Tasting Rum, Zhou Yuan and Yu Yuan at Their Wits' End

Yu Yuan noticed the change in Zhou Yuan, of course. That was exactly the effect he wanted.

"I heard you enjoy fine liquor, Vice President Zhou. I prepared this bottle especially for you. Why not give it a proper tasting?"

Two glasses appeared out of thin air again. This time, Zhou Yuan saw it clearly.

They had truly appeared out of nowhere.

"Is that magic, or..." The sight defied reality, and a possibility occurred to Zhou Yuan. His heart gave a sudden thump.

Glug, glug, glug...

Sweet Rum poured into the glass. Zhou Yuan's thoughts were immediately drawn to the crystal-clear, amber liquor.

He gave it a light sniff.

The fresh scent of sugarcane reached his nose, along with a hint of tropical fruit.

Exceptional!

This bottle was unquestionably an exceptional Rum.

As a seasoned Master Taster, Zhou Yuan could not remember the last time he had seen liquor of this quality.

Even before the Wasteland, only a few bottles in his collection could have rivaled it.

At that moment,

Zhou Yuan knew the man before him was a stranger, but he had already realized he stood no chance against him.

If fortune was coming, he would welcome it. If trouble was coming, he could not hide from it.

Rather than cower and second-guess himself, he might as well go along with the man.

Yu Yuan set down the bottle and smiled at Zhou Yuan, gesturing for him to try it.

"What are you waiting for, Vice President Zhou? I prepared this especially for you!"

"In that case, I'd be rude to refuse!" Zhou Yuan nodded slightly to Yu Yuan, then lifted the glass to his nose, closed his eyes, and took a careful sniff.

He had been too far away to catch the scent clearly before. Now, as he