Twelve Units of Sweetness

Walking back to the bar again, Zhen Tian had calmed her emotions. At least, it appears so on the surface.

She walked to Chen Zui’s side and sat down. She smiled at him, “I’m sorry for making you wait, Senior. Would you like a beer?”
 

“No thanks, I have to work later.” Chen Zui said while he looked at her, “Don’t keep calling me Senior, just call me by my name.”

“Oh, okay.” Zhen Tian nodded and raised her eyes to look at him, “Senior Chen Zui.”

“.....”

He silently laughed. He greeted the cameraman who came along and turned to Zhen Tian, “Let’s get started.”

“Cough, okay.” Zhen Tian was a little nervous when she saw the camera being set up. Chen Zui adjusted the microphone and smiled at her, "If you feel nervous, you can have a glass of beer."

“No, I’m not nervous.” Zhen Tian unconsciously sat up straight and firmly denied.

The corner of Chen Zui's mouth raised slightly. He handed the manuscript to her, "This is a simple interview outline I made. You can study it first."

“Oh, okay.” Zhen Tian took the manuscript and looked down. While reading it, she relaxed a lot. Chen Zui didn’t have any questions and it was not difficult to answer. After finished, she raised her head and smiled at him, “I’m ready.”

Chen Zui nodded and put the script out of frame. "This is not a live broadcast, you can speak slowly. You can start again if you make a mistake, it doesn't matter."

The cameraman was surprised by his gentle voice. He looked like he had seen a ghost. How is today’s Chen Zui so gentle?!

Naturally, Zhen Tian didn't notice anything unusual. She let out a breath and smiled at Chen Zui, "Okay, thank you, Senior."

She called him senior again. Chen Zui simply smiled and started the interview. He briefly introduced Zhen Tian and her beer house before officially starting the interview. Facing the camera, Zhen Tian initially felt a bit uncomfortable but since the questions were about beer, a topic she is knowledgeable about, she gradually starts to relax.

Chen Zui asked, “A colleague of mine was surprised when he learned you are a woman. Are there very few females in the beer industry?”

Zhen Tian nodded, “There are really only a few. Because it’s like this, many people think the beer industry is dominated by men right? But now, more and more women are joining the industry from operating bars to brewing beer. Women do not lag behind them.”

Chen Zui slightly nodded and asked, "Will women be discriminated against in an industry where men account for the majority?"

“Yes, even female consumers are sometimes discriminated against.” Zhen Tian gave an example, “Say if a woman orders a glass of Stout. The bartender might say this beer is not suitable for women or women will not like this type of beer. They don’t respect the wishes of the female consumers. Some bars even make a separate beer list for women which they can only order from while men could order whatever they want. I think this is very unfair.”

"So when you opened Tipsy Cat, did you pay special attention to this problem?"

“Yes, that is the main reason why I opened this bar. I hope everyone can drink freely here. We will not decide for you what you should drink."

"Then judging from your experience in running a beer house, is there a difference between the tastes of women and men?"

“Men may be more willing to try different styles of beer but that is not always the case. Now, more and more women are willing to drink dry hop-style beer and there are also men who like sweet or sour beer. Whatever it may be, I think everyone’s taste should be respected rather than simply distinguishing by gender.”

The interview proceeded in an orderly manner and soon came to an end. After it was over, the bar was about to open. Chen Zui thanked Zhen Tian and asked, “Can we continue with the interview after the bar opens? We want to film business operations. If possible, we also want to interview customers who are willing to be interviewed. We won’t disturb your customers.”

Zhen Tian nodded, “It’s fine. Do you need me to accompany you?”

"No, you go and do your job."

"Well then, you can call me whenever you need it."

“En.” Chen Zui watched Zhen Tian walk into the bar and looked around. There is an oil painting hanging in the corner of Zhen Tian’s bar. Chen Zui noticed it when he came in but because the lights in the bar were relatively dim, Chen Zui couldn't see it clearly.

Zhen Tian noticed him looking at it and explained to him, “This is Manet’s famous painting, A Bar at the Folies-Bergère. Of course, this is only an imitation, and the actual painting is displayed at the Courtauld Gallery in London.

Although Chen Zui drinks, he doesn’t know much about foreign art. He studied it for a while and said, “This painting is quite interesting.”

“Right, I think so too.” Zhen Tian became a bit more spirited when talking about Manet’s painting. “The mirror in the painting does not reflect the true position of the object. Manet used a special perspective when painting this. I think he has a sense of individuality like that of a beer brewer. He has his own way of seeing perspective which is similar for brewers as well.”

Chen Zui looked back at her, “I heard Tipsy Cat also serves their own beer?”

"Yes." Zhen Tian raised her head slightly, her shiny eyes adorned with smiles, "I just brewed a new beer, do you want to taste it?"

Chen Zui was tempted. He can’t help but be curious how Zhen Tian’s beer will taste but remembering that he has to work later, he refused, “Next time.”

