HLM – Chapter 221 A Cocktail Gets a Name

After the party began, only Zhuang Ding, the Queen, and the Commander stayed by Wang Bo’s side. It made him sigh emotionally—making friends is worse than raising a dog!

Just as he was caught in that thought, a glass of liquor appeared in front of him. Wang Bo turned his head and saw a familiar smiling face.

“Hey, Lucas? You’re here?”

The bartender was the same guy who’d helped him back at the town’s sports meet. He only remembered his first name—Lucas—the last name had slipped his mind.

But Lucas was already surprised. As he wiped his hands with a towel, he said, “You still remember my name? Wow, that’s unbelievable. Yeah, I’m Lucas—Lucas Noel.”

Wang Bo shook his hand with a smile. “How could I forget your name? Honestly, man, I owe you one. You helped me a lot during that sports meet. I have to treat you to a meal.”

Lucas laughed. “I’d love that, man. I’m free anytime. Try this drink I mixed for you—I think it turned out pretty well.”

The cocktail was served in a typical cocktail glass. It had a bright green color, slightly murky, with wispy things swirling at the center like willow strands. A slice of cucumber was perched on the rim.

Wang Bo took a sip. First came the sharp sting of alcohol, followed by a refreshing fragrance that bloomed in his mouth. The two flavors blended together beautifully.

“Wow, what’s this drink called? It’s really good!” Wang Bo praised without holding back, downing several more sips.

“As long as you like it.” Lucas smiled. “I won’t tell you this is something I just came up with. It doesn’t even have a name yet.”

“You’re a genius, Lucas, seriously. This drink is amazing. Don’t tell me I’m the first one to taste it?”

“Besides me, you are the first. Hey, Wang—how about you help me name it?” Lucas looked at him hopefully.

Wang Bo shrugged. “Happy to, but it might not be what you expect. First, tell me roughly how you made it—I’ll think of something.”

For bartenders, cocktail recipes are like trade secrets, so they don’t disclose them fully. But general methods were okay.

Lucas explained the rum he used, a few spices, and then said, “The key ingredient is cucumber. Mash it up and strain it a few times with a cloth. Then the juice is used to make the cocktail…”

“Mashed cucumber?” That phrase suddenly sparked an amusing idea in Wang Bo’s mind.

“Yeah.”

“I’ve got it,” Wang Bo said, his face curling into a wicked grin. “Let’s call it Siqin Gaoli’s Sadness.”

Lucas looked confused, waiting for an explanation. Wang Bo leaned in and whispered, “It’s the name of a Chinese pop song. Siqin Gaoli is a woman, so this drink could be seen as ‘a woman’s sadness.’ And why is she sad? Because the cucumbers were all mashed.”

After a brief moment of puzzlement, Lucas burst into laughter, clapping Wang Bo on the shoulder. “Hahaha! You’re the real genius! But why not just call it ‘A Woman’s Sadness’?”

Wang Bo shrugged. “That’s too plain. What sounds more refined—‘Siqin Gaoli’ or just the word ‘woman’?”

Lucas nodded like a pecking chick. “You’re right, totally right. Siqin Gaoli’s Sadness it is…”

“Hey, what are you guys laughing about?” Eva’s voice suddenly rang out. She walked over and looked at Wang Bo. “And you—why aren’t you dancing?”

The cocktail’s name was something she definitely couldn’t know about. Wang Bo immediately straightened his posture.

He glanced around and spotted Dale and a few kids playing nearby. So he said seriously, “I’m watching the kids, you know. It’s a bit chaotic, and it’s nighttime, so someone has to keep an eye on them.”

“Yeah, yeah, Wang’s been watching the kids all along,” Lucas backed him up quickly.

But they had forgotten about the Commander, the ultimate teammate-sellout. The bird suddenly jumped up and squawked, “Ah! Ah! Woman sad! Ah, woman sad!”

Wang Bo nearly lost bladder control from shock and glared at it. “Don’t talk nonsense! Go play with Zhuang Ding—go!”

Eva looked utterly confused. “What? What woman is sad?”

Unlike the obedient Zhuang Ding, the Commander was rebellious like a child. It flapped up and shouted again, “Ah ah! Drink! Cucumber! Ah, woman sad!”

Eva remained baffled, while Wang Bo quickly grabbed the Commander and clamped its beak shut, force-feeding it a gulp of liquor.

Lucas quickly handed Eva a cocktail and changed the subject. “Hey, Eva, what brings you here?”

Eva took a sip with her luscious lips and said, “You looked kind of lonely, so I came to keep you company and ask you to come play some games.”

Wang Bo’s eyes sparkled. “Thank you, Eva. You’re really thoughtful and sweet…”

Eva rubbed her arm and smiled mischievously. “Wow, goosebumps. That was way too mushy. Come on, let’s go play.”

Wang Bo still declined. “I’m good staying here. See, I’ve got Zhuang Ding and the Queen with me. I’m worried someone might mess with them if I leave.”

Just then, Bowen came running over, beer bottle in one hand, glass in the other, shouting, “Wang, where’s that loser you beat? He’s the clown—you’re the king! Let’s go make him embarrass himself!”

Right! Wang Bo was reminded by Bowen and started looking around for Thornton.

But after searching for a bit and not finding him, Potter and Shani came over and said, “Don’t bother, Wang. That guy slinked off just now.”

Charlie looked disgusted. “What a gutless piece of crap.”

With so many people gathering around, Wang Bo sighed. His alone time with Eva was gone.

Eva crouched down and started playing with the Queen. The dog clearly remembered this woman who once fed her at the charity shelter and happily played with her.

Zhuang Ding, with his big tiger head and burly body, only acknowledged Wang Bo. He ignored everyone else’s attempts to play and just cast disdainful side-eyes at them.

The theme of this party was for the school’s teachers and students’ parents to express thanks for everyone’s help, so now and then someone would get on stage and sing songs about love and friendship.

Wang Bo sat at a table, sipping beer in small sips. Eva played with the Queen beside him. The two didn’t exchange words, but a quiet harmony lingered between them.

When the barbecue was served, the crowd finally left Wang Bo alone as everyone rushed over to grab meat. The beef and lamb used for this party had all been delivered from Wang Bo’s convenience store, and they were delicious.

As the party drew to a close, people grew sentimental. Many hugged each other. Eva walked over to Wang Bo gracefully, spread her arms, and smiled.

“Thank you, Wang. Thank you for providing a place for our school.”

Wang Bo embraced her and said, “My mom always told me—kindness is the best quality a person can have. I hope your impression of me… is of someone kind.”

“You’re kind. And wonderful.”