Standing Next To You-Chapter 293: The Sake

After a relaxing bath in the hot spring, the group returned to the hotel to rest. But before they could hit the bed, Zhong Cheng knocked on their doors, inviting them to go to the rooftop.

Bei Sangyun was impressed by Zhong Cheng’s actions earlier and was totally convinced by him. She followed him and was the first person to arrive.

Fei Chuan followed as well, and Lin Sunji was also coerced out of her room.

The rooftop had been transformed into a hangout spot for the guests. Zhong Cheng had paid the locals to bring fresh ingredients and borrowed a grill.

"This is my favorite part after the hot spring - grilling barbecue under the starry skies!"

Zhong Cheng worked quickly, getting the meat ready for grilling. As he worked, he glanced at the three ’spoiled’ children who lazily watched him cook.

Zhong Cheng: "...."

These three were from wealthy families and had their own maids and butlers. They didn’t know how to help in the kitchen and simply waited for the food.

He turned to Lin Sunji and delegated tasks to her. "Hey, you fan this and keep an eye on it for me."

Lin Sunji was taken aback. She avoided the fan that Zhong Cheng was handing to her, saying, "I don’t know how to do it. You do it."

"I’m going to make the sauce. Or would you rather do it yourself?"

Lin Sunji gritted her teeth, unable to resist pointing to Fei Chuan and Bei Sangyun, who were also idle. "Then why not ask them? Why does it have to be me? I don’t have any experience with this, and these two might have more experience than me."

Zhong Cheng didn’t dare to order the boss around or his brother-in-law. He insisted, "This is my second lesson for you: Don’t rely on others but on your own abilities. To do that, you need to have some skills." With that, he left to pick up the knife and chop the tomatoes.

Lin Sunji bit her lip in frustration, angrily fanning the grill while muttering, "...What kind of skills will I gain from fanning?"

She shouldn’t have asked Zhong Cheng for help! He was deliberately taking advantage of her.

Bei Sangyun still remembered her life in the village, so she was more familiar with the kitchen than Fei Chuan and Lin Sunji. She went to Zhong Cheng’s side and helped him prepare the snacks.

Zhong Cheng saw his boss helping him, and his eyes welled with gratitude.

"Boss, you’re a great boss -" An arm suddenly separated them and interrupted his words. That arm picked up an onion that was in front of them.

Zhong Cheng looked up at the arm’s owner in surprise. Fei Chuan wedged himself in the small space between Zhong Cheng and Bei Sangyun.

Despite the crowded space, Fei Chuan chose to stay in that position and began peeling the onion. When his elbow touched Zhong Cheng, he turned to him and coolly said, "Can you move a bit? There isn’t much space."

Zhong Cheng: "...." Bro, you’re the one who took up the space.

Zhong Cheng thought Fei Chuan was still angry at him because of his earlier provocation and was especially cold to him. He didn’t voice any complaints and stepped aside. His gaze directed at Fei Chuan was fawning, seeming to express his wish for their happiness.

Fei Chuan finally managed to separate an eye sore and started helping in silence. He copied Zhong Cheng’s method in making the sauce and made a separate one. He even grilled a batch of skewers on his own.

Bei Sangyun was pleasantly surprised by Fei Chuan’s initiative. Doing the task together was much more enjoyable than doing it alone.

In thirty minutes, their food was ready.

Zhong Cheng distributed the food happily, but as he was about to hand Bei Sangyun’s share, Fei Chuan had already placed the meat he grilled on her plate.

"See if you can taste it," Fei Chuan said as he passed her the sauce he had also made.

Seeing the food that Fei Chuan had prepared for her, Bei Sangyun was flattered.

She happily picked up the slightly burned skewer and took a bite. The outside of the grilled meat was charred, but the inside was juicy and tender.

The wonderful taste in her mouth melted her heart. Her smiling eyes turned to Fei Chuan, and she gave him a thumbs up. "The best grilled meat I have ever eaten!"

Zhong Cheng, who was holding his own grilled meat, stood bitterly aside, speechless.

His perfectly grilled meat did not seem so good in his eyes anymore.

Lin Sunji suddenly laughed. She picked up the meat that Zhong Cheng had grilled and took a bite. She nodded in appreciation. "Hmm, it’s just so-so." Finally, she felt some appetite to eat.

The group enjoyed a hearty meal together. Suddenly, Zhong Cheng take out a bottle he had purchased from the locals. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

"This is a sake that the locals take pride in. It’s brewed from fermented rice. You guys are going to love it," Zhong Cheng exclaimed eagerly as he uncorked the bottle.

