Chapter 299: Sharing a Table with Strangers

"Love you! Muah~~~"

Qiaokeli accepted the guide, forming a heart shape with her hands and blowing a kiss to the high-ponytail beer maid.

The high-ponytail beer maid cheerfully responded with a finger heart gesture.

"This festival is so considerate! And the staff are amazing!!" Qiaokeli waved enthusiastically at the beer maid and opened the guide.

The beer festival guide was in full color, detailing the locations and routes of Nanjing's train station, airport, and public transport. It also included color-coded maps based on different tent themes and highlights.

During the ten days of the beer festival, there were fixed performances at set times and locations each day.

There were singing, magic acts, acrobatics, and beer drinking contests. Guests could choose which shows they wanted to watch based on their preferences.

In addition to beer tents and performances, Nanjing had arranged various cultural exhibitions, including a liquor exhibition, a fish exhibition, and museum and postal exhibits to enrich the festival activities.

For guests who enjoyed collecting, the guide included a suggested itinerary, allowing them to visit all 14 tents and watch every performance over the ten days.

The most intriguing part was the black beer mug design on the last page of the guide, topped with a golden crown and four gleaming vertical stripes.

"A hidden souvenir?!"

Qiaokeli's pupils dilated as she quickly read the small print below.

"Collect stamps from all 14 themed tents, and you can exchange them at the official redemption center for a limited edition Nanjing Beer Festival beer mug!"

Qiaokeli's eyes filled with determination.

As a cup enthusiast, collecting various beautiful cups was a passion running through her veins!

Whatever we girls set our sights on, we must get!

With that thought, Qiaokeli immediately rushed into the tent.

As soon as she entered the tent, she was dumbfounded.

The tent, which could accommodate over 10,000 people, was packed.

Looking down from above, she couldn't see faces, only heads, with a few particularly shiny ones reflecting light not from bulbs but from sparse hair.

The tent was filled with the aroma of roasted chicken, meat, and fish, with a strong scent of beer that made her feel dizzy.

"Oh my god, so many people!"

Holding her 1-liter beer mug, Qiaokeli looked around, hoping to find an empty table.

But every table was occupied; there wasn't a single empty seat.

"How come they all have so many companions to drink with?" Qiaokeli felt a bit defeated.

Though she was cheerful and sociable, she only had a few close friends.

Her good friends either had things to do or didn't like beer, so she came alone.

Seeing these groups of people enjoying food and drinks together made her feel a bit sour.

"Dear, how many are in your party?"

A cheerful voice interrupted her thoughts.

Qiaokeli turned to see a smiling beer maid standing beside her.

"Would you like to sit here?" The beer maid pointed to an eight-person table nearby, sensing Qiaokeli's embarrassment.

"I'm not sure... They seem to be having a good time," Qiaokeli said, biting her lip.

The table looked like a big family gathering, with people of all ages enjoying themselves.

It felt awkward to join them.

"They're sharing the table too." The beer maid smiled, seeing Qiaokeli's surprise. "Many people at the beer festival share tables with strangers. They didn't know each other before, so don't worry about it."

"Sharing a table with strangers?! They're not a family?!" Qiaokeli's mouth dropped in disbelief.

As she followed the beer maid, a small rebellious thrill surged within her.

Normally, she would never drink with strangers, but here, she felt an unexpected eagerness to join in.

"Although the tent is lively, please stay safe." The beer maid pointed to a pink flyer on a wooden pillar, "If you feel unsafe or encounter any discomfort, contact us immediately. Emergency numbers are listed here..."

"Got it!" Qiaokeli carefully noted the emergency number on the pink flyer.

The beer maid led Qiaokeli to a seat. "You can order food by scanning the QR code on the table."

"The barrel here contains Xiao Caishen's New Year Cheer Beer. Would you like a glass?"

"Yes!!!" Qiaokeli handed over her beer mug enthusiastically.

The people at the table looked stunned.

Seeing Qiaokeli's determined twin ponytails, a middle-aged man asked cautiously:

"Are you old enough to drink? Where are your parents?"

Qiaokeli was annoyed.

She might look young, but she was a mature, independent 22-year-old who came to the beer festival alone!

"I'm an adult, and I can drink," Qiaokeli smiled.

"Alright, one glass of Xiao Caishen's Cheer Beer is 80 yuan," the beer maid said, raising the payment QR code.

80 yuan a glass!

So expensive...!

Qiaokeli swallowed hard.

Even with all the toppings, her bubble tea never cost 80 yuan!

This was too much.

Qiaokeli looked at the beer maid in disbelief, then stiffly said, "80... Okay, 80, I'll pay."

After receiving the payment, the beer maid stuck a note with the table number and customer's name on the bottom of the beer mug, then turned to the large barrel. On her way, several people handed her empty mugs, signaling for refills.

The atmosphere... was a bit awkward.

Everyone at the table had drinks except her, making her feel like a child sneaking into the adult's table.

"How much does all this food cost... It looks delicious."

Qiaokeli sat on the bench, her bright eyes fixed on the dishes, swallowing secretly.

The large wooden table was covered with plates of food.

Tomatoes, vegetables, pork knuckles, sausages, smoked bacon, fried eggs, salads, pizzas, bagels, red radishes, sashimi, caviar bread...

A feast of Western delicacies!

And what interested her the most was a small cow-shaped cup of vanilla ice cream in the center.

She really wanted to eat it...

Qiaokeli unconsciously licked her lips, staring intently.