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

Miles was standing outside Andrew’s pork chops shop. He was looking at Andrew with an excited expression as he said, “Hey, Andrew, have you heard? This is the first day that they’re releasing the Aden Square food competition rankings, and all five of Mamy Restaurant’s dishes have made it into the top 100. On top of that, two of them made it into the top 30.”

“My workers told me this morning. I’m surprised that the other three didn’t reach the top 50. All five of the dishes deserve to be in the top five.” Andrew was a little disappointed as he put down his knife.

“It’s not like you don’t know about the inner workings behind the rankings. Mamy Restaurant is still too small, and this is its first time participating in the competition, so two dishes in the top 30 is already very impressive.” Miles sighed. “The rankings are all being fixed by the Chamber of Commerce. You weren’t even in the top 20 this time, and if things continue like this, you’ll be out of the top 30 sooner or later.”

“That’s true. Our restaurant has been running for close to two decades, and we sell more than a thousand servings of our signature dishes every day. Even so, we still can’t break into the top 10. Those guys are just getting more and more shameless.” Bernice joined the conversation, and shook her head with a hint of indignation.

“I feel like the rankings are more interesting this time. Mag has forced his way into the top 30, and taken two spots in the process. Those people who purchased rankings must be furious. The Chamber of Commerce’s stranglehold has been shaken, and this is something that has never happened before.” Old man Bishop chuckled as he strode over with his hands clasped behind his back. His spring onion bing was still outside of the top 100, but he didn’t really care anymore.

“Indeed. It’s been many years since a black horse like this has appeared. I’m just afraid that Mag will encounter some trouble as a result. He’s only one man, while the Chamber of Commerce is a colossus. It would be really bad if they were to target him.” Bernice was a little concerned.

Everyone gathered together and conversed freely. They were elated that someone had been able to rain on the Chamber of Commerce’s parade, but at the same time, they were concerned for the future of Mamy Restaurant.

…

In a large room in the Chamber of Commerce, Cyril was playing with a colorful little snake while sitting in his leather chair behind his desk. Mars, who was standing on the other side of the desk, asked, “Young Master, Boss Ricky of Ricky’s Rotisserie was assaulted this morning. Should we report this to the president?”

Cyril didn’t even raise his head as he asked, “Ricky? Who’s that? And why would we report news of him being assaulted to the president?”

“Ricky’s Rotisserie is a board member of the Chamber of Commerce. They have paid for three consecutive months to guarantee a spot in the top 30 in the Aden Square food competition, and today is the first day that the rankings have been released. Ricky’s Rotisserie was ranked at number 31, and the restaurant that had taken the 30th spot was Mamy Restaurant. They were the ones who assaulted Ricky.” Mars paused momentarily before continuing, “Devoe and Goodenia were also detained because of that restaurant. It’s said that one of the hired thugs from the Devoe Tavern was killed by the boss of Mamy Restaurant.”

Cyril finally raised his head upon hearing that, and looked at Mars with a thunderous expression as he asked, “Who is this guy? Is he trying to oppose our Chamber of Commerce?”

“I’ve already done some investigating, and I found that the boss’ name is Mag, but I wasn’t able to dig up any information about his background. He opened Mamy Restaurant in the northwestern corner of the Aden Square about a month ago, and attracted many customers in that short span of time. The prices at his restaurant are extremely high, and even the cheapest dish costs 200 copper coins. The altercation that he had with Goodenia in the past…” Mars began to introduce Mag, as well as how the conflict between Mag and Goodenia had arisen.

“He’s just a cocky little clown. A restaurant owner like him dares to declare that our Chamber of Commerce will close down?” Cyril pursed his lips with disdain, and said, “There’s no need to report something so insignificant to the president. Just tell the Catering Association to wipe the restaurant from the rankings, then go and cause trouble for them regularly. Let me see if his little restaurant or our Chamber of Commerce will close down first.”

“But his daughter has two 10th-tier magic casters instructing her. If we do that…” Mars was a little concerned.

“So what? It’s not like we’re attacking them. Are those two magic casters going to attack us in Chaos City? Give that fatso at the Catering Association some money, and he’ll be more than happy to do our bidding.” Cyril smiled nonchalantly, and said, “There’s nothing in this world that can’t be resolved with money.”

Mars opened his mouth to say something, but he was abruptly cut off.

“That’s enough. You’ve become more and more cowardly, Mars. Back when your father was working for the president, he was renowned for his decisiveness.” Cyril glanced at Mars as he wound the colorful snake around his finger. He then stood up and left, but he paused at the door, and said, “Sometimes, you have to make a decision. Those who can’t make decisions will be left behind.”

Young Master, it really is difficult for me to bet everything on you. Besides, the first lesson my father ever taught me was to never place all of my eggs in the same basket. Mars looked at Cyril’s departing figure, and shook his head as he also left the room.

…

Mag faltered momentarily upon hearing the system’s words before asking, “What did you just say?”

“You can choose a dish as one of the options on the wheel. After completing the tofu pudding mission, you will have the chance to secure that recipe—if you can get it on the wheel,” the system repeated.

“System, did you rediscover your conscience?” Mag’s raised an eyebrow skeptically.

“As a system with an ever-present conscience, the system refuses to answer this question,” the system replied a little unhappily.

“Any dish is fine?” Mag was still in disbelief.

“All dishes on Earth are applicable,” the system confirmed.

“Let me have a good think about this.” Countless thoughts ran through Mag’s head. Shandong cuisine, Sichuan cuisine, Cantonese cuisine, Jiangsu cuisine, Zhejiang cuisine, Fujian cuisine Hunan cuisine, Anhui cuisine… Those were the eight major cuisine categories. He also thought about all of the specific renowned dishes that he had sampled in the past.

There were simply too many to choose from, so he was suffering from choice anxiety. He was wondering what those dishes would be like when cooked using the special ingredients supplied by the system in conjunction with his supreme cooking skills.

He thought about it for half a day, and it was close to opening time again, but he still hadn’t made up his mind.

“Father, I’m back!” Amy’s elated voice sounded from outside. Mag’s voice immediately lit up upon hearing that. If he couldn’t decide, then he could just let Amy decide!