The Omnistore System

Chapter 273 Hate for no reason

?"Wow, this tastes delicious," Keith exclaimed, her cheeks flushed as she savored the orange chicken.

"Absolutely, it's even better with beer," Kevin chimed in, taking a big swig of the frothy, light-brown liquid.

Viana and Keyara quietly ate their meal, their cheeks also tinged with a rosy hue, not just from the alcohol but also from the warmth of the crackling fire in the fireplace. The cozy atmosphere enveloped them as they enjoyed the food in silence.

"This beer is good," Viana remarked, enjoying the taste, and Kevin, reading the label, shared some information. "It's made from resources collected solely from the den. It's got some positive effects on cultivations and is quite potent in Qi, so much so that if an ordinary person drank this, they'd have a one-way trip to heaven with just one glass."

"Wow, that's strong," Keyara commented, inspecting the label on the beer bottle before taking a sip. "And it's sweet, unlike other beers that are bitter and tasteless."

"I prefer bitter beers; they feel more like the real deal. This one tastes more like juice, just mixed with strong alcohol," Kevin added, taking another sip and contemplating the flavor.

"Yeah, it's like a fruity cocktail," Keith remarked, downing the glass in one go. "But I like it."

Kevin smiled as the conversation shifted. In his previous world, when he drank with friends, their discussions always revolved around alcohol—the drinks they had, wanted to have, or had heard of. To an outsider, it might seem they were all alcoholics, but there was a peculiar joy in discussing the nuances of alcohol—its flavors, the buzz it brings, and the myriad experiences associated with it. This change in topic brought a sense of familiarity and comfort, a shared camaraderie over the pleasure of discussing drinks and the memories they brought forth.

As Keith finished her glass, the crackling of the fireplace filled the brief pause in conversation. Kevin leaned back, swirling the beer in his glass before taking a thoughtful sip. "You know, the diversity in beer flavors is pretty incredible. It's like a whole spectrum of tastes."

Viana nodded in agreement. "Definitely. There's something for everyone, whether you prefer the bitter ones or the sweeter, fruitier ones."

Keyara, intrigued by the discussion, chimed in, "I've always found it fascinating how beverages can have such complex flavors. It's like discovering a whole new world with each taste."

Kevin grinned. "Exactly! It's an adventure in a glass. Each sip is a surprise, isn't it?"

Viana chuckled softly. "It's funny how conversations about drinks can be so engaging. Each one has its story, its unique taste, and brings a flood of memories."

Keyara nodded in agreement, a hint of nostalgia in her eyes. "I remember my first taste of a unique cocktail—I felt like I was on an adventure, exploring something new."

Kevin nodded, savoring his beer. "It's amazing how a sip can transport you back in time, conjuring memories of places, people, and experiences associated with that drink."

"Yeah, it is..." Keyara exclaimed in a slightly raised tone as she finished her glass, her movements a bit unsteady as she stood up. "I'm feeling a bit tipsy now, so let's continue our chat tomorrow..."

"Aww..." Keith expressed with a hint of sadness in her tone. "I was hoping to have another drink with you, sis... Just stay for one more glass..."

"Nah, if I did, I'd keep going and going, and then... another round," Keyara chuckled, turning towards the door and waving her hand. "You three enjoy yourselves."

As Keith tried to halt her departure, Kevin intervened. "Let her go. She's got things to do tomorrow. Let's enjoy our drinks and hey, your grandma's here with you. Why not raise a toast with her?"

Keith turned away from Keyara's retreating figure toward Viana, noticing that Viana seemed less tipsy and more flushed than her. "You know, Grandma, I have a question for you... if you don't mind. It's a bit of a heavy one," she asked, her tone slightly slurred from the drinks.

Viana remained silent, her expression reflecting a mix of surprise and concern. Keith, having downed another drink, asked with a tinge of sorrow in her big, golden eyes, "Why do you hate me so much? You love Keyara and Kari dearly, but why not me? I'm not asking for your affection, but why this hate? I haven't done anything to deserve it... so why?"

The innocence in Keith's intoxicated gaze, coupled with her rosy cheeks, struck Viana. She was taken aback by the question, grappling with the sincerity behind it. She found herself at a loss for words, unable to explain where the animosity towards her granddaughter stemmed from. Was it because Keith resembled her mother too much? Or perhaps it was the unfortunate timing of her parents' passing shortly after Keith's birth? Viana herself didn't have a clear answer, leaving her stunned by the depth of emotion in Keith's inquiry.

However, Viana realized she had never shown warmth or smiled at Keith during their time together. This realization prompted her to search for an explanation to Keith's poignant question, but she found herself unable to provide a satisfactory response.

"Why, Grandma... please tell me... why?" Keith's persistent questioning added pressure, demanding a swift answer from Viana, who struggled to articulate her thoughts under the weight of the inquiry.

Feeling the weight of Keith's insistence, Viana took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. "Keith, it's not that I hate you," she began slowly, trying to convey her feelings carefully. "It's just..."

"It's just..." Keith interrupted loudly, and Viana's face tensed, filled with a mix of tension and confusion as she sought to respond to her granddaughter's question. Turning towards the only man present in the room, she looked for some guidance. In response, he smirked and mouthed some words that caused her cheeks to flush with embarrassment.

'Kiss her.' Those were the words she silently mouthed, and Viana intercepted them clearly. Her mind raced, contemplating whether she wanted to heed those words or not, her thoughts a whirlwind of uncertainty and internal conflict.