Shengjing Dessert Shop

Chapter 9: Hand-Brewed Coffee—Where Did I Bump Into Her?

 

Manager Luo quickly bowed and scraped as he approached, saying, “Your Grace… ah, Young Master Liu! My apologies, truly! I just went to fetch the osmanthus wine…”

 

Noticing Liu Hexiao’s expression, Manager Luo forced a smile and stammered, “But… it’s completely sold out…”

 

Liu Hexiao arched his long eyebrows and cast him a cold glance. “No wine? Why bother running a restaurant then?”

 

Manager Luo was utterly panicked, repeatedly bowing. “Yes, yes, it’s entirely my fault!”

 

Seated beside Liu Hexiao was another young man, starkly different in temperament. While Liu Hexiao exuded refined elegance, this man was slightly tanned with thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a commanding posture.

 

The man said with a hearty laugh, “Ah-xiao, let it go. I’ll visit again next time.”

 

Liu Hexiao frowned. “How could that do? You only come back once a year, and I promised to show you all the unique delicacies Shengjing has to offer before you leave.”

 

The speaker was Yang Zhaozhi, the eldest legitimate son of the great general of Qiannan. Stationed at the southern frontier for most of the year, he rarely returned to Shengjing.

 

Still dissatisfied, Liu Hexiao glanced at Manager Luo and said, “I’ll give you one incense stick’s time. If you can’t bring me good wine by then, your restaurant might as well shut down.”

(The time it takes an incense stick to burn” is a common phrase which refers to a short time period – generally around either 5 or 30 minutes)

 

Though spoken lazily, his words made Manager Luo’s face go ashen. This notorious troublemaker was well-known for carrying out his threats.

 

Once, a Minister Zhang’s son offended him somehow, and Liu Hexiao had the boy stripped in public, leaving him the laughingstock of the entire city.

 

Manager Luo forced a smile. “Young Master Liu, the osmanthus wine is truly gone, but perhaps I could find some other new wine for you to try? I guarantee you won’t be disappointed…”

 

Liu Hexiao waved him off impatiently. “Less talking, more moving.”

 

Nearby, the guard Cheng Lingwei observed the exchange, shaking his head sympathetically at Manager Luo’s plight.

 

—

 

Back at the counter, Manager Luo frantically grabbed the servant. “Is there any good wine nearby we can buy?!”

 

The servant hesitated, almost in tears. “Manager, within five miles, our osmanthus wine is the best! Where else could we find something better?”

 

Manager Luo, now desperate, paced like an ant on a hot pan. “Then what do we do!?”

 

At that moment, a clear female voice rang out. “What’s the matter, Manager Luo?”

 

Startled, Manager Luo looked up to see Yihuan standing at the door. Inwardly, he sighed—yet another troublesome guest. With a curt tone, he said, “Because you made our osmanthus wine disappear, I’ve offended an important guest. Are you satisfied now?”

 

Yihuan, ever adaptable, smiled gently, unfazed. “Manager Luo, no need for that tone. Since we’re partners now, I won’t sit idle when you’re in trouble. Does this esteemed guest insist on having wine?”

 

Manager Luo huffed, “Of course. Look over there!”

 

He pointed toward a semi-private table by the window. Following his gesture, Yihuan saw a striking young man reclining casually in his chair, exuding effortless charm. His raised eyebrows as he gazed out the window made him almost unreal in his beauty.

 

It’s him!? Yihuan thought, stunned.

 

Noticing her momentary distraction, Manager Luo sneered, “Don’t get any ideas, young lady. That’s Young Master Liu from the Royal Qi family—not someone you could ever aspire to.”

 

Yihuan smiled. “As if I’d dare.”

 

Manager Luo continued, “Seated beside him is the renowned young general Yang Zhaozhi, one of our Northern Dynasty’s Twin Heroes, alongside General Liu. Young Master Liu is here today to let him taste something extraordinary… sigh!”

