Rekindling the Youthful Era

Chapter 849 Hole-in-One

On the basement level, the bar counter is bathed in warm yellow light emanating from beneath a semi-circular hanging cabinet, creating a rather ambiguous atmosphere.

At this moment, Li Luo, dressed in a suit, transformed into a professional bartender with great elegance.

The gleaming silver cocktail shaker danced in his hands, quickly producing two cocktails.

One glass of light blue, one glass of deep red.

Li Luo handed the glass of red cocktail to Xu Youyu and said with a smile, "Ms. Xu, please."

"What kind of wine is this?" Xu Youyu gently lifted the brightly colored cocktail and asked curiously, raising his eyebrows.

“This drink is called Red Purgatory,” Li Luo chuckled. “It perfectly reflects your situation today.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Youyu's elegant expression instantly crumbled, and she gritted her teeth, her face full of black lines, and threatened, "...Do you still want your job as a bartender?"

"Ahem... Since the guest doesn't like it, then he can try this one." Li Luo handed over the light blue cocktail.

"What's this drink called?" Xu Youyu asked Li Luo with a suspicious look.

“This drink is called ‘Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies.’” Li Luo smiled slightly. “As the saying goes, ‘taking a step back opens up a vast expanse of sea and sky.’ Sometimes, if you take a step back and think about it carefully, things aren’t so bad after all.”

Xu Youyu's brow twitched slightly: "...Stop talking nonsense, okay? I've never heard of a cocktail with that name before."

“A professional bartender can naturally create their own unique recipes,” Li Luo said with a smile. “This is my secret recipe.”

"Hmph~" Xu Youyu didn't believe his nonsense. She picked up the Red Purgatory and took a bite. She immediately recognized the taste. "It's just Bloody Mary."

After saying that, she picked up another glass of "Sea and Sky" and took a small sip: "This is Blue Hawaii."

"It's just a name," Li Luo said nonchalantly, then picked up a cocktail shaker and casually mixed two new cocktails.

He prepared very small portions, enough for one person to drink in about two large gulps.

The advantages are obvious, since there are only two of them, they can sample more different cocktails.

It's also less likely to cause drunkenness from drinking too much.

"Miss Xu," Li Luo said to Xu Youyu after she had prepared ten cocktails, "You said you wanted to play pool earlier, is that right?"

“Yes.” Xu Youyu looked at Li Luo and said with a smile, “They’re not very good at fighting, do you have any good ideas?”

“Of course.” Li Luo nodded with a smile. “I’m the only one here tonight, and there are no other guests, so…”

"Can you teach me?"

"Yes."

Li Luo nodded, wiped her hands with a clean towel, and then came out from behind the bar.

"Miss Xu, please." Li Luo came to Xu Youyu, gently took Xu Youyu's right hand that she offered, and helped her down from the bar stool.

Xu Youyu followed Li Luo to the pool table. Watching Li Luo set up the pool balls, he blinked and suggested, "Playing pool is boring. We need to add some stakes."

"What does Miss Xu mean?"

"For every goal we score, the opposing team has to drink a shot of alcohol, how about that?"

"Then I'm afraid Miss Xu won't be able to go home tonight."

"You definitely have to let me have my way," Xu Youyu said coquettishly. "If I get one shot, you drink; if you get two, I can drink, okay?"

"You're the guest, so naturally I'll listen to you," Li Luo said with a smile. "Then I'll tee off?"

"bring it on."

In addition to the white ball, there are 15 colored balls on the pool table, with the number 8 black ball being played last.

The remaining 14 colored balls were divided into balls numbered 1 to 7 and balls numbered 9 to 15, and were given to two players to play.

So, under normal circumstances, the winner of a game must score at least eight points.

Li Luo made a clean and decisive opening shot, and the fifteen colored balls scattered instantly.

Unfortunately, they were unlucky and didn't score a single goal.

Now it was Xu Youyu's turn. She came to the table and looked at Li Luo: "You said you would teach me, come on."

How do you want me to teach you?

"Shouldn't I be asking you?" Xu Youyu winked at him charmingly. "Everyone listens to you."

“Really?” Li Luo smiled and came to Xu Youyu’s side. “Then listen to me, first hold the club, then bend down, right?”

Xu Youyu stood obediently by the pool table, bending his upper body down.

Li Luo also reached out and hugged her, supporting her hand with one hand while tightly holding Xu Youyu's hand holding the pole with the other.

