010 Are you poaching my employee?_1

Lin Ge, accompanied by Lanya, walked into the Emerald Bar just as Iris, who was wiping a table, stopped her movements. Her gaze swept over the two, making a tsk-tsk sound as she gently shook her head.

"Look what you've done to the kid, you're really a big pervert."

Lin Ge ignored her and went to the break room to change his clothes. Lanya's complexion still looked a bit weak as she spoke up in explanation:

"Please don't misunderstand Mr. Lin Ge, it's my own issue."

"Don't tell me he fed you some kind of love potion that's got you defending him like this?"

With her face turning red, Lanya said, "There was no love potion, Mr. Lin Ge gave me milk to drink and noodles to eat, he's a good person, not a big pervert."

Iris shook her head with a face full of pity, as if mourning the fall of a girl in the prime of youth and said no more.

After changing into his work shirt, Lin Ge emerged from the break room, entered the bar, and began the prep work before business hours.

"Iris, hand me a wet towel."

"You don't have hands or what? Come get it yourself."

Lin Ge chuckled and was about to get the towel himself when he saw Lanya running over to the bucket.

She picked up the towel hanging on the edge of the bucket, soaked it, wrung it out, and then ran to the bar front. Standing on tiptoes, she stretched her arms over her head and handed the wet towel to him.

"Here, towel."

Lin Ge smiled and said thanks, accepting the towel, then took a bottle of liquor from the top shelf behind him, wiping it down as he muttered to himself, "Should I suggest to the manager to hire another obedient and cute apprentice? But our bar isn't very large, it seems too much to have four employees."

Lin Ge paused mid-sentence, then suddenly came up with an idea that seemed fit.

"Right, let's lay someone off!"

Iris finally couldn't help it and exploded, "Asshole, you'd be the first to get laid off!"

Lin Ge laughed and said, "I didn't say it would be you, why so agitated?"

"Who's agitated? I'm not agitated at all." As she said this, Iris looked like an angry little lion, completely unconvincing.

Lanya, who was leaning against the bar, lit up at the idea. If she could really work here, she wouldn't have to worry about food and drink.

"So lively so early in the morning? I heard Iris shouting even before the door was open." The sound of wind chimes came from the entrance as Nilu stepped in, laughing.

"Early in the morning?"

"It might be evening in Lin Ge's world, but in ours, it's eight in the morning," Nilu explained with a smile.

Lin Ge nodded in understanding.

Not long after officially starting the business for the day, the Emerald Bar welcomed its first customer.

Lin Ge had thought the first patron would be Karina, but it turned out to be the self-proclaimed Prince, the big red lizard.

When Prince Lieyang entered the bar, he clearly didn't carry the same arrogance as the day before and headed straight for the bar to sit down.

"Give me one of those, what's it called, iced red teas from yesterday!"

"It's Long Island Iced Tea."

"Yeah, whatever, just hurry up and get me one."

Lin Ge smiled as he mixed a Long Island Iced Tea. Prince Lieyang didn't pour it into his mouth like he was flushing a toilet like the day before, but instead stuck out his long, forked tongue and tenderly stirred it in the cup, a look of enjoyment on his face.

Though it looked slightly disgusting, Lin Ge was satisfied to see the customer enjoying the cocktail he had prepared.

Prince Lieyang suddenly withdrew his tongue and asked, "Why does it taste different from yesterday's?"

"Better or worse?"

This question was unnecessary, as Lin Ge already knew the answer, but he wanted to hear the guest say it out loud.

"The taste is fresher than yesterday, and the lingering aroma on the tip of the tongue is more lasting. Compared to today's drink, yesterday's was like the clumsy work of an apprentice."

Lin Ge revealed a satisfied smile and explained, "A well-mixed cocktail is infused with the bartender's dedication and emotions. Even if it is the same person using the same ingredients, the bartender's physical state, emotional condition, and slight differences in mixing technique can make the resulting drink unique."

Prince Lieyang showed an enlightened expression, then suddenly asked, "So you're saying you were just phoning it in yesterday, huh?"

"You jest, your highness. I just happened to be off my game yesterday."

When Lin Ge was mixing drinks for Prince Lieyang yesterday, his emotions were violently fluctuating, and he completely lost his peace of mind, relying purely on instinct to mix drinks. Naturally, the drinks he concocted were no different from ordinary ones.

However, though Prince Lieyang was a lizard, he did have some knowledge of tasting wine, or else he wouldn't have noticed the difference between the two drinks.

"Indeed, yesterday you were like a foolish frog. You seem much more normal today."

After giving Lin Ge a once-over, Prince Lieyang grudgingly believed his explanation.

Lin Ge chuckled lightly and took the comment as a compliment.

"In that case, you've earned the qualification," Prince Lieyang suddenly declared.

Lin Ge was startled, "What qualification?"

"The qualification to follow at the side of the future Emperor of the Galama Empire, to mix exquisite drinks for me. In return, I will grant you wealth and status. Should you perform exceptionally, even marrying a noble princess of the empire and being inducted into the prestigious royal family is not out of the question."

Prince Lieyang took out a ruby from his pocket and casually tossed it onto the bar. The gem, shaped like a blood diamond, glistened with a gorgeous hue under the light.

His claws gently tapped the glass beside him, his tone as if he were a true king.

Lin Ge found it somewhat amusing. He means to have me marry a female lizard?

Impossible.

"Thank you for the generous offer, but I just want to be a free bartender, to let more guests savor the charm of fine liquor."

"Think it over. If you miss this chance, it will be too late, even if you beg me in the future," Prince Lieyang emphasized again, quite unexpectedly.

"Yes, go with him. The Galama Empire is one of the most powerful on the Aeos Continent. With this noble prince, your future is sure to be bright," Iris also came up to the bar, urging Lin Ge to leave.

Prince Lieyang turned his head and looked at Iris in surprise.

"Woman, I must admit, I'm starting to like you a bit."

"Thanks, but please shut up."

"You—!"

Prince Lieyang glanced at Iris's rolled-up sleeves and swallowed back his next words.

Those hands, though slender and delicate, fair as jade, contained terrifying power.

At this moment, Lin Ge said with a smile, "I appreciate both of your kindness, but everyone has their own aspirations. I just want to be a free bartender and offer fine drinks to more guests."

Clap—clap—clap!

"Well said!"

From the doorway came a loud applause, and a young man with short white hair and fair skin leaned against the door, seemingly having come in unnoticed.

Under everyone's gaze, he walked up and sat down at the bar, taking the seat to the left of Prince Lieyang.

A small forearm with a clenched fist extended in front of Prince Lieyang, a slender wrist, a small fist, yet it made Prince Lieyang feel a bone-chilling cold.

"So you're trying to poach from me, huh? Little lizard~"