Chapter 3 Warm Strawberry Afaqito 2
I stood outside Dong Yehan's house, a little shocked. I didn't expect that his home was a European castle-style villa.
After entering the black carved gate, I walked along the cobblestone path. The flower stands on one side of the path were dotted with colorful roses, and the delicate flowers exuded a faint fragrance, which was very pleasant! Cute white pigeons rested beside the European-style fountain . Under the bright sunshine, the splashing water formed a small rainbow, just like a fairy tale world.
The most exaggerated thing is the luxurious villa in front of me, which combines modern style with European style, with round hollow carved arched windows, unique spire-shaped bevels, tall and majestic arches, gorgeous and unconventional. This place is almost like the castle where the prince lives in the cartoons! I can't help but wonder curiously, maybe as soon as I open the door, there will be a row of cute maids standing in two rows to welcome me.
Just as I was imagining, Dong Yehan opened the door. He had a smile on his handsome face, and his amber eyes were deep and bright. He was wearing a set of casual clothes that looked comfortable, revealing his beautiful collarbone, and he was as lazy as a noble cat.
He walked up to me, the smile on his handsome face disappeared, his brows slightly furrowed, and his voice was filled with a hint of tenderness and heartache: "Who bullied you?"
"I wasn't bullied." I looked up at him puzzledly.
A warm hand gently covered my eyelids and stroked them softly: "You said no, but your eyes are red."
When he said that, I remembered that I cried for a while last night.
The warmth on my eyes was very comfortable, but it was Dong Yehan's hand. I lowered my head shyly, not knowing how to explain it. My heart was pounding and I was very nervous.
"Xiaoxian, don't be afraid. You are now a member of our investigation team. I will protect you." Dong Yehan probably thought that I didn't dare to say it because I was afraid.
Is he worried about me? I was inexplicably touched.
"Really not. I slept too late last night, so my eyes are a little red. No one bullies me. If anyone dares to bully me, I will definitely beat them back."
I pumped my fist to show that I meant more than just talk.
Dong Yehan was amused by what I said. He poked my forehead helplessly and said, "That's right. You are so fierce, no one will dare to bully you. But if you have any problems that you can't solve, you must tell me and I will help you."
Will he help me? If I tell him the truth, will he forgive me and help me? But I don't dare to take the risk.
"What are you thinking about?" Dong Yehan suddenly came up to me, with a wicked smile on his slightly upturned lips, "Are you moved by my sincerity?"
"Hmph, stop being so narcissistic!" I pushed him a little further away from me.
"Because I have the capital to be narcissistic." Dong Yehan was very proud.
Although this was true, I would never admit it when he said it, so I turned my head away and didn't look at him.
"Come in, how long do you want to stand at the door?" Dong Yehan turned sideways and made a gesture to invite me in.
When I walked in, I realized that the villa was decorated very gorgeously.
The spacious and luxurious living room is filled with unique artworks, which appear mysterious and unique under the bright crystal lights, giving people an inexplicable sense of awe. Lush and precious potted plants are placed in every corner, and the warm sunlight shines through the carved arched windows onto the broad leaves, making them sparkle.
However, the most eye-catching thing is the white carpet on the blue marble floor and the beige European-style sofa on it. It takes up almost half of the living room. From a distance, it looks like white clouds in the sky, which is very cute.
I couldn't help but exclaim: "Your house is so big and beautiful!"
"I don't think it's beautiful. It's quite big, but it's often just me and Uncle He living here - oh, he's my family's housekeeper." A hint of loss flashed in Dong Yehan's eyes, and he smiled faintly at me.
I can understand the look in his eyes. Ever since my father and mother passed away, I have often felt lonely and isolated.
"You still have many friends with you."
I'm used to Dong Yehan's domineering side, but I didn't expect that he would have a vulnerable side, so I tried to comfort him.
"I'm used to it. Since I was a child, my father and mother have been busy with work and not at home. They only come back once a year. When I was bored, I had to read some detective novels. So I am very curious about all mysterious events, and I even determined to solve all the unsolved mysteries in the world." Dong Yehan said this and put away his depressed mood.
"Is this why you want to create the Mystery Investigation Team?" I asked curiously.
"Guess?" Dong Yehan gave me a sly smile.
I'm speechless.
"You're so stupid, how could you possibly guess? Mix a drink for me, and if it tastes good, I'll tell you."
Dong Yehan said proudly, then he took my hand and led me to the living room.
"Hey, where are you taking me?"
"The kitchen."
Dong Yehan took me to his kitchen, and I was surprised to find that it was three times the size of the special drinking room of "Xianyuewu".
