Chapter 19: Bitterness is Addictive

“Here’s to a fun night of drinking and good times!”

Amid thunderous applause, Feng Xiyao and her bandmates stepped off the stage and rejoined Meng Zhi.

“Phew… so tiring.”

Meng Zhi glanced at her briefly, then looked away. “Pretty good.”

Feng Xiyao’s eyes locked onto him, a sly grin forming. “Just ‘pretty good’? Can’t you praise me a bit more?”

“Your guitar lagged a bit in the second section. Hands couldn’t keep up with your brain, huh?”

“I asked for compliments, not critiques!”

She glared at him, pouting, but her annoyance quickly faded.

It wasn’t like their last life, where he’d shower her with endless encouragement. Still, seeing him hold back praise with that tsundere vibe made her oddly happy.

“Wow, our bro’s got such a good ear, catching that tiny slip,” one of her bandmates teased.

“Hey, brother, join our band! I’ll teach you guitar~” another chimed in.

Feng Xiyao shoved the flirty girls aside, plopping next to Meng Zhi and taking a swig of beer. “Ahh, so refreshing.”

“You really love performing, don’t you?” Meng Zhi asked, idly twirling his glass.

“Yeah. Love it.”

Her eyes softened, a faint smile playing on her lips. “When the music starts, it’s like my whole body calms down.”

“No need to think, no need to remember—just pure instinct driving the performance. I love that feeling.”

“Plus, you get applause, praise. Makes me feel like I’m not totally useless… and if I’m lucky, tips for pocket money.”

“Look, speaking of luck!” She pointed at her phone, excited. “Someone tipped me a thousand yuan!”

“Big spender vibes today, huh? Caught the eye of some rich fan?”

But Meng Zhi froze, staring at the tipper’s ID on her phone.

…Hanlin Xiangwan.

Lin Yuhan’s ID.

For years, her QQ, WeChat, even her pen name for novels—it was always this.

He instinctively turned, scanning for her familiar figure. The dim neon lights and noisy crowd veiled his vision, and he couldn’t find her.

Why would she tip Feng Xiyao? She shouldn’t even know her.

Was it because of him? Or just a coincidence? Maybe she was here drinking and just liked the performance?

Before he could sort his thoughts, Feng Xiyao nudged his arm. “Bar rules—big tippers get a toast. We’ll be right back.”

As she stood, Meng Zhi grabbed her arm. “Can you skip the toast?”

She blinked, a flash of delight crossing her face before she grinned. “What, jealous?”

“No, I just—” He paused, rephrasing. “I’m worried you’ll get drunk. I can’t explain that to your mom.”

“Hehe, so protective! Come with me, then.”

Before he could protest, she looped her arm through his, leaning her head against him playfully. “Be my knight, keep me safe from getting plastered.”

Go with her… that’s walking right into the fire.

Meng Zhi was already avoiding Lin Yuhan, and now he was being dragged to face her.

But her tipping Feng Xiyao sparked an instinctive unease.

He always planned for the worst. If Lin Yuhan was reborn and the tip wasn’t random, she might have a motive, maybe wanting to meet Feng Xiyao privately.

After weighing it, Meng Zhi decided to go. At least he could see what Lin Yuhan was up to and plan accordingly.

“Fine. But if I step in to block drinks for you, don’t argue.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be a good girl and listen to Brother Meng Zhi,” she teased, winking.

*

“Yuhan, you tipped them? Didn’t know you liked their show that much,” her friend said.

“…Huh?” Lin Yuhan snapped back, forcing a smile. “Y-Yeah. They were good.”

“I called them up to toast. If you like them, I’ll make them regular performers.”

Lin Yuhan felt lost at her friend’s enthusiasm.

She didn’t even know why she’d tipped them.

Sometimes, her body acted before her mind caught up.

She’d been dazed, fixating on Meng Zhi and the cap-wearing girl’s closeness, yet her fingers had already sent the tip, like her body decided for her.

The moment she did, regret hit.

She wasn’t ready to face Meng Zhi or know what to say if they met.

Hearing they were coming to toast, panic surged.

What do I do, what do I do…

It was just a spur-of-the-moment thing.

What do I say? Pretend I know nothing, or subtly ask about Meng Zhi?

And… will Meng Zhi come with them?

If he does, what do I say?

Smile and say hi? Or act cold, like I don’t know him?

She didn’t have time to overthink. Soon, she spotted them climbing the stairs.

Her hands gripped her clothes tightly when she saw Meng Zhi among the girls.

“Thanks, boss! Thanks for supporting our band!”

Feng Xiyao raised her glass cheerfully, toasting with ease. “Here’s to a fun night!”

“Cheers!”

“Cheers.”

As they clinked glasses, Lin Yuhan’s gaze drifted uncontrollably to Meng Zhi.

He subtly glanced at her drink. Negroni.

In their last life, she loved cocktails, often buying base liquors to mix at home.

When she couldn’t write or sleep, she’d make a drink to unwind.

Negroni was her favorite.

After drinking, she’d kiss him, tipsy, and he’d taste the bitter, herbal notes on her lips.

She’d told him bitterness in cocktails was addictive. The more bitter, the more you craved another sip.

That bitterness defined her place in his heart.

Bitter, yet fragrant.

No sweetness at all.

But just recalling it made him lick his lips, savoring the memory.