166: Love at first sight or Margaret?

Then, Shang Wan Ning slowly poured the liquid from the Collins Glass into an empty glass at a steady, gentle pace.

In an instant, the liquid and the glass merged, as if a portrait of a beauty was slowly unfolding before one's eyes... Afterward, she skillfully inserted a folded slice of orange peel into the rim and garnished it with a fresh lime slice.

With that, this magnificent cocktail was finally complete.

Shang Wan Ning pushed the drink in front of Meng Jiang. "Please enjoy, Madam."

The crimson liquid in the glass was like deep gems settled at the bottom, while the upper layer of the drink was like sparks of fire dancing in blood, shining brilliantly.

The rim of the glass was coated with a circle of alluring rose sugar, resembling a blazing fire in summer, passionate and unrestrained. Combined with the hollowed-out lime slice and the orange citrus peel inside... [A hint of Ning, a hint of orange...]

It was as if she were offering her entire heart, placing it into the 'Madam's' soft, delicate hands.

Meng Jiang's gaze fell upon the cocktail, a faint, almost imperceptible smile flickering in the depths of her eyes.

She looked up and asked in a low, slightly flirtatious voice, "Miss Bartender, what is the name of such a wonderful creation?"

Shang Wan Ning met Meng Jiang's gaze and gave a charming smile. "Love at First Sight~"

"Or... Lust at First Sight!"

"Lust at First Sight?" Meng Jiang's face grew even more flushed, and she whispered a soft curse: "You're an indecent bartender!"

Shang Wan Ning was clearly taken aback. "Madam, 'Lust at First Sight' is merely the alias for this drink!"

"Is that so, Miss Bartender?"

Meng Jiang took a small sip, and the taste of the cocktail instantly spread through her mouth. The sweet and sour flavor made her frown slightly, but she soon followed it with a satisfied smile.

"Not bad, it's a taste I like." Meng Jiang set down the glass and looked at Shang Wan Ning. "However, I prefer the name 'Love at First Sight'."

Shang Wan Ning smiled and said, "It seems this cocktail suits Madam's palate well."

"I have many other creative cocktails here. Would Madam like to try another?"

"I would!" Meng Jiang nodded, signaling for Shang Wan Ning to continue.

Shang Wan Ning skillfully began mixing the next cocktail, while Meng Jiang's gaze remained fixed on her fingers—admiring a nimble performance of the fingertips!

..."Madam, would you like a 'Margarita'? It uses Tequila as the base, with Cointreau and lime juice added. The taste is perfectly balanced between sweet and sour..."

Shang Wan Ning pushed the prepared Margarita in front of Meng Jiang, with a thin layer of salt frost still floating on the surface.

Meng Jiang elegantly picked up the glass, her slender fingers gripping the stem, and then she slowly swirled the glass.

The liquid in the glass spun with her movement, and the salt frost that had originally adhered to the rim gradually dissolved into the drink.

She brought the glass to her lips and took a small sip.

Instantly, a flavor interwoven with sweetness and sourness filled her mouth, accompanied by a faint, almost ethereal saltiness.

It was as if the breath of the sea was dancing on the tip of her tongue~

This unique flavor brought her taste buds unprecedented pleasure and satisfaction, causing her to let out an involuntary soft sigh.

"Mmh, the taste of this drink... is really quite good!" Meng Jiang praised.

Immediately after, she added, "However, in comparison, I still prefer the 'Love at First Sight' from earlier. It's like a mysterious and enchanting dream that makes one intoxicated and unable to pull away."

At that moment, the heart-pounding feeling of first love from when she tasted 'Love at First Sight' resurfaced in Meng Jiang's mind, and the corners of her mouth curled up unconsciously.

Three minutes later, Meng Jiang softly murmured the hidden meaning behind the Margarita cocktail, her gaze becoming somewhat languid. "'I' still linger on old flames; please do not come near or disturb me~"

"Miss Bartender, recommending this cocktail to me makes me quite troubled~"

"Because it makes me feel like... you are rejecting me." As Meng Jiang spoke, she toyed with her hair, her posture charming and seductive.

Upon hearing this, Shang Wan Ning simply gave a calm smile and changed the subject. "Everyone's tastes are different. Being able to find a drink you truly like among so many cocktails is also a rare kind of fate."

Meng Jiang nodded slightly, agreeing with Shang Wan Ning's viewpoint.

Then, her gaze fell upon Shang Wan Ning once more, and a strange look suddenly flashed in the depths of her eyes.

It was an indescribable emotion, seemingly containing curiosity, appreciation, and a deeper kind of 'desire'.

"Miss Bartender, the drinks you mix always bring surprises."

She tilted her head, her eyes revealing a hint of expectation. "I wonder if you would be willing to make a special drink just for me?"

Shang Wan Ning's eyes lit up instantly at those words. "Of course, Madam. Do you have any special requirements or preferences?"

Meng Jiang lowered her head slightly, her slender fingers stroking the rim of the glass as she fell into a brief moment of thought.

A moment later, she looked up, her gaze fixed directly on Shang Wan Ning.

"I like drinks that are a bit sweet, preferably with a hint of 'lily' fragrance. That kind of fresh, elegant scent can be very refreshing."

"And, I hope... this drink can be crisp and clean, encompassing all of a woman's... secret thoughts..." As she said this, her tone became increasingly soft, like a dreamlike murmur.

Shang Wan Ning nodded, her bright dark eyes already understanding the subtle hint of longing in Meng Jiang's gaze.

So, she turned around, skillfully picked up various bar tools, and began to mix.

The sound of ice cubes clinking together was crisp, like notes played by a breeze passing through wind chimes in summer; the base spirits blended joyfully in the shaker, intertwining and wrapping around each other to gradually give birth to a brand new flavor... The air was also filled with a faint lily fragrance, the delicate scent drifting about ethereally.

Time passed minute by minute, and about ten minutes later.

A meticulously crafted cocktail was finally presented before Meng Jiang. A thin layer of mist had condensed on the transparent glass walls, making the liquid inside look even more enticing.

Shang Wan Ning pushed the glass toward Meng Jiang. "This drink is called 'Secret Love'. I hope you like it."

Meng Jiang picked up the glass and took a small sip. The sweet taste instantly exploded in her mouth, carrying the freshness of lilies, like a warm current flowing straight to her heart.

She looked up at Shang Wan Ning, the strange light in her eyes growing more intense, as if she had a thousand words but didn't know how to express them.

"Thank you."

In the end, Meng Jiang only said those two words before drinking the rest of the 'Secret Love' in one gulp.

Because she drank too quickly, a few drops of liquid flowed down her chin and across her neck, passing over a small mole that looked like a speck of cinnabar. Combined with the movement of her throat, it made her look even more charming and sexy.