The spacious and clean kitchen is equipped with all the tools for mixing drinks, including shakers, juicers, ice buckets, and even measuring cups that are rarely used. On the mixing table, there are also cute little paper umbrellas and flowers for decoration. It's really complete!
The tools are adequately prepared, but what about the ingredients?
"I didn't know what to prepare, so I just prepared everything." Dong Yehan opened the refrigerator door lazily and smiled embarrassedly.
I took a closer look. Wow! The double refrigerator was filled with food, including imported chocolate syrup, fresh fruits and vegetables, and many different types of milk, candy, cheese, and coffee powder. It was so well prepared! There were more things than in my store!
I smiled at him and said, "That's good."
As a specialty drinker, I was very happy to see such a complete range of ingredients and tools, and I couldn't help but study them.
I couldn’t bear to buy some of the tools because they were expensive, but I’m so happy that I can use them here.
"Xiaoxian, why are you so cute? There is a light in your eyes that I have never seen before."
I seemed to see a hint of pampering in Dong Yehan's eyes, and my cheeks flushed. I was a little afraid to look at him, so I could only mutter: "You have such a sweet mouth, you must have deceived many girls."
"What did you say?" Dong Yehan suddenly came closer.
Ugh, I was so nervous I nearly knocked something over.
"Nothing!"
"real?"
He actually narrowed his eyes and came closer. I was almost forced into a corner.
Why does he love teasing me so much? I pushed him away helplessly, a little annoyed: "Get out of the way, if only you were half as gentle as Senior Nan!"
"He is gentler than me?" A dangerous look flashed in Dong Yehan's eyes.
I'm just stating the facts.
"You heard me wrong. I, I said that you are better than Senior Nan."
Oops, I said something against my will and my tongue is tied.
"snort."
"Are you not angry anymore?" I asked cautiously. His cold face was really a bit scary.
"I'm not angry, I'm just worried about Lun. He has experienced some bad things before and he is fragile inside. If you deceive his feelings, I certainly won't allow it." Dong Yehan pursed his lips and said softly.
Cheating? What's in his head!
"Dong Yehan, I only think of Senior Nan as my brother. What's wrong with you?"
I'm so angry!
"Just being a brother? There's something wrong with the way you look at him usually." Dong Yehan said unhappily.
"That's admiration, okay? I really just think of Senior Nan as my brother!"
"It was my fault. I'm sorry." After getting my assurance, he raised the corners of his lips again.
I was slightly stunned. I didn't expect Dong Yehan to apologize to me so frankly. But I grasped the key point. The bad thing that Nan Youlun experienced was the imprisonment of Professor Nan and his wife.
"Are you talking about the incident involving Senior Nan Youlun's parents?" I asked cautiously, carefully observing the expression on Dong Yehan's face.
Dong Yehan looked at me in surprise: "You also know about this?" Then he sighed and said to himself, "But it's not a secret. It's been reported by the media. Lun's parents were sued and imprisoned five years ago for stealing the research results of the college. He was very depressed and didn't want to talk to anyone. Fortunately, Xiao Ji and Ming were always by his side, which cheered him up. However, until now we all believe that Professor Nan and his wife would not do such a thing."
"Ah, Senior Nan must be very sad."
I recalled the scene when my parents passed away, and I could empathize with how he felt at that time.
"Idiot, Lun has come out of the shadows now. He would be sad if he saw you looking so pitiful towards him."
Dong Yehan tapped my forehead again, and I had no choice but to stare at him.
"I certainly won't mention it in front of him."
How could I do such a stupid thing!
I walked around Dong Yehan and came to the cooking table to distract his attention.
"Did you prepare everything here last night?" I changed the subject.
"Well, when I thought about drinking the drink you mixed yourself, I immediately asked someone to prepare it last night." Dong Yehan's handsome face showed a hint of tenderness, and flames of expectation were jumping in his amber eyes.
I didn't expect that he actually trusted me so much. Didn't he ever think that I might not be able to cook well?
Looking at his expectant eyes, I couldn't help feeling a little pressured.
“Aren’t you afraid that the drinks I make will disappoint you?” I asked softly.
Dong Yehan leaned over and smiled at me, gently pinching my cheek: "I am confident in my vision."
Humph, what a narcissist, never forgetting to praise yourself.
But it feels so good to be trusted by others. I couldn't help but raise the corners of my lips and started to select the necessary ingredients and tools.
The purpose of designing special drinks is to make people feel warm in their hearts or feel their deepest emotions. Only in this way can it be called a first-class drink, and this has always been my goal.
