Hearing Amy's voice, Luna's heart relaxed instantly, but when her gaze fell on Amy, she couldn't help but show a hint of surprise.
Today, Amy was wearing a pretty little purple dress with delicate gold and red embroidered flowers on the chest. Her hair was styled into two cute little braids on either side, done with practiced skill. Her clean face was filled with a joyful smile.
The little girl who used to wear old linen clothes, her hair always disheveled, often squatting alone in a corner lost in thought, making one feel sorry for her, had suddenly transformed into a delicate and adorable little princess. While surprised, Luna also felt a sense of relief.
But after hearing Amy's introduction of the man beside her, Luna was even more astonished. In her memory, Amy's father was seriously ill. She had once seen them from afar; he wore a tattered, stained cotton shirt, his back hunched, walking unsteadily, half his face covered by a thick beard, looking like an old man in his twilight years.
Although she didn't know what earth-shattering changes had taken place in this man in just a few days, Luna still politely nodded to Mai Ge and said with a smile, "Hello, I'm Luna • Fei Er De. I used to teach Amy math. I haven't seen her at the academy these past few days, so I came to see her before class today."
"Hello, Miss Luna, I'm Mai Ge, Little Amy's father. Thank you so much for taking care of Little Amy all this time." Mai Ge replied with a smile and a nod. He could sense a hint of wariness and distance from the smiling girl, a distance he actually preferred.
Teacher Luna, whom Amy often mentions, is the kindest person to Amy in this Chaos City. Besides teaching Amy math, letting her attend classes, and combing her hair, she often brings Amy things to eat, which the sensible Amy will bring back and share with her father.
It could be said that during the original owner's most despondent period, she gave Amy a warm embrace, protecting her last vestige of innocence. Mai Ge would forever remember this kindness.
Although the original owner did not have direct contact with Luna, he would secretly investigate those who had contact with Amy. The investigations were not detailed, but he was enough to rule out any potential danger from them.
Luna was likely from a noble family in the Los Empire. For some unknown reason, she came to Chaos City and became a math teacher at Chaos Academy, a branch of the Gray Temple.
"You're welcome. Seeing that Amy is alright, I'm relieved." Luna smiled and patted Amy's hair. Looking at Amy, her guardedness completely disappeared, replaced by a sincere and gentle smile that seemed to radiate maternal warmth.
"Teacher Luna, Little Amy is doing great! Daddy conjured up a beautiful big house and made Amy super delicious rainbow fried rice and Rou Jia Mo." Amy said with a smile, reaching out her little hand to hold one of Luna's fingers. Turning to Mai Ge, she pleaded, "Daddy, could you make some rainbow fried rice for Teacher Luna?"
"Of course." Mai Ge nodded with a smile, looking at Luna. "Miss Luna, if you haven't had breakfast yet, perhaps you could come in and sit down."
"This…" Luna hesitated. She hadn't eaten breakfast, but she had come specifically to check on Amy. It would take about twenty minutes to get back to Chaos Academy from here, and eating breakfast here might make her late for class.
"Teacher Luna, please have some! Daddy's rainbow fried rice is so delicious!" Amy gently tugged at Luna's finger, pleading a little.
Looking at the expectant expression on Amy's face and her desire to give her the best, Luna couldn't help but soften. She smiled and nodded, "Okay, then Teacher will have a plate of the rainbow fried rice Amy recommended."
"Please come in." Mai Ge pressed one hand against the door and stepped aside to make way for the doorway.
"Thank you." Luna nodded politely, taking Amy's hand as they entered the restaurant. She was still somewhat pleased with Mai Ge for holding the door for her, and his smile, while kind, held a certain distance, which made her feel comfortable. Since arriving in Chaos City, it seemed like a long time since she had encountered such a refined and courteous person.
Mai Ge reached out and flipped the sign on the door, glancing at the weapon shop next door. A little surprised that Mo Bai hadn't come for breakfast yet, he turned and went back into the restaurant.
Luna, holding Amy's hand, looked around the restaurant. The brown and gray-white color scheme was very comfortable, and the murals on the walls surprised her with Mai Ge's taste and knowledge. Rows of brown wooden tables and chairs were spaced out without feeling crowded, and the beautiful crystal chandelier and bright lighting made the restaurant feel luxurious and comfortable.
She had never been to a restaurant like this before; even in the capital of Los Empire, she couldn't find one this comfortable. Choosing a table by the window, Luna looked up at Mai Ge and said, "Then I'll order the rainbow fried rice Amy recommended, thank you."
"Okay, please wait a moment." Mai Ge smiled and nodded, glancing at Amy sitting opposite Luna, before smiling and walking towards the kitchen.
"Teacher Luna, it's really delicious!" Amy said, resting her chin on her hands, her face full of seriousness.
"Okay, I trust Amy." Luna smiled and nodded, picking up the menu with curiosity. The soft leather felt comfortable against her fingers, but when she opened it, she paused, stunned.
The large menu only had one dish.
"Yang Zhou Fried Rice?" Luna murmured. This must be the rainbow fried rice Amy mentioned, but what was 'Yang Zhou'? Was it some kind of ingredient? Or a place?
Upon seeing the price, Luna frowned. 600 copper coins per serving?
Although she didn't know what this so-called Yang Zhou Fried Rice or rainbow fried rice actually was, the price was quite high, enough for an average family to eat for several days.
She now works as a teacher at Chaos Academy and earns only 30 gold coins a month. Although her family sends her several hundred gold coins every month, she usually doesn't spend that money on herself, as there are many children in Chaos City who don't have enough to eat.
So spending 600 copper coins on a meal is indeed a luxury for her. However, looking at Amy sitting across from her with anticipation, and seeing Mai Ge's focused figure cooking in the kitchen, she smiled and closed the menu.
The restaurant must have just opened; there's only one dish on the menu, and it's priced so high. Perhaps she's the first customer. She'll have one, to encourage this father and daughter starting a new life, Luna thought to herself.
Of course, such a luxury is something she can only indulge in occasionally.
"Your rainbow fried rice, or rather, Yang Zhou Fried Rice." A moment later, Mai Ge brought out a plate of Yang Zhou Fried Rice and gently placed it in front of Luna.