Jian stood in the kitchen, staring at a battered tin of green tea, a jar of honey, and an old basil plant on the windowsill that was technically still alive.
His mom had complained of poor sleep lately.
Sheng Tai's voice drifted from the phone.
"What do you offer a tired soul?"
"I'm broke, Grandpa. All I've got is expired leaves and kitchen sadness."
"Then brew with sincerity."
"That doesn't sound like a real technique."
"And yet… you listen."
⸻
He plucked five basil leaves. Rinsed them. Rolled them between his fingers to release their scent.
Opened the green tea tin. Noticed the faint bitterness. Measured one spoon.
He heated water — not quite boiling. Let it settle.
Added everything into a mug.
Watched steam rise like a miniature spirit.
"Now. Infuse it."
Jian squinted. "With what?"
"Your calm. Your care. Your intention. Let your breath enter the brew."
"…I feel like you're making me emotionally responsible for this cup of tea."
"That is the Dao of Brewing."
⸻
Jian sat cross-legged and cupped the mug with both hands.
He inhaled. Counted four seconds. Exhaled slowly.
Each breath, each quiet thought, each flicker of warmth in his palms, he imagined seeping into the cup.
A pale glow shimmered around the surface.
"That is Calm Qi."
He blinked.
The tea felt… soft. Comforting.
Almost like it breathed back.
⸻
That evening, his mom got home — exhausted, groceries in hand, shoes soaked from rain.
Jian offered the mug silently.
She blinked, surprised. "What's this?"
"Sleep tea," he mumbled. "Made with uh… Daoist basil. Very premium."
She raised an eyebrow, then took a sip.
Paused.
Her shoulders slumped.
A deep breath left her lungs like a burden sliding off.
She smiled — slow, genuine. "That's… really nice."
"She receives your Qi," Grandpa whispered.
Jian felt oddly proud.
⸻
An hour later, his mom was snoring on the couch — peacefully wrapped in a blanket, remote still in hand.
The mug sat empty beside her.
Jian didn't say anything. Just watched her chest rise and fall.
"Your first spiritual remedy," Grandpa said. "Infused. Effective. Gentle."
He nodded.
"She will awaken rested."
"…Even if she dreams of basil?"
"Possibly. But that is a blessing."
⸻
Jian opened his notebook and scribbled:
Remedy #001 – Sleep Tea
Ingredients: green tea, basil, honey
Process: calm infusion, breath syncing
Notes: surprisingly effective
Reaction: mother slept for 5 hrs, no complaints, possible mild snore-Qi resonance
Rating: ★★★★☆
He grinned.
Then wrote a second entry:
Remedy #002 – For Myself?
And underlined it twice.