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

“System, the expenditure used to purchase strength points can also be used to upgrade the restaurant, right?” Mag asked internally.

“That’s right. As long as the expenditure isn’t on purchasing ingredients, you can use it to upgrade the restaurant. What are you waiting for? You can upgrade the restaurant to level two for less than 40,000 gold coins! There are so many rights and benefits waiting for you!” The system’s vehement voice sounded in response, and Mag felt as if it were about to jump out of his head.

“Hold on, I still haven’t thought about when I want to upgrade. How about we discuss some benefits first; can you erase the impact on the mission failure rate from the failure of the food competition mission today?” Mag asked.

“No!” The system’s voice was firm and non-negotiable.

“Then I won’t upgrade the restaurant.” Mag’s response was just as resolute.

“…”

The system was furious. “You can’t be so shameless!”

“I’ve always been this shameless.” Mag chuckled.

“But you have a daughter, and she has a biological mother! You need to set a good example for them!” the system retorted.

“She does indeed have a mother, but I don’t even know what her mother looks like. How about you help me recover my lost memories? At least I’ll have a mental image of who I’m trying to set an example for then.” Mag continued to chuckle.

“The system can’t do that!” Mag’s request met with a firm rejection.

“Then I can’t do anything. I’ll give you some time to reconsider. I feel like the restaurant is quite good as it is, and it doesn’t matter whether I upgrade it or not. I’m earning tons of money a day anyway.” Mag put on a nonchalant expression. He actually did want to upgrade the restaurant, but it was clear that the system was more desperate, so it would be a waste not to extort it for some benefits.

As Harrison walked in, he suggested, “Mag, business is so good for your restaurant, why don’t consider an expansion? Aren’t all of the shops next to your restaurant empty? If you expand the restaurant, all of the customers will have seats rather than having to wait in a line.”

“Hmm, I’ll consider that.” Mag nodded with a smile. He couldn’t determine whether an expansion could take place; that decision was down to the system. Otherwise, it would be an issue if there were a disparity in the decor and construction style.

All of the customers flooded in through the door, and as Vivian passed by Mag, she couldn’t help but take an extra glance at him.

His food is so delicious, and it has such miraculous effects. On top of that, he’s about 80% as handsome as I am; he is indeed no ordinary man, Vivian thought to herself as she stroked her fake mustache in a narcissistic manner before averting her gaze.

Mag had noticed what Vivian was doing, and he raised an eyebrow with a hint of amusement on his face. What an interesting girl. I wonder which family’s young mistress she is.

“Are you alright over there?” Mag then noticed Schonard walking in with a peculiar gait, and he extended some words of concern toward him.

“Of… of course I’m fine.” Schonard forced a nonchalant expression onto his face, and stood up a little straighter. However, in doing so, his buttocks tightened, and his casual facade almost crumbled due to the sharp pain that shot up his rear. However, he refused to be embarrassed again after the humiliation he had suffered the night before.

Mag smiled, and asked, “I’m glad to hear that. So would you like another insanely spicy grilled fish today? You’re the only one who ordered the insanely spicy grilled fish yesterday. I must laud you for being a true warrior.”

Schonard swallowed nervously, and as he looked at Mag’s smile, he was struck by an urge to punch him in the face. However, his mobility was restricted due to his physical discomfort, and the spicy grilled fish really was too delicious to miss, so he could only suppress his rage.

All of the customers also turned toward Schonard upon hearing that. There weren’t many people who could draw words of admiration from Mag.

“Hmm? Aren’t you the smoking red lion? You ate the insanely spicy grilled fish yesterday; that was so awesome! When smoke was rising from your head, you really did look like you were insane!” Amy held Ugly Duckling in her arms, and she clapped her little hands with a genuine expression of admiration.

Schonard’s expression twisted upon hearing that. He didn’t how to respond to this type of praise. However, all of the customers were looking at him, and the half-elf girl was staring at him with reverence, so his ego was instantly inflated once again.

“A true man dines exclusively on insanely spicy grilled fish!”

Schonard felt as if he could hear a voice ring out in his mind. That voice set his blood alight, and he clenched his fists as he yelled, “One spicy grilled fish, insanely spicy level!”

“Will your body really be able to handle that? Maybe you should get a mildly spicy grilled fish instead.” Mag was a little concerned.

“My body is completely fine! I’m as fit as a horse! I want the insanely spicy level! Insanely! Spicy! Level!” Schonard reaffirmed with an extremely resolute expression.

“Alright, then.” Schonard’s determination was clearly unshakeable, so Mag didn’t try to persuade him any further. He turned to the kitchen, and thought to himself, These young people really aren’t to be messed with!

Holy f*ck! I ordered the insanely spicy level again?! No! If I keep eating like this, I’m going to die! I have to cancel! I have to cancel… Schonard suddenly came to his senses as he looked at Mag’s departing figure, and his expression immediately crumbled.

“You’re so awesome, Big Brother Smoking Red Lion. I can’t believe you ordered another insanely spicy grilled fish; you must really be insane, right?” Amy looked up at Schonard, and contemplated momentarily before her eyes lit up as she said, “I’ll call you Big Brother Insane Smoking Red Lion from now on.”

“You can call me whatever you want.” Schonard looked at Amy with a resigned expression. He suddenly realized why he had ordered an insanely spicy grilled fish against his better judgment.

Only a small part of the reason was that Mag had goaded him; the main factor was the praise that he had received from this little girl.

She was simply too adorable, and her words of praise inflated his ego significantly, causing him to order the insanely spicy grilled fish again…

I hope… I can still see the sun rise tomorrow. Schonard sighed internally, and trudged into the restaurant as if he were walking to his execution platform.

Vivian sat down in a seat, and turned to Yabemiya as she said, “I want a savory tofu pudding, and a super spicy grilled fish. After having the grilled fish, I want a sweet tofu pudding as dessert.”

“Sorry, our tofu pudding is limited to one per customer.” Yabemiya shook her head in response.

“I’ll definitely pay for them, even in advance if required,” Vivian replied.

“Sorry, this a rule of the restaurant; each customer can only order one tofu pudding.” Yabemiya shook her head again.

“Then what if I pay double the price? How will I know which one is better if I don’t taste them together?” Vivian’s brows furrowed as she attempted to negotiate with Yabemiya.