However, I didn't want to ask Dong Yehan like I did in "Xian Yue Wu" where customers were asked to tell me their ideal partner, so I came up with a good idea.
Hehehe, then let’s make this drink.
I opened the refrigerator and took out coffee powder, strawberries, yogurt, milk ice cream, cinnamon powder and syrup. After putting the coffee powder into the coffee machine, I took this time to mix the strawberries with milk ice cream to make strawberry ice cream balls. After the coffee was brewed, it was almost done.
Of course, the next step is the most important one.
I quickly poured the coffee over the strawberry ice cream scoop, then topped it with syrup and a pinch of cinnamon powder, and the perfect strawberry afajito was ready!
"Xiaoxian, you look so focused and gentle when you mix the drink."
Dong Yehan stood beside me, looking at me with a smile. He had been watching me from the beginning.
After he praised me like that, my face couldn't help but get hot again.
I handed the drink to him and smiled brightly. "This is Strawberry Afaqito, a dessert that is a mixture of bitterness and sweetness. Life is like Afaqito. Although you will experience pain, you will definitely enjoy sweetness and gain happiness in the end."
Dong Yehan must have felt lonely and isolated since he lived alone in such a big house since he was a child. Perhaps this drink can help him release his inner emotions.
Dong Yehan looked at the dessert in my hand with some surprise, and repeated thoughtfully: "Will you definitely be happy in the end?"
"Yes, I definitely will!" I smiled and nodded firmly.
"Then I'll be welcome."
Dong Yehan walked to the restaurant with the strawberry alfalfa as if it were a treasure, sat elegantly at the dining table, gently picked up the spoon with his slender white hands, scooped a spoonful and started to taste it.
I looked at him nervously. Even though I was confident in the drink I made, I was still a little worried that he wouldn't like it.
"It's delicious!" Dong Yehan showed a surprised expression and praised it generously.
Phew, I’m finally relieved!
Hehehe, this is the strawberry afajito that I made myself, it must be delicious.
"Xiaoxian, I think you are definitely better than the special drink chef at 'Xianyuewu'." Dong Yehan said with a smile while enjoying the delicious food.
Why did you suddenly mention the special drink chef of "Xian Yue Wu"? You're simply trying to scare me to death!
"How could that be? He's a professional." I had to immediately make him give up this terrible idea. It would be troublesome if he found out something.
"That's not necessarily true. I see that every time you talk about drinks, a happy smile appears on your face."
No way! How come I didn’t notice it? My ears felt slightly hot and I turned my head away shyly.
"I'm just happy to find delicious food!"
Dong Yehan smiled helplessly: "Yes, you are really a big foodie."
Humph, doesn’t he like to eat too!
After a while, Dong Yehan finished his drink, licked his lips with satisfaction, and said with a smile: "Xiaoxian, how about you teach me how to make strawberry alfachio? I was thinking that maybe I have a talent for making desserts."
Teach him? Aren't young masters like him usually very new to the art of doing things? This is too difficult.
"Are you serious?" I looked at him suspiciously.
"certainly."
Dong Yehan rolled up his sleeves as if to prove himself, and ran to the kitchen to get ready. I quickly followed him. Did he want to overturn the kitchen?
He took strawberries out of the fridge and threw them straight into his coffee.
I was shocked. How could anyone mix drinks like this?
"Okay, let me teach you. You're just wasting food."
Dong Yehan gave me a smile as if he had succeeded in his evil plan and took the initiative to hand me the tools and ingredients.
Never mind. I won’t argue with him.
However, I can take the opportunity to play a trick on him.
I put on the posture of a special drink chef, put my hands on my hips and ordered: "You need to help me stir the syrup and grind the cinnamon first, and then bring it to me."
Humph, it's his fault that he always orders me around.
"no problem."
Huh? Dong Yehan actually did as he was told without objecting?
"You have no objection?" I asked curiously with wide eyes.
"Xiaoxian, since you are willing to teach me, how dare I have any objections?" Dong Yehan handed me the syrup and cinnamon powder respectfully, his slightly curved eyes full of smiles.
This kid must have known that I was teasing him on purpose. For a moment, my face burned with shame.
"Why are you so shy?" Dong Yehan gently stroked my cheek with his warm hands and said with a smile.
"I, I'm not shy at all!"
I felt a warm touch on my cheek, and my face felt so hot that it seemed like it was about to burn.
It’s all Dong Yehan’s fault!
"Okay, I'm not shy." Dong Yehan rubbed my head like he was coaxing a child, and smiled very dotingly.
“It wasn’t!”
"Aren't you going to teach me how to make strawberry alfadochi?"
Yes, I almost forgot about it when he interrupted me.