 

Suddenly inspired, Yihuan asked, “Extraordinary?”

 

Manager Luo nodded. “Yes, our osmanthus wine is known for its clear and mellow taste. Its magic lies in the lingering fragrance it leaves behind—it stays with you all day.”

 

Deep in thought, Yihuan nodded, then said, “Manager Luo, I happen to have a drink that’s bittersweet yet fragrant. Once tasted, it’s unforgettable, and it even refreshes the mind. Would you like to serve it to your guest?”

 

Since she had entered a partnership with Manager Luo, she decided to help him out as well.

 

Manager Luo, surprised, asked, “What drink is that?”

 

“Hand-brewed coffee.”

 

Manager Luo blinked and exchanged a puzzled glance with the servant. “I’ve sold wine for years but have never heard of such a thing!”

 

Yihuan, maintaining her composure, explained, “It’s a drink brought over from the Western Regions. It must be ground and brewed fresh. If your guest enjoys novelties, this would be perfect.”

 

The wealthy and noble rarely appreciated common items.

 

Though hesitant, Manager Luo glanced at the difficult guest and, finding no other solution, said, “Alright… bring it over, and I’ll try it first.”

 

Yihuan smiled. “I’ll prepare it here in your restaurant. The process will highlight its uniqueness.”

 

Intending to attract attention and gauge people’s reactions to coffee, Yihuan set her plan in motion.

 

Manager Luo immediately instructed the servant to set up a table. Soon after, Ah-miao arrived with the items Yihuan had requested.

 

As Yihuan began preparing in a corner of the restaurant, Manager Luo approached the VIP table with a fawning smile.

 

“Young Master Liu, we have a new drink today called ‘coffee.’ No one in Shengjing has tasted it yet! Once it’s ready, I’ll bring it to you.”

 

When Liu Hexiao didn’t reply, Manager Luo interpreted it as tacit approval and quickly pointed toward Yihuan. “Look, that’s the young lady making the drink.”

 

Inwardly, Manager Luo schemed: if the coffee pleased Liu Hexiao, he’d take credit. If it didn’t, he’d blame Yihuan entirely. 

 

Liu Hexiao followed the direction of Manager Luo’s finger and saw a petite woman seated in a corner. Her hair was tied in a simple bun adorned with a silver hairpin. Her clear, dark eyes were focused intently on her task.

 

Despite her plain attire, her presence lit up the room.

 

For a moment, Liu Hexiao was stunned. She seems… familiar?

 

Behind him, Cheng Lingwei murmured, “Young Master… isn’t she the girl you accidentally knocked over with your horse last time?”

 

Liu Hexiao shot him a glare. “When did I knock her over? She fell on her own.”

 

Though his words were dismissive, his mind involuntarily conjured the image of her frail figure falling to the ground, looking pitiful.

 

Cheng Lingwei quickly corrected himself, “Yes, yes. I must have remembered wrong.”

 

Hearing this, Yang Zhaozhi turned to look as well. “Wow, Shengjing girls are indeed prettier than those in Qiannan.”

 

Liu Hexiao sneered. “Then why don’t you stay here?”

 

Yang Zhaozhi grinned. “You know that’s impossible.”

 

Liu Hexiao’s eyes darkened momentarily, but he shrugged it off. “Tch…”

 

—

 

Unaware of the attention from the VIP table, Yihuan focused on her preparations. She carefully opened the container of coffee beans she had purchased from Qingmu Zhai.

 

As soon as the lid lifted, the rich aroma of coffee filled the air.

 

Inhaling deeply, Yihuan’s eyes curved into crescents, her dimples soft and radiant.

 

Holding his teacup, Liu Hexiao happened to catch this moment. He froze. Does she… glow?

 

****

Translator’s Note:- Hand-brewed coffee:

https://youtube.com/shorts/e108RLHXi6E?si=F8vJyRksgjYTmkWl