Blue Cocktail chapter 56

In the days that followed, the bar underwent major renovations. The craftsmen working on the renovations were truly busy, causing noise and dust everywhere. Lu Huaiqian, citing an unsuitable environment for recovery, first moved to Fufu Jiayuan. After some persuasion and negotiation, he finally succeeded in climbing onto Cheng Shuo’s bed.

Living together, Lu Huaiqian discovered that Cheng Shuo’s life was always in a state of extreme self-discipline and routine. He would wake up within two minutes of the alarm clock ringing, attend classes if there were any, stay at home if not, occasionally venture outside, and with a 99% probability, go downstairs to the convenience store to buy daily necessities. He would then return to continue reading, doing exercises, playing games, and drawing. Lu Huaiqian even attempted to peek at Cheng Shuo’s Weibo account, but it ended in failure.

Cheng Shuo’s counter-surveillance awareness was too strong, including but not limited to computer passwords, private browsing, and not remembering the Weibo account on the web version.

Lu Huaiqian had experiences with this, such as when he tried searching Weibo using Cheng Shuo’s phone number but found nothing. It seemed that it was set to be non-searchable. Despite memorizing almost all of Zhu Meng’s Weibo followings, he couldn’t find any suspicious accounts.

So, he decided to change his approach. Since Huaixuan’s company was in the internet business and had plenty of computer talents, he immediately contacted Huaixuan, asking him to recommend some talents to collect data for him—fans with over 10,000 followers, IP address in Pijiang, a professional illustrator, and aged 21.

Every time, Lu Huaixuan was amazed by his elder brother’s unconventional ideas, and today was no exception. “Brother, what are you up to?”

“I’m commissioning artwork,” Lu Huaiqian said as if it were true, “I want to redo the bar menu and need an artist to hand-draw cocktail illustrations.”

“Why does it have to be from Pijiang?”

“It feels more familiar with locals.”

“Why limit the age?”

“College students are more affordable.”

“But you specifically mentioned 21 years old.”

“Because I recently consulted a tarot reader, and 21 is my lucky number.”

“…”

“Okay,” Lu Huaixuan repeated the conditions and, after confirming, said, “I’ll help you make the connections. Don’t forget to transfer the money to my account early. As the intermediary, I’ll take a 10% commission.”

“No problem.”

At the same time, Lu Huaiqian was also secretly advancing Mr. Cao’s matter.

He had heard that Mr. Cao liked indulging in pleasure, and in the circle of debauchery, temptations were everywhere. So, he speculated that Mr. Cao had likely engaged in illicit activities—if he had committed a crime, everything would be easier.

During these days, Lu Huaiqian often saw Cheng Shuo and Zhu Meng discussing illustration details over a voice call every night.

The old fox had originally gone for clues, but instead of obtaining any, he ended up losing both the lady and the soldiers.

When it came to working late into the night, Lu Huaiqian said he wasn’t in a hurry, so there was no need for Cheng Shuo to rush the progress with Zhu Meng over a voice call.

Cheng Shuo frowned at his words, as if saying, “Not in a hurry? Are you playing with me?”

To maintain his already unclear image, Lu Huaiqian hastily remedied the situation. He wasn’t in a hurry because he was worried about Zhu Meng getting tired from rushing the drafts every day. They should take it slow; quality work takes time.

Cheng Shuo agreed, but the next day, he was still hunched over the digital tablet, the pen trembling in his hand, incredibly focused. Sometimes, Lu Huaiqian had to repeat a sentence twice for him to hear it.

Lu Huaiqian even contemplated whether he should just confess and coax him properly. He placed his hand on Cheng Shuo’s shoulder, and Cheng Shuo, thinking he was urging him to speed up, reassured him, “Don’t worry, I’ll finish the drawings before the bar renovations are completed.”

At that moment, Lu Huaiqian’s momentarily suppressed conscience twitched. The casually spoken words seemed to be taken seriously by Cheng Shuo—

Suddenly, his phone vibrated a few times.

Opening it, it was a text message from Tang Yi.

​(I heard from aunt that you have a boyfriend. Let’s talk)

What was there to talk about? Now that he had a partner, shouldn’t Tang Yi avoid him?

Avoiding suspicion was important; if not, it would be annoying.

