"We're the same age, so you can judge others by your own strengths." Crassus naturally stood at the front of the Sweet Faction's row, glanced at Yulian, and his aura was no less imposing than Yulian's.
They were locked in a fierce battle, and a terrifying aura re-emerged between them.
The Sweet Faction, who were initially a bit weaker, suddenly seemed to have found their backbone and gained confidence. They didn't care at all that Crassus was late and still stood in first place. This was their leader, and only he dared to stand in this position.
"Gloria, he's the restaurant owner. His culinary skills are unparalleled. I've never eaten anything so delicious before. Besides the tofu pudding, try some other dishes later. The Yang Zhou Fried Rice should suit your taste." Luo Xi Ya said with a smile.
"I have a small appetite, I can't eat much." Gloria shook her head slightly, her gaze beneath the black veil fixed on Mai Ge, on the smile he had when he lifted the half-elf little girl... so warm.
In her memory, her father had held her like that when she was little.
Ever since that dark spot appeared on her face, she had refused to go out or see anyone, even her father, she would cover her face with a silk scarf.
Her father still spoke gently, but he seemed to have grown increasingly distant from her. The man with the kind smile she remembered hadn't smiled in a long time.
"I'm so envious of that little girl." Gloria thought to herself as she watched Amy squatting by the door, petting the head of an orange kitten.
"That's what I said before I entered this restaurant." Luo Xi Ya smiled, but she didn't rush to persuade her. Nothing is more convincing than actually smelling the aroma of delicious food and seeing others enjoy it.
"We'll be open in about ten minutes, please wait a moment." Mai Ge, having no intention of getting involved in the sweet vs savory debate, smiled at the customers and gestured for Amy, who was squatting on the floor playing with the kitten, to come in.
"Goodbye, Master Half Beard and Master Turtle Shell." Amy said to Crassus and Yulian, picked up the Ugly Duckling, and asked with a smile, "Ugly Duckling, weren't you super bored when I wasn't home?"
"Meow~" The Ugly Duckling nodded its little head, clearly much more excited upon seeing Amy.
"Does this little one have a masochistic streak?" Mai Ge casually closed the door, raising an eyebrow at the Ugly Duckling.
"Daddy, has the Ugly Duckling been well-behaved at home?" Amy asked, looking at Mai Ge.
"Hmm, not bad." Mai Ge nodded with a smile, looking at the pitiful-looking Ugly Duckling.
Amy nodded with satisfaction at the Ugly Duckling and said, "Alright, since Daddy said you've been well-behaved, you can have two bowls of tofu pudding for lunch today, and you don't have to run after you eat."
"Meow meow meow!" the Ugly Duckling meowed happily, rubbing against Amy's little hand and gently licking her fingers with its tongue.
"But you're not allowed to get fat, okay? If you get fat, I won't be able to carry you anymore." Amy warned it earnestly.
"Meow meow~" the Ugly Duckling nodded its little head earnestly.
"Have two small bowls." Mai Ge glanced at the Ugly Duckling, who was looking at the food on the table with anticipation, and raised an eyebrow. If he let the Ugly Duckling eat freely, it probably wouldn't be long before he couldn't even carry the little one anymore. The fatness of an orange cat should not be underestimated.
The Ugly Duckling probably only understood the two bowls, but Mai Ge's "small bowl" was relative. If it were the large bowls sold in restaurants, the Ugly Duckling would probably have overeaten after two bowls, but it was fine with its own two shallow bowls.
As soon as he entered, he served Ugly Duckling two small bowls of tofu pudding, one sweet and one savory. Then he took a small dish of Yang Zhou Fried Rice from the plate, picked up a piece of lean braised pork, chopped it up, and put it on top.
"Sigh, I'm living worse than a cat." Outside the restaurant, some customers looked through the glass window at the Ugly Duckling enjoying two servings of tofu pudding by itself and couldn't help but sigh in their hearts.
"Mia, you can stand behind the counter and finish your Rou Jia Mo before you come out. Next time, remember to lower the curtains half an hour in advance." Mai Ge said with a smile, looking at Yabemia standing to the side, holding a Rou Jia Mo and looking somewhat hesitant.
"Mmm, okay." Mia nodded, immediately took the Rou Jia Mo and walked behind the counter. She took a bite of the Rou Jia Mo, a blush rising on her face. A golden dragon tail also popped out from under her skirt, sweeping left and right on the ground.
The Ugly Duckling, who was lying by the counter, suddenly raised its head and looked at Yabemia's dragon tail with some hostility. However, after looking at the tofu pudding and meat in front of it, it hesitated for a while and finally decided to continue eating.
"Daddy, Sister Mia's tail is so cute, why doesn't she want others to see it?" Amy asked Mai Ge, puzzled.
"It's her choice, and we should respect it." Mai Ge smiled at Amy, who was holding a water glass, then glanced at the long line of customers outside and asked, "Little Amy, would you like to eat now, or later?"
"I think I'll wait a little longer. I think it'll be so much fun watching them watch me eat." Amy thought for a moment and said.
"Okay, then you can eat later." Mai Ge nodded with a smile. Amy's live mukbang could indeed significantly increase the chances of first time customers ordering food. She ate with such relish that it was more effective than any advertisement.
"Did anything fun happen on your first day of class? Did you learn any new magic?" Mai Ge asked curiously after taking a bite of his fried rice.
"No, Master Half Beard said he'd start with theory first, and then teach me magic tomorrow." Amy shook her head slightly, a hint of disappointment in her voice, but her eyes quickly lit up again. "But I went to play with Daphne after class, and I had so much fun!"
"Okay, then you have to listen attentively in class, remember everything Master teaches, and when you play, just enjoy playing. That's what learning is all about." Mai Ge smiled and patted Amy's head. Sure enough, children's happiness is so simple.
"Okay, I will." Amy nodded earnestly.
After lunch, Mai Ge brought out two bowls of tofu pudding and a Rou Jia Mo for Amy. It was just the time for the restaurant to open, so he walked to the door, opened it, and smiled, "Welcome, everyone."
The arguing outside about whether tofu pudding should be sweet or savory immediately subsided. Crassus and Yulian walked up the steps side by side and said almost simultaneously, "One sweet/savory tofu pudding." They glared at each other before ordering.
The guests filed in, many following Crassus and Yulian's example and entering side by side. However, when Harrison and his group entered, the Sweet Faction crushed them all, with the six of them entering in a row, while none of the Savory Faction members managed to squeeze in side by side.
Mai Ge suppressed a laugh, and when his gaze fell on the girl in the group who was wearing a black cloak and a hat with black veil hanging down on all four sides, he paused for a moment. Behind the black veil, a pair of eyes seemed to be looking at him as well.