Chapter 11: Mother

On a bustling commercial street, there was a tavern with a pleasant name—Zui Xian Tavern.

Dragging his weary body, Wang Xianxian pushed open the door of Zui Xian Tavern. This tavern, founded by his mother, felt more like his true home than the ancestral residence ever did. Whenever he had time off, he would come here to stay.

The tavern was still operating normally, but it was now after closing hours. Wang Xianxian pulled out his key, unlocked the door, and headed straight to the second floor.

There was a small room there that belonged to him. He planned to head to the bathroom first to wash off the blood stains on his body.

Wang Xianxian didn't need to treat his wounds; all the injuries on his body had already healed. The benefactor who had saved him not only extended his life beyond the setting sun but also healed his injuries. Because of the flames, he hadn't clearly seen his savior's face, but he remembered their eyes. Those dazzling eyes were so bright that even amidst the raging fire, their brilliance was unmistakable.

He etched those eyes deep into his memory as he walked toward the bathroom.

Looking at his blood-stained reflection in the mirror, Wang Xianxian let out a bitter smile.

"How pathetic…"

He tried his best to force a smile, but to his dismay, the smile only made him look worse.

After taking a shower, Wang Xianxian changed into fresh clothes and lay down on his bed. Gently, he stroked the small yellow gourd that his mother had left him. He didn't know what material the gourd was made of, but whenever his skin touched it, he could feel a slight warmth.

The gourd was a magical artifact, though Wang Xianxian didn't know its exact grade. He only knew that his mother used it to store wine. Like him, his mother's destined profession was that of a winemaker. She loved brewing and tasting wine.

As time passed and the pressures on her increased, her drinking became more frequent, eventually turning into an addiction. When he was young, Wang Xianxian once believed that alcohol had taken his mother's life. Even after growing up, he harbored a deep resentment toward alcohol.

His attitude toward it could even be described as hatred. He loathed even the most prized spiritual wines. In his naivety, he once thought that if alcohol didn't exist, his mother wouldn't have drowned. If there were no alcohol, there would be no loathsome profession like winemaking. And perhaps, if there were no alcohol, his mother might still be here, encouraging him today.

It was only now, on this day, that Wang Xianxian realized his mother's death hadn't been caused by the wine.

Suddenly, alcohol didn't seem so detestable after all.

Before he knew it, his vision blurred. He missed his mother…

Suddenly, memories of the past surged into his mind like a tide.

"Mom, why do some people cry when they drink? Isn't that embarrassing?"

"That's because those who drink are thinking of something. They use the alcohol to ease their sorrows."

"Then why do some people cry when they drink, but others laugh?"

"You'll understand when you grow up."

"Mom, my teacher said that everyone experiences birth, aging, illness, and death. I don't want you to die."

"My little darling, why don't you want me to die?"

"Because if you die, I won't be able to eat the delicious food you make."

"Oh, so that's why, you little foodie."

"Mom, today I learned how to read the expiration dates on drinks!"

"Is that so? My precious boy is so smart."

"Mom, why doesn't wine have an expiration date? Is it spoiled?"

"Sweetheart, wine doesn't have a set expiration date. As long as it's stored properly, it'll never spoil."

"Mister Wine is amazing! But Mom, you're even more amazing for making it into wine!"

…

Tears streamed down the young man's cheeks.

He didn't know what to do anymore.

In a single day, it felt as though a century had passed. He had awakened as a winemaker, failed in his talent awakening, said farewell to his friends, learned the truth of his mother's death, lost his bloodline and spiritual veins, and was expelled from his family.

Wang Xianxian's situation had never been worse. Though he had learned the truth about his mother's death, he had lost all hope of cultivating. He was filled with hatred but had no power.

Pain, confusion, bitterness…

Suddenly, a thought entered his mind that had never been there before.

Drink.

Wang Xianxian lifted the gourd pendant in his hand. He brought it to his lips and gently kissed it.

"Gourd, gourd, grow big, please~"

With his whispered words, the gourd began to grow, as if by magic, expanding until it reached the size of an ordinary gourd. Wang Xianxian stopped chanting and placed his hand on the gourd's cap. This was his first time trying to open it.

Pop!

As soon as the gourd opened, the room was filled with the rich aroma of wine!

Wang Xianxian, as if he had found a treasure, held the gourd close and inhaled deeply, savoring the wine's scent. He carefully poured himself a cup using his mother's favorite wine glass. Then, lifting the cup to his lips, he took a small sip.

To his surprise, the wine wasn't harsh at all. On the contrary, it tasted a little sweet.

He took a second sip, then a third, and a fourth…

After the first taste, he couldn't stop.

A gentle breeze blew into the room, but it couldn't take away the scent of the wine. It was as though the aroma had a life of its own, lingering around him, as if embracing him.

"Sniff… sniff…"

The soft sound of the boy's sobbing began to fill the room.

Slowly, slowly…

The sobbing turned into crying, and finally, it became wailing.

"Waaaah…"

Sweet-and-sour pork, eggplant in garlic sauce, stir-fried shredded pork, sweet-and-sour ribs, squirrel fish…

The flavors he had only dreamed of now danced on Wang Xianxian's tongue.

Unconsciously, the wine's aroma transformed into the fragrance of various dishes. At this moment, he wasn't just drinking; it felt like he was tasting a full banquet.

A banquet prepared by his mother.

One sip, then another…

One cup, then another…

In this moment, Wang Xianxian and the wine had a profound connection.

Completely immersed in the dreamlike world brought to him by the wine, his body began to undergo astonishing changes.

[You have comprehended the Way of Wine. Awakening conditions fulfilled. Talent awakening in progress…]