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

“Hmm?” Elizabeth suddenly stopped at the entrance of the restaurant. She turned slightly to look behind her, upon which she caught sight of a black shadow ducking in the bushes. She hesitated momentarily before turning away from the restaurant. A burst of blue ice and frost appeared beneath her feet, and she disappeared in the blink of an eye.

“She’s gone?” After a while, a man in a black jumpsuit emerged from the aforementioned bush. He looked around with a flustered expression before stomping his foot, and merging back into the darkness.

Fox is spying on me? Elizabeth was sitting right on a tree branch beside the bush, and her brows furrowed slightly in deep thought at the sight of the figure that had disappeared into the darkness.

Looks like Father was right. Those people are not trustworthy. I’ll have to make a trip to that place today. Elizabeth gently massaged the ring on her right thumb as she mused to herself. She took one final glance at the Mamy Restaurant before disappearing into thin air, leaving only a trail of ice and frost on that tree branch.

…

“Young Master, Board Member Devoe from the Devoe Tavern and Board Member Goodenia from Goodenia Clocks have been very secretive, and we were only able to discover some basic information despite paying a hefty price.”

In a slightly dim room, Mars reported his findings to Cyril, who was seated behind his desk. Mars had adopted the same respectful demeanor as he did when interacting with President Jeffree; even the humble smile that he wore was identical.

Cyril gently tapped an intricate red tobacco pipe on the table with furrowed brows. He said, “So, tell me what you know. Both of them are board members of our Chamber of Commerce, and they’re renowned figures in Chaos City. Who would dare to offend our Chamber of Commerce like this by taking them away for no good reason?”

“From the information that we have gathered, we have deduced that they might have been involved in a level 4 incident and a level 3 incident at the same time,” Mars replied with a grave expression. “Young Master, level 4 incidents are already confidential in the Gray Temple. I suggest we do not get involved in this.”

“A level 4 incident?” Cyril pursed his lips and leaned back in his leather chair with a nonchalant look. “So what? Didn’t you say that the people from the Devoe Tavern and Goodenia Clocks have already given us the money? Use half of that money to bribe the people at the Gray Temple and the city lord’s castle so we can bail those two out of prison. Otherwise, people are going to think that our Chamber of Commerce is too weak, and that we can’t even protect our board members. If any other issues arise, just resolve them with money. If we don’t have enough money, then ask for more from the two shops.”

“But…” Mars was still quite concerned.

“That’s enough. Young Mistress Chanel is waiting for me tonight. Deposit the money with Buffett Banks this time as well, and give me the deposit slips.” Cyril stuck his pipe into his pocket, and whistled as he walked out the door.

“Level 4 incidents can’t be resolved with just money. Things are a lot more complicated than you can imagine, Young Master…” Mars mused to himself with a resigned expression, and fell into deep thought as he stood alone in the dimly lit room.

…

Yabemiya and Sally returned to the restaurant, and quickly returned to work. The restaurant returned to its former level of efficiency, and aside from the missing door as well as the trees on the corner of the plaza that had disappeared, everything was the same as it had been before.

All of the customers were gradually consoled by the delicious cuisine they were dining on, and as they basked in the enjoyment of dining, they soon forgot their horror and displeasure.

“Father, Big Sister Xixi and Big Bear have fallen asleep after Big Sister Aisha attended to them. Master Turtle says they’re fine now, and will recover after some sleep.” Amy held Ugly Duckling in her arms as she informed Mag of what had happened. A bright smile had returned to her adorable little face.

“You all did very well. You’ve done a good deed.” Mag nodded with a smile as he surveyed Amy and the others with approval in his eyes. Sally had risked exposure to treat the dryad couple, Yabemiya was quite powerless but still led from the front, and Amy had expressed an urge to help them the entire time.

All three of them were very kind-hearted, which was very pleasing for him to see. He didn’t object to helping others, as long as it was within their ability.

Elated smiles appeared on the faces of Amy and Yabemiya. Sally was cleaning the tableware, but she also wore a faint smile as if she had never been praised before.

After wolfing down a second bowl of rice and devouring the final chunk of shiitake mushroom, Novan put down his bowl and chopsticks with a genuine expression of contentment, and praised, “I have to admit, this is the most delicious food I’ve ever had.”

“Is it enough to change the world?” Krassu had finished his braised chicken and rice at roughly the same time, and he turned to Principal Novan with an inquisitive look.

“If even normal families can create such delicious meals, then it’s definitely enough to revolutionize the food culture on the Norland Continent,” Novan replied with a nod.

“If even normal families could make this, then they wouldn’t be charging eight hundred copper coins per dish.” Krassu pursed his lips.

“So, if you want to change the world, then this is still not enough.” Novan chuckled.

“That’s not necessarily the case. Even if they can’t make the same type of food, enhancing the flavor of normal dishes is undoubtedly something that many people would be willing to try.” Krassu offered an opposing opinion as he pointed to the bowl in front of him with a smile. “This is a direction. The task of changing the world can never fall upon the shoulders of a single person, but perhaps he can point out the right direction.”

Novan fell silent upon hearing that, but his eyes grew brighter and brighter as he stared at the bowl. He suddenly stood up and rushed out the door as he said, “I have something important that I have to do. Thank you for your hospitality, I thoroughly enjoyed that meal.”

“Hey, you still haven’t eaten your tofu pu—” Krassu extended a hand toward Novan, but the latter had already disappeared out the door. He looked at the untouched tofu pudding in front of him, and shrugged as he spooned some of it into his mouth. “Savory tofu pudding isn’t all that delicious anyway, so it’s not really a tragedy to miss out on it.”

Several people from other tables turned to stare at the bowl of untouched tofu pudding on the table. Many of them wanted to take it for themselves, but they didn’t dare to ask Krassu for it.

“Master Half-beard, I wouldn’t be able to beat those big doggies, right? I’m so angry!” Amy climbed onto Krassu’s table and appraised him with a stern expression on her little face.