Chapter 18: Why Does Everyone Want to Marry into the Jiang Family?
Why is it Su Lin??????
No, wait.
Why did I run into Su Lin again?????????
Jiang Qing felt like he was a random passerby inexplicably dragged in by the protagonist’s halo in a novel—unable to shake him off no matter what.
Song Lingchen didn’t know Su Lin, only giving an objective evaluation: “Looks quite steady, his movements are clean and crisp.” He turned to ask Chi Jiong, “What’s his name?”
“Su Lin.”
Jiang Qing quickly adjusted his state. He nonchalantly withdrew his gaze, as if that split-second pause earlier had never happened.
His fingertips tapped lightly on the tabletop.
“I actually do want to see just what kind of skills can earn Young Master Chi’s praise.”
“Let’s go take a look downstairs. If we just watch from up here, how will we know if it’s solid gold or just copper plating?”
Chi Jiong raised an eyebrow, seemingly very eager to show off the treasure he had poached: “Guarantee it’ll amaze you.” Saying so, he was the first to stand up.
Song Lingchen also stood up with a smile.
The three of them headed downstairs together, passing through the noisy dance floor towards the center bar.
A small crowd had already gathered around the bar; clearly, this new bartender had attracted quite a bit of attention. Su Lin was facing away from them, taking a bottle down from the liquor rack. His movements were unhurried, possessing a focus that seemed immersed entirely in his own world.
Chi Jiong walked over and tapped his knuckles against the bar counter, prompting Su Lin to turn around.
“Su Lin, show off your skills for my friends here.”
“This is Young Master Jiang, and Young Master Song, both are connoisseurs. You’ve got to bring out your best tricks.”
Su Lin’s gaze calmly swept over Song Lingchen, then landed on Jiang Qing. His eyes lingered on Jiang Qing’s face for less than half a second before moving away. He gave a slight nod, serving as a greeting.
“What would the three of you like to drink?”
Looking at the drink menu with great interest, Song Lingchen casually called out a name.
When it was Jiang Qing’s turn, he didn’t look at the menu. Instead, he looked directly at Su Lin, a smile playing on his lips:
“I hear Bartender Su’s skills are extraordinary. How about… you freestyle? Mix a drink you think suits me.”
Hearing this, Su Lin lifted his eyes and looked at Jiang Qing.
A few seconds later, he spoke flatly: “Understood, please wait a moment.”
He didn’t ask any questions, didn’t probe into Jiang Qing’s taste preferences. He took out ice cubes and measured the base liquor.
Jiang Qing leaned against the bar, staring at Su Lin’s every movement.
Su Lin’s mixing process was very quiet, with almost zero wasted movements. He grabbed a transparent glass and dropped in a few spherical ice cubes. Next, using a jigger, he poured in a light golden liqueur, followed by a trace amount of an almost indiscernible transparent liquid.
Finally, he used a spray gun to mist a layer of citrus oil over the rim, instantly diffusing a fresh fragrance. With a pair of tweezers, he picked up a sprig of roasted rosemary and placed it gently on the edge of the glass.
The entire process was minimalist and crisp, exactly matching the vibe this person gave off.
“Please enjoy.” Su Lin pushed the glass in front of Jiang Qing.
Jiang Qing picked up the glass. He didn’t drink it immediately, but instead looked at Su Lin:
“What’s the name of this drink?”
Su Lin wiped the jigger in his hands. Upon hearing the question, his movements didn’t stop as he replied evenly:
“It has no name.” He paused, adding, “Or, you could call it ‘Unexpected Delight’.”
Unexpected Delight?
Jiang Qing’s eyes flashed slightly, looking down into the cup.
Is it a coincidence, or is there a hidden meaning?
Jiang Qing lowered his head and took a sip.
Upon entering his mouth, it held the expected crispness, carrying the slight bitterness of citrus and a hint of coldness. But during the aftertaste, a subtle, almost imperceptible sweetness welled up in his throat.
The taste… truly was “unexpected.”
“How is it? Second Young Master Jiang?” Chi Jiong asked with a mix of anticipation and boasting, leaning forward slightly, clearly caring a lot about this connoisseur’s evaluation.
Jiang Qing didn’t reply immediately.
He gently swirled the glass, watching the ice cubes rotate slowly within the liquid. His gaze shifted from the glass to Su Lin’s face. Su Lin had already moved on to preparing Song Lingchen’s drink.
