Super Soldier in the City
Chapter 26: Master Bartender

Chapter 26: Chapter 26: Master Bartender

Li Yifei moved, grabbing a bottle of liquor with his right hand and pouring it into a shaker. Then, he quickly grabbed the shaker and started shaking it vigorously while also pouring another bottle of liquor into another shaker, but instead of shaking, he stirred it.

His hands performed different actions without any pause, just like what was described in martial arts novels as using one’s mind in two places.

Most people watching Li Yifei’s hands making different motions didn’t think much of it, but Little Long’s eyes almost popped out. He had practiced this technique himself and knew just how difficult it was to perform two different actions with both hands. Although he could barely manage it now, compared to Li Yifei’s speed, he was completely outmatched.

Before Little Long could recover, Li Yifei had already poured the liquor from the two shakers into glasses and had moved on to the third and fourth drinks.

While Li Yifei was mixing, he didn’t toss the shakers into the air or perform any tricks like Little Long. It was just simple shaking or stirring. It seemed way less artistic than Little Long’s style, which was full of flair. Apart from Little Long, everyone else thought that Li Yifei’s mixing was too ordinary, something they could do themselves.

"Done!" said Li Yifei casually after pouring all nine types of alcohol into one glass.

"That’s it?" Zhao Qingsong sneered, "That was pretty average."

Xiao Ming chimed in with a sharp voice, "Yeah, that was so dull. I could do that."

Xu Shanshan was a bit disappointed, thinking Li Yifei would put on a magnificent display, but it turned out to be so ordinary. It wasn’t interesting at all.

At this moment, Little Long was staring intently at the drink Li Yifei had just prepared. Suddenly, he ran over to turn off the bar lights, and everyone began to shout, especially Xiao Ming, who let out an even louder and sharper scream.

A small beam of light swept across as Little Long approached the table, cautiously shining a small flashlight onto the glass. Everyone’s attention was drawn to the drink.

"Wow! It’s beautiful!" a girl exclaimed.

"It’s just like a rainbow."

"No! It’s even prettier than a rainbow; it’s like a dream!"

Only then did everyone notice the uniqueness of the drink. It was divided into nine distinct layers in the glass, with no trace of mingling. The combination of these nine colors was so breathtakingly beautiful that it was mesmerizing.

Xu Shanshan’s eyes sparkled as she grabbed Li Yifei’s arm, jumping up excitedly, "Brother-in-law, you’re amazing—I love you!"

Everyone was so captivated by the drink that no one noticed Xu Shanshan calling him "brother-in-law"; otherwise, their relationship would have been immediately exposed.

"Nine-colored Rainbow! Nine-colored Rainbow! My god, I can’t believe I’ve seen the Nine-colored Rainbow!" Little Long stammered in awe.

"Is this called the Nine-colored Rainbow?" a woman asked.

Little Long puffed out his chest and said, "That’s right, this is the Nine-colored Rainbow. As far as I know, there’s only one person in our province who can make this kind of Nine-colored Rainbow."

"What’s so difficult about it? I saw him just randomly shaking and pouring the drinks in—there’s nothing special about it, right?" Xiao Ming questioned with disbelief.

Little Long immediately replied, "You just don’t get it. Mixing drinks isn’t that simple. Liquors are liquids, and they mix easily. Only with shaking and stirring can you adjust the density and temperature to keep them from blending together. If you don’t believe me, you can try it."

Those around immediately doubted and tried it themselves, but no matter what they did, once two types of liquor were poured into a glass, they always mixed. Even with just two, they struggled, and now Li Yifei had combined nine—imagine how difficult that was.

Xiao Ming, still unconvinced, muttered, "What’s the use of pretty drinks? It’s just mixing, with no artistic beauty like Little Long’s flair—that’s what combines artistry and skill."

Little Long shook his head and said, "My flair is just for show. True masters of mixing don’t resort to flashy tricks."

Little Long gazed at Li Yifei with admiration, and excitedly said, "I’ve seen a true expert today. Thank you, master, for showing me such a profound technique."

Li Yifei smiled gently, "It’s nothing. I just practice it now and then. I can’t compare to your professional skills."

Little Long felt embarrassed, "Even as a professional, I’m so much worse than you amateurs. I can’t even bear to mix drinks in front of you."

Seeing Little Long’s respect for Li Yifei, even if others were still unconvinced, they couldn’t say much more. Otherwise, it would mean disrespecting Little Long.

