A Stay-at-home Dad’s Restaurant In An Alternate World

The girl was very pretty, with beautifully arched eyebrows. She had tied her brown curly hair up with a black piece of cloth. Her dress was long and white, with grass patterns on the waist and sleeves. She was looking up at the man beside her, smiling, her light golden eyes full of love.

Lulu looked around 30, and was a head taller than her, his face square and kind, his hair brownish black and short. He was wearing a brown bear-skin shirt, and looked as strong as a bear. He carried a beautiful bamboo basket on his back; it was quite full, but it was difficult to tell what was inside it.

His eyes were the same color as hers. He looked fondly at her as he brushed a lock of hair from her forehead. “It may be a safe city, Xixi, but I don’t think it’s safe for us—they will probably follow us here. We should never let our guard down.”

Xixi looked depressed. “Why won’t they leave us alone?”

“Don’t worry. Go eat whatever you like. I’ll always stay by your side,” he said, touching her head with his big clumsy hand, his eyes full of love.

Xixi’s face lit up. “I know you will. Let’s go get something to eat!” She rubbed her head against his hand, and walked into the Aden Square.

Lulu looked around warily, his face suddenly grim, and then walked behind her.

…

“Excuse me, could you bring me the check, please?” Carl said, putting down his spoon. He had eaten every bite of his braised chicken and rice. He burped, satisfied.

“That will be eight gold coins,” said Sally.

“There you go.” He pulled out a dragon coin and paid his check. Then, he walked over to the kitchen door. “Can you tell me where you got so many shiitakes, Mag?”

“I’m sorry, I can’t.” If I told him and the elves found out, they would kill me.

“Don’t worry. I won’t steal your customers.”

“I really can’t tell you. Sorry.”

“Okay. But, this braised chicken is really good, and well worth the price. I counted four or five shiitakes in it.”

“Thank you.” Mag got back to cooking, feeling good as he listened to them commending the food.

All 48 bowls of braised chicken had been ordered in a short time, even if some had to wait for an hour.

After breakfast hours were over, Mag shook his tired wrists. Although his physical strength had improved, doing so much work in an hour and a half was exhausting. He felt like Superman.

Also, Sally had got better at collecting money. The customers had come to like her indifference.

After meticulous observation, Mag found that some people even loved her cold manner—they were masochists, in other words.

Of course, most people were normal; they liked her keeping her distance and her elegance.

The restaurant was running more smoothly with Sally working here.

Mag didn’t plan on hiring many waitresses. Too many waitresses would make things too noisy, he thought. But we will get even busier; I hope the two girls can handle the work.

Sally cleaned the whole restaurant with her water magic, told Mag she would be back before lunch, and left.

She is working hard, Mag thought. She could easily make much more money by doing quests, but the Chaos Guild would probably found out who she really is. Poor girl.

“Go get some rest, Miya,” Mag said, untying his apron. Now that Sally was here, Yabemiya needed not worry about the cleaning work, so she had nothing to do after opening hours were over.

“I’m not tired. Let me massage your shoulders.”

Mag nodded. “Thank you.” It’s not nice to turn her down; besides, my shoulders and arms are really sore.

…

Before the magic screens in the middle of the square, some people from the Catering Association were sorting and counting ballots.

The rankings were updated every day. Now, the screens were displaying last month’s rankings. If there were no dark horses, the rankings wouldn’t need to be changed much, which would reduce the staff’s workload.

“Where do you think the last restaurant we went to yesterday will rank tomorrow?” Arvin whispered as he moved tables with Rood.

“341 restaurants entered the competition this month, so it will probably rank 340,” Rood smiled.

“Not 341?”

“A restaurant which doesn’t open yet also signed up, remember? The owner said it was for advertisement. That one may rank last, I think.” Rood laughed.

“Maybe they’ll both rank last,” said Arvin, laughing.