Multiple Personalities

With that drink down, Shen Jingqi didn't touch the glass again.

The sensation of his stomach churning was truly unpleasant!

The most pressing matter was to stop drinking, maintain sobriety, and keep a close eye on Lucky Sister.

Lucky Sister drank on her own, as if the strong liquor was just like plain water to her.

Shen Jingqi attributed this to different sensory thresholds for each person.

He didn't know how much Li Baiyu could drink, but her alter ego, Lucky Sister, had an astonishing capacity for alcohol!

Thinking he could get her drunk was a complete misjudgment.

"Don't let her drink too much; after all, it's the young lady's body."

Shen Jingqi recalled Uncle Li's words.

"Haotian, do you have anything to eat here? Bring some over."

"Yes, how can we let the pretty girl drink on an empty stomach? It's my oversight."

Yang Haotian slapped his thigh.

Soon, he brought over several bowls and dishes.

They were filled with fruits and snacks.

The plate of dried fruits had sunflower seeds, peanuts, pistachios, walnuts, and pine nuts.

The fruit platter included watermelon, apples, bananas, and oranges.

There was also a dish with small packaged snacks, containing chocolates, chips, pineapple cakes, beef jerky, dried tofu, and crisps.

Lucky Sister was grabbing a piece of chocolate in one hand and a pineapple cake in the other when a server brought over several exquisite dishes.

"Spicy crayfish, sour and spicy boneless chicken feet, peppery beef, marinated edamame, seaweed, crispy broad beans, and secret recipe mushrooms, please enjoy."

Lucky Sister immediately put on gloves and began eating them one by one.

Shen Jingqi and Yang Haotian were both amazed watching her eat.

The two of them chatted casually while Lucky Sister focused solely on eating, not joining the conversation.

"The promotion has already gone live; that's efficient, right?"

Yang Haotian showed Shen Jingqi the booking section on his phone.

[Sunny Day Psychology].

This was the name of Yang Haotian's psychology studio.

In the appointment booking page, Shen Jingqi's photo and profile were prominently displayed.

"It looks decent. Here's to many clients."

"Thanks for your good wishes."

Yang Haotian lit a cigarette, squinted, and flipped through the pages.

"By the way, a few clients contacted customer service for consultations today."

"So soon? That's a good sign!"

"Customer service is handling it, and everyone needs to get used to it at first. It's good that there are visitors."

Yang Haotian took a deep drag, and with the swirling smoke and surrounding music, it seemed like a dreamland here.

"What you did today was quite effective. Xia Kang, who usually has his airs as the vice dean of the academy, now respects our psychology center more after you successfully treated a mentally disturbed student. He used to think we were just putting out fires without solving the root causes."

"In any case, your reputation has probably spread now. Let me tell you, in this line of work, you have to proactively build your reputation. You're young and talented with specialties, so be sure to gain a few years of experience. That Dean Zhang at your hospital will probably retire in a few years, right? Build a good relationship with him, and future promotions will be just a sentence away; otherwise, the chances are slim."

Yang Haotian took a small sip of wine and smacked his lips.

"As a brother, I'm telling you this from personal experience. No matter where you are, promotions are just a few opportunities. You have to grasp fate and luck yourself."

Shen Jingqi picked up a boneless chicken foot and slowly chewed on it.

As more people entered, the bar became livelier.

"Where's Lang Yue?"

"Mr. Lang will arrive at 11:30."

"When Lang Yue arrives, make me a drink first; I've got a reservation."

"There's one more booking ahead of you for Lang Yue. Once he's done with that, he'll make yours."

"Alright."

Shen Jingqi saw a middle-aged woman dressed lavishly being ushered into a private room by a server's sweet words.

The woman had a tag on her head:

[Private Enterprise Owner, enjoys bar-hopping, massages, etc.].

"I want Lang Yue to accompany me."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Lang is a bartender, not a companion."

"Then have Lang Yue make me a drink and accompany me while I drink."

Another woman's high-pitched voice followed, sounding older than the last one.

Peeking past a structural divider, Shen Jingqi saw another tag:

[Department Head, has multiple male partners].

This Lang Yue is quite popular with women!

From observing the tags, Shen Jingqi realized that the patrons here were more complex than he had thought.

Those in the private rooms had a certain status.

At ordinary bars, they would likely be more cautious or reserved.

But given their uninhibited calls, it was clear they were regulars and had some acquaintance with Lang Yue.

Yang Haotian maintained a calm expression about everything happening there.

When he heard the shouting, he only occasionally looked up with a composed demeanor.

"By the way, today is the Winter Solstice, did you have dumplings?"

Yang Haotian gestured to a server.

"I did."

"Our place serves dumplings too. I haven't had any myself yet; I need to have a few."

A white porcelain plate was brought up.

There was also vinegar, soy sauce, and other condiments.

"Ah, finally, something warm to eat."

Yang Haotian devoured a dumpling and elegantly wiped his mouth with the napkin around his neck.

"Hey pretty girl, want some?"

Yang Haotian asked Lucky Sister, who was battling spicy crayfish.

"What flavor?"

"Vegetarian with three fillings."

"No."

"We also have sauerkraut-stuffed ones."

"No."

Yang Haotian alternated between bites of dumpling and sips of wine.

"Winter Solstice, the day with the shortest day and the longest night. My bar will usher in the longest night. Just watch, it's the weekend too. Anyone who comes here, it's fate!"

After Winter Solstice, daylight gradually gets longer.

Shen Jingqi mused.

The cyclical change of the twenty-four solar terms every year feels like such a wondrous thing.

How is it so regular?

"Brother Yang."

A clear voice rang out.

"Lang Yue's here. Come, make your signature [Moon Shadow Time Reversal]."

Shen Jingqi saw someone standing at the bar.

It was a young man with a face like a bright moon, wearing a blue suit vest.

An information tag glowed above his head:

[Bartender, orphan].

Lang Yue was focused as he shook the glass, and the colors inside quickly became vibrant.

Like magic, a thick mist formed in the glass, with all the colors floating and sinking inside.

Lang Yue patiently observed, and when all the colors fused, he picked up the tray.

[Moon Shadow Time Reversal].

The glass contained only a pale color, resembling moonlight.

"Here you go."

Lang Yue leaned over.

Lucky Sister picked up the glass, different from any she had drank before.

She tilted it into her mouth.

A myriad of colors unfolded.

Lucky Sister put down the glass, her gaze cloaked in moonlight.

"Treasure, come play on the slide with me!"