The environment on the second floor is also beautifully decorated. Although the space is not large, there are several small round tables, an old-fashioned cabinet, and an upright piano covered with beige knitted fabric.
This won’t seem too depressing, because the lighting is very good, and the two bright and clean windows allow you to see the blooming flowers in the garden behind and the warm sunshine in the alley in front!
The floor is paved with blue and white patterned Republican-style tiles that have a very contemporary feel. They must have been renovated, because they don't have that dirty dark yellow color, but the texture is still very exquisite and gorgeous.
This shop sells a very traditional British afternoon tea. There is a lady who looks to be in her fifties and is wearing an elegant little dress. I don’t know if she is the daughter or daughter-in-law of the little old lady just now. She
Bring up what Yang Han and the others ordered downstairs just now.
Because it is a traditional British afternoon tea, a standard three-tier shelf for displaying pastries is essential! Although it is only included in the set meal, this shop has carefully prepared an exquisite and beautiful three-tier basket for each meal.
The food is served on very simple and beautiful white porcelain plates with silver rims.
The bottom layer contains four small triangular sandwiches, filled with more classic smoked meat.
The second layer is two cross-cut scones, and there are two small plates filled with clotted cream and the store's homemade strawberry jam.
Of course, the most important thing for tourists to take photos is the upper floor, which contains three different snacks, two small macarons, a small plate of raspberries, and wine-pink puffs that are said to have red wine-flavored cream.
!
Of course, Yang Han doesn't have the habit of taking photos and posting them on WeChat Moments.
The middle-aged lady came up twice and brought a few extra plates of sandwiches and salty snacks that Yang Han ordered in addition to the set meal.
Yang Han ordered so much because he was hungry. They had lunch on the plane, but it was very simple, so it could be said that they were not full. Of course, the fillings in the extra sandwiches were different from those in the set meal.
Yang Han ordered the cucumber filling and the ham and cheese filling.
"Lao Wu, do it yourself and eat whatever you want." Yang Han greeted Wu Maocai jokingly, "You probably won't have anything to eat before tonight! By the way, you have to leave this wine-filled puff to me. Because of you
If you want to drive, don’t drink while driving, and don’t drive if you drink.”
Wu Maocai is indeed a bit cautious, because when eating in such a place, he feels that there are more rules than those in high-end hotels. He doesn't know how to use those small knives and small spoons.
Fortunately, Yang Han didn't ask Wu Maocai to follow any rules!
For example, although Yang Han understood, he did not fold the napkin in half and place it on his lap with the opening open. He just put it aside casually, then went straight to it, picked up a sandwich, and ate it happily.
The boss is so simple and rude, so there is no need to worry about it!
Wu Maocai was also relieved. Like Yang Han, he picked up a sandwich. However, maybe he felt thirsty. Before eating the sandwich, he first picked up a small tea cup with the same white porcelain and silver rim and took a sip.
But after taking a sip, Wu Maocai couldn't help but frown.
"What's wrong? It tastes wrong?" Yang Han asked doubtfully.
"No, it just tastes like orange." Wu Maocai has never tasted tea with such a strange taste. How can the tea from his own teahouse here be as delicious?
"Oh, I forgot. What you ordered was Earl Gray tea. It has that bergamot oil and it has this kind of flavor. I don't even order it. You probably won't be used to it." Yang Han laughed, "You try it.
Try my Assam black tea to see if it tastes good. If so, I'll ask them to bring another pot. By the way, that Assam milk tea is made from this."
…
Originally, Yang Han and Wu Maocai were eating very casually and "wildly", but in the middle of the meal, a little old lady with a stooped back came. Although she was drinking tea quietly at another table and talking to Yang Han and the others.
They smiled and said nothing, but Yang Han and the others felt a little embarrassed, and their movements became cautious.
The grandmother's dress looks relatively simple, but in fact it is not simple. The materials and workmanship of the clothes are very good. Even if they are not handmade, they are still very expensive, very expensive brand-name clothes.
After slowly drinking a small cup of tea, the old lady was not in a hurry to eat the small plate of cupcakes without cream on her table. Instead, she stood up and walked slowly to the piano.
Yang Han couldn't help but raise his eyebrows when he saw the old woman lifting the cloth covering the piano and lifting the cover as if she was about to play.
Can I still play the piano?
He used to think that the piano was just a decoration.
It was obviously not the first time for the old lady to come, nor was it the first time to play. Under Yang Han's surprised gaze, she started playing calmly.
He is not considered a professional, but he is also a relatively high-level enthusiast. Played by the old woman’s wrinkled but very flexible fingers, a very soft and beautiful piano melody echoed in the small tea room.
Canon in D major!
Although Yang Han has not played as many classical pieces as a piano major, this piece is so classic and familiar that he can still hear it even without the violin playing.
Of course, he didn't say it out loud.
By coincidence, he was almost full after eating, so Yang Han drank tea slowly while watching the old lady play the piano with a smile.
I don't know how long it took, but the old man may have been tired from playing. She took back her hand, first sat on the piano bench and smiled at Yang Han. After resting for a while, she was ready to close the cover.
"Grandma, don't cover it back yet." Yang Han's hands were itchy for a long time. He quickly called out and said with a smile to the old lady, "Can I play it too?"
"Come on!" The old lady gave him her seat with a smile.
At the beginning, Yang Han also played a simple classical piano piece to warm up his hands. The soft and clear sound of the piano made the old lady nod her head. When Yang Han looked at her, she gave a thumbs up with a smile on her face.
Her wrinkles bloomed like flowers.
Then, Yang Han played an old song "When Will You Come Again" that was born in the 1930s but was particularly suitable for the occasion.
Why is this song suitable for the occasion? Because not only does this song have a strong flavor of the Republic of China, it is very suitable for the environment of this teahouse. Its original singer Zhou Xuan even has a former residence on Wukang Road!
No, Yang Han just played the piano of this song. When the prelude passed and the familiar yet resentful melody sounded, the old lady next to him couldn't help but shook her head gently and hummed softly:
"… After we say goodbye tonight, when will you come again?
After you finish this cup, please bring in some side dishes.
It’s rare to get drunk a few times in life, so why don’t you get drunk if you don’t enjoy it..."
Of course, the voice of an old man cannot be as round and sweet as that of a young man, nor can he draw out his breath to sing high notes, but his voice is full of vicissitudes of life and has a few more short breaths, which makes it sound more aged.
, more historical splendor!
Yang Han also particularly liked this kind of imperfect beauty. He regretted that he did not bring any video or recording equipment. At the same time, his playing was softer and slower, and he even slowed down the rhythm in order to match the old man's humming.
This is real music playing!
…
With a cheerful smile, Yang Han said goodbye to the small teahouse that was full of petty bourgeoisie and rich history. He and Wu Maocai then walked deeper into the alley.
In the warm, bright sunshine of the evening, they met a couple taking wedding photos in front of a beautiful black iron gate.
Perhaps it was the neatly manicured lawns and European-style old houses with white walls and red tiles that formed a very stylish background. The photographer asked the bride in her wedding dress to pose in a concave pose and took many photos.
During this period, perhaps because they were worried about blocking the way of Yang Han and others, they stopped and wanted Yang Han to pass first.
"It's okay!" Yang Han smiled slightly and waved his hand to indicate no. He and Wu Maocai stood there and stared at each other for a long time.
Until the newlyweds and their photography team finished taking photos and left...