Of course, what Lu Huaiqian thought in his heart was one thing, and replying to Tang Yi was another. Usually, he was more tactful: There’s no need, mainly because my partner might get jealous. If you have something to say, just clarify it online.

But Tang Yi insisted: I want to talk to you face to face, openly and honestly, after saying what needs to be said I promise I won’t bother you again afterwards, because I’m leaving Huafeng City to manage my uncle’s branch and embrace a new life.

Bother, that word was quite fitting.

If meeting face-to-face could put an end to it, he was willing to go: When?

​(now)

​(now?)

​(i went to the bar to look for you but you were not there. Zhao Ge said you moved in to Fufu Jiayuan. I am at the rooftop)

Before leaving, Lu Huaiqian went to the study to find Cheng Shuo. After all, being alone and meeting a pursuer without saying anything would only make things more uncomfortable if it was discovered later.

As he pushed the door open, he had various psychological expectations, even considering the possibility that Cheng Shuo might refuse to let him go. Lu Huaiqian had even thought about how to reject Tang Yi in case Cheng Shuo did not allow him to go.

But the result was beyond his imagination.

Cheng Shuo was actually lying on the recliner, sleeping soundly. The fine eyelashes cast shadows on his porcelain-like skin, eyebrows slightly furrowed as if in thought. His right hand still held the stylus, and Photoshop was running on the computer screen with a rough sketch of the cocktail “Aladdin’s Lamp” in the center of the canvas.

Lu Huaiqian noticed the stylus hanging precariously between his fingers. Knowing that electronic devices generally couldn’t withstand falls, he carefully took it out and placed it in the groove on the table to prevent it from rolling off.

After hesitating for a long time, he couldn’t bear to disturb Cheng Shuo’s good sleep over such a trivial matter.

Before leaving, he picked up a thin blanket and gently covered Cheng Shuo.

Walking to the door with cautious steps, he closed it, trying not to make any noise.

Before leaving, Lu Huaiqian sent a lengthy voice message on WeChat, explaining everything in detail. He thought that when Cheng Shuo woke up, he should see it.

On the rooftop.

Tang Yi leaned against the railing, hearing footsteps. He turned around, greeted Lu Huaiqian with a slight smile, “Brother, you’re here.”

Seeing Lu Huaiqian’s injured right hand, Tang Yi wasn’t surprised because he had inquired from the driver and knew the hidden story.

Lu Huaiqian stopped a short distance away and responded with a sound.

Tang Yi walked towards Lu Huaiqian until they were a short distance apart. “I know about you and Cheng Shuo.”

Raising an eyebrow, Lu Huaiqian responded, “You also know that my bar is under renovation. There’s a lot going on recently, so I hope you can get to the point.”

Tang Yi chuckled, “Brother, do you know that you always tell me you have a lot going on?”

Lu Huaiqian frowned, thought about it, but still didn’t make it clear, “So it might not be a coincidence.”

“I understand,” Tang Yi’s eyes swept a hint of pain. He sighed, “You already have a partner. If I don’t understand your hints now, I really don’t understand human affairs.”

He reminisced about the past, “The time studying in the UK was the happiest for me because you were so good to me. I thought, I thought—”

He hesitated, his expression somewhat melancholic.

“It was Mom who asked me to take care of you, after all, you were in the UK, just arrived, not familiar.” Lu Huaiqian still didn’t put it too harshly, leaving Tang Yi some face, “It might be my problem, I may have conveyed the wrong signals to you.”

A cold wind rushed in, Tang Yi’s hair swayed in the air. He gritted his teeth and finally asked the question he had been pondering for a long time, “So, brother, have you ever, even for a moment… liked me?”

Lu Huaiqian remained silent for a moment and said, “Do you want to hear the truth or a lie?”

Tang Yi laughed upon hearing this, a self-deprecating smile. His question was indeed quite foolish. “I know your answer.”

“So, all my intentional actions before, did they all seem childish and inexplicable in your eyes?”

Lu Huaiqian didn’t directly answer, “I personally think that, in front of the right person, making some appropriate gestures can enhance the relationship. So, this is a question that is difficult to generalize, and it needs to be considered in specific situations.”

Tang Yi was somewhat surprised, “Brother, thank you. At a time like this, you’re still concerned about hurting my feelings.”

