Long Island Iced Tea

Lu Leng looked a little unhappy.

"What's wrong? I agreed, yet you're unhappy instead. Should we just forget it?" Bibi Dong noticed the change in Lu Leng's mood and teased him.

"No, don't forget it. I was just thinking about how to prepare," Lu Leng hurriedly said. It would be a huge loss if Bibi Dong really called it off.

"Speaking of preparations, I haven't had hotpot in a long time."

"Don't worry, Teacher. I'll definitely prepare a hotpot feast that satisfies you." Lu Leng thumped his chest confidently.

On Valentine's Day, Spirit Hall actually gave everyone a rare day off. The guards and maids cheered with joy, all shouting in their hearts, Long live His Holiness the Pope!

That evening, it was still that same pavilion. Lu Leng had prepared exquisite food. Embraced by the blazing charcoal fire, the copper pot gave off a warmly spicy aroma, waiting for everyone to taste it.

Bibi Dong arrived soon afterward, with Hu Liena following behind her.

Xie Yue and Yan came as well.

As they took their seats one by one, everyone wore delighted smiles and seemed very happy, but Lu Leng looked miserable.

Didn't she say she would only invite Hu Liena? Why did these two guys come too?

Seeing Yan and Xie Yue staring wide-eyed at the food and practically drooling, Lu Leng could not help rolling his eyes at Bibi Dong inwardly.

But he did not dare say it aloud.

"I've long heard that Lu Leng is an excellent cook and has some mysterious way of eating called hotpot. I never had the chance to try it before, but thanks to Nana, I can finally taste it today." The moment Yan sat down, he unceremoniously picked up his chopsticks and swept his gaze greedily across the table.

"Yeah. Just looking at that bright red color is enough to make my mouth water," Xie Yue chimed in.

"It's not thanks to me. Teacher was the one who asked us all to get together," Hu Liena said modestly.

"Alright, enough with the mutual flattery. Since everyone's here, let's eat." Since they had already come, Lu Leng obviously could not drive them away, so he joined everyone with a smile.

"Then let's eat," Bibi Dong said as well.

At once, everyone started using their chopsticks.

"Mmm, delicious! What heavenly delicacy is this? It's spicy and so satisfying!" Yan said with great delight after eating a slice of pork kidney.

"What kind of meat is this? It's all dark and looks so crunchy," Hu Liena asked, picking up a slice of tripe.

"That's tripe," Lu Leng explained coolly.

"Tripe? What's that?"

"A cow's stomach."

"A cow's stomach?" Hu Liena looked astonished. "You can eat that?"

"You already ate it, so why ask such nonsense?" Lu Leng instinctively sneered.

Being mocked by Lu Leng was nothing unusual to Hu Liena. She did not think much of it, since she had long grown used to it. But Yan did not know that. The moment he heard those words, he felt a little uncomfortable.

"Lu Leng, don't say that. Nana didn't know, after all."

Lu Leng looked at him in surprise, wondering why he had suddenly said that. Then it hit him—this guy was standing up for Hu Liena.

He immediately took the hint and said, "Oh."

Yan was dissatisfied with Lu Leng's attitude, but since he was eating Lu Leng's food, and Lu Leng had recognized his own mistake, he did not say anything more.

The five of them continued eating happily.

Lu Leng had prepared a great deal of food, but he had still underestimated everyone's appetites. In less than an hour, they had eaten everything.

"I'm so full. My stomach feels a little bloated, so I'm going to the restroom." Hu Liena stood up, apologized, and headed outside.

"I'll go too." Seeing this, Yan hurriedly followed her.

"Lazy oxen and lazy horses piss and shit the most," Lu Leng muttered, then looked at Xie Yue. "Aren't you going to the restroom too?"

"No."

"Hm?" Lu Leng drew out the sound.

Xie Yue froze. "I'm really not going."

What an idiot. Can't read the room. No wonder he's single.

Lu Leng cursed him inwardly.

Forget it. If he did not carry out the plan now, he would not get another chance.

Lu Leng took a bottle of alcohol from his ring and said with a smile, "We were having so much fun eating that I forgot I still had a bottle of wine here."

As he explained, he took out wineglasses and handed them to Xie Yue and Bibi Dong.

"What kind of wine is this?" Xie Yue immediately became interested upon seeing the strange drink.

"It's called Long Island Iced Tea. I mixed it myself."

Long Island Iced Tea was also known as a blackout drink in modern bars. It was tea in name, but alcohol in reality. A drink that concealed intense danger beneath its tea-colored appearance—it was all a deception. It was mixed from six base liquors, with an alcohol content of over forty percent.

It tasted good and suited girls' tastes, but its aftereffects were no joke.

It was the kind of drink men often used in bars to trick girls.

However, Lu Leng had modified this drink, greatly lowering its alcohol content. Its kick was not as strong, but it could still make someone dizzy.

His main purpose in bringing it out was to get Bibi Dong drunk and have her tell him what was on her mind. That way, Bibi Dong would feel much better, and once he knew her secret, their relationship would grow even closer.

Some said that the best way to pursue a girl was to borrow something from her.

Having a secret shared only between the two of you worked on the same principle.

"Something this good, and you didn't bring it out earlier? You're too stingy." Xie Yue urged Lu Leng to fill his glass while complaining about him.

Keep yapping. Lu Leng sneered inwardly. His expression remained calm, but he secretly slipped something into Xie Yue's drink, mixing in some high-proof baijiu.

Then he poured another glass for Bibi Dong.

"Teacher, happy Valentine's Day. I wish you eternal youth and that you ascend to godhood soon!" Lu Leng raised his glass as he spoke.

Seeing this, Xie Yue hurriedly followed suit.

"I'll accept Leng'er's blessing. Teacher also wishes you a happy Valentine's Day." With that, she drained the wine in her hand in one gulp.

Lu Leng raised his head, but took the chance to store the wine in his own glass inside his ring. He then smacked his lips as if savoring it and refilled Bibi Dong's cup. "Teacher, you really can hold your liquor. Have another glass."

"This wine is quite good. The taste isn't harsh, and it suits my palate."

"As long as you like it, Teacher."

The three of them traded drinks, and before long, a flush had appeared on their faces. Xie Yue, meanwhile, had already collapsed after the second glass.

Seeing this, Lu Leng struck while the iron was hot. "Teacher, did you know? A few days ago, someone in our class confessed to Mimis."

"Oh?" Bibi Dong's face was flushed. She did not know why he was bringing this up.

"But Teacher Mimis rejected him. I don't know why, but I guessed that she might be resistant to relationships between teachers and students." Lu Leng carefully watched Bibi Dong's expression as he spoke.

Of course, he had made all of that up.