Today, only Lanshan was in the store. He was dressed in a suit skirt, exuding a professional demeanor. The bar was filled with various exquisite utensils, and soft, soothing music played in the background.
"Hey, what are you doing here on the weekend?" Jian Yan asked, resting her hand on the bar counter.
In front of Blue Mountain was a hand-operated coffee grinder, resembling a small wooden box with a hand crank, its appearance rustic and charming. He took out a bean measurer, scooped three spoonfuls from a large jar of coffee beans, and poured them into the grinder. Without even raising his eyelids, he casually replied, "So what are you doing here?"
As the handle rotates, the evenly sized, plump coffee beans gradually sink, are ground into powder, and enter the lower drawer, releasing a rich aroma of coffee.
Xue Qiandai sniffed her nose, casually pulled over a high stool, and said, "Loneliness, huh? Since you like coffee so much, why come to a delivery coffee shop? Do you think those who order delivery can tell the difference in your coffee?"
The first sentence was a reply to Jian Yan, and the second sentence was addressed to Lan Shan.
Blue Mountain leisurely hung up the filter in the upper chamber of the siphon coffee maker, poured in the freshly ground coffee, added the appropriate amount of water according to the markings, and then heated it with an alcohol lamp. "So where do you think I should go? And who can tell the difference in the coffee I brew?"
Xue Qiandai thought carefully, her eyes still fixed on the siphon pot, "A five-star hotel or a high-end club, with good benefits, I can give you that..."
She didn't say it aloud; she forgot she was no longer the Xue family's daughter, and would those people even recognize her?
With a self-deprecating laugh, Xue Qiandai rallied her spirits and said, "But I know about coffee, and Jian Yan and I will offer you our valuable advice unconditionally."
Jian Yan was both satisfied and amused. She was satisfied that her friend had included her in her antics; she wanted to laugh because her friend had made it sound so noble, even though she clearly wanted coffee. "Exactly, exactly, treat us like customers today."
Lanshan looked at these two cunning customers. Were they planning to take advantage of him and then act innocent? At this moment, small bubbles were generated. Lanshan removed the alcohol lamp. The steam generated created pressure, forcing the water in the lower pot to gush upwards through the glass tube of the upper pot and into the upper pot.
"When I was being hired, the boss promised me good coffee beans and coffee machines for me to experiment with and develop new flavors. These coffee beans all came from the boss's hometown, Yunnan."
"Wow!" Xue Qiandai was a little surprised by the answer. Her first impression of her boss, whom she had only spent half a day with, was that he was mercenary. But it seemed that wasn't all there was to him. "Great!"
Blue Mountain uses a stirring rod to stir the coffee grounds until they are evenly dissolved. Due to changes in temperature and air pressure, the liquid gradually flows back into the lower pot. Water rises as it boils, while the extracted black coffee sinks.
"Dai Dai, Blue Mountain is really amazing. He was one of the first baristas to get professional certification!" Jian Yan turned into a little fangirl, praising Blue Mountain endlessly.
Blue Mountain was clearly pleased with this, his eyebrows practically shooting up. He brought out two pure white coffee cups and poured in the freshly brewed coffee. "Tell me, what flavor do you want?"
Xue Qiandai answered quickly, raising her little hand high: "Latte, I like the smooth and creamy milk foam."
"Little Rocket, what about you?" Having just been praised, Lan Shan naturally wanted to consider Jian Yan's opinion.
"Just like Dai Dai." Dai Dai knows everything, so trusting Dai Dai is never a bad idea.
Hearing her call him "Dai Dai" so affectionately, Lan Shan smiled. "Oh, you're really lucky today. This milk is for my own use. Generally speaking, the shorter the shelf life of milk, the fresher it is. Mine is three days old, and I was originally planning to drink it myself."
The two girls stared intently, their fingers itching to eat.
Lanshan inserted the heating rod into the milk glass, not too deep, not too shallow, tilting the glass slightly to make the milk swirl rapidly inside. Then, he repeatedly tested the temperature of the bottom of the glass with the back of his hand. "Ready!"
Jian Yan rubbed her fingers together and licked her lips. "Can I drink it now?"
"Right away." Blue Mountain skimmed off the large bubbles on top, as they would leave unsightly pits after bursting, affecting the shape. It then poured the remaining fine, even foam into the ground coffee.
Xue Qiandai pulled her chair closer, cleared her throat with a cough, and said, "How can coffee be complete without a story? Now, your old friend Daidai will tell you a coffee story."
She spoke in a broadcasting voice, recounting: "In Ireland, people believe that baristas make not just coffee, but a coffee culture. A bartender at Dublin Airport met a flight attendant with long, flowing hair and an elegant demeanor. Her unique charm was as intense as Irish whiskey, lingering in his heart for a long time. He, who had long admired her, longed to personally make her an Irish cocktail, but unfortunately, the flight attendant only loved coffee and not alcohol."
"However, his heartfelt longing inspired him, and after countless trials and failures, he finally masterfully combined Irish whiskey and coffee to create a rich and aromatic Irish coffee."
A year later, he finally got his chance and ordered an Irish coffee for the girl he missed. As he prepared it for her, he could no longer contain his emotions and tears of happiness streamed down his face. He drew a circle around the rim of the Irish coffee cup with his tears…
"Therefore, the first sip of Irish coffee always carries the flavor of longing that has been suppressed for a long time."
Xue Qiandai lowered her eyes. She was just telling a story to liven things up, but she was reminded of Huo Meiren and fell ill with lovesickness.
"Wow, Dai Dai is amazing!" Jian Yan started clapping.
“I’ve heard this story before, and I like it very much.” Blue Mountain took a pickling stick, squeezed a circle of chocolate sauce into the blank space of the naturally formed milk foam, and used the pickling stick to gently dab a few times to outline a sunflower. “Please enjoy, ladies.”
The snow-white petals gently unfurled and floated on the slightly yellow, fragrant oil. Xue Qiandai took a sip along the rim of the cup, and the flower changed its appearance, which was quite interesting!
"Sweet and rich, absolutely fantastic!"
Xue Qiandai never hesitates to praise beautiful things.
Just then, the shop's landline rang.
Jian Yan took a sip and quickly answered the phone, "Hello, this is Lightyear Coffee Shop. I'd like two lattes, tall cups. Please leave your address and phone number."
After hanging up the phone, Jian Yan said with some regret, "Someone ordered a latte."
"I'll deliver it," Xue Qiandai volunteered.
Blue Mountain started packaging, even adding a decorative veneer using the same method. "Don't forget to tell the customer the story behind this cup of coffee."
Xue Qiandai gave an OK sign. "Don't worry, I'm best at storytelling."
Jian Yan quickly found the work uniform and helmet and helped Xue Qiandai put them on. "I know you think they're ugly, but it's so hot. You'll be wasting your time if you don't protect your skin. Be careful on the road."
"Yes, Madam."
Xue Qiandai adjusted her helmet and walked out of the coffee shop. The sun was blazing, and she walked towards it, determined to forge a new path.
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