Chapter 117

117 Meeting the cousin

The sounds of a sharp knife chopping down at some limes were masked by the chatters and laughter in the dining area of the Stratum club. Behind the bar was a tall young man dressed casually with a two striped tattoo on his arm just like that on Yi Chen’s arm.

His face which was two parts similar to Yi Chen’s thoroughly explained their relation. Yi Feng placed the chopped line on the rim of the martini glass with a satisfied smile. He grabbed the dishcloth off his shoulder and wiped his hands.

This was where this small get-together was happening and they had bartenders who were even more skilled than he was but out of boredom he chased off the bartender and took over the bar.

He raised the martini glass about to drink it when he heard a commotion happening outside. Curious he raised his head to take a look. His view was blocked by a group of people but because he was tall all he had to do was stand on his toes and he could get a clear picture.

Through the floor to ceiling windows, he saw his younger cousin with a..... girl?

“The fuck,” he murmured while putting the dishcloth on the counter before walking towards the window.

His cousin who was as cold as liquid nitrogen was actually walking with a girl with no trace of impatience on his face. Yi Feng would have thought his auntie had forced him but his relaxed posture and mellow expression said otherwise.

Yi Feng found himself entranced to the point that he involuntarily raised his light brain and took a picture. As though his cousin had eyes at the back of his head, Yi Chen glanced over in his direction and Yi Feng immediately ducked while cursing under his breath, “Shit, shit, shit, shit....”

By the time the two of them appeared at the bar where he was he looked so innocent that one wouldn’t think he was the one standing by the window taking pictures just now.

.....

Yi Chen walked over and pulled the bar stool for Zi Han to sit while saying, “Send it to me,” in a non-negotiable tone.

“Ah ha ha ha. Little cousin, you are so shameless. Not even a hello or anything? I am really starting to think you are the older one between us,” said Yi Feng forcing himself not to look at the person sitting to his left.

One thing that he had learnt about his cousin was not to ask questions unless if Yi Chen takes the initiative to speak about it. Thus he didn’t even want to look at that person without Yi Chen’s permission.

“Sending or not?” he asked again this time his head was lowered as he read something on his light brain.

“Uh fine fine..... there, I sent it Happy?” said Yi Feng before taking a large sip of the daiquiri but his expression became distorted as he swallowed it down. “Argh, tastes unpalatable now because you ruined my mood.”

Yi Chen showed a mocking smile before replying, “Your photography skills are as bad as your cocktails.”

Yi Feng was so angry that he almost jumped over the bar counter to beat the heck out of Yi Chen. “You!..... I am going to send this to your mother. Let’s see if you can still be that smug then,” said Yi Feng but when he saw Yi Chen’s subtle smile he calmed down significantly.

It seemed his cousin now knew how to joke around. Yi Chen was really in a good mood and it could only be because of this person. “Are you going to introduce us or.....,” said Yi Feng without looking in Zi Han’s direction.

Yi Chen’s light brain made a dinging sound and because it was his father sending him a message he couldn’t ignore it. “His name is Zi Han. I asked him to come along so no one would bother me,” he replied before turning to Zi Han, “I will be back in a minute. Just sit here, okay?”

Zi Han had been staring at Yi Feng’s double stripe tattoo with great interest. He was certain he had seen it on Yi Chen before and now his cousin also had the same thing. He was curious whether they went to the same tattoo parlor and got a family discount.

“Mn,” he replied taking his gaze off Yi Feng’s arm for a second.

As soon as Yi Chen walked away Yi Feng showed his true colors curiously staring at this strange species of human that had attracted his cousin’s attention. He was certain he had never met this girl before but why on earth was she so familiar?

“Thirsty?” asked Yi Feng placing a drink menu in front of him.

Zi Han took the menu while responding, “Mhm...,” but his eyes stared at his arm so Yi Feng asked,

“What?”

“Your tattoo..... is it like a cousin thing or is it like a coincidence?” asked Zi Han while tapping the menu.

Yi Feng found it amusing so he chuckled while shaking his head. “No.... it’s a family thing. Like a birthmark,” he replied with a nonchalant tone. This was the best way he could describe it to an outsider.

Zi Han was a little surprised but his reaction was fleeting. That’s because he had seen interesting genetic mutations and family traits throughout his life. He was born into a world where people had both unique and common mutations that didn’t even surprise him. It’s just that he hadn’t seen one that looked like a tattoo.

“What would you like to have. Sangria, black russian, or don pedro..... I am really not in the mood doing complicated drinks today so.....,” said Yi Feng with his arms spread apart his fingers grasping the edge of the counter.

“What’s a don pedro? It sounds interesting?” curiously asked Zi Han while pushing the menu back.

“Alcohol blended with ice cream. Do you want it?” asked Yi Feng but he was already reaching for the blender.

Zi Han nodded his head and watched Yi Feng work for a while before asking, “How long have you been clean now?”