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

Lulu put down his spoon. He had finished eating everything. “Are you full?” he asked while Xixi was licking her bowl.

“Yes.” Xixi smiled, putting the bowl down. There was some syrup at the corner of her mouth.

When Lulu reached out to wipe it off, Xixi stopped him and licked it. “That’s my syrup,” she said.

Lulu smiled. “We can order two bowls of the sweet one for you next time.”

Xixi shook her head. “No, we can’t. We must follow the rules. We don’t want to get banned.”

Lulu didn’t want to risk getting banned, either, because the braised chicken meant very much to them. Their future was riding on that dish. He respected Mag who had done them a solid.

“Excuse me, check, please,” Lulu said.

Amy walked up to them, thought a moment, and said, “That will be 25 gold coins, Big Bear.” She held out her hands.

“Wow, how do you do that? I don’t think I can calculate it that fast,” Xixi said, surprised. She’s such a cute, funny, bright, and lovable girl.

“Father taught me,” Amy said proudly. “Will you come back tonight?”

“We will. But we ate too much for lunch, so we may come back later tonight and eat away.”

Amy nodded happily. She found Xixi very kind, and was deeply impressed by how much she could eat.

“There you go.” Lulu carefully put 25 gold coins in her hands. Amy had embarrassed him several times today, but he was still smiling at her. It was because Xixi liked her, and because she was the owner’s daughter.

Xixi stroked Amy’s head and pinched Ugly Duckling’s cheek. “I’ll see you later.”

“Bye, Sister Xixi, Big Bear,” Amy replied, and watched them leave.

Dryads love nature, and that’s why they like kids and animals? Mag wondered. He was pretty interested in the probably last two dryads.

“What are these?” Xixi asked after they stepped out.

“That elf said they’re ballots,” Lulu answered, casting a hostile sidelong glance at Sally, who was busy collecting money.

Xixi held his hand. “She’s still a child; she may not even know of the massacre. Also, she’s a powerful magic caster. I don’t think we can defeat her.” She dragged him off. “But I fear the owner is related to elves,” she whispered. “His daughter is a half-elf, so her mother is an elf, and I tasted Spring of Life in that fried rice.”

“Spring of Life?” Lulu looked grave suddenly.

“Yes. 25 years ago, we bought some water from the Spring of Life. I still remember its taste, so I’m very sure.”

“Then we must keep our heads down from now on. Most people might have forgotten us since it’s been over 100 years, but elves are everywhere nowadays. Besides, those dogs are still after us. We’ll have to leave if it becomes a dangerous place.”

“Let’s not go vote. I have a bad feeling about going there.” Xixi gripped harder on his hand.

Lulu nodded and looked around.

“I don’t think the owner of the restaurant is a bad man; after all, his girl is so cute and thoughtful,” said Xixi.

“Maybe he isn’t, but still we have to be careful. Not everybody is able to hire such a powerful elf magic caster as a waitress.”

“Perhaps she works there so she can eat the food for free. You have to admit that the food there is irresistible.”

“A magic caster works in a restaurant so she can eat?”

“There’s nothing wrong with that. Maybe she doesn’t like doing quests like men. She gets to stay elegant and comfortable working there.”

They walked towards a secluded corner of the Aden Square.

…

The six hunters were looking up at the magic screens.

“There’re so many restaurants, Boss. Where do we start?”

“From the first one,” the whiskered man said, pointing. “Dukas Restaurant.”

“That’s a wise decision, Boss. I’m sure they came here and saw this list. They must be in one of these restaurants, waiting for us to find them.”

“I think I’ve caught her scent,” a middle-aged hunter said, sniffing. He looked around, his eyes bloodshot.