Super Bartender

"Sit down and eat!" Zhang Hupan pulled over a chair and gestured for Liu Xizhen to sit.

"Ah!" Liu Xizhen hastily covered her cherry-like mouth with both hands, her face flushed red. She berated herself inwardly, How could I be so gluttonous? I'm ruined! I've embarrassed myself completely! I even licked my fingers earlier, oh heavens! How can I face him now!

Fortunately, the knowledge that Hu Zhiming and his lecherous friends had imparted to Zhang Hupan during this time proved effective: when a woman is shy, never show any hint of a smirk, as the consequences of a woman becoming enraged by embarrassment are truly terrifying. For a Nascent Soul Stage expert, changing their appearance was a trivial matter, let alone merely controlling their facial expressions! Therefore, Zhang Hupan appeared completely normal at this moment, not revealing the slightest hint of anything unusual, though how much he was laughing inwardly was anyone's guess!

Liu Xizhen lowered her head, shyly and awkwardly sat down at the dining table, and secretly glanced at Zhang Hupan with her beautiful eyes. Seeing that Zhang Hupan showed no trace of mockery or surprise, she couldn't help but feel relieved, secretly thankful that Zhang Hupan hadn't noticed her earlier clumsiness. Alas, women are so easily self-deceived!

Believing that Zhang Hupan hadn't noticed her less-than-graceful eating, Liu Xizhen gradually returned to her usual self. Looking at the visually pleasing and fragrant dishes spread across the table, her appetite was once again greatly stimulated. Her beautiful eyes frequently drifted towards Zhang Hupan, who sat opposite her. She genuinely couldn't imagine how this ordinary, unpretentious freshman could cook such exquisite dishes, which were not only appealing in appearance and aroma but also in taste and presentation—no, they could be called masterpieces! Liu Xizhen was certain that even at the Taizi Lou, she hadn't seen such magnificent fare. Although she hadn't tasted the other dishes yet, the Braised Pork Ribs she had just eaten were already astonishing enough to be considered immortal cuisine, and she assumed the other dishes wouldn't be far behind. Thinking this, Liu Xizhen couldn't suppress her curiosity, nor could she resist the temptation of the beautiful food before her. Just as she was about to pick up her chopsticks, a "Wait a moment!" made Liu Xizhen guiltily retract her delicate hand. After all, no woman wants to be thought of as a glutton. However, Zhang Hupan's next words made Liu Xizhen realize she had been worrying unnecessarily.

"Xizhen, may I have the honor of personally mixing you a cocktail?" Zhang Hupan asked, holding a shaker with gentlemanly grace.

Women are naturally curious, which is why almost all gossip originates from them and spreads rapidly among them. As a woman, Liu Xizhen was no exception. While she didn't actively engage in spreading gossip, she possessed a strong sense of curiosity. From the moment Zhang Hupan returned from the bar with the shaker and liquor, Liu Xizhen's heart had been filled with curiosity. Now, hearing that Zhang Hupan was actually preparing to mix drinks, her innate feminine curiosity was fully ignited.

"Hupan, you can really mix drinks! Hurry up! I'm so excited!" Liu Xizhen urged him like a little girl, her beautiful eyes fixed intently on the liquor bottles in Zhang Hupan's hands, as if afraid of missing a spectacular performance.

Zhang Hupan smiled and nodded at Liu Xizhen, arranging the necessary bottles and liquors neatly on the table.

Suddenly, the shaker bottles danced through the air like elusive sprites, flying gracefully and fluidly around Zhang Hupan. His hands seemed imbued with magic; no matter how the bottles flew, they never escaped the confines of his grasp.

Sunlight streamed through the window, refracting off the airborne bottles and reflecting a kaleidoscope of colors. The bottles spun faster and faster until Liu Xizhen could only see a sky full of twinkling lights, like stars, appearing so mysterious and beautiful!

If Shangguan Yun's flair bartending was described as ever-changing and colorful, then Zhang Hupan's performance at this moment had already transcended the limits of language. Or rather, it could only be described as magical, a divine skill.

Liu Xizhen was completely stunned by Zhang Hupan's performance, her heart crying out, Is this the bartending I know and understand? No, this seems like incredibly magnificent magic. No, this must be a performance that only exists in the realm of Immortals!

