The manager of the W Hotel had clearly noticed Xue Qiandai's excellent answer on stage, and she greeted her warmly. "Could you tell me about your coffee shop? We need to introduce a coffee brand to the hotel to meet the leisure, business, and social needs of our high-end clients."
Xue Qiandai spoke with poise and confidence, “We are a coffee shop with ‘high-quality’ coffee as our core competitiveness, and our main business is currently located in Beijing’s CBD. Our baristas have obtained degree certifications from the Specialty Coffee Association of America, and our excellent quality has attracted large corporate clients such as Chaoxun Technology and Tiansheng Capital, forming long-term partnerships. The coffee shop is currently expanding steadily and we also hope to form strong alliances with more brands.”
Xue Qiandai spoke fluent English, and the hotel manager's eyes lit up, especially when she mentioned Chaoxun Technology and Tiansheng Capital. She immediately asked, "May I have your business card?"
Xue Qiandai's embarrassment flashed by. "Today, our baristas are here to participate in the competition, and we are all here as cheerleaders. If needed, we can schedule a time to discuss the specifics of our collaboration."
The hotel manager was delighted and even gave Xue Qiandai a business card. "I look forward to future cooperation and wish you all the best."
After saying goodbye to the hotel manager, Xue Qiandai and Jian Yan walked back.
"Dai Dai, you're amazing!" Jian Yan said proudly, linking her arm with Xue Qian Dai's. "You're an all-rounder! I guess I'll have to brush up on my English and business negotiation skills."
“Okay! You teach me pattern making, and I'll teach you negotiation.” Xue Qiandai didn't mind having another strong partner; only when they both became stronger would the future be brighter. “However, everyone has their own expertise. Your design skills are good enough; I'll handle the business matters!”
“You’re so outstanding, I can’t let you down too much,” Jian Yan said with a smile. She was full of fighting spirit, whether it was for the coffee shop or the Taobao store.
Back in the audience, the two were met with an angry glare from Zhao Jiening. "Didn't we agree to cheer him on? Why did you all disappear? Do you know what we missed? His latte art won the highest score in the entire event!"
Xue Qiandai waved the business card in her hand. "Hey Miss Zhao, everyone has to go to the bathroom sometimes. We knew Lanshan would win. We see his latte art every day, so it's nothing new. Sister Yu, look at our lost profits." She placed the business card in Jin Xiangyu's hand.
Zhao Jiening: "..."
Jin Xiangyu stared in disbelief, then her eyebrows danced with delight. "Dai Dai, you're truly my lucky star!"
"We need to prepare for the negotiations properly. Maybe it won't be long before we can move into a five-star hotel." Thinking about the boasts and big promises she had made, Xue Qiandai felt excited and radiant.
At this point, the host on stage announced the final round of the competition: "Round 4: Within 9 minutes, make 10 cups of coffee ordered in sequence. Before the competition, we received an inquiry from a participant asking if they could bring their own coffee cups, and the organizing committee confirmed that they could. Please get ready, the competition is about to begin."
As the host explained, Blue Mountain brought out ten red lip-shaped cups from the audience. Because of Blue Mountain's exceptional performance in the first three rounds of the competition, both the audience's attention and the media's cameras were focused on them. Upon seeing these creative coffee cups, everyone collectively exclaimed "Oh!" Today's competition was not only a feast for the senses of smell and taste, but also a visual feast.
The match begins.
Thanks to Thursday's rehearsal, 10 cups of coffee were no problem for Blue Mountain. To push his limits, he once again showcased his amazing skill of mixing coffee with both hands, leaving the organizing committee and the audience in awe. What was supposed to be a nine-minute performance, he completed in less than five minutes.
Several judges couldn't wait to go to the bar to taste and comment on the food on the spot.
"FlatWhite (also known as Plain White) has the silky smoothness of milk combined with the rich flavor of coffee, and the taste is very authentic."
"Latte, an unforgettable classic flavor. Paired with this red lip coffee cup, I think I'll never forget it."
The third judge picked up the coffee, smacked his lips, but couldn't tell what it was. Finally, he asked somewhat awkwardly, "Blue Mountain barista, may I ask what this is? And how was it made? I really can't taste it."
Upon hearing the judges' words, the other baristas who had finished their competitions gathered around, while those who hadn't stopped what they were doing and quietly watched Blue Mountain.
Lan Shan nodded to everyone, at that moment he seemed like a true coffee prince, a promoter of coffee culture. "This cup is one I developed myself, and I named it 'Amour'. I once heard an Irish love story, about a barista who fell in love with a girl who liked whiskey. To express his love, he blended whiskey into his coffee."
"And my cup is a blend of fruit tea. The first taste is the refreshing aroma of tropical fruits, like the taste of first love; the tangerines, plums, raspberries, wild ginger flowers, and the bitterness of coffee beans blend together, symbolizing the depth of love, the truth stripped of the filter, the aroma with a touch of bitterness; the coffee aftertaste is mixed with the richness of dark chocolate, smooth on the palate, with rich layers, symbolizing the sublimation of love."
As he explained, the judges picked up their red-lipped cups again, and the coffee seemed to have top, middle, and base notes, with a lingering aftertaste.
"You are a talented and gifted barista, which is certainly important, but your focus on coffee and your dedication to meticulous research are the most valuable qualities. I think today's barista competition champion is undisputed."
Moreover, Blue Mountain has successfully joined the Beijing Barista Association, and Lightyear Coffee has become a member store of the Barista Association.
The prize is a gold medal.
On top of the joy, Jin Xiangyu, usually a tightwad, suddenly decided to treat everyone to dinner tonight to celebrate. Everyone is welcome to bring their families.
Xue Qiandai took out her phone and checked the time. "Sister Yu, I still need to go to the hospital. You guys celebrate. Jian, eat my portion."
Jian Yan thought of her promise to Xue Qiandai, "Dai Dai, I'll stay with you."
Xue Qiandai stopped her, "I was just joking with you before. Do you really expect me to spend every day with you looking at my love rival? You guys have fun, I'll be right back."
Xue Qiandai left first.
Having successfully completed her mission, Zhao Jiening stood gracefully and said to Jin Xiangyu, "Sister Yu, I should go back now. Um, could Rufeng lend me a ride? I've been standing for a while and I'm a little tired. I'd like him to give me a ride."
What's going on? Nobody seems to be in the mood for a meal. But since Miss Zhao has spoken, Jin Xiangyu can't refuse. "Then, let's get together another day."
Lan Shan was stunned. How could he, a perfectly healthy person, be borrowed and borrowed like this? "I..."
Zhao Jiening grabbed his hand, their fingers intertwined, and quickly left the Expo Center. At the Expo Plaza, under the art installation "Tree of Life," Zhao Jiening stopped.
Her eyes shone brightly, and she kissed him on the cheek. "Ru Feng, I like you, I like you so much. Will you be my boyfriend?"
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