"Look, like this," Li Luo said, helping Xu Youyu aim at the back of the white ball.

But the next second, he couldn't help but secretly glance down at it.

Logically speaking, the light blue dress that Li Luo chose for Xu Youyu was actually quite conservative in the upper body.

When dressed normally, apart from the slightly exposed shoulders, there's basically nothing else to see.

But in this position, it's really hard to miss seeing it.

Xu Youyu clearly felt Li Luo's gaze, but pretended not to notice and asked innocently, "Is that so? And then?"

"Hmm... and then pay attention to your grip on the stick, make a 90-degree angle, and control the force." Li Luo looked away, took Xu Youyu's hand, and gently pushed it forward. "See, just like that."

The cue stick struck the back of the cue ball precisely, propelling it forward and sinking a number three ball directly into the hole.

"Wow~" Xu Youyu clapped her hands happily as she watched the number three ball go into the pocket. "You're really good! But I scored, so you have to drink!"

"Mmm." Li Luo, true to his word, picked up a glass of wine from the bar and was about to drink it.

But Xu Youyu stopped him at the right moment, walked up to him, and took the wine glass from his hand with a smile.

"What's wrong? Didn't you want me to drink? Are you reluctant to part with it?" Li Luo asked with a chuckle.

"How could that be?" Xu Youyu chuckled. "But you did help me score that goal, so we should change the way we drink. Let me feed you."

“That’s not true…” Li Luo said, but then watched as Xu Youyu lowered his head and took a sip of wine.

The next second, she threw herself into Li Luo's arms and kissed him on the lips.

Hmm... this sip of wine is quite intoxicating.

When Xu Youyu gracefully left Li Luo's embrace, backed up against the pool table, and beckoned to him with a slightly flushed face, Li Luo couldn't resist and stepped forward to pin her down on the table.

But Xu Youyu gently pushed him away and glared at him: "What do you want to do? You're the bartender, and I'm the customer. Don't mess around, and the pool game isn't over yet."

"Then you just..."

"Didn't I say?" Xu Youyu smiled charmingly, "It was your thanks for helping me score the goal earlier, so don't overthink it."

Upon hearing this, Li Luo took a deep breath, thinking to himself, "No wonder she has Sister Yu..."

Even though the two of them had tried countless different things over the past six months, she could still come up with some new ones that were irresistible.

“You scored just now, so it’s your turn to shoot again,” Li Luo said, then added, “Do you need my help?”

"Of course." Xu Youyu smiled and pulled him behind her again, obediently bending down. "I haven't learned it yet, can you teach me more?"

"it is good."

……

This game of billiards only had fifteen colored balls, and the two players played for more than an hour before it was almost over.

During this time, the two engaged in a heated exchange, their words clashing fiercely.

One shot after another, the colored ball occasionally went into the hole, and the drinks mingled between their lips and teeth, eventually ending up in someone else's stomach.

When Li Luo finally potted the last black ball, the game was finally over.

Li Luo put the colored balls back on the table, and then watched as Xu Youyu walked to the bar, picked up the remaining cocktail, and drank it all in one gulp.

"As expected of Miss Xu, her alcohol tolerance is truly remarkable." Li Luo clapped his hands with a smile.

Slightly tipsy, with flushed cheeks and a slightly unsteady gait, Xu Youyu walked to Li Luo's side, biting her lip as she said, "I've had too much to drink, I feel a bit hot. Aren't you hot?"

"It seems so." Li Luo had barely finished speaking when Xu Youyu stripped off his suit jacket and tossed it aside.

"Hey." Xu Youyu didn't continue. Instead, she turned to look at the pool table, placed the cue ball on the serve position, leaned over, turned back, and winked at Li Luo. "Can you teach me how to serve again?"

Li Luo was captivated by the beautiful scenery, and before he knew it, he had arrived behind Xu Youyu.

He took a deep breath, used his left hand to help Xu Youyu steady the cue stick, and his right hand to firmly grasp Xu Youyu's hand holding the cue stick, then precisely aimed at the cue ball.

"The break shot is different from the previous shot; it requires speed, accuracy, and power," Li Luo whispered in Xu Youyu's ear. "While ensuring accuracy, try to push the cue ball out as hard as possible to make the colored balls explode."

"It's just like……"

"so!"

Snapped!
The pile of balls was instantly blown apart.