“All right.”

Chen Zui didn’t stay for too long. After interviewing a few customers who came to drink, he packed up his equipment and was ready to go. Before leaving, he went to the bar to notify Zhen Tian. Seeing that they were about to leave, Zhen Tian felt inexplicably reluctant to see them off, "Are you done with the interview?"

“Yeah.” Chen Zui nodded and didn’t show much emotion. “It is not inconvenient for us to interrupt your business for too long. After we are done editing, we will arrange for it to be broadcast as soon as possible. Remember to watch it when the time comes.”

“Okay. It will be on This Morning's Headline right?”

“En.”

"Around what time will it be on? Can you tell me in advance? I'm afraid I will miss it." After Zhen Tian said it out loud, she felt she was worrying too much. Her mother is a loyal viewer of this show. She will see it by then and wake her up.

“If you miss it, you can watch the recording. We will put it online.”

“Oh.” Zhen Tian nodded.

Chen Zui was silent for a moment, and looked at Zhen Tian, "Why don't I let you know before the broadcast."

"Really, that's great!" Zhen Tian's eyes lit up, then she hesitated, "But the person who contacted me before was not you. Do you have my contact information?"

A smile flashed in Chen Zui’s eyes before it disappeared, “Is it convenient for you to give me your contact information?” If not, he can go look for it back at the station. Everything is on the form.

Zhen Tian took her phone out of her pocket without a second thought, “Yes.”

She reported her phone number to Chen Zui. In the end, she added, "This is also my number for WeChat."

“Okay.” Chen Zui lowered his head and hid the smile on the corner of his mouth, “I will remember to notify you.”

"Thank you, Senior." But you can contact me at any time before then. Zhen Tian thought so but was too embarrassed to say it.

"Then we’ll head out first." Chen Zui put away the phone, glanced at Zhen Tian, and walked out with the cameraman.

After returning to the station and finishing his work, Chen Zui changed back to his clothes and went off to work. It is already past seven and Chen Yiran had long come home from school. He also sent a message to Chen Zui asking him when he will come back.

Chen Zui sent him a message and bought some food along the way. ABA TV station is located in the city center which is not far from the Starlight Department Store. When Chen Zui was looking for a place to live, he considered Chen Yiran’s schooling problem and chose a place closer to the city.

Fortunately, he does not commute during the peak hours hence he didn’t spend too much time on the road.

He bought the house three years ago. It is a small two-bedroom apartment but because of its location, it is not cheap. At a young age, Chen Yiran is already worried about the housing situation. He seriously considered that Chen Zui will get married in the future and will have a child after that. After the child is born, doesn’t that mean he won’t have a room to live in?

When he was only five years old, Chen Yiran sincerely suggested Chen Zui buy a three-bedroom house. Chen Zui looked at him dumbfounded. It is not that he has not considered this issue, but buying a three-bedroom apartment is way over budget, and he has no plans to get married any time soon, let alone have children.

Chen Zui came back with food. When he opened the door, he saw the takeout box left on the table. Chen Yiran had already ordered food for himself. If he had waited for his uncle to come back to eat, he probably would’ve starved to death.

Chen Zui changed his shoes as he hollered in the direction of Chen Yiran’s room, “Why didn’t you clean up after eating?”

Chen Yiran was doing homework in his room with the door closed. When he heard Chen Zui’s voice from outside, he put down his pen and walked out, “I specially left it for you. I bought it with my own money!”

Chen Zui glanced at the takeout box on the table and let out an “Oh.” "Then do I still need to thank you for leaving me some cold leftovers?"

“....It’s your fault for coming back late!” Chen Yiran saw Chen Zui taking out the food in his hand and sat down on the table, intending to take a bite later, "Why are you back so late today?"

Chen Zui broadcasts the morning news, so he goes out to work at three o'clock in the morning every day. If there is no other work, he will come home at noon. It is currently eight o'clock. Is his uncle hiding something from him?

Chen Yiran’s heart broke.

“I was out doing an interview.”

“Oh….”

Chen Zui raised his head and looked at him, “Why are you sitting there? Didn’t you eat already?”

“I’m hungry again.” Chen Yiran looked at him with a blank face.

Chen Zui chuckled and gave him a pair of chopsticks. Chen Yiran took the chopsticks but was not in a hurry to eat. Chen Zui’s laugh just now was too abnormal!

When did Uncle laugh like this?

Chen Yiran concluded in his heart that Chen Zui must have encountered something today.

"Uncle?" He tilted his small head and looked at him curiously with big eyes, "You seem to be in a good mood today?”

“Do I?” Chen Zui’s hand which was clipping food paused.

"Yes!" Chen Yiran nodded affirmatively, "You must have encountered something good."

Chen Zui calmly picked up a dish with his chopsticks and put it in his bowl, “Oh, nothing. The station gave me a raise.”