CH 99

Pei You completely failed to realize that he had just narrowly avoided a “battle of the century.” Under Zhou Qingbo’s gentle persuasion, he leaned down and kissed the screen, then chatted with Zhou Qingbo about some trivial matters before reluctantly ending the call.

After finalizing the selection of the Shanghai store’s location, Zhou Qingbo also became busier.

The design team introduced by Brother Qiang had previously worked for a home decor company. Their style was distinctive and unique, and they were skilled at tailoring their designs to match the personalities of the owners.

Logically, the old houses in the historic district weren’t well-suited for a bar. Whether it was foot traffic or visibility, the conditions in the alleyways weren’t as favorable as those in the bustling commercial districts or bar streets. However, since Zhou Qingbo didn’t invest much initially and wasn’t under significant pressure to make a profit, the designers contemplated for a while and eventually categorized the decoration as “high-end,” “casual,” and “niche.”

Zhou Qingbo met with their lead designer a couple of times, and they also visited the store location in person to inspect the situation. They quickly settled on a design plan and began renovating the old building.

Pei You’s promotion application had been approved, and according to the progress of personnel transfers in the Shanghai office, Pei You’s transfer date was set for the first working day after the Spring Festival holiday.

With the Spring Festival arriving early that year, there were still over two months left until the New Year. Zhou Qingbo counted the days and felt that if the renovation process was hurried, the interior of the bar should be just about completed by the time he and Pei You went to Shanghai after the New Year.

This was the first time Zhou Qingbo had his “own business” at his age, so everything felt very new to him. His enthusiasm for work had also increased significantly. Pei You often came home from work to find Zhou Qingbo sitting in the living room, unpacking deliveries. Wooden frames for transporting alcohol were scattered around him, and in just a few days, he had even accumulated enough to meet the “minimum” for selling scrap materials.

They were going to settle in Shanghai after the New Year, and recently, they had been gradually dealing with the soft furnishings and furniture in their apartment, preparing for the move. However, almost immediately after Zhou Qingbo made a few purchases, he had filled up the space that had just been cleared out.

At first, Pei You didn’t understand his intentions and thought Zhou Qingbo was merely seeking something new. He couldn’t help but think that all those mixing tools and various types of alcohol in Zhou Qingbo’s cabinet were even more confusing than Pei Yu’s colorful chapsticks.

But perhaps people tend to apply filters to fields they’re unfamiliar with. Sometimes, when Pei You watched Zhou Qingbo researching new drinks, he felt that he looked even more attractive than usual.

Focused on the drinks, Zhou Qingbo was usually quite serious. He had an unwavering dedication and a great passion for “innovation.” Unlike his usual attitude of “close enough,” when it came to mixing drinks, Zhou Qingbo was strict with himself. He couldn’t tolerate even the slightest mismatch in taste and flavor.

But his strictness wasn’t overbearing—his familiarity with mixing drinks made Zhou Qingbo appear effortlessly skilled all the time. This almost dazzling instinct added to his charm. Pei You even sometimes felt a powerful sense of attraction emanating from him.

To be honest, Pei You found it hard to resist this version of Zhou Qingbo. Perhaps, from the moment he first saw Zhou Qingbo under the spotlight at Black Bar, he was destined to be amazed by the unique spark that set Zhou Qingbo apart from others.

This sense of amazement didn’t fade as their relationship progressed; in fact, it seemed to intensify.

Zhou Qingbo’s decision was right. Sitting across from him at the home bar, Pei You looked at Zhou Qingbo who was intently focused on squeezing lime and contemplating. He thought, “He should have left Qing Shan a long time ago.”

Once free from the constraints of his previous environment, the dullness and gloom that used to be embedded in Zhou Qingbo’s personality vanished completely. He seemed to undergo a transformation, shedding his previous self and becoming radiant, just like a gem that had finally broken free from its rocky enclosure.

“What are you thinking?” Zhou Qingbo snapped his fingers in front of Pei You, interrupting his thoughts with a playful smile. “You’ve been lost in thought.”

“Nothing,” Pei You quickly snapped back to reality and smiled at Zhou Qingbo. “I think you look handsome.”

After spending so much time with Zhou Qingbo and having been coaxed and charmed by him numerous times, Pei You now found himself easily offering compliments. Zhou Qingbo obviously appreciated it and leaned on the bar counter, asking if that was so.

Zhou Qingbo wore a loose T-shirt that day. A distinct ukiyo-e pattern covered the white fabric, making him appear more vibrant than usual.

“Yes,” Pei You said, “You look more… more serious than usual, and it’s quite charming.”

Perhaps even Pei You himself hadn’t realized that, while he loved Zhou Qingbo’s intimacy and playfulness, he was also continually drawn to his assertiveness and serious side.

