Supreme Warrior in the City

Chapter 25: Chapter 25 Bitter Sea

Ten minutes later, a couple entered the bar.

”Huh, the featured drink, Bitter Sea? What’s that?” the girl asked curiously.

”Never heard of it.” The boy looked at Su Yang behind the bar and wondered, ”Dude, is this bar planning to convert into a temple or something? What’s with the Bitter Sea? If we’re all turning back from the shore to become monks, then who will come to the bar?”

Su Yang teased, ”With such a beautiful girlfriend, would you really be willing to become a monk?”

”Good taste!” The girl approved immediately, ”I’ll have one to try.”

Su Yang passed a glass of Bitter Sea to her and looked at the boy, ”And you?”

The boy replied, ”I’ll have a Bloody Mary.”

”We don’t have that.”

”Angel’s Kiss.”

”Don’t have it.”

”Pretty Woman.”

”Don’t have it.”

”Damn, you don’t have anything? Can you even mix drinks, dude?”

Su Yang calmly looked at the boy, ”I don’t mix such low-end drinks!”

The boy retorted, ”Ah? That’s considered low-end? Dude, you sure can talk big!”

At this moment, the girl had already finished her drink. She slapped the cup down and loudly declared, ”Another one!”

”Another one?” The boy looked at her in surprise, attracted by the sight of the girl excitedly drinking.

”Then, give me one to try as well...” the boy murmured.

Ten minutes later, the couple were leaning on each other’s shoulders, calling out in unison, ”Another, another...”

Half an hour later, the boy’s roommate and the girl’s roommate both hurried over, and the bar started to get lively.

One hour later, many of the boy’s classmates and the girl’s classmates also arrived, and there was no longer any place to sit in the bar.

Two hours later, people were standing outside the bar, filling the space. In fact, many didn’t even know what was so appealing about the bar; they just seemed to be there for the bustle, standing outside in line waiting.

It was way past the bar’s closing time, but Liu Liu didn’t close up tonight; the customers weren’t in a rush to leave either. Fatty was running back and forth behind the bar along with Su Yang, helping him mix drinks. And Su Yang didn’t withhold anything from him, teaching him his mixing techniques completely. Fatty had no issues making the Bitter Sea himself.

Liu Liu wasn’t sitting in the manager’s office anymore; instead, she stood at the door, taking on the role of greeter. There was no choice; there were simply too many customers and not enough waitstaff.

She finally understood what Su Yang meant before. With the way things were going, not only could she last a month, but she also believed that if things continued this way, she could really make something big out of this business.

With that in mind, Liu Liu couldn’t help but glance at Su Yang again. He was intently pouring and mixing drinks.

”Why didn’t I notice before, this kid is quite handsome!” A thought flashed through Liu Liu’s mind, and she immediately felt a blush warm her cheeks, whispering to herself, ”What am I thinking, he’s just a kid.”

Su Yang kept busy until the bar had completely run out of stock, and there were still many people gathered outside, at least half of whom hadn’t had a chance to drink. These were people who had come based on the bar’s reputation. Most of them stood outside the bar, not even able to get in. In contrast, those lucky enough to be sitting inside refused to leave, causing a great deal of grumbling among the crowd outside.

”Everyone, my apologies, we’ve run out of stock for today,” Liu Liu announced into a microphone, beaming with joy, ”Tomorrow we’ll prepare more Bitter Sea. Come early, and we’ll make sure you have a great time.”

”We won’t be selling Bitter Sea tomorrow,” Su Yang suddenly spoke up, catching Liu Liu and the customers who had tried Bitter Sea off guard, causing a collective wail of disappointment.

”Dude, why stop selling it?” The couple, who were now clinging to the edge of the bar, had not left; both were flushed with drink, and the young man, reeking of alcohol, sounded like a jilted lover, ”I’m addicted to it, and you tell me you won’t sell it anymore? That’s totally irresponsible!”

Su Yang was silent.

Liu Liu also looked at Su Yang in surprise, unsure what he meant. Bitter Sea was selling so well, and in such a short amount of time, it had cleared out a month’s stock. If this continued, her bar could definitely become a hit throughout Nanluo City. But now, Su Yang was saying he’d stop selling Bitter Sea, which seemed like sabotage!

”Su Yang...” Fatty tugged at Su Yang’s clothing; he was very close to Liu Liu and wanted to help her.

Su Yang, with a composed expression, announced, ”Tomorrow’s featured drink will be the Milky Way.”

”Milky Way? What’s that?”

”Never heard of it!”

”I don’t care what that is. Just tell me if you’re the one who makes it? If it’s your creation, then I’ll definitely drink it!”

”No way, I have to come early tomorrow to see what this Milky Way is all about. If the Bitter Sea is so good, could there really be something even better than it?”

The crowd began buzzing with discussion, and Liu Liu, catching on quickly, loudly announced, ”Tomorrow’s featured drink will be the Milky Way. I hope everyone comes early!”

People dispersed reluctantly, and Liu Liu finally had time to approach Su Yang. Looking at him, she felt genuine gratitude.

”Su Yang, thank you,” Liu Liu said with sincerity.

”No need to thank me!” Su Yang responded calmly, ”You helped my brother, and I will repay that kindness many times over. Today is just the beginning.”

Liu Liu was taken aback, glancing at Fatty in surprise; she had no idea when Fatty had made such a friend.

”No matter what, I still have to thank you for everything,” Liu Liu said. ”I don’t know how else to thank you, so how about this, from today onwards, you’ll get half of the bar’s profit!”

”There’s no need...”

Before Su Yang could refuse, Liu Liu spoke decisively, ”That’s settled then. If you say no again, I’m going to get angry!”