A strong aroma, a blend of rice, yeast, and earthiness, wafted through the air, reaching their noses.

Lin Sunji, who was closest to Zhong Cheng, recoiled in disgust and immediately backed away. Fei Chuan furrowed his brow slightly, while Bei Sangyun appeared intrigued.

Pouring a small cup for himself, Zhong Cheng took the first sip and let out a satisfied burp.

"Wow. It’s not too strong. Give it a try, boss," he said, pouring another cup for Bei Sangyun.

Bei Sangyun was curious. She recalled the homemade wine from her childhood in the River village. She had been too young to taste it back then, but she wondered how this sake would compare.

However, even if she wanted to try it now, she wouldn’t be able to taste it.

Zhong Cheng handed the cup to her, but Bei Sangyun was about to reject it when Fei Chuan blocked it.

"What are you doing? This is alcohol,"

"It’s not too strong. I asked the locals to bring out their mildest wine. This is their best product here. If we don’t try it, we’ll miss out on an amazing experience. Have any of you ever tasted sake before?" Zhong Cheng reasoned.

"I have no plans on tasting it. Count me out," Lin Sunji rejected firmly.

Fei Chuan wasn’t interested in new experiences; as long as he was comfortable, that was enough for him.

Zhong Cheng glanced at the "killjoys" who were spoiling the mood. They had traveled so far not just for the hot spring, but also for this sake! Who would visit a hot spring without trying the best sake?

Bei Sangyun noticed the disappointment in Zhong Cheng’s eyes. The boy seemed genuinely excited about sharing the sake with them.

Considering all the help Zhong Cheng had provided on this trip, Bei Sangyun felt appreciative of his efforts. What harm could come from just drinking a small cup of sake? After all, she wouldn’t even be able to taste it.

Bei Sangyun stepped forward behind Fei Chuan, and accepted the cup. Without a word, she drank it.

As expected, she couldn’t taste anything. However, she felt a warm sensation traveling from her throat to her stomach, making her feel comfortable.

She let out a burp, just like Zhong Cheng.

There was silence around her.

Bei Sangyun returned the cup to Zhong Cheng. "It is indeed good."

Zhong Cheng was moved. The sake had a strong taste and might be unpleasant for these wealthy children. But the Boss didn’t even flinch as she downed it in one go.

Boss was truly amazing and kind!

"Boss, I will continue to serve you!" Zhong Cheng, teary-eyed, poured more sake into the cup. He would drink this and cheer for his boss.

But just as the cup was about to touch his lips, someone snatched it away. Fei Chuan grabbed the cup and downed it in one go before tossing it back to Zhong Cheng.

Fei Chuan felt the strong, unfamiliar taste in his mouth, but he fought back any reaction. He covered his mouth to prevent himself from spitting it out. If Bei Sangyun could drink it in one go, why couldn’t he?

Both Zhong Cheng and Bei Sangyun were surprised.

Bei Sangyun turned to Zhong Cheng and took the cup back. "I’ll have another drink."

This time, she would able to savor the taste. Just thinking about it made her excited.

Zhong Cheng excitedly poured the sake into the small cup, but Fei Chuan, who had now recovered, stopped him.

"That’s enough. We’ve all had a drink. You’re satisfied now, right?"

Though a bit disappointed, Zhong Cheng was happy that two people had tried the sake. He then turned to Lin Sunji, who seemed to be trying to fade into the background.

"It’s your turn now," Zhong Cheng urged.

Lin Sunji gulped nervously. She didn’t want to drink it!

She shook her head vigorously.

"Boss and Brother-in-law have already had their turn. Everyone has tried it, except for you," Zhong Cheng persisted.

As Zhong Cheng approached her, Lin Sunji began to panic. Amidst her nervousness, she suddenly had an idea. A life-saving idea.

"H-how about we play a game!" Lin Sunji suggested.

Zhong Cheng paused, intrigued.

Lin Sunji seized the opportunity, "You know, a very famous game—Truth or Dare! I’ve heard our classmates play it while drinking, right?"

Though Lin Sunji had never engaged in such activities and deemed it pointless, she had heard stories from her classmates about it.

Zhong Cheng, who had played many games in his childhood, considered it. Then his eyes lit up.

"Nice suggestion! We can play Truth or Dare while spinning the bottle," he exclaimed.

Turning to Bei Sangyun, he winked, "Right, boss?"

Lin Sunji had unwittingly created a perfect opportunity for Boss and Brother-in-law!