The scattered colorful balls collided and impacted repeatedly before finally coming to a stop.

Only the pool table was still shaking slightly.

……

Several days passed after Thursday, and now it's Sunday, the last day of 2017.

Since Thursday night, when Jiang Feiya completely popped Xu Youyu's facade in the dormitory, Xu Youyu has never returned to the dormitory.

In particular, Xie Xiuying was even taking notes while reading her book and then posting them in the WeChat group, tagging Xu Youyu to see them. This made Xu Youyu even less willing to go back to the dormitory.

That place had become her complete hell; every step closer felt like the death that was imminent.

The good news is that the semester is nearing its end, and there are only three weeks left until winter break.

Not to mention how I will face my dear roommates in the future.

In short, Xu Youyu decided to avoid the situation for the first winter break...

As for what happens in the future, we'll talk about that later.

On Sunday, Qianjiang University's New Year's Eve party was scheduled for tonight at 6:30 pm.

Due to venue limitations, each class only has a limited number of spots available for students to attend the event.

Of course, the gala was also broadcast live, allowing students to participate online.

Generally speaking, freshmen have the most spots available.

People like Xu Youyu had already watched the New Year's Eve gala last year. If it weren't for Li Luo and his group's performance this year, Xu Youyu wouldn't have planned to watch it at all.

There are only five spots available in their class, and they need to ask if any classmates want to go.

If there's no one left in the end, the class monitor will have to lead a few class committee members to the site to make up the numbers.

After confirming that none of his three dear roommates had signed up, Xu Youyu mentioned it to the class monitor and asked him to reserve a spot for her.

But when they actually gathered outside the gymnasium, Xu Youyu saw that in addition to the class monitor, his three dear roommates were also standing there.

The moment Jiang Feiya saw her, she smiled and waved to her.

Zhao Letian didn't give her a chance to escape. He immediately stepped forward, grabbed Xu Youyu's neck, and pulled her over to the group with a grin.

"You...you guys..." Xu Youyu's face was pale, and she looked like she had lost her soul. Her hands trembled as she questioned the class monitor beside her, "Didn't you say they didn't sign up?!"

"They really didn't sign up," the class monitor said, shrugging helplessly. "Our vice class monitor and two other class committee members were just here a moment ago."

"As a result, Jiang Feiya and a few others came over and said they wanted to go see it at the last minute. The vice class monitors were just hoping someone could fill in, so they agreed immediately."

"I was just about to send you a message, and you've already arrived."

Xu Youyu: "..."

"Alright, alright." Zhao Letian shook Xu Youyu's body. "What's the big deal? You've been avoiding us for days, it's just..."

"Shut up!" Xu Youyu quickly covered Zhao Letian's mouth and said irritably, "Can't you see there are other people here?"

"Oh, oh." Zhao Letian nodded quickly, swallowing back what he was about to say.

The class monitor looked at them suspiciously, but seeing that they all seemed unwilling to say anything, he decided not to make a fool of himself.

"Let's go," the squad leader said. "We can enter now. Stay close and don't get separated."

After saying that, the squad leader took the lead and walked ahead.

Xu Youyu was forced to follow the three of them into the stadium with Zhao Letian holding her neck, her face showing a look of utter despair.

But in the end, she couldn't help but ask, "So how did you know I was coming? Did the class monitor tell you?"

“No,” Zhao Letian shook his head. “Xiaoya said you would definitely come, so we came to wait for you.”

"Huh?" Xu Youyu squinted at Jiang Feiya. "Why is it you again, Xiaoya? You're like a ghost that won't leave you alone."

"Hehe." Jiang Feiya smiled smugly, "I know Li Luo and his band will be performing at the New Year's Eve party. It's written on the poster. How could you not come to see them live?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Youyu fell silent: "...You're despicable."

"Alright, you're not allowed to run away, okay?" Jiang Feiya found Xu Youyu's desperate expression extremely cute and couldn't help teasing her a bit more. "You don't want other people to know you write novels, do you?"

"Keep your voice down!" Xu Youyu quickly reminded him.

"Xiuying has been reading your novel so intently these past few days that she's neglecting to eat or sleep," Jiang Feiya laughed. "She used to study in the dorm at night, but these past few days she's been reading your novel non-stop."

"Mmm." Xie Xiuying nodded seriously, "It looks very good."

Xu Youyu: "...Thank you so much."

(End of this chapter)