Liu Xizhen looked at the performance, then at Zhang Hupan, her eyes filled with a dazed wonder. This young man before her had brought her so much amazement. A country student in his freshman year, who spoke fluent New York English, was intimately close with their daughter who never spoke to strangers, dominated sports competitions, possessed magical culinary skills, and now performed flair bartending with such incredible skill! Was this still the simple and unpretentious young man she knew? She wondered what other surprises he had in store for her!

Soon, a brilliantly colorful Seven-Colored Rainbow was presented to Liu Xizhen on the table. Looking at the "Seven-Colored Rainbow," as vibrant as the rainbow in the sky, Liu Xizhen was once again deeply shaken. Although Shangguan Yun could also mix a "Seven-Colored Rainbow," its pure colors and color layering were incomparable to this "Seven-Colored Rainbow" before her. Shangguan Yun had merely stiffly mixed seven colors, calling it the "Seven-Colored Rainbow," whereas Zhang Hupan's "Seven-Colored Rainbow" was a true rainbow from the heavens!

Liu Xizhen held her breath, as if afraid that her exhalation might disturb the perfect, dazzling rainbow before her. Her delicate hands dared not reach for the glass.

Seeing Liu Xizhen gaze at and cherish the "Seven-Colored Rainbow" he had made as if it were a priceless treasure, Zhang Hupan felt both happy and amused. He could casually create tens of millions of cocktails of this caliber.

"Don't just look! Drink it, see how it tastes?" Zhang Hupan said to Liu Xizhen with a smile.

"No, no! How could you bear to drink something so beautiful?" Liu Xizhen shielded the "Seven-Colored Rainbow" on the table with her arm, like protecting a treasure.

Seeing Liu Xizhen's anxious expression, Zhang Hupan felt both exasperated and amused. He casually mixed three or four more "Seven-Colored Rainbows" and said, "Look, there are plenty more here, enough for you to admire! Now, can you drink the one in front of you?"

Liu Xizhen, her cheeks slightly flushed, carefully picked up the "Seven-Colored Rainbow" on the table and took a small sip. A clear, sweet, and mellow liquid glided down her throat, instantly filling her entire body with an indescribable sense of comfort, and a blush spread across her pretty face.

"It's delicious!" Liu Xizhen couldn't help but exclaim softly, then took a large gulp. The feeling of comfort flowed through her body again, and all her pores seemed to relax. Liu Xizhen could no longer resist the allure of such a delicious cocktail and began her first experience of "binge drinking." Fortunately, Zhang Hupan had made the cocktail with a very low alcohol content, considering it was for a beautiful woman; otherwise, with Liu Xizhen's tolerance, she would have been completely drunk by now.

As the drinks were consumed one by one, the dishes on the table were also cleared by Liu Xizhen with the speed of a storm sweeping away fallen leaves. Even with Zhang Hupan's skills, he only managed to get a few scraps. Fortunately, Zhang Hupan was an immortal who didn't need to eat mortal food; otherwise, after the strenuous activities of hiking, shopping, cooking, and mixing drinks, his stomach would have been subjected to such abuse—it would have been a miracle if he hadn't suffered a stomach hemorrhage!

"Wow, I'm so full!" Liu Xizhen leaned back in her chair, completely satisfied, gently patting her slightly bulging stomach with her delicate hand.

"Ah!" Liu Xizhen jumped up as if shocked by an electric current, then, blushing like a young girl, shyly asked Zhang Hupan, "Are you full?"

Seeing Liu Xizhen's flustered state, Zhang Hupan couldn't help but find it amusing. He teased her, "Haha, greedy girl! I already ate in the kitchen earlier, otherwise my stomach would have been in trouble!"

Hearing Zhang Hupan call her greedy, Liu Xizhen's already flushed face turned even redder. She hastily said, "You rest for a bit, I'll clean up the dishes!" With that, she lowered her head, picked up the bowls and chopsticks from the table, and hurried into the kitchen. After putting down the dishes in the kitchen, Liu Xizhen covered her burning cheeks, stomped her feet, and muttered incessantly, How could I have lost my composure like that in front of him? How could I have drunk and eaten so carelessly? I'm so ashamed, how can I face him now! (To be continued)