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

When Mag opened his door, a young man who had been waiting outside looked up at him immediately. “Mag, I heard your restaurant has a new dish today? I was pretty busy, but I have left my shop to my employees and come here to try it,” he said expectantly. He had short, blond hair.

Mag nodded, smiling. “Yes. But it’s only a trial sale today.” This young man was called Proll Musan, aged around 28, and also owned a shop on the Aden Square. He sold fragrant incense, which was brought here from the faraway capital of the Roth Empire. His commodities had won the favor of women from many species. He had five employees, and business was good for him.

When he walked around here yesterday morning, he came across this fancy restaurant. He felt he had found his way after a plate of Yangzhou fried rice, so he ate his lunch and dinner here too. He’d also brought his two neighbors here when he’d come in the evening.

He didn’t come for breakfast this morning. Perhaps he had heard from his friends that Mag’s restaurant had launched a new dish, so he came early and waited outside.

“Then I’d like one, please. But what’s this new dish exactly?” Proll asked curiously as he walked in.

“It’s called la zhi roujiamo,” Mag replied with a smile.

La zhi roujiamo? What is it? Proll frowned. I know what rou (meat) and mo (bread) are, but they can be put together and become a dish?

He remembered that when he’d asked Mag what Yangzhou fried rice meant, the latter had only said that Yangzhou was a very beautiful place.

Looks like Mag has just named his dishes randomly. But, he is such a talented cook that he can make such delicious food, and my understanding of “good food” has been completely torn apart, Proll thought, and took a seat.

Mag nodded. “Please wait a second.” He went towards the kitchen. When he walked past the counter, he saw Amy was crouching, stroking Ugly Duckling’s back hair ceaselessly. Cats are indeed very addictive, especially cute small ones. Even Amy can’t resist it.

Mag had already prepared the bai ji bread and stewed meat beforehand. He took a loaf of bread from the oven, sliced it open, stuffed the chopped meat inside, and added some gravy. Then he put it in a bag, walked out of the kitchen, and handed it to Proll. “Your la zhi roujiamo,” Mag said, smiling.

Proll took it. “Smells great!” The meat aroma really intrigued him; it was more impactful than Yangzhou fried rice. He swallowed in spite of himself.

The kraft bag was clean and exquisite, with a cute half-elf’s back on it. He remembered Mag had a lovely half-elf daughter, but he hadn’t expected that he would use her back as a trademark. He is very brave and interesting; a good father.

He did business with all the species, so he knew very well the difficult position the hybrids were in.

As a businessman, Proll didn’t discriminate; besides, Mag’s little girl was so cute that every customer liked her. Is she not here today?

Proll took his mind off them and looked at the aromatic food in the bag—a whole loaf of white bread was sliced open and stuffed with appetizing meat. So that’s how it got its name. Is this meat called ‘la zhi rou’?

Wondering, Proll couldn’t resist its aroma; he opened his mouth and took a bite, full of expectations.

The delicious taste practically burst out in his mouth right away. The tasty gravy stimulated his every taste bud, making him feel most satisfied. While the Yangzhou fried rice was gentle like a sweet spring, this roujiamo was much more violent, just like strong liquor. It had turned into a hot current, making his blood pumping.

“Ah!” Proll opened his eyes immediately and let out a sigh of admiration. He felt his blood pumping like he had felt when he’d first bared his heart to the girl next door. He was young, and he felt he had retrieved his vitality.

He always kept his smile while doing business with different species; he had even forgotten what a genuine smile should be like.

Now, he felt he had found the urge to smile again. The food was so delicious that it made him feel good and want to smile.

Proll took another bite, and another, and he kept his happy smile all the while. He came to this Chaos City at 17 and started as a petty worker. He crawled, cried, failed, and won. At last, he’d gained a foothold here and opened his own shop on this Aden Square. Ten years had passed; he had long forgotten what he’d looked like when he’d first come here.

Years of comfort seemed to have made him forget that he had dreamed of opening ten shops and becoming somebody when he first came here and laid his eyes on this grand, vast Aden Square.

After he finished his roujiamo, Proll looked up at Mag all of a sudden. “Mag, I think I’ll open a second shop,” he said, smiling.

Mag nodded with a smile. “Good for you.” He didn’t know why he had said that, but it seemed the roujiamo had given him strength, and he liked it.

“Please give me another one. I’m sure this blood-pumping food will be popular all over the city,” Proll said with certainty.

Mag nodded. “Thank you. Please wait a moment.” Then he went into the kitchen and made another one.

Slowly, Proll finished his second one. He fumbled out a purse from his clothes. “Mag, I’d like to buy five more for my employees,” he said as he looked at Mag.

Mag shook his head slightly. “Today’s roujiamos are only samples. Each customer can only buy three at most.” The trial sale had been meant to draw some attention and make preparations for the official sale tomorrow, so he didn’t make a lot.

Proll nodded. He was a businessman himself, so he could understand. “Oh, I see. I’ll buy one, then. One boy’s father has passed away; he is feeling a little down. Hope your food will give him some strength and cheer him up.”

Mag watched as Proll walked out. He collected the gold coins on the table. Then another customer came. “Mag, a new dish has come out today, right? What’s that aromatic thing in that man’s hand?” he asked.