“Not bad,” Jiang Qing finally spoke, though those familiar with him could tell this was already a rare form of approval. He looked at Chi Jiong. “Young Master Chi has a sharp eye, you’ve dug up a treasure. This drink is… very interesting.”
Chi Jiong smiled in satisfaction, patting Jiang Qing’s shoulder: “I told you it wouldn’t disappoint!” He turned to Su Lin, “Su Lin, mix another glass for Young Master Jiang, put it on my tab.”
Su Lin merely nodded slightly, still devoid of any extra expression, and began preparing new ingredients.
Song Lingchen also took a sip of Jiang Qing’s “Unexpected Delight,” raising an eyebrow in evaluation: “The layers are very unique. Cold and indifferent at first taste, but the aftertaste is a bit… alluring.” He looked at Jiang Qing with a smile.
“It seems this Bartender Su really knows how to grasp boundaries and surprises.”
Jiang Qing remained noncommittal, merely downing the rest of the liquor in his glass in one gulp. That subtle, almost imperceptible sweetness seemed to still linger on the tip of his tongue.
“What are you guys playing at? Why didn’t you call me?”
A voice carrying a hint of a smile came from behind. The group turned around, only to see Shen Zhize walking over from who knows where, his arm casually resting on the bar counter next to Chi Jiong.
He was wearing a dark patterned shirt today, his collar slightly open, adding a few degrees of casualness.
Shen Zhize naturally walked over and took the empty seat next to Jiang Qing, his arm casually draping over the backrest of Jiang Qing’s chair, forming an almost embracing posture. He first nodded to Chi Jiong and Song Lingchen in greeting, and then his gaze landed on the empty glass in front of Jiang Qing.
“Yo, drinking all by yourself?” Shen Zhize raised an eyebrow, tapping the rim of the glass with his fingertip. “What’s this? Looks quite unique.”
“Su Lin’s special mix.” Chi Jiong answered preemptively, his tone tinged with pride. “How about it, my new guy here is pretty good, right?”
Shen Zhize then seemed to finally notice Su Lin. His gaze floated over lightly, pausing for a split second on Su Lin’s expressionless face, the corners of his mouth hooking into an ambiguous arc.
“He is quite good.” He spoke unhurriedly, but his gaze drifted back to Jiang Qing’s face.
“To be able to make Second Young Master Jiang sit here obediently tasting drinks, instead of playing pool and shaking dice upstairs with us, it seems he really does have some genuine skills.”
He leaned closer to Jiang Qing and lowered his voice, speaking at a volume only the two of them could hear: “What, got addicted to playing the hero saving the beauty? Now you’ve switched to being a connoisseur?”
Jiang Qing elbowed him, snapping in a low voice: “Stop talking nonsense. Did you already know his identity and deliberately kept it from me?”
Shen Zhize hissed in pain, yet smiled even more gleefully.
“Isn’t that right? I was terrified Second Young Master Jiang would catch feelings. After all, the pavilion closest to the water gets the moon first. I’m already this close, how could I let someone else touch Second Young Master Jiang?”
Jiang Qing was stunned by this nearly direct, flirtatious, bastardly line from Shen Zhize.
“Shen Zhize…” he lowered his voice, “If you’re drunk, go sober up. Don’t act crazy here.”
“How is this acting crazy? I’m just showing my loyalty to Second Young Master Jiang.” His gaze meaningfully swept over the area behind the bar counter. “I’ve already occupied the pavilion; I’m just waiting for the moon…”
“What secrets are you two whispering about? Why aren’t you letting us hear?” Chi Jiong leaned over with his wine glass.
“Nothing, just chatting about yet another person who wants to marry into our Jiang family.” Jiang Qing deadpanned, swatting away the two hands resting on his chair.
The liquor in Chi Jiong’s hand almost spilled out.
Translator’s Note:
- The pavilion closest to the water gets the moon first (近水樓臺先得月): A famous Chinese idiom meaning that being in close proximity gives you an advantage in obtaining what you want. Shen Zhize is flirting directly, claiming that since he’s physically closest to Jiang Qing right now, he calls dibs on the “moon” (Jiang Qing)!
- Marry into (入贅): A recurring joke! Jiang Qing uses the term for a matrilocal marriage (marrying into the wife’s/bottom’s family) to ruthlessly shut down Shen Zhize’s smooth flirting.
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