"Bro... Yifei, can I drink this now?" Xu Shanshan was most interested in the Nine-colored Rainbow on the table.

Li Yifei quickly replied, "I made it for you."

Xu Shanshan let out another excited cheer, carefully raising the glass, fearing that mixing would ruin its beauty.

Sipping it gently, Xu Shanshan’s eyes squinted slightly, and as she slowly drank, her facial expressions changed vividly—sometimes delighted, sometimes mesmerized, sometimes frowning only to relax again, an expression full of aftertaste.

Seeing Xu Shanshan like that, everyone couldn’t help but swallow quietly, and even Little Long almost drooled. From her reactions, he sensed that the drink wasn’t just a blend of flavors but offered a different taste altogether. He almost wanted to snatch it and take a gulp.

Xu Shanshan finally finished the entire drink, a blush on her face, savoring it with her eyes closed for a while. Then, opening her eyes, those sparkling wide eyes looked at Li Yifei like autumn waters, without saying a word. Suddenly, grabbing Li Yifei’s arm, she leaned over and kissed his cheek.

"Oh..." everyone chorused with surprised cries.

Li Yifei was a bit embarrassed—what was going on? The fake brother-in-law getting a kiss from the sister-in-law... If Xu Yingying found out, she’d flay him alive.

Seeing Li Yifei’s awkward expression, Xu Shanshan chuckled sweetly.

Now, although everyone still held some jealousy toward Li Yifei, they also thought he deserved to be among them, yet they still regarded him as an outsider, showing no warmth toward him.

Li Yifei didn’t mind. He was there to accompany Xu Shanshan and see what this bunch was up to, also as an explanation to Xu Yingying.

After watching for a while, Li Yifei grew irritated. These so-called artists were just spouting lofty talks, critiquing people in their industry, always picking flaws, never appreciating others’ efforts, and focusing solely on shortfalls. It was as if only they were talents tragically overlooked, waiting for an opportunity to soar.

Although Li Yifei was only a year or two older than them, years of harsh tempering had rid him of such unrealistic fantasies. They seemed like immature kids to him, uninterested in engaging with them. If not for Xu Shanshan being there, he would’ve left already.

Zhao Qingsong sat on Xu Shanshan’s other side, ignoring Li Yifei, and said, "Shanshan, one day I’ll be an emperor-level pop star. I’m just missing a chance. You have to believe in me."

Xu Shanshan nodded, "I believe in you."

Zhao Qingsong grew more enthusiastic, "The current scene involves hyped-up stars. Look at that singer’s skills; they’re utterly lacking. Then there’s the one whose songs are entirely composed by others, and some merely use their bodies to get fame. These pop stars are a shame for us all."

He listed several pop stars, detailing their flaws, and his righteous anger resonated with everyone, even getting Xu Shanshan to nod repeatedly.

Li Yifei was already annoyed; seeing Xu Shanshan considerably influenced by them, he quietly shook his head. This group of angry youths did nothing but complain. Allowing Xu Shanshan to stay around them for too long would bring no good. On this point, Li Yifei agreed with Xu Yingying’s perspective.

However, knowing Xu Shanshan’s rebellious nature, forbidding her contact with them would only make her cling tighter. A better approach would be finding an opportunity to help Xu Shanshan recognize their true colors.

"Shanshan, how about we form a group, me singing and you dancing? We’d definitely become the best partners and conquer the nation."

Seeing Zhao Qingsong getting too carried away, even as Xu Shanshan’s fake boyfriend, Li Yifei felt increasingly displeased. Sensing it was an opportunity, he suddenly slammed the table, standing up and startling everyone, then scolded, "Enough! With your lack of talent, how dare you talk about forming a group? Do you think you’re capable?"

Xu Shanshan didn’t expect Li Yifei to lose his temper and stared at him in surprise. Zhao Qingsong jumped up immediately, glaring, "Do you know music? Do you know dance? What gives you the right to lecture us?"

Li Yifei snorted coldly, "You criticize this and that, but have you considered others’ strengths? Have you learned from those who succeed through talent? Do you think you’re more capable than successful artists? I think you’re just jealous of their luck and success, unable to achieve it yourself. Shanshan, I’m not interested in these gatherings. I’m leaving; if you want to stay, go ahead."

With that, he strode toward the exit, no longer bothering with this group of angry youths who did nothing but complain.

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