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

Michael sat in a wooden chair in an intricately crafted wooden cabin. He wore a nervous expression as he looked at the old man with his hand resting on Vivian’s shoulder, and he asked, “Master Adams, how is Vivian’s condition?”

“City Lord, the frosty energy within Young Mistress’s meridians has indeed almost completely disappeared. Even the frosty energy in some of her smaller meridians has receded significantly. I don’t know what she did, but it’s much more effective than using my fire magic to treat her body. If this type of treatment can continue, there’s a chance that all of the frosty energy could be expelled from her body,” Adams replied with a surprised expression on his wrinkly face. He then asked, “Could it be that you found a more powerful fire-type magic caster? Or you fed Young Mistress a fire-type spirit fruit?”

“Is that true, Master Adams?” Michael’s eyes immediately lit up with excitement upon hearing that.

“Can it really expel all of the frosty energy in my body?” Vivian was also very animated. Her life had been a constant struggle, in which she could never sleep well, and wasn’t allowed to eat many of her favorite foods.

Living like that was more painful than death to her.

“You know that I never lie, City Lord.” Adams shook his head with a smile. He then turned to Vivian, and said, “But I really want to know just which master was able to provide such effective treatment? I’m a little embarrassed for wasting your time for so many years when there was a better alternative out there.”

“There is no better fire-type magic caster in Chaos City than you, Master Adams. She didn’t eat any high-level spirit fruit, either. Instead…” The excitement on Michael’s face was replaced by a peculiar expression as he tried to explain the situation.

“Grandpa Adams, I didn’t eat any spirit fruits or find other magic casters. All I did was eat a spicy grilled fish tonight, and my entire body was drenched with sweat afterward. Then, I went back home, and immediately felt better. The only possibility is that the spicy grilled fish did this,” Vivian answered in her father’s stead. Ever since she was 10, she had to come to Adams once per month to be treated using his fire magic. If it weren’t for the fact that she didn’t have much aptitude in the way of magic, she would have probably been taken in as his disciple. Even so, they shared a very close relationship, and she would often come to visit him, even outside of their monthly appointments.

“Spicy grilled fish?” Adams looked at Vivian with a perplexed expression, and asked, “Why does it sound like some kind of dish? Could it be that that dish was responsible for this?”

“It is indeed a dish, and it’s a super delicious spicy dish.” Vivian nodded vehemently. Her face was glowing with excitement as she confirmed, “Grandpa Adams, does that meant I’ll only have to eat a spicy grilled fish a day, and my body will slowly recover?”

“If it really was this spicy grilled fish dish that alleviated the frosty energy in your body, then it shows that the dish is a very effective remedy for you. If you keep eating it every day, it should be able to slowly eradicate the frosty energy in your body. Even if it can’t completely cure you, as long as it can rid your meridians of frosty energy, then you’ll be able to lead a normal life.” Adams smiled, and nodded.

“Yay! All I want is to be able to sleep well every night, and live like a normal person. I finally have a chance to make that dream come true! I’m going to eat a grilled fish every day until I’m cured!” Vivian was jumping for joy. She had completely relinquished her facade as a cold and aloof young mistress; her mind was entirely filled with the delicious taste of the grilled fish, as well as the bliss of waking up after a good night’s sleep.

A smile also appeared on Michael’s face at the sight of her elation. He had already forgotten how long it had been since he had seen such a joyful smile on her face.

“Father, I feel like it’s very necessary for you to stand up for that restaurant! Their food is delicious, and can cure my condition. It’s simply not fair that they can’t even make it onto the Aden Square food competition rankings board!” On a horse-drawn carriage that was heading for the city lord’s castle, Vivian was looking at Michael with an indignant expression.

“I’ll take care of this.” Michael was silent for a moment before seemingly making up his mind as he nodded with a firm expression.

“Alright.” Vivian nodded, and said, “Tonight, I also saw the president of the Catering Association go to that restaurant. If he still insists on keeping it off the rankings board even after tasting their food, then he’s definitely corrupt.”

“Alright, go to bed when we get back. I hope you can sleep well tonight.” Michael looked at Vivian with a doting smile.

…

Tonis was regretting his words as soon as they slipped out of his mouth. He had just said that the grilled fish wasn’t anything special, and then immediately given himself a figurative slap to the face.

A scorching sensation spread through his entire body. He didn’t eat much spicy food normally, and he felt as if he had been plunged into a spicy hell.

This type of spiciness was unlike anything he had ever tasted before. Coupled with the delicious fish, the dish was taking him back and forth between heaven and hell, and he simply couldn’t stop eating.

His mouth and tongue no longer belonged to him, and his sweat poured like rain. Despite that, he was struck by a profound sense of satisfaction.

Tonis could sense the mocking smiles directed toward him by the customers, but he couldn’t be bothered to respond to them. Nothing was more important in that moment than feasting on the grilled fish.

“They can pretend like the other dishes weren’t delicious, but there’s no way they can explain themselves now, right?”

All of the customers wore smiles on their faces as they looked at the two fatsos, who were basking in both pain and pleasure. Only Mag could cook a dish that could evoke such a spectacular reaction.

If they have any shred of integrity and humility left, then the would surely reinstate Mamy Restaurant on the rankings board, Mag thought to himself.

When it came time to pay the bill, Warren made his way over to Mag with a smile on his face. His clothes were drenched with sweat, and his hair was quite disheveled, but he had a look of approval on his face as he said, “Mag, right? You truly are a culinary genius.”

Mag smiled, and replied, “You’re far too kind, President Warren. I actually hope that I can also be a genius among restaurant owners.”

“Perhaps you’ll become one in the future.” Warren nodded, and placed some money on the table before departing from the restaurant.

“This fish…! It’s way too spicy!” Tonis pointed at his swollen lips before hurriedly departing behind Warren.

What a sly old fox. Mag’s eyes narrowed as he returned to the kitchen. Throughout their interaction, Warren hadn’t mentioned anything about whether Mamy Restaurant would be reinstated onto the rankings board.

…

At 9pm sharp, Mag began to turn away customers in a euphemistic manner with a smile on his face. He turned off the lights on the advertisement panel outside, and prepared to close for business.

Right at that moment, a voice suddenly sounded beside Mag. “Hello, looks like you’re closed for the day, but I have request; can you cook a spicy grilled fish for me?”