Chapter 117: Chapter 117 Tripped Over Flat Ground
Four Seas Restaurant is nestled in the most luxurious district in the city center.
The rare European architectural style makes it stand out uniquely along the entire street.
At the entrance stands a milky white musical fountain, its water sparkling in the sunlight.
Many children hesitate to leave the fountain’s side, while nearby parents, feeling the weight of their wallets, grit their teeth and take their little treasures inside.
The polite staff at the door, lined up in two rows and wearing white gloves and tailored suits, plaster on their professional smiles.
Seeing such a grand setup, those who lack confidence simply stop at the door, unable to step forward.
Jiannan’s face was Full of hesitation. “Brother, are you sure you brought enough money? Don’t end up having us wash dishes to pay the bill.”
Jiandong stroked his chin, “Worst comes to worst, I’ll just have to wash more dishes, so I can get out earlier.”
Although it was clearly a joke, Jiannan got scared and stared mournfully at the restaurant’s entrance for a long time before squeezing out a sentence.
“If worst comes to worst… We could ask those at the top floor hosting the wedding banquet if they need a flower boy, and we can offer Qingqing up.”
Qingqing, being pretty, should fetch a higher price than both of them.
Yue Qingqing was swallowing her saliva, enticed by the delicious smells wafting from inside. “Do flower boys get to eat nice food?”
The Yue brothers: “…”
They really have to keep an eye on this little food lover so she doesn’t get lured away by a few tasty treats someday.
The waiter, ever so courteous, ushered the three of them inside.
There was none of the embarrassment of being thrown out due to their attire that Jiannan had imagined.
Although the decor inside also followed a European style, screens thoughtfully placed between seats ensured ample privacy for guests.
Jiannan cautiously seated himself on the lacquered chair.
He rubbed his hands on his clothes several times before daring to open the gold-embossed menu.
“Brother, I feel like even if they were selling peanuts here, they’d be priced like braised pork.”
He had never dined in such a fancy place before and felt unsure about where to put his hands and feet.
The waiter brought over a high chair, referred to as a baby chair, and placed Qingqing onto it.
Yue Qingqing grinned sweetly at him, finding the chair to her liking as it allowed her to sit level with the table, making it easier to eat.
The waiter was dazzled by her smile and later brought in a fruit plate, claiming it was a treat for the child.
Jiannan was astonished.
Fruit was a rarity back in their village; aside from the wild fruits they picked, families seldom indulged in buying them.
His little niece’s smile was indeed priceless.
He encouraged Qingqing, “Keep smiling, and who knows, maybe you can even get a plate of braised ribs out of it.”
Yue·Happiness-for-Hire·Qingqing: “…”
Jiandong was absorbed in the menu, calculating how many ingredients they would need daily based on the recommended dishes and the flow of customers he had observed since their arrival.
How much of the demand could be supplied by their own fishpond.
Jiannan, on the other hand, focused solely on the prices at the back of the menu.
One glance was enough to see that everything was expensive.
Fortunately, it wasn’t to the point where they couldn’t afford it, although they might wince at the expense for several days after the meal.
Qingqing was only interested in the pictures on the menu, thinking this and that looked tasty.
She didn’t bother with the text, after all, she couldn’t understand it.
She was completely illiterate in the characters of this era.
As the three focused on the menu, each from a different perspective, the waiter stood by with a patient smile, showing no signs of impatience.
After perusing the menu, Jiandong ordered three homestyle dishes and a soup.
Despite the foreign decor, the restaurant still served authentic Chinese cuisine, though the prices certainly felt as though they included import taxes.
While they were ordering, a truck pulled up outside the restaurant, the same one they had seen before.
Because of a prior notification, the restaurant manager personally went out to welcome them.
The little boy from the passenger seat carefully stepped down onto the stool the manager had brought over.
The child had a fair complexion and, despite his young age, his good looks were evident.
A man resembling a bodyguard stood in front of him, while the manager attended to him with caution.
“Young Master, the private room upstairs is all ready for you, and your favorite dishes have been prepared,” the manager said with a fawning attentiveness that exceeded that usually reserved for esteemed guests.
After all, this was the sole heir to their boss—Jiang Jingze.
Jingze hummed an acknowledgement, his expression serious as he headed inside. Despite his young age, he carried an air of nobility.
However, just as he reached the door, there was a thud—he unexpectedly took a tumble on the flat ground.
Strangely enough, everyone around him acted as if this was normal.
They simply watched as the young master dusted off the dirt and climbed back to his feet.
Once inside the restaurant, Jingze looked around but, contrary to his usual routine, he didn’t head upstairs.
“I’ll dine in the main hall today.”
After all, that old fortune teller had said he would meet his benefactor here today.
With a bit of luck, perhaps his streak of bad luck would also come to an end.