After putting Amy and the Ugly Duckling in the cribs and covering them with blankets, Mai Ge went downstairs to prepare the ingredients for the evening. As he passed the counter, he put away the music box in the cabinet, as it was a true magic tool for lulling the little girl to sleep.
Tonight, Mai Ge planned to make 128 Rou Jia Mo. Kneading the dough alone would take two hours, which was why he was so eager to improve his physical fitness points, a 0.5 increase would reduce kneading time by at least half.
While kneading, Mai Ge also began to consider his future plans. Although life with Amy was quite joyful and warm, as a father, he naturally wanted his daughter to have a better life.
Now and in the future, the restaurant was his livelihood. It provided him with money and the recognition and respect of others, which made him happy.
The restaurant was slowly getting on track, with new customers joining everyday. Although it wasn't packed yet, it was enough to keep him busy.
The immediate goal should be to sell 1,000 Rou Jia Mo and then unlock tofu pudding to add another dish to the menu. At the current pace, it should be completed in two more days.
Thinking of tofu pudding made Mai Ge's mouth water, and he even felt more energetic kneading the dough.
"Daddy..." After Mai Ge finished making the dough, a sleepy-eyed Amy came downstairs carrying the Ugly Duckling, called out from the doorway, and the Ugly Duckling, clinging to her little skirt, slid down.
Although only a few days old, the little one was quite energetic, seemingly having inexhaustible energy after waking up. It hopped and skipped around the kitchen, playing happily by itself.
"Sit down for a while, Daddy will get you a glass of water." Mai Ge said, turning to Amy with a smile. Just as he reached for the glass, the hopping Ugly Duckling suddenly bumped into his foot. The little one froze, looked up at Mai Ge in surprise, then stiffened and fell backward, landing on its back, legs in the air, motionless. It looked back at Amy, its watery eyes filled with grievance.
"Is this...is this a staged accident?" Mai Ge chuckled at the scene. This little one is a total drama queen! Giving up its proper role as a master, it's starting an acting career like this?
"Ugly Duckling, I saw you bump into Daddy's foot yourself. If you want to lie down, then lie down. Anyway, if you get dirty, I won't carry you." Amy said seriously, glancing at the Ugly Duckling.
"Meow~" The Ugly Duckling jumped up with a start, glanced back at Mai Ge with a slightly resentful look, and trotted to Amy's feet, rubbing against her legs.
Mai Ge poured Amy a glass of water, and the little one took the Ugly Duckling to play with the music box. Amy's musical talent seemed to have been inherited from her mother; she could hum along after only a few listens and looked like she'd probably learn it in the next two days. Her soft, sweet voice was incredibly adorable.
Mai Ge glanced at the time, it was only 4:30 p.m., but customers were already starting to move around outside the restaurant, peeking through the glass windows, trying to spot him.
People knocked on the door occasionally, but Mai Ge ignored them. Opening hours weren't yet, and he wanted to rest a bit after kneading the dough. Besides, he still had to make dinner for them later.
A queue had already formed outside, with about seven or eight people waiting. Some were quite calm, while others were getting impatient.
"Why isn't it open yet? I was starving at noon and was planning to come early to eat Rou Jia Mo." A young man paced back and forth at the door, wanting to knock, but then pulled his hand back halfway. Someone had already knocked twice, but there was no response from inside.
"Don't rush, it's no use rushing. Boss Mai is very punctual. If he says he opens at five, he won't open a minute early, if he says he closes at nine, he won't serve you a minute late. Young man, have some patience and wait in line." Crassus said leisurely from the queue.
His smile was broad, but Crassus's tone carried a hint of resentment. He, a level ten mage, was now queuing outside a restaurant everyday. If word got back to Luo Du, it would be big news.
"If it wasn't for the fact that the Yang Zhou Fried Rice was really delicious, and that the girl's talent hadn't been investigated yet, this would never have happened." Crassus thought to himself. Luckily, he hadn't been out and about for over a decade, even in this Chaos City, few people recognized him, so he wouldn't lose face completely.
"Being able to eat Boss Mai's Rou Jia Mo, coming early is nothing. You might not get it at another place." Harrison chuckled from the back. He and his buddies had originally planned to come back that evening, but one by one they couldn't make it. He also had some things to do that evening, so he came early to queue up, thinking he could eat before heading out.
"Harrison, you're here so early? Where are they?" At that moment, a carriage stopped, and Jergi, who had just alighted, walked over, looking at Harrison with some surprise.
"They all had things to do so they couldn't come tonight. I also have some things to do at home tonight, so I came early to eat before going back." Harrison explained, then looked at Jergi curiously and asked, "So, was sister in law satisfied with the Yang Zhou Fried Rice you brought back for her at noon?"
"Here, that dragon coin from lunch." Jergi pulled out a dragon coin and handed it to Harrison, smiling. "She's more than satisfied! She hasn't eaten properly for days, and she finished the entire plate of Yang Zhou Fried Rice without leaving a single grain. She still wanted more, so she asked me to come back and buy her another one tonight. From today onwards, she'll be eating this for all three meals."
"That's really thanks to Boss Mai! This has given you a financial boost, hasn't it?" Harrison accepted the money without hesitation and patted Jergi on the shoulder.
Jergi smiled and nodded. "That's true, but I probably won't have time to drink and have fun with you guys for a while. After bringing food back to my wife, I'll stay home with her."
"Okay, I'll drink a couple more glasses for you." Harrison nodded.
…
Mai Ge rested for a while, then made two servings of Yang Zhou Fried Rice and baked some Bai Ji Mo.
While eating, the Ugly Duckling looked at the two of them with pleading eyes, looking so pitiful that Mai Ge almost couldn't resist giving it the Yang Zhou Fried Rice and Rou Jia Mo. However, before he could say anything, it turned its face away after being teased by Amy's daily antics.
When Mai Ge finished clearing the table, it was exactly five o'clock. Opening the door, he couldn't hide his surprise.
A long queue had already formed outside the restaurant, stretching from the entrance to twenty or thirty people. Hearing the noise, they all looked over with bright eyes.