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

At the west gate of Chaos City, six hunter-like men were entering the city with their horses; they were carrying crossbows and bows. “They came here, Boss?” a young man asked the man with whiskers.

“I think so. Their tracks lead us here. Besides, that white cat is a glutton; she would definitely try to find something to eat here. That stupid bear follows her every word. We’ll find them in one of the restaurants.” His voice was deep and hoarse, his eyes brown and somewhat red.

“I heard the laws are strict here, Boss. Won’t we get caught?” asked another man.

“If we do it quickly, nobody can catch us. We don’t need them alive.” Their boss grinned, revealing his sharp, yellow teeth.

His men gave a cruel smile. “They are the last two. After we kill them, the curse on us should be broken,” said one of his men.

…

“The restaurant is right over there, Deputy President,” Rood said, pointing. He had volunteered to lead his boss here. But, when he saw the two long lines, he was shocked.

Robert was also taken aback. So many people are waiting in front of this restaurant? This normally happens only if there is a sales promotion, or in front of top-ranking restaurants during rush dinner hours.

“They must have known that we’re coming. That’s why he hired these people to deceive us,” Rood said angrily. “Look at them. They’re too quiet to be customers.”

Robert shook his head. “I don’t think so.” He strode towards the lines, walked up to Brandli, and bowed slightly. “Lord Brandli, are you here for lunch?”

“Oh, hi, Robert,” Brandli said, surprised. “Yes. I heard a new dish came out today, so here I am.”

Rood was dumbfounded. Such a high-ranking official is also waiting in line? He didn’t know Brandli, but he recognized the emblem on his robe.

By then, Robert’s suspicion had been dispelled since he knew Brandli as an honorable magic caster. Besides, most of the people waiting here were so well-dressed it was hard to believe they had been hired by the owner here. “The food here is really that good?” he asked Brandli.

Brandli smiled. “Why don’t you try it yourself? Join the line before it’s too late.”

Robert nodded. “If you’re waiting here, then it must be good.” He went to wait in line.

Rood was shocked. He walked over to his boss. “Deputy President—”

“You stand behind me, Rood,” Robert interrupted. “We’ll try the food here ourselves.”

“Yes, Boss.” Rood did as he said. He really respected Robert for his dedication to his work.

But, Rood was still in denial. He must have pulled some strings to get such a high-ranking official here.

“Excuse me, why are there two lines?” Robert asked the young man in front of him. He had also sensed the tension between the two lines.

“This is your first time here, right?” Jimmy said. “They have a dish called tofu pudding, which comes in two flavors. The savory one is unbelievable, but the sweet one is practically inedible.” He was taking it upon himself to promote the savory tofu pudding.

“No,” said an old man at the end of the sweet line. “The sweet one is divine; it’s the savory one that is disgusting. You should wait in this line here.”

They started the argument again.

“You’ll stop giving the savory tofu pudding one star if you know what’s good for you!”

“Like hell we are!”

Robert was surprised by their obsession with this dish. Maybe I should try both the flavors.

Rood was dumbfounded. He had never seen customers arguing over different flavors of one dish.

“Lulu, you chose savory tofu pudding over me. Don’t you love me anymore?” Xixi asked, disappointed.