Su Yang was startled; Liu Liu sure was domineering.

Liu Liu suddenly asked, ”By the way, what exactly is this Star River, and how does it compare to Bitter Sea?”

Su Yang smiled and didn’t answer.

”Does it have to be such a mystery?” Liu Liu widened her beautiful eyes and asked helplessly.

Su Yang replied, ”These two drinks can’t be compared, but the effect will definitely not be worse than Bitter Sea!”

”That’s great!” Liu Liu was overjoyed.

Fatty packed up the things, and as the two prepared to leave, a flashy, heavily made-up woman in her forties walked in. This woman was the landlord.

”Liu Liu, about the matter I mentioned this morning...” As soon as the landlord entered, she complained directly, ”How’s your preparation? The rent’s increased by three times, and you have to pay a year’s worth at once, which is three hundred thousand in total. If you can’t pay, I’m taking the property back!”

Liu Liu’s face turned cold. Her storefront was already more expensive than others. Now, with a threefold increase and requiring a year’s rent in one go, this was clearly meant to trouble her. Based on tonight’s business, the rent wasn’t an issue. But the problem was, she couldn’t swallow her pride if she paid like that.

Angered, Fatty said, ”Isn’t that a bit much? Three hundred thousand a year for such a small facade? Why don’t you go rob someone instead?”

”Shut your mouth, cripple! Who gave you the right to talk?” The landlord immediately flared up, as menacing as a rabid dog staring at Fatty, ”I’m talking to your boss; when is it your turn to butt in? What are you worth? This property is mine; I’ll charge however much I want for the rent. What’s the matter, you disagree? If you don’t like it, get your own place here. Three hundred thousand, so what? I’m telling you, it’s not three hundred thousand anymore, it’s five hundred thousand now. Either pay up or get out!”

Fatty was stunned; he hadn’t expected the landlord to be such a shrew. His single comment had led to such a steep hike in price.

At that moment, Su Yang stepped in front of Fatty and said softly, ”Cheng Xuan gives you three hundred thousand, and you dare to ask for five hundred thousand from us. Don’t you fear retribution for your greed?”

The landlord was taken aback. She had never leaked the deal with Cheng Xuan of three hundred thousand, and how did Su Yang know?

After a moment of silence, the landlord, hands on her hips, angrily retorted, ”Cut the crap, either pay up or get out!”

”We can pay, but you have to bring the property title. We need to have it notarized first,” Su Yang said with a smile. ”After all, five hundred thousand is not a small amount, right?”

”What... what do we need a notary for?” The landlord’s face showed obvious embarrassment. ”I can write you a receipt, can’t I? No need for a notary!”

”That won’t do. We must have it notarized,” Su Yang replied leisurely. ”Show us the property title, then we’ll pay you. Now go and fetch it, and we’ll give you the money right away.”

”You’re just trying to make me run around on purpose,” the landlord said angrily. ”I’m warning you, if you keep this up, I’m going to increase the price again. Six hundred thousand, six hundred thousand for one year!”

”Bring the property title, and even six million a year won’t be a problem,” Su Yang said casually.

”Su Yang...” Liu Liu muttered, somewhat speechless. Wasn’t Su Yang being a little too bold?

”You... you...” The landlord pointed at Su Yang, struggling to speak, and then angrily declared, ”Just you wait, I’m going right now to get the property title!”

Su Yang smiled without a word, watching the landlord storm out the door.

Liu Liu hurriedly grabbed Su Yang’s arm and asked, ”Su Yang, how could you agree to her terms?”

”Don’t worry; she can’t bring the property title,” Su Yang replied.

”Why not?” Liu Liu asked in astonishment.

Su Yang chuckled, ”Her son took out a high-interest loan and mortgaged the property title. It’s not available now.”

”How did you know?” Liu Liu asked in shock.

When the landlord had entered, Su Yang had been sizing her up, and he had already gleaned some understanding of her situation. Both Cheng Xuan’s affair and this matter with the property title were insights Su Yang had caught from her eyes.

”Let’s go,” said Su Yang. ”Remember, when she comes back, ask for the property title. If she can’t produce the property title, don’t pay her. Without it, she can’t even force you out; just wear her down.”

Liu Liu nodded vigorously, although she wasn’t sure if this approach would work. But at this point, her trust in Su Yang was unwavering. For some reason, she felt that whatever Su Yang had arranged would definitely work out!

Stepping out of the bar, Su Yang saw from a distance that the landlord was still lingering around the bar. She couldn’t produce the property title and was certainly brewing some other malicious plan.

”Fatty, wait for me.”

Su Yang approached the landlord and smiled, ”What’s the matter, have you brought the property title?”

The landlord glared at Su Yang and snapped back, ”What’s it to you? This is between me and your boss; what right do you have to speak up?”

Su Yang said at a leisurely pace, ”You should speak with some kindness, to avoid retribution.”

”What, trying to scare me?” The landlord widened her eyes and shouted, ”I haven’t been afraid of anyone in my life!”

”Is that so?” Su Yang responded with a slight smile. ”Does your husband know that his son, whom he has raised for over twenty years, isn’t his biological child?”

”You...” The landlord’s face immediately flushed red with rage; that was her deepest secret, one she hadn’t disclosed to anyone, not even the child’s biological father. How did Su Yang know?

”Go inside and tell Liu Liu that the rent is halved, thirty thousand a year,” Su Yang said as he walked away with his hands behind his back. ”If this isn’t sorted out by tomorrow, retribution will come upon you!”

Enraged but ultimately unable to utter a word, the landlord sheepishly entered the Six Degrees Bar after a while.