“Oh—got it.” Zhou Qingbo leaned forward slightly, supporting himself on the bar counter. He narrowed his eyes slightly, intentionally prolonging his tone as he said, “I understand now. You like serious office executive Zhou but not  free spirited Zhou.”

Pei You: “…”

Pei You instinctively wanted to defend himself, but before he could, Zhou Qingbo leaned in and gave him a soft kiss, effectively stopping any forthcoming words.

“I’m hurt, so I need to punish you,” Zhou Qingbo grinned, narrowing his eyes slightly. He touched Pei You’s lips with his finger and continued, “Let me think… what kind of punishment would suit you?”

When Zhou Qingbo decided to “punish” someone, he rarely gave them a chance to argue. Pei You had become used to his playful “miscarriages of justice” and realized he was just looking for a reason to play around. So, he suppressed a smile and accepted his fate.

Zhou Qingbo pretended to contemplate for a moment and said, “I’ve got it! Your punishment is to taste a cocktail for me.”

With a small bend of his waist, Zhou Qingbo reached under the bar counter and retrieved a clean glass. He inserted a long piece of ice into it.

Zhou Qingbo was skilled in mixology, and even when he wasn’t trying to show off, his movements were smooth and elegant. As he prepared the ice glass, he casually picked up a bottle of base liquor that Pei You didn’t recognize from the nearby wooden shelf. He effortlessly spun the bottle between his hands, measuring out a few ounces.

Watching for a while, Pei You suddenly recognized the ingredients and process of this cocktail. A few days ago, Zhou Qingbo had spent a long time adjusting one of the ingredients for this same cocktail. He had consumed quite a bit of alcohol that day, becoming incredibly drunk and staying up all night, insisting on telling Pei You “I love you, do you love me?” in a slightly tipsy, playful manner.

The impact of that drink was still fresh in his memory. Pei You’s ears felt warm, and he couldn’t help but shift his gaze away from the glass to Zhou Qingbo’s hands.

The cocktail was not very complicated, and without intentionally prolonging the process, Zhou Qingbo finished making it in about five minutes.

Before presenting the final product, Zhou Qingbo dipped the rim of the ice glass in a circle of special seasoning, then took a small green olive from the chilled box and placed it on the rim. He nudged the glass holder towards Pei You, gesturing an invitation.

“Please enjoy,” Zhou Qingbo said with a smile.

The cocktail in front of him was quite beautiful. The deep red liquid was clear and transparent, and a small mint leaf floated gently on the smooth surface. The combination of red and green colors created a striking contrast, making it visually appealing.

Pei You wasn’t much of a connoisseur, but after spending so much time with Zhou Qingbo, he had picked up some knowledge about cocktails. He swirled the glass rim, took a sip with a hint of the sea salt, and tasted the drink.

Bitter—was Pei You’s initial impression.

The bitterness wasn’t solely from the strong alcohol content; rather, it was a deliberate, unique flavor. The intense bitterness carried a faint hint of sourness, resulting in a complex and impactful taste. It made Pei You, someone who wasn’t used to alcohol, instinctively furrow his brows.

After swallowing the sip, he was about to describe his not-so-pleasant experience to Zhou Qingbo when he realized the sea salt he had sipped earlier was now having an effect.

The salty taste effectively neutralized the sour bitterness. After that initial strong impact, Pei You felt a subtle, lingering fragrance emerge at the back of his tongue.

It wasn’t exactly sweet, but it had a rich and mellow quality. The intense sour bitterness still lingered but had subsided from its initial intensity. The bitterness gradually dissipated, giving way to a unique aroma that left a long-lasting aftertaste.

“How is it?” Zhou Qingbo rested his chin on his hand and smiled. “Is it good?”

“Delicious,” Pei You honestly said, “Although it’s a bit unusual for my taste, the aftertaste is quite fragrant.”

Pei You lowered his head and looked at the cocktail, then casually asked, “Did you name it? What’s the name of this cocktail?”

“Encounter,” Zhou Qingbo said.

“Encounter?” Pei You asked, puzzled, “Why is it called that?”

“Because it’s not on the public menu,” Zhou Qingbo smiled as he stood up straight. He reached over and pulled out a menu from the side shelf, placing it on the bar in front of Pei You.

“This is for special people only,” Zhou Qingbo said, “Although it’s on the menu, it’s not available for sale to the public.”

Printed on the dark-patterned cardstock were a few lines of fancy English text that seemed to be the names of cocktails. Pei You looked down from the first line and unexpectedly found the title of a song that Zhou Qingbo had once sung to him in a bar in Weinan City.

