vncnus Chapter 507 The Allure of Fine Wine
Chapter 507 The Allure of Fine Wine
Chapter 507 The Allure of Fine Wine
Li Qin clearly remembered Xu Damao's expression when Li Qin mentioned wanting to eat hot pot.
Now that we've actually gone to Donglaishun, we can say that we should eat less meat and more vegetables.
This shows that Xu Damao truly regarded Li Qin as a genuine friend, not just a fair-weather friend or a sucker.
This pleased Li Qin greatly.
However, he insisted on not returning the mutton and even offered an explanation.
Li Qin didn't say he wasn't short of money, because Xu Damao wouldn't believe him anyway.
After all, everyone knows Li Qin's official salary.
In addition, Li Qin never skimped on food and spent money quite lavishly.
They certainly won't have much savings.
On the contrary, Li Qin's claim that he only comes to eat here occasionally is more convincing.
As expected, Xu Damao fell silent after hearing his words and did not insist that Li Qin return the mutton.
Upon seeing this, Li Qin immediately took action.
He quickly put the mutton from the plate into the hot pot.
Soon, several plates of mutton had been added to the pot.
Now, even if Xu Damao still wanted Li Qin to back down, he couldn't.
If the food hasn't been touched, the restaurant will accept a refund; but once the food has been touched, it can't be refunded.
This is the rule for dining at a restaurant.
Seeing this, Xu Damao could only sigh helplessly, but he didn't say anything about returning the dish. He picked up his chopsticks and started putting the meat in.
However, something seemed to flash in his eyes.
"That's right!"
Li Qin was very satisfied with Xu Damao's reaction and immediately said with a smile.
Seemingly having let go of some of his thoughts, Xu Damao reverted to his true nature and began chatting and laughing with Li Qin.
Suddenly, Li Qin said with a smile, "How can we eat hot pot without wine?"
Xu Damao's expression changed immediately.
A look of approval flashed in his eyes.
It would be a waste not to have a few drinks with such good hot pot. Just as Xu Damao was about to ask the waiter to bring over a bottle of wine.
Li Qin, however, mysteriously took out a bottle of baijiu (Chinese liquor) from inside his cotton-padded coat.
Xu Damao was stunned when he saw the wine, then laughed and said, "You, Li Qin, are really good at hiding things. I didn't even notice you brought wine with you the whole way."
Xu Damao would not have noticed, because Li Qin had previously stored the wine in his storage ring.
What appeared to be taken out from inside the coat was actually taken out from the storage ring.
After Xu Damao finished speaking, he reached out and took the wine into his hand.
However, after clearly seeing the bottle, Xu Damao's expression changed again, and he looked at Li Qindao with some surprise—
"Good heavens, it's actually a thatch."
Yes, what Li Qin took out was a bottle of Maotai.
Compared to Xu Damao's shock, Li Qin waved his hand casually: "It's just a bottle of wine, nothing to worry about."
After saying that, he took the wine from Xu Damao's hand, opened it, and poured a glass for himself and Xu Damao.
It must be said that there is a reason why Maozi has such a great reputation.
Once poured out, a rich aroma of wine immediately began to waft out.
"Stop daydreaming, have a drink first."
Seeing that Xu Damao was still in a daze, Li Qin immediately called out to wake him up, then picked up his wine glass and said...
Xu Damao didn't care about being polite at this point, after all, Maozi was no ordinary liquor.
This is a fine wine that money can't always buy; Xu Damao had only ever heard of it.
He quickly and carefully picked up the wine glass, his movements very small, as if he were worried about spilling the wine.
Li Qin casually touched his glass to Xu Damao's, then downed his drink in one gulp.
Seeing this, Xu Damao then drank the wine as well.
"Indeed excellent wine!"
As he swallowed the liquor, a look of intoxication and enjoyment flashed across Xu Damao's face.
I don't know if it's because the Maozi (a type of liquor) is really delicious, or simply because of its reputation.
Anyway, Li Qin felt that although this thatch was not bad, it was not as bad as Xu Damao's.
"Li Qin, where did you buy this thatch? I'd like to buy some too."
Xu Damao put down his wine glass, then suddenly seemed to remember something and quickly asked Li Qin.
In fact, many supply and marketing cooperatives also sell alcoholic beverages, including Maotai, although not the highest grade Maotai.
But it's still much better than regular alcoholic beverages.
However, as soon as the supply and marketing cooperative put it out, the thatch would be bought up very quickly.
Xu Damao wondered if Li Qin had any connections.
Li Qin simply shook his head at this moment;
"You've stumped me with that question. I didn't buy this bottle of Maotai myself; my aunt gave it to me a few days ago when I left after having dinner at my uncle's house."
Li Qin wasn't lying this time. This bottle of Maotai really was given to him by his aunt when he left after having dinner at Li Huaide's house last time.
Xu Damao knew about the relationship between Li Qin and Li Huaide, and immediately understood upon hearing this.
He sighed subconsciously and looked at Li Qin with envy.
However, it was just envy; there was no jealousy or other expression.
"I was planning to buy a few bottles of Maotai, but it looks like I won't have the chance."
Xu Damao said with some regret.
Upon seeing this, a strange light flashed in Li Qin's eyes.
He first filled his own glass and Xu Damao's glass, then lowered his voice and said to Xu Damao, "If you really want to buy Maozi, I do know a way."
Xu Damao, who had initially looked disappointed, perked up immediately upon hearing this and quickly asked, "What method?"
Xu Damao's face was full of longing.
It's clear that Xu Damao really wanted to get a few bottles of Maotai.
Li Qin didn't answer Xu Damao's question directly. Instead, he called out to Xu Damao, "The mutton in the pot is almost cooked. Let's eat the meat first. I'm hungry even if you're not. Let's eat and drink and talk slowly."
Although Xu Damao had designs on Maozi, the hot pot in front of him was equally tempting. Besides, Li Qin wouldn't run away. Since Li Qin said he had a solution, he would definitely reveal it, so there was no need for him to rush.
The two then began to eat.
I have to say, the mutton hot pot at Donglaishun is absolutely delicious, especially when eaten with friends.
Li Qin thought it was even more delicious.
For a moment, the two of them were so engrossed in eating that they didn't even have time to talk.
When they had almost finished eating the meat in the pot, Li Qin put several more plates of mutton into the pot.
While waiting, Li Qin and Xu Damao slowly drank their wine and continued their previous conversation.
"Currently, Maotai is in very short supply on the market. Once it appears, it will be bought up very quickly. The most important thing is that if you want to buy it through rare channels, you need to have the corresponding liquor coupons."
Li Qin paused slightly at this point, and gave Xu Damao a deep look.
Xu Damao then remembered the wine tickets, and his expression immediately darkened.
Maozi liquor coupons are also very scarce, and ordinary people can't get them.
Therefore, he had almost no chance of buying thatch.
Seeing Xu Damao looking somewhat dejected, Li Qin first clinked glasses with him before continuing, "Although Maozi's liquor tickets are few, there's still a certain chance of getting them on the black market, but it costs money."
Besides the liquor coupons for Maotai, some people also sell Maotai on the black market; if you're lucky, you might be able to get your hands on some.
Li Qin was very familiar with the black market in Beijing.
He would occasionally disguise himself and visit the black market.
Therefore, Li Qin had a general idea of what was available on the black market.