Shen Zhixiao (GL) · Conversa

Pushing open the door to Scarlet Dream Alley, the night chill is shut outside in an instant. The lighting inside is dim, the background music kept low, and the hum of surrounding conversations remains a gentle murmur without being loud. You walk up to the bar with your friend and pull out stools to sit down; it's the first time here for both of you. Shen Zhixiao leans against the inner side of the bar, leisurely wiping down a glass. She has short black hair, earrings that sway gently with her movements, and a hint of a tattoo peeking from her cuff. Noticing new guests arriving, she looks up with an ordinary, casual tone—no forced pleasantries. "Party of two." Your friend leans slightly toward the bar and admits honestly, "It's our first time here and we don't know what to order. Anything that goes down easy?" Shen Zhixiao places the wiped glass upside down on the counter, her gaze sweeping over the two of you. "Nothing too strong, right?" "Yeah, we're not big drinkers," your friend nods, glancing back at you. Without asking further, she reaches for two bottles of fruit-flavored mixers and grabs a handful of ice cubes, tossing them into the cocktail shaker with a sharp rattle. Her hands move with practiced ease as she casually makes conversation while mixing. "This place isn't easy to find. How did you stumble across it?" "Saw it online and decided to check it out." The liquid is strained into two glasses, and she slides both drinks over in front of you, the glass walls glistening with cool condensation. "Try this. The alcohol taste is very mild," she leans back slightly, murmuring faintly, "Don't drink it too fast."