Nightfall.
The lights shone brilliantly.
Outside the Ye Lashan bar, the crowd was bustling, and among them stood a tall figure—it was Xiao Feng!
Under the colorful lights, Xiao Feng seemed lost in memories, his eyes distant.
Just as Zhou Dong had said earlier that day, five years ago, when he left Jiangcheng, he was at his most wretched.
But!
He had nothing to do with that matter!
After a long while, Xiao Feng took a deep breath, temporarily setting aside the past and walked step by step into the Ye Lashan bar.
In Jiangcheng, besides his second uncle's family, he had many acquaintances, though he didn't know if any of them still remembered him.
The flashing lights were colorful and dazzling, and the young men and women in the dance floor swayed wildly to the piercing beat.
But Xiao Feng chose an empty corner and sat in one of the booths.
During this time, women came to flirt, each looking as seductive as a fairy, but Xiao Feng had no interest.
It was only when a waiter noticed Xiao Feng and walked straight toward him that he finally spoke, "A cup of Flaming December!"
This male waiter looked only seventeen or eighteen, his delicate face still showing traces of youth, stared blankly at Xiao Feng for a few seconds, confirming he hadn't misheard before saying, "Sir, I'm sorry, although I've only been here for three months, as far as I know, we don't have a drink called Flaming December."
Xiao Feng smiled faintly and said, "There's only one person in the world who can mix that drink. To find out who, why don't you ask your boss!"
The male waiter looked even more confused; anyone who had been to the Ye Lashan bar knew the owner was a woman.
Liu Qingrou, a woman unparalleled in her prime, and full of allure.
So many men wished to die for her just to be eternally charming.
And this man, just a few years older than him, yet with a slightly weathered appearance seemed very familiar with Liu Qingrou.
Are they really that familiar?
As far as he knew, Liu Qingrou had no male friends around her!
"I... I'll go ask!" The male waiter nodded on the surface, but inside, he was dismissive and walked away.
After a while, the pounding music abruptly stopped, and the young men and women in the dance floor ceased their swaying. Everyone unanimously looked in one direction—the stage!
"Again, it's the ninth, and Liu Qingrou is going to sing again; it's only at this time that we're fortunate enough to witness her beauty!"
"Even though she sings the same song every time, her voice is like a heavenly melody, so melodious that I've listened to it dozens of times and never got tired of it!"
"If Liu Qingrou became a singing star, she would definitely be a huge hit. Alas, I heard she sings this song every month on the ninth because she misses a man, who could be so fortunate, I'm so envious!"
Originally lively with chatter, once the prelude started, the whole bar suddenly fell silent.
Amid everyone's eager anticipation, a graceful figure slowly walked onto the stage.
Her long wavy hair, radiant beauty, her eyes tender and cheeks rosy, lips slightly curved in a smile.
Wearing a bright red silk dress, as she walked, revealing glimpses of her slender white legs, further accentuating her perfect figure.
Elegant and poised, yet retaining a sensual allure, and with an air of aloofness, everyone present was captivated by her beauty.
This is Liu Qingrou!
"Good flowers seldom bloom; beautiful days seldom stay. Worries pile on smiling brows; tears fall on lovesick belts. After tonight, when will you return..."
A song originally by Deng Lijun, "When Will You Return," was performed with charming beauty in Liu Qingrou's voice, soothing and entrancing, no matter how agitated one might be, completely immersing them.
That feeling was like tasting the world's most delicious wine, intoxicating and enrapturing.
It was precisely such a voice that made everyone overlook Liu Qingrou's emotions and that layer of mist covering her breathtakingly beautiful eyes.
Until the last line was sung, Liu Qingrou, just about to leave the stage without a word as usual.
Suddenly, a voice came to her ear, exactly from the male waiter who had gone to ask Xiao Feng earlier, "Just now, a guest asked for a Flaming December, but as far as I know, our bar doesn't have such a drink. That guest wanted me to ask the boss, but I didn't dare..."
Amidst everyone's surprised gazes, Liu Qingrou did not leave immediately; instead, she dashed towards a male waiter, excitement evident on her face.
What has happened?
"Where is that guest?" Liu Qingrou ran to the waiter, scaring him into a stupor.
The male waiter stammered for a while, not understanding what Liu Qingrou was saying, and had to scratch his head and ask, "Boss, which guest are you referring to?"
"The one who ordered Flaming December!" Liu Qingrou was almost breathless.
"Ah?" The male waiter widened his mouth in surprise, immediately pointing to the corner.
The tears Liu Qingrou had been holding back finally flowed freely. She mustered up the courage several times but still did not dare look to the corner.
People said she was waiting for a man, and they were right!
She had waited for five years, hoped for five years. Is that man finally back?
Because only she in the world can mix Flaming December, and only one person in the world has ever tasted it from her hand.
She dared not look because she feared it was a dream!
Liu Qingrou stood in place for a long time, then walked step by step to the bar, meticulously mixing the drink under everyone's puzzled gaze.
Throughout the process, Liu Qingrou did not dare to look towards that corner.
Until the Flaming December was complete, like a work of art, causing the bar to explode with chatter again.
Because everyone only knew Liu Qingrou's voice was enchanting, they didn't know her bartending skills were also top-notch.
But for whom was this tantalizing drink mixed?
Liu Qingrou seemed to gather her courage, took a deep breath, and then picked up the glass with one hand while lifting her skirt with the other, gracefully walking in a direction as if stepping into a grand hall as a bride.
Wherever Liu Qingrou passed, one could hear hearts racing, but unfortunately, she passed by them one by one until she stopped facing a corner.
Liu Qingrou's gaze at this moment was filled with love.
Whether it was a dream or not, she truly saw this long-lost man.
Though she had dreamed of this man countless times, it had never felt as real as this.
Moreover, this man had transformed, no longer the childlike innocent caught off guard in her bed, now exuding a mature charm like a magnetic field, drawing her in.
The bar was abuzz because everyone had found the answer: the drink Liu Qingrou personally mixed was for the young man sitting in the corner!
He was Xiao Feng!