I saw that the materials were almost ready, so I started teaching.
"Do you know the origin of Alfaquito?" I looked at Dong Yehan seriously. When talking about drinks, I became serious unconsciously.
Dong Yehan shook his head.
"This drink originated in Italy and is called Affogato, which means 'drown.' The ingredients are Italian coffee and ice cream balls, but in order to make the taste richer, concentrated syrup or cinnamon powder is added for flavoring. When you eat it, you will feel the bitterness and sweetness, ice and fire lingering on the tip of your tongue, making you unable to stop." I explained patiently.
"No wonder it's so delicious. How do you know so much?" Dong Yehan looked at me admiringly.
"Of course, my father and mother are both professional drink makers. I have been learning how to mix drinks from them since I was a child, so I knew a lot of relevant knowledge at a very young age." I couldn't help but feel a little proud.
"Xiao Xian, you have great potential to be a special drink chef. You will definitely be better than the special drink chef at 'Xian Yue Wu'."
Oh, I almost let it slip.
However, why did he have to investigate the identity of the special drink chef?
"You just want to trick me into making drinks for you next time." I pouted.
"No, I'm telling the truth."
"Then start doing it."
I didn't want to dwell on this kind of problem, so I quickly urged Dong Yehan to do it himself.
Dong Yehan rolled up his sleeves again and said confidently, "Okay, Master Xiaoxian." But before he did anything, he ruffled my hair again and said, "You're so cute when you're angry."
"My hair is messy!" I angrily slapped his hand away.
Dong Yehan stopped making trouble and began to prepare the drinks carefully according to the steps I told him.
I took the opportunity to pretend to be casual and asked: "Dong Yehan, why do you have to investigate the true identity of the special drink master?"
Dong Yehan shrugged and said, "Because I'm curious. I just think it's very mysterious and I want to solve this mystery."
"Just out of curiosity?"
This kid made me nervous and scared just because of his curiosity!
"Why are you asking this?" Dong Yehan narrowed his eyes and looked at me puzzledly.
Eh? His reaction was too quick. He looked at me like that, and my heart was about to jump out of my chest.
"Because, because..." I opened my mouth slightly, wanting to confess to him. If he was just curious, even if he knew that I was a special drinker, he probably wouldn't expose me...
Dong Yehan saw that I seemed to be hesitant to talk, and waited patiently for me to finish what I was saying.
"Because I just..."
“Ding Ling Ling…”
Why am I so unlucky? I just opened my mouth and Dong Yehan’s cell phone rang. I had to stop and wait for him to answer the call.
Dong Yehan pressed the answer button and simply said "hmm" a few times before hanging up the phone.
Finished so soon?
I thought for a moment and prepared to speak again: "Dong Yehan, I..."
"Xiaoxian, we will soon know the true identity of the special drink chef." Dong Yehan interrupted me, his lips raised in a beautiful arc, his handsome face full of confidence.
What?
How can this be!
"What plan have you come up with?" I asked nervously.
"Actually, I don't have much confidence in this plan. I'll tell you when it succeeds. After all, I've failed too many times, and I'm embarrassed to let you get involved again."
ah?
If the plan is kept secret, how can I sabotage it?
"Actually, I can help." I couldn't help but feel a little panicked.
"No need, this plan is not suitable for you." Dong Yehan smiled mysteriously.
What's so mysterious about the plan?
"Really not necessary?" I was a little frustrated. Why was he so persistent?
"Huh? Didn't you dislike participating before? Why did you suddenly become so active?"
"Because, because I also started to be interested in the identity of a specialty drink chef." I made up a random reason.
"Hehe, don't worry. After revealing the identity of the special drink chef, I will tell you the first time. What did you want to tell me just now?"
Dong Yehan suddenly came close to me, his amber eyes sparkling so brightly that it was impossible to look away.
"Nothing." I wasn't in the mood to talk about it anymore.
"Do you want to confess to me?" Dong Yehan smiled wickedly, as if he had experienced this kind of situation many times.
No way! How can he be so narcissistic!
I pushed him away, feeling a little disappointed. It was all because of that phone call that I missed the best opportunity. If I confessed now, I didn't know what he would think.
“What I want to say is that I should go back.”
"Is that it?" Dong Yehan looked at me with some disbelief.
"Of course, it's very late now. Look, the sky outside is getting dark."
"Okay then, I'll take you back."
"No, I can just take the bus." I quickly refused. If I were to stay with him again, I was afraid I would not be able to help but confess to him. If I told him now, he would probably think I had deceived him.
Alas, as expected, people cannot lie. Now I don’t know what to do.
