Chapter 042 Margaret

After entering the bar, the other two, led by Lin Yu, settled into a booth on the left side of the hall. It was their first time here, and they felt somewhat intimidated.

The booth resembled a private lounge, semi-enclosed in structure, consisting of four sofas and a low table. On the table, a sign indicated a minimum spend of two hundred yuan.

Once seated, Lin Yu ordered the renowned Margarita, while Wang Yan and Zhang Zhilong, following his suggestion, each asked for a Martini.

This bar was of decent quality, perfectly suited for the refined tastes of young professionals. The combined price of the three drinks just exceeded the minimum charge, barely crossing the threshold.

After settling in, the adaptable Wang Yan and Zhang Zhilong quickly grew accustomed to the atmosphere, their eyes darting about in search of attractive women, eager to find a suitable target.

Soon enough, the pair—who hadn't stopped scanning their surroundings—realized that the three of them had become the focal point of attention in the bar.

Wang Yan was delighted, laughing as he said, "Some people are born to shine, like Zeus standing tall in a crowd, impossible to ignore. Look, all those girls and guys, they're watching us."

"Exactly! The three of us are like golden beetles in the night fields, or dairy cows crowded in a villa—so flashy it’s hard to keep a low profile," Zhang Zhilong chimed in, reaching beneath the table with a chuckle. He had already drunk quite a bit, his cheeks glowing red.

Lin Yu, looking at his two brothers with a speechless expression, lowered his head and sighed quietly. He felt that, after seven or eight years of frequenting bars, he had never been so embarrassed.

For in this cozy, softly-lit bar, the three of them stood out in every way—from their attire to their demeanor—utterly alien to the ambiance, like fish out of water.

From a communications perspective, the unconventional always draws attention. "Dog bites man isn’t news; man bites dog is," as the saying goes.

Lin Yu understood that their oddity was the very reason they attracted so many glances. Not wanting to shatter his friends' fragile confidence, he kept silent, simply lowering his head and reflecting on his own thoughts.

This gesture earned him a rather decent reputation: that guy, though not especially handsome, has a good aura—he’s normal.

Wang Yan and Zhang Zhilong, meanwhile, resembled country bumpkins visiting a grand estate, soon classified as monkeys not yet fully evolved.

It wasn't long before the waiter brought over the cocktails, one after another. Martini is hailed as the masterpiece of the cocktail world; some say, "Cocktails begin and end with Martini," and that's no exaggeration.

In 1979, the United States published "The Complete Martini," introducing 268 varieties of the drink.

Lin Yu ordered a sweet Martini for Wang Yan and a spicy one for Zhang Zhilong—both among the 268 described.

Set before Lin Yu was a yellow Margarita, his favorite. He loved not just the initial fiery bite and lingering sweetness, but also the story behind the drink.

The creator of the Margarita was Jane Duresa of Los Angeles; Margarita was the name of his late Mexican girlfriend.

In 1926, Jane Duresa and Margarita went hunting, but tragedy struck: Margarita was killed by a stray bullet.

Jane Duresa was left desolate. To honor her memory, he crafted a cocktail bearing her name, infused with emotion, and won the national cocktail championship in 1949.

The recipe calls for tequila, lemon juice, and salt. Tequila, the national spirit of Mexico, represents his Mexican girlfriend; lemon juice symbolizes his bittersweet heart; and salt, his tears.

Whenever Lin Yu drank this cocktail, recalling its tragic tale, a gentle melancholy would rise within him—a resonance with his own disappointments.

"Hey, look over there! There’s a busty chick by the bar—waves that could drown you, she’s practically a dairy cow!" Zhang Zhilong, after a sip, leered and pointed at a voluptuous woman seated near the counter.

"What’s so special about that? Look, over there—two or three girls in sailor uniforms, so pure, so pretty. Two of them keep looking at me! That one’s even smiling at me," Wang Yan replied, full of self-satisfied excitement as he gestured.

While the two novices scanned the room with exuberant anticipation, Lin Yu began to savor the traditional Margarita he hadn’t tasted in years. In later years, he would drink only its variants. Though the names remained, shifting times and changing tastes had altered the soul of these drinks.

Because this Margarita was garnished with salt and a slice of lemon, the first sip carried a hint of dryness, followed by a spicy heat in the throat, and finally a subtle lemony sourness. The aftertaste was delightful, matching the drink's theme, though not perfectly harmonious.

As Lin Yu immersed himself in memories, a girl in a sailor uniform sauntered over, swaying gracefully, and with a seemingly innocent smile, addressed Wang Yan: "Handsome, interested in getting to know each other better?"

"Uh, sure, let’s get acquainted. Sit, please!" Wang Yan stood up, helping her with the chair, and as he faced Lin Yu and Zhang Zhilong, he winked triumphantly.

"Oh, forget sitting! Why don’t we skip to the main event, handsome?" The girl replied in a soft, flirtatious tone.

Her words made Wang Yan’s bones turn to jelly. His heart pounded wildly, and he thought to himself that bars were truly wonderful—so many chances for romance! After years of being single, tonight might just be the night.

But at that moment, Lin Yu suddenly looked up at the girl in the sailor uniform and smiled. "Sister, don’t waste your time. My buddy only has ten yuan on him, not even enough for a room. He can’t afford you!"

"Who says so! I’ve got hundreds in my pocket!" Wang Yan protested, thinking that this rare opportunity for an encounter was being ruined by Lin Yu.

"Enough nonsense! I said he doesn’t have it, so he doesn’t!" Lin Yu slammed the table, then turned to the girl: "What are you waiting for? Don’t waste your time."

"Ugh! A bunch of cheap losers—what’s so great about you? If this fool wasn’t tall and strong, would I even bother?" The girl dropped her innocent act, snapped irritably, and strode away.

Wang Yan watched her departure with regret. As she reached the bar, he glared angrily at Lin Yu. "Third Brother! Do you know how hard it is for me to have a chance like this? You and Sixth Brother play around all you want. Why mess up my moment?"