidden Serum from three years ago.

As long as the Yun Family stopped hiding in Indonesia and set foot in China, things wouldn't be so simple anymore—they couldn't just come and go as they pleased.

"What?" Cici instinctively retorted, "Why do I have to participate? Isn't the Yun Family supposed to be in full retreat?"

"Didn't you come back to China under the banner of reviving the Yun Family?" Grandma Yun countered. "What, are you going back on your word?"

Cici blushed. "Grandmother..."

Grandma Yun's tone softened a little as she continued, "Enough. Do you think anyone's fooled by your little schemes?"

Cici bit her lower lip and said nothing.