Chapter 35 Tang San in the Blacksmith Shop
The fire in the blacksmith shop was blazing.
The clanging of hammering metal was incessant, and the flames licked at the iron billet, heating the air to a scorching heat.
The fire roared, and the heat was oppressive.
Tang San, shirtless and sweating profusely, swung his iron hammer at the red-hot iron billet. The clanging sounds were deep and rhythmic, and the iron billet slowly took on the shape of a sickle under the hammer's blows.
"Third Brother!"
Wang Sheng's voice came from the doorway, filled with excitement and a hint of panting.
He carried a heavy wicker basket on his back and strode into the blacksmith shop. As soon as he entered, the heat wave forced him to take a half step back.
The sound of hammering stopped for a moment, and the blacksmiths all looked over curiously.
"Wang Sheng, why are you here so early?"
Tang San stopped hammering, wiped his face with the towel draped around his neck, and gave a gentle smile that mimicked his older brother Tang Chuan: "Did something happen to you, brother?"
His first reaction was always to care about Tang Chuan.
"It's alright, it's alright!"
Wang Sheng quickly waved his hand, wiping the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve: "Brother Tang is fine, he asked me to bring this to you!"
Wang Sheng unloaded the wicker basket, took out a bamboo cup from it, and handed it to Tang San.
"Third Brother, try this first! This is Brother Tang's newly made Tang-style iced tea. The blacksmith shop is quite hot, so he specially asked me to bring some iced tea for everyone to quench their thirst and cool them down!"
"Thank you all for your hard work!"
As he spoke, Wang Sheng worked tirelessly, taking out bamboo cups of iced tea and distributing them one by one, loudly proclaiming to everyone in the blacksmith shop, "Come and have a taste, everyone gets some!"
"Did you make this new, brother?"
Tang San put down the hammer, walked to Wang Sheng's side, and took the bamboo cup. He could feel the coolness inside, which was particularly noticeable in the stuffy blacksmith shop.
"Yes! Brother Tang even had us sell iced tea in Notting and the Academy today, and it was very popular..."
As Wang Sheng distributed the goods, he turned to explain to Tang San.
A burly blacksmith, curious, picked up a cup of iced tea. Finding it icy cold, he exclaimed in surprise, "Hey! It really is cold! Little Tang San, what kind of skill does your brother have? How could they make such ice-cold tea on such a hot day?"
Tang San peeled off the seal of the iced tea, and a refreshing coolness rushed out. Looking at the clear tea in the cup, a warm feeling welled up in his heart.
Knowing that blacksmithing was hot, his older brother made iced tea and had Wang Sheng deliver it.
You're too good to yourself!
Touched, he didn't rush to drink it, but instead handed it to an old blacksmith next to him who was covered in sweat: "Uncle Li, please try it first."
Master Li took it and took a big gulp.
"Mmm! Good tea! It's cool, sweet, and has a fruity aroma! That feels so good! It feels so good! Little Tang San, your brother's skills are absolutely amazing!"
The other blacksmiths also picked up their iced teas and gulped them down. The refreshing and sweet tea dispelled the heat and fatigue, prompting them to exclaim with satisfaction.
"That felt great!"
"This tastes a million times better than well water!"
"Little Tang San, your brother really is something!"
A young blacksmith gave Tang San a thumbs up.
Tang San picked up a cup from the wicker basket, took a small sip, and the sweet taste warmed his heart.
Hearing everyone in the blacksmith shop praising his brother, he felt a surge of pride and joy.
Wang Sheng added from the side, "This is Tang's Iced Tea, made by Brother Tang using his spirit skill. The raw materials are all fruits from the Soul Hunting Forest, which are sweet and thirst-quenching. There are three flavors: Star Dew Passion Fruit Tea, Refreshing Snow Cherry Tea..."
Mr. Zhang, who usually had a sweet tooth, took a sip of iced tea and his eyes lit up immediately.
The cool tea slid down his throat, calming the body's heat. The slight tartness of passion fruit blended perfectly with the sweetness of star dew seeds.
"This Star Dew Passion Fruit Tea is so much better than the sweet soups at the dessert shops!"
At this moment, Wang Sheng took a handful of Datura Snake skewers wrapped in grass leaves from the wicker basket and handed them to Tang San: "Third Brother, try this one too! Brother Tang made this especially for you!"
Tang San took the grass leaf, unwrapped it, took out a skewer, and took a bite.
The outer skin was slightly charred, while the inside was tender and juicy.
He could even feel the faint energy contained within the flesh replenishing the physical strength he had expended while forging iron.
"My brother... he always thinks about me."
Tang San muttered something under his breath, his heart filled with emotion.
He had gotten used to his father's unfairness and the hard work at the blacksmith shop, but his brother always took care of him, having Wang Sheng bring him delicious food every day.
Wang Sheng chuckled, leaned closer to Tang San and whispered, "Third Brother, Brother Tang wants you to go to the Academy tonight after you finish your work at the blacksmith shop. He says he has something to discuss with you."
Looking at the bustling blacksmiths around him, Wang Sheng added, "Brother Tang also said... if you all like this iced tea, please let me bring more every day to help the blacksmiths cool off in the heat."
"Oh dear! I can't accept this!"
"Little Tang San, your brother is too kind!"
"Yes, yes, on such a hot day, a cup of iced tea like this gives me the energy to work!"
Exclamations of praise echoed throughout the blacksmith shop. Master Li put down his bamboo cup, wiped his mouth, and looked at Tang San with eyes full of warmth: "Little Tang San, your brother is really a good friend! How much is this iced tea? If it's not too expensive, have this kid bring it over with him every day when he delivers your food. We can't let your brother suffer, can we?"
"One copper soul coin per cup."
Wang Sheng chimed in from the side, "If any of you masters want to place an order, just tell me next time! Brother Tang set up a Tang's Takeout stall in the Notting Academy cafeteria, offering roasted meat and fruit slices. Take a look at the menu; they deliver to your door!"
As he spoke, Wang Sheng took out a few of the flyers he hadn't finished distributing that afternoon from his pocket and handed them out to the blacksmiths.
"One copper soul coin? So cheap?! Old Liu's dessert shop, three streets away, sells desserts for eight copper coins a cup!"
The other chefs chimed in, some saying they wanted to order barbecue for their families, others suggesting Wang Sheng bring back a few extra cups of iced tea for his family the next day.
Wang Sheng memorized everything and went back to tell Brother Tang that the blacksmith shop was also a regular customer base.
Master Li patted Tang San on the shoulder and exclaimed, "Little San, you have a great brother! He's capable and kind-hearted. We roughnecks are really benefiting from your success!"
"Uh-huh."
Hearing these compliments, Tang San felt a warm glow in his heart. He looked at Wang Sheng and asked, "Brother said you'd be looking for me tonight? Do you know what it is?"
Wang Sheng shook his head: "Brother Tang didn't say what it was specifically, but it's definitely good news! Brother Tang was amazing today! He sold hundreds of cups of iced tea in Notting alone, business is booming!"
Wang Sheng's tone was filled with pride and excitement.
Upon hearing this, Tang San's eyes flashed with surprise, which quickly turned into deep admiration. No matter what his brother did, he was always so outstanding.
[end of the chapter]