"ARE you alright?" Xia Li asked, sounding worried. She quickly stood up and started patting his back firmly. "Do you need some water? I'm so sorry, I should have warned you it was really strong."
Bai Ze tried to give her a reassuring smile, but he knew it probably looked like he had just eaten shit. But then he felt Xia Li's hand patting his back in steady, gentle circles. His coughing fit slowly stopped. It was like his brain could only focus on the feel of her hand and forgot all about the awful taste.
"I-I'm fine now," he managed to say, his voice still a little rough. He could feel his face getting hotter and hotter, and he knew he was probably bright red right now.
Xia Li stared at his red face for a second longer. Then she straightened up and took a step towards the counter. "I'm going to go order you something you'll actually like."
