Chapter 1495: I’m Super Fierce!
“Mother, I think you can bring me along when you go collect your winnings next time. I’m super fierce!” Amy turned around with a fistful of banknotes, placed her fist next to her face, and howled very “fiercely”.
“Hmm. That’s a good idea.” Irina nodded seriously.
Mag held in his laughter with resignation. The little one’s howl would most likely make the gamblers cry out because of her cuteness. As for the forcing payment… mostly it would be negative.
***
Mag and Harris’ duel was like a pebble that was thrown into the pond of Chaos City’s peaceful life, and it made some ripples. It became a topic for many people’s gossip.
Hence, the most obvious effect was the increase of the customers who came because of the fame.
The restaurant’s old customers voluntarily explained the restaurant’s rules to the new customers, and maintained the lines’ orderliness.
Some customers who had attempted to break the rules to cut the line or enter the restaurant in advance became more obedient after they were taught a lesson. The customers were still lining up orderly at the restaurant’s entrance as usual.
Due to Mamy Restaurant’s spur, Aden Square’s northwestern corner which had been very deserted initially had gradually become prosperous now. A few restaurants had opened along the street, depending on Mamy Restaurant’s popularity. Although they weren’t on par with Mamy Restaurant, they did manage to catch some of the customers who couldn’t afford the steep prices or missed out on the line.
“Boss, when would our restaurant’s business be as good as theirs?” a waiter from a newly opened roasted meat restaurant asked as he leaned against the door frame, and looked at the long lines outside of Mamy Restaurant enviously.
“Maybe after we poach their boss over.” That boss shrugged. Such lines were not going to happen to another restaurant in Chaos City again.
“I heard the restaurant next door plans to serve hot pot.” The waiter’s gaze landed on that shop which was currently under renovation right now.
“They really know how to catch the waves. I wonder how much of the hot pot’s essence they are able to replicate.” That boss smiled, and then turned to look at the sparse two or three tables of customers sitting in his restaurant. He, too, began to seriously consider changing his restaurant into a hot pot restaurant.
Currently, there were already a few restaurants in Aden Square which thrived by imitating Mamy Restaurant. They took certain dishes of Mamy Restaurant to be their restaurant’s main dish, and charged a cheaper price. They did manage to attract many customers to come and try them out.
However, for a hot pot restaurant, this seemed to be the very first one.
***
“Are you Miss Rena? Nice to meet you. I’m Bennett, the boss of Zebra Hot Pot Restaurant.” A balding middle-aged stopped Rena who was walking toward the dormitory with a shopping basket. He removed his hat politely and smiled. “Can I borrow a few minutes of your time for a chat?”
Rena was surprised that the other party knew her name. At the same time, she was slightly puzzled when Chaos City had a new Zebra Hot Pot Restaurant. But, since the other party was an elder, she stopped, and said, “Go on, please.”
Bennett pointed at the resplendent tearoom nearby, and said, “That tearoom is mine too. If Miss Rena doesn’t mind, perhaps we could go have a cup of hot tea over there while we chat.”
“No, thank you. I have to bring these groceries home to cook for my mother before I start work at the restaurant. If you have anything to talk to me about, let’s do it here.” Rena rejected his offer.
A faint disappointment flashed across Bennett’s eyes, but he smilingly continued, “If so, then we will talk here. Actually, I have come to invite Miss Rena to be the manager and partner of Zebra Hot Pot Restaurant.”
“Manager? Partner?” Rena looked at Bennett perplexedly.
Bennett earnestly nodded. “Yes, I hope that you can come to take charge of Zebra Hot Pot Restaurant’s operation and management, and utilize your superb hot pot skills to make Zebra Hot Pot Restaurant the best hot pot restaurant in Chaos City. Furthermore, you do not have to inject any funds, and you will be able to receive 30% stakes and profits of the restaurant straight away as the hot pot restaurant’s partner.”
Rena was taken by surprise. She understood Bennett’s meaning, and shook her head immediately without a second thought. “I’m sorry. I’m already working at Mamy Restaurant now, and I do not intend to change my job. If there’s nothing else, I will make a move first.”
“Wait a sec.” Bennett quickly stopped Rena, and continued, “If Miss Rena agrees to the terms, you will also receive a mansion located in the affluent area in the city center. After the hot pot restaurant starts to operate normally, it will bring you a monthly profit sharing of hundreds of thousands of copper coins. This money will allow you to have an affluent lifestyle in Chaos City. Isn’t it better than slaving off in that restaurant, and only earning a wage of a few thousand?”
Managing a restaurant on her own, a mansion in the affluent area, and a monthly salary of hundreds of thousands of copper coins. Honestly speaking, that was indeed very tempting.
After all, Rena’s current target was saving money so that she could buy a small house for her mother and her in Chaos City soon and have a stable home.
Now, she only needed to nod her head, and she could easily have all that and completely change her life tracks.
“I’m sorry. I still prefer to work in Mamy Restaurant. Boss Mag taught me everything I know about hot pot, so I’m indebted to him. Goodbye.” Rena shook her head without any hesitation before walking past Bennett with her basket.
“I will give Miss Rena some time to consider. You can always come look for me at that tearoom after you think things through,” Bennett said to Rena’s back.
Rena hastened her steps without giving him any reply.
“She is a good girl who knows gratitude.” Bennett watched Rena disappear at the end of the alley with furrowed brows. He only unfurrowed them after a while and smiled. “However, I will not be giving up so easily.”
***
“Rena, why do you look like you have a problem?” Clarince asked Rena, who was holding a stalk of vegetable, as she went into the kitchen to turn off the tap, and glanced at the water that was almost flowing out of the basin.
“N-nothing. I’m just a little out of sorts.” Rena swiftly shook her head, and continued to wash the vegetables.
Clarince patted Rena’s head concernedly while saying, “You must be overworked, my child. You don’t have to come home to cook for me in the future. I’m all well now, and I can take care of myself.”
“It’s fine. The restaurant is so close to the dormitory, and I can get home in no time. Besides, my colleagues have to come to the ice cream shop below, so I always come back with them. I’m not tired at all.” Rena shook her head, and said, “Mother, I simply love to come home to cook for you. I will be sad if you don’t let me do it.”
“Alright, alright. I’ll let you do it.” Clarince chuckled with resignation. She knew this girl was filial, and would never allow her to cook for herself.
Rena took a quick bite after cooking for Clarince. She then set off for the restaurant.
“Rena, I have already prepared all the ingredients needed for tonight’s hot pot. Please check if you need to replenish anything else?” Firis asked Rena as soon as she saw her enter the kitchen.
“Let me go through them.” Rena put on her apron, and quickly got into her work.