Chapter 9: Sipping Beer, Savoring the Sea Breeze

The female singer with smoky eye makeup gently set her guitar down and opened her eyes. That song had been exhausting to sing. There was nothing else to it. She wasn’t familiar with it. The latter half of the lyrics was repetitive, so she could manage, but she still needed to glance at the sheet music for the melody now and then. Still, she’d gotten through it flawlessly.

Lin Shenlu applauded her, the only one in the room to do so.

“Thank you…” The singer let out a deep breath. Then she pressed a few buttons nearby, and music began to play automatically in the bar. She stepped down from the stage in her black, extravagant high heels, but instead of coming toward Lin Shenlu, she headed for the counter.

Before long, she returned carrying a six-pack of beer and sat down across from Lin Shenlu.

“Lu Yu…” The smoky-eyed singer extended her hand.

Lin Shenlu nodded, smiled, and shook it. Her hand wasn’t exactly fair-skinned, but it was soft and delicate.

“That song is quite a challenge,” Lu Yu said with a smile. As she spoke, she picked up a bottle of Little Devil, using the lighter from Lin Shenlu’s table to pop the cap.

Lin Shenlu glanced at the new beer. Sure enough, it was one he’d never tasted before. Its appearance was rather intimidating. Of course, he’d already finished his previous bottle of Smoked Porter.

“This one’s on me… It’s from Belgium, part of the Satan series, Little Devil, 8.4% ABV,” Lu Yu said with a smile, handing a bottle to Lin Shenlu before opening one for herself. He had to admit, the way Lu Yu opened the beer with a lighter was impressive.

“This is pretty strong—I’m afraid I’ll get drunk,” Lin Shenlu said, accepting the beer but setting it on the table.

“No one worries about getting drunk in Dali. Judging by your accent, you’re a tourist, aren’t you?” Lu Yu clinked her bottle against his.

Lin Shenlu nodded and took a sip. As expected… The flavor was even more bitter and full-bodied than the last one, with a moderate sourness. Tasting it carefully, it was well-layered, but not harsh on the palate.

“By the way, what’s the name of that song you just sang? Was it ‘Like a Dream’?” Lin Shenlu asked, setting down his beer.

“‘Like a Dream’? What a ridiculous name! Let me think… The title is so damn long, I can never remember it. Let me check!” Lu Yu got up, retrieved a tablet from nearby, and tapped it a few times. Instead of bothering to read the name aloud, she simply handed it to Lin Shenlu.

He glanced at it and was instantly stunned by the length of the title.

“We… drank beer together, watching the sea… felt the sea breeze and disappeared into that night?” Lin Shenlu read it aloud, amazed at himself. Could a song title really be that long? The world of folk music was clearly beyond his understanding.

“That’s why it’s so niche—I’ve only sung it twice in three years,” Lu Yu said, sipping her beer.

Lin Shenlu said nothing, his thoughts drifting back to the Erduo Inn. There, Miss An Muxi’s phone ringtone was this very song. He didn’t even know what he was turning over in his mind.

“Hey, what are you thinking about?” Lu Yu clinked her bottle against his again, snapping him back to reality.

“Nothing. Thank you for the song,” Lin Shenlu said, feeling the alcohol go to his head. Normally, he could handle both white spirits and beer. He wasn’t just boasting with slogans like, “If the snowflake doesn’t fall, I don’t fall; if Tsingtao doesn’t topple, neither do I.” He could down a dozen industrial beers and still walk straight home. But after just two bottles of this stuff, he was already feeling tipsy… The legends about double and triple IPAs weren’t exaggerations.

Soon, Lu Yu finished her bottle.

“No, no… I really can’t drink anymore. If I do, I won’t be able to drive,” Lin Shenlu protested, waving his hands.

“You can’t drive now anyway…” Lu Yu replied with a laugh.

Lin Shenlu sighed, feeling a bit foolish. How was he supposed to get home tonight? Call a driver? And what was going on with this smoky-eyed Lu Yu? Was she trying to get him drunk? Then harvest his kidney to sell with thirteen spices?

“Handsome, I still don’t know your name,” Lu Yu said, taking another sip.

“Oh, me? Lin Shenlu, as in the forest is deep and you see a deer—Lin Shenlu,” he replied with a smile.

He had to admit, from this angle, he was quite charming. The afternoon sunlight filtered through the leaves and fell across the window, illuminating his face. In the sunlight, his hair looked especially good, and the mischievous curve of his lips was even more alluring. Reflected in his dark sunglasses was Lu Yu herself.

“With a handsome guy like you and such a lovely name, are you sure you didn’t walk right out of a comic book?” Lu Yu leaned in, her face close to his as she spoke.

Lin Shenlu gave an awkward smile. Was this woman a bit of an anime nerd? Her actions and gaze made it obvious she was interested. Though Lin Shenlu didn’t mind the idea of an interesting story with this smoky-eyed woman, reason told him that drinking really did impair his “combat effectiveness.” Ahem.

He said nothing, instead raising his bottle to place it between them, the crisp clink of glass snapping Lu Yu back to reality. After all, this was the afternoon, not midnight. This wasn’t the kind of scene where, under the cover of night and flickering lights, one could steal a kiss at will.

They finished their drinks together.

A 330ml bottle goes quickly, just a few sips and it’s gone. Lin Shenlu had to admit, Lu Yu was the kind of woman whose sensuality sparked a man’s desire to conquer. Especially when a woman took the initiative, that thin veil between them could easily be pierced. But! But still! However! If it weren’t for that smoky eye makeup, he might have been quite interested in tearing those shimmering stockings apart. Worst case, he’d owe her twenty yuan. But as it was… best to just enjoy the drinks.

Half an hour later, Lin Shenlu, ever the gentleman, insisted on paying the bill, even though Lu Yu objected. Outside the bar, he saved Lu Yu’s contact in WeChat as “Smoky Lu Yu.” Actually… he accidentally typed “Smoked Bass.” Oh well, let it be.

Watching Lin Shenlu’s figure slowly recede into the distance, Lu Yu lightly wiped the corner of her mouth, as if savoring the lingering taste. It was the scent he’d left behind her ear when they hugged goodbye—Bvlgari Darjeeling Tea. A scent to captivate any woman.

“Lu, did you take a liking to that guy?” the bartender with a bandana asked, wiping a glass.

“What, you think I need your approval to sleep with someone?” Lu Yu’s eyes flashed coldly, her scythe-like brows nearly cutting through the bartender’s vest.

“My mistake, Lu, whatever you say. All of Dali is yours, you’re the queen…” The bandana-wearing bartender bowed his head and kept polishing the glass.

Lu Yu snorted softly and lowered her head to sniff the fingers she’d used to wipe her mouth. “He’ll be back,” she murmured.

As Lin Shenlu walked, he felt his heart racing and his face flushing. Four craft beers… it felt no less than a dozen Snowflakes. Still, he could make it home. On the way, he bought a clay figurine from a roadside shop… to give to her at the inn.