“From the perspective of family, of course, I hope you’re well, but I also hope that there’s only family affection between us.”

Tang Yi picked up the gift bag beside him.

Inside was a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label whisky.

“Back then, you gave me a bottle, and then I naively thought that you were willing to give me everything I wanted. I remembered this bottle of liquor for a long time; it was my self-deception evidence.”

“Now, I’m returning it to you.”

“Take it, as a conclusion. We are now clear between us.”

Lu Huaiqian accepted it, “I hope you have truly let go, and I wish you find someone who loves you in the future.”

But Tang Yi said, “Even if you wish me well, I won’t wish you and Cheng Shuo well.”

Lu Huaiqian smiled slightly, “It’s okay.”

When Cheng Shuo woke up, he found an extra thin blanket on him.

He had actually fallen asleep while drawing. Folding the thin blanket and hanging it on the back of the chair, he picked up the stylus and continued drawing for a while. His eyes were too tired, so he decided to take a look into the distance.

The balcony window faced the rooftop. Cheng Shuo casually glanced, two figures, one of them seemed somewhat familiar?

Looking more closely, wasn’t that Lu Huaiqian?

Who was the person beside Lu Huaiqian—Tang Yi?

Recalling it, he had only seen Tang Yi twice.

First time, it was in the underground garage of Mo Lan Bar. Tang Yi insisted on sitting in the co-driver’s seat, but unfortunately, he didn’t succeed. After seeing off Tang Yi, Lu Huaiqian complained to him about the past entanglements with Tang Yi.

The second time was at Lu Huaiqian’s birthday party. Tang Yi boasted about his experiences in the UK related to Lu Huaiqian. His words were full of superiority.

Although it was later ruthlessly denied by the person involved, Cheng Shuo vaguely remembered the feeling at that time. Besides the offense of showing off wealth, he had to admit that he was a bit envious and jealous of Tang Yi—being able to know the lively and unrestrained young Lu Huaiqian more than ten years earlier, growing up together, and becoming an inseparable part of Lu Huaiqian’s past. Although not a relative, it was an existence akin to family.

Suddenly, seeing Tang Yi smile, Lu Huaiqian beside him also smiled. However, Lu Huaiqian almost always seemed to be smiling.

But Tang Yi’s smile indicated that the two were chatting peacefully. Thinking of Lu Huaiqian’s emphatic words in front of him, claiming to dislike Tang Yi, perhaps there was a possibility that this was just Lu Huaiqian’s habitual and exaggerated expression to amuse him.

In his line of sight, Tang Yi handed a gift box to Lu Huaiqian. Lu Huaiqian actually accepted it. What was in the gift box?

His thoughts drifted uncontrollably.

Since when did he start paying attention to these details? He couldn’t recall.

Emotions were being stirred by Lu Huaiqian’s every move. He clearly disliked losing control, allowing his sensibility to indulge in the sinking rationality. He stared into the distance for a long time.

He should have gone back to continue drawing illustrations, but suddenly felt a bit wronged—wronged, an emotion he seemed not to have felt for a long time—why was he working so hard to draw illustrations for Lu Huaiqian, and Lu Huaiqian went to meet Tang Yi behind his back?

He couldn’t recall having any childhood friend. Otherwise, he would have to go and meet them.

Forget it, Cheng Shuo returned to the living room. Out of sight, out of mind.

He lay down on the sofa, his eyebrows unconsciously furrowed, forcing himself to think about things unrelated to Lu Huaiqian, various messy things at school.

Suddenly, the door lock turned, and he turned his head.

Only to see Lu Huaiqian walking in, looking calm and natural. “You woke up so soon?”

Cheng Shuo frowned and snorted, his gaze falling on Lu Huaiqian’s empty hands. There was no gift box Tang Yi had given. Why? Did he hide it, afraid of being discovered by Cheng Shuo? So, Tang Yi did send something inappropriate, right?

He silently challenged his mind, thinking, Lu Huaiqian, you better explain yourself.

But Lu Huaiqian said, “What should we have for lunch?”

“Whatever you want.”

Cheng Shuo absentmindedly answered, his eyebrows furrowing tighter.

Giving him another three seconds.

Three, two, one.

“Is hot pot okay?”

Why isn’t he explaining yet?