“This is a gift for you,” Zhou Qingbo said.

Just as God created the world in seven days, Zhou Qingbo had turned the time they had known each other into seven cocktails. From “Encounter” to “Eternal,” almost every cocktail on the list represented a stage they had gone through together.

The initial meeting wasn’t pleasant, so it was bitter and distant, perfectly represented by the base liquor used; as they got to know each other, the bitterness gradually faded, replaced by the sweetness of kumquat that turned the bitterness into a refreshing touch, like a cool breeze in early summer.

The ambiguous period’s cocktail was soft and gentle, smooth and spicy, full of unspoken trials; the day when their feelings were revealed was chaotic, so the alcohol content surged, and the spiciness of the liquor peaked, with flames dancing wildly in the glass, resembling both Zhou Qingbo’s rapid heartbeat and the everlasting flame in Pei You’s heart.

The uncertainty and clarity of mind were fused into one cocktail, a pine nut liqueur that was pure and fragrant, paired with a deep red pickled cherry, creating a perfect balance. The cocktail symbolizing a confession was mixed with a light blue color, sparkling like diamonds in the dim light, reminiscent of the continuous rain in the southern province and the bright moonlight that night.

The last cocktail, served in winter, was the only hot drink on the menu. With all dust settled, life entered a regular rhythm, and along with the various tastes of the previous cocktails, whether bitter or sweet, gradually fading, only a faint sweetness remained.

Just like the snowflakes outside, the apartment was filled with the warmth of spring. The fireplace crackled, the dry wood emitting a crisp sound. The warm liquid slid down Pei You’s throat, dispersing all the sensations of sour, bitter and spicy, leaving only sweetness.

“Eternal” might not be the most dazzling creation on the menu, but it was the most fitting to place at the end.

Pei You didn’t understand mixology, but he had tasted each of these creations, feeling as if he had walked through the journey of their relationship once again.

“Lastly, there’s one more,” Zhou Qingbo pushed the final cocktail towards Pei You, saying, “However, this one isn’t a specialty cocktail, so it’s not part of the official menu, it’s an extra”

This final cocktail was a clear yellow color, emitting a strong and sweet orange aroma. With just a glance, Pei You recognized its name.

“Cinderella,” Zhou Qingbo said.

It was the first cocktail Zhou Qingbo had made for Pei You, and now it was being presented as a gift, placed in the section labeled “Yesterday.Once.More” in the appendix.

Pei You was a rational person, reserved and composed, hardly ever showing his emotions. But that day, facing those delicate and beautiful cocktails in front of him, he found himself speechless.

He wanted to say something, but as soon as he opened his mouth, his throat tightened. He felt a warm sensation rising in his throat, his eyes even reddening a bit. Unable to control himself, he lowered his head and covered his eyes with his hand.

The only sign of adulthood is emotional restraint, whether it’s happiness or being moved. Once that limit is breached, it can seem childish. Pei You himself felt a bit embarrassed, but the more he tried to regain his composure quickly, the harder it was to control his emotions.

He even wanted to admit that, compared to “serious office executive Zhou,” he did prefer ” free spirited Zhou.”

“What’s wrong?” Zhou Qingbo walked out from behind the bar, kneeling in front of Pei You. He lifted Pei You’s face with his hand, pressing his forehead against Pei You’s and gently brushing Pei You’s hand away from his eyes. He asked, “Do you like it?”

This time, Zhou Qingbo didn’t use that teasing tone; his voice was extremely gentle, even his tone had softened, as if coaxing.

Pei You took a deep breath, forcing down the urge to cry, and obediently removed his hand, locking eyes with Zhou Qingbo.

“I like it,” Pei You hesitated for a moment and said, “I love you.”

I don’t have much to give in return, Pei You thought, so I’ll give him everything I have.

Love, loyalty, trust, honesty, intimacy, fun – whatever Zhou Qingbo wanted, he could have it anytime, anywhere, without conditions.

It seemed like Zhou Qingbo read something from Pei You’s gaze. He suddenly smiled, stood up, held Pei You’s face, and kissed him.

Pei You closed his eyes, accepting him willingly. He wrapped his arms around Zhou Qingbo’s waist and pulled him closer.

Zhou Qingbo chuckled softly a couple of times in a muffled tone, then used his tongue to part Pei You’s lips, engaging his tongue.

That kiss was long and lingering, with a sweet hint of alcohol. After who knew how long, Zhou Qingbo finally gasped softly, releasing Pei You.

“I don’t ask for much,” Zhou Qingbo leaned his forehead against Pei You’s, whispering softly, “For me, the best future I can imagine is to fill my career and life with you – to fill every corner, be together day and night, and never be apart.”