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

“I don’t want to go lower than the market price. It’s despicable and bad for the market,” the system said solemnly.

“Oh, how noble you are!” Mag turned around. “I’ll buy from Mobai then.”

“Wait! I will give you a discount!” the system said urgently.

Mag stopped. “I’m listening.”

“2%,” the system said reluctantly.

Mag started walking towards Mobai’s forge again.

The system raised its voice. “5%!”

Still Mag didn’t stop.

“10%. Take it or leave it,” the system said as if trying hard to make up its mind.

“Okay. I’ll buy one when I have money.” Mag didn’t even have 100 gold coins now. He started walking back again.

Yabemiya was wiping tables when Mag walked in. It was all she could do not to laugh when she saw his head. She greeted him with a smile.

Then she noticed more differences. He doesn’t look weary anymore. His dark eyes have grown deeper and more attractive. I think I might fall for him if I keep staring.

Mag smiled back, and wanted to go upstairs to wash his hair. When he walked past the counter, Ugly Duckling woke up. It looked around and meowed at Mag after it found no way to get down from the basket.

“You call yourself a cat when you can’t jump off a bike?” Mag said with disapproving eyes. “Jump onto the counter, and then I’ll get you down.”

It shook its head helplessly after taking a look at the counter. “Meow.”

“Jump or stay in that basket.” I may need it to watch over Amy someday, but it can’t do that if it’s a coward.

I don’t care if it’s a cat or not, but I don’t want it to become a good-for-nothing fatty.

Ugly Duckling mustered up all its courage and regarded the counter seriously. It bended its knees and jumped.

“Bang!”

It smacked right into the counter, and then fell down onto the floor, where it stayed silent and sullen.

“At least you made it down. Congratulations!” Mag said.

Ugly Duckling raised its two paws to cover its ears.

Mag shrugged and went upstairs.

After he took a shower and changed into clean clothes, he felt even fresher and fitter. He found everything beautiful.

With no customers, the restaurant was clean and quiet. There was sunlight coming through the window. Ugly Duckling was basking in the sun, rolling back and forth. Now and then it looked to the door as if waiting for Amy to come back.

Yabemiya was sitting at a table by the window, resting her chin in two hands.

“Miya, do you want to dance?” Mag asked with a smile, putting the music box on the table.

“Thank you, Boss!” she answered delightedly.

Mag turned it on. “I’ll be in the kitchen. I’m afraid lunch time will be very busy.”

I should be able to finish the mission of getting 1,000 customers after lunch, and I’ll get that braised chicken and rice recipe.

I can’t wait to eat something different for a change. I’m sure Amy will like it too.

The kneading was much easier now that he was stronger. It had taken him only half an hour to knead a chunk of dough that used to require over an hour, and he didn’t feel tired at all, so he kneaded more.

He smiled when he saw Yabemiya dance awkwardly but enthusiastically. He put the dough aside. “I’m much more productive now. I have to hire another waitress to help her.”

…

In an alley not far from Geya Hotel, an old elf was watching through a telescope as Sally hung quilts up to air. His hair was graying, but his eyes were deep and full of wisdom.

“Lord Yngwie, that’s Lady Sally, right?” Earvin asked quietly, excited. This information alone might get him a huge reward, and he might get transferred back to the Wind Forest.

The old elf nodded, putting the telescope away as Sally went back into the hotel. “Yes, I’ve seen her personally on a banquet two years ago.”

“But why is she working in a hotel?”

He had followed her here after he saw her by accident in Mamy Restaurant. He had thought she was holing up there.

Who would have thought that such a lady like her would work in a hotel owned by a human? Earvin thought to himself.

“Do not tell a soul about this. You got it?” Yngwie warned, looking into Earvin’s eyes.

“Yes, Lord Yngwie!” he answered quickly. Yngwie was serving as an ambassador here. He was responsible for all elves in Chaos City, and was a powerful 7th-tier magic caster. After a moment, he asked, “Should we take her back by force, Lord Yngwie?”