Chapter 51: A Night of Careful Plans

The afternoon passed quickly. Luo Xiaoyun went to class as usual, waving at Su Muxue on the sofa. “Muxue, I’m off to class.”

Su Muxue smiled and nodded, a hint of slyness hidden in her eyes. “Take care. I’ll be waiting for you at home.”

The door clicked shut, and the room fell silent. The smile on Su Muxue’s face slowly deepened. She stood up, picked up her handbag from the entrance, and lightly traced her fingers along the strap. Tonight, she wasn’t going to let that little one escape again.

She went to the supermarket first. Pushing a shopping cart through the aisles, Su Muxue’s gaze was especially focused as she carefully selected each ingredient.

The tenderest filet mignon, fresh mushrooms still bearing dewdrops, rich heavy cream, al dente pasta, and various spices were all placed into the cart one by one.

Passing by the seafood section, she paused and picked out a few large, lively shrimp, thinking she would make garlic butter shrimp as an appetizer. Xiaoyun would surely love it.

Finally, she stopped at the flower section.

Her eyes landed on a bouquet of white lilies. The petals were spread open, carrying a faint fragrance. She reached out and gently touched a petal, then picked up the bouquet and put it in the cart.

As she pushed the cart to the checkout, a smile never left Su Muxue’s lips, and the anticipation in her eyes was impossible to hide. After buying the groceries, she drove to the bar.

The bar was quiet in the afternoon, with only a few cleaners tidying up. Su Muxue pushed the door open and walked straight to the liquor cabinet behind the bar. Her eyes scanned the various bottles, and she finally took down a bottle of vodka, a bottle of rum, along with several liqueurs and juices.

“Oh, a rare guest.”

A familiar voice came from behind her.

Su Muxue turned around and saw Mu Qingci walking down the stairs, a ledger in hand, looking at her with an amused smile.

“What brings you here today? Come to audit my books?” Mu Qingci walked over to the bar and sat on a barstool. “Or are you here to drink?”

Su Muxue turned and shook the bottles in her hand. “Taking a few bottles home. For tonight.”

Mu Qingci raised an eyebrow, her eyes sweeping over the bottles in Su Muxue’s hand, a mischievous glint flashing in her eyes. “Vodka and rum, plus liqueur and juice? Sounds like you’re mixing cocktails. How romantic. Hosting a party at home, or… entertaining your little cutie?”

Su Muxue paused, a faint blush creeping up to the tips of her ears. She glanced sideways at Mu Qingci and said in a playful, reproachful tone, “Qingci, why are you so nosy?”

Mu Qingci laughed, her eyes curving like crescent moons, and raised her hands in surrender. “Fine, fine, I won’t ask. I won’t delay your preparations for your little cutie’s surprise. Need me to mix it? I guarantee it’ll taste perfect.”

“No need. I’ll do it myself.” Su Muxue picked up another bottle, put it in her bag, and turned to leave.

By the time she got home, it was already past four in the afternoon.

Su Muxue first placed the lilies in a clear vase and set it in the center of the dining table. She sprayed a little water on the petals, and droplets clung to the white petals, crystal clear. The faint floral fragrance slowly spread.

Then she tied on an apron, walked into the kitchen, and began her preparations. The steak was seasoned with salt and black pepper, the mushrooms sliced, and the shrimp shelled and deveined.

The pasta was boiled until al dente, and the cream sauce simmered gently over low heat, its soft bubbling sound mingling with the aroma of the ingredients, gradually filling the entire house.

Once all the ingredients were ready, waiting only for Luo Xiaoyun to return so she could start cooking, Su Muxue brought out her cocktail tools and placed them on the kitchen counter.

Her movements were practiced and fluid: measuring, pouring, shaking the cocktail shaker in one smooth sequence. After all, she ran a bar, and mixing a drink was child’s play for her.

She poured a small shot of vodka into the shaker, thought for a moment, then added another shot, a mischievous glint flickering in her eyes.

Next, she added rum and blue curaçao, squeezed in a few drops of fresh lemon juice, and added a spoonful of syrup to mask the taste. She put the lid on, held the shaker with both hands, and shook it vigorously.

The cold of the metal seeped through, but her movements gradually slowed. She stared at the shaker, a meaningful smile curling at the corners of her mouth.

This alcohol level probably isn’t enough.

She opened the shaker, took out a bottle of “Water of Life” from the cabinet, unscrewed the cap, and carefully added a little, just a tiny bit, enough to strengthen the kick without leaving too strong an alcohol taste.

She recapped the bottle, sealed the shaker, and continued shaking vigorously.

Finally, she poured the mixed drink into an elegant stemmed glass. The liquid was a dreamy ice blue, sparkling with tiny glints under the light. A thin slice of lemon floated on top. It looked like an ordinary cocktail.

Su Muxue picked up the glass and took a small sip.

The taste was sweet fruitiness and sharp lemon, with almost no trace of alcohol. But only she knew the true power of this drink.

She smiled with satisfaction.

This drink was enough to make that little one sleep soundly through the night.

📚 Also on NHV Novels

I’m Your Star

Beautiful SemeLow Self-Esteem UkeModern Setting

Read Now →
Not interested