7 第7章: Customers can be nice

In her mind, all she thought was how this was unsolvable. Hitting a finality that will have been impossible for her to even try to think of a way. She has been through such circumstances before, but never in such a difficult situation that will have put them in a damning light. Since it has changed, all there was left was to adapt.

She ran forward to the man. Who in closer inspection, was young. His hair was tied into a bun, a sign that a man had reached adulthood. In the typical attire of a scholar. With familiar features that reminded him of someone in particular, someone he has met before. "Wait, you're that girl from before."

Technically, it had not been further than just a couple of hours. Although he being here was not nearly as odd, because there were many reasons as to why he will have came here. This was a business after all.

"Did you ask your fortune?"

"No, I don't believe in such things."

Whereas Zhao'en had all but broke down, because this mistake was fatal if anything.To pour something warm, without any semblance of embarrassment was something worth a look. Then, she continued to turn back.

"Do you have any scalds?" She asked. The soup was hot, if not at least warm to the touch. Just how could it have went or turned out so wrong at the end of the day.

"No." Apart from the glaring huge patch of wet cloth, if he didn't feel anything that will have been a good thing. And a lot less of compensation to hand out, if he demanded it. Which oddly was demanded. He didn't seem affected on any level, which was as odd as it got.

She knew when they were angry, some showed it through their words, often hurtling verbal insults for some. Others preferred a far more physical method, often using it to either smash, throw chairs. While some tried to extort money money off them. She has seen many try and find a fault when she did everything to near perfection.

But such was life here, if you're serving you could not afford a mistake. Rarely does anyone give praise, but go into rages when they are dissatisfied. But what happened here was strange to observe.

The she went to see Zhao'en, observing the same sharp nose. The way their cheekbones were, her eyes were bigger and his just narrower. Clear as day what was going on here. "Wait, both of you are siblings."

"So, you also figured that out. As expected of you."

"It fits." Also, making some sense as to why the man was anything but angry. Zhao'en could not have been older than her, although being able to go outside on her own suggested that she was at least beyond the age of twelve.

"I'm barely even twenty." He turned to look at his sister. Who was still a little remorseful, but far less so if it had been an extra stranger. And perhaps, he thought that it was normal for it to occur.

"I'll get you another bowl and the food is on the house."

"Be back fast and thank you for the offer. I appreciate it, and the way you are acting so professional.." She wondered whether he wanted to talk to her. It didn't feel odd at the very least for choosing so. She entered the kitchen, taking a chance to let out a breath that she was holding.

All the while finding that his words were oddly grateful, but didn't bother thinking too much into it. He can't have eaten a feast on his own, even including his younger sister. Besides, she had other things that took up her mind. Such as how was she going to enter the kitchen and not have any tension rise or avoid the gaze.

It was a small place, making it clear and easy that no one could go in without being noticed. The fires were lit for several stoves, and often only one person. With an assistant, who will watch it to prevent it from burning. But unlike before, there wasn't any which will be harder for her to hide from the cook. Always a small table set aside, which was when she took a small rest. Often when there were pots, sometimes looking into new recipes and sometimes just taking a nap in the afternoon.

She stopped by the place just before it, a small getaway that was cramped. Barely able to squeeze a table with several chairs by the side. Since they could rarely have any more than three people at any time. With some dishes laid out, for anyone who came by.

"So, did anything terrible happen?" It was Xiao Yan, who had took his break. Although usually, they ate earlier so to keep up the pace. And another round of supper if that had been considered necessary. Often using leftovers along with desserts.

"No, as Zhao'en knew the person she dumped it on." Although had been better than someone unrelated to her. This will have presented her to the town as a bad server, someone who has managed to do a fatal mistake on her first day. Which will have gotten any other fired, but her circumstances prevented her from being so. It will have been seen as preferential treatment, but since it was not asked it was forgiven.

"Did he came here because they're siblings?" Xiao Yan put down the rice bowl. Although he will be eating frantically, as fast as he can before getting back to work.

"How do you know?" She stopped for a moment. Although she was not looking forward to spending her time in the kitchen, in the presence of that woman. Because of how it was clear that she will not compromise and will be a telltale. She sighed, left with few options.

Since she promised, she had to deliver. But the best was that Yuntong was at the very least forgiving, and will let the matter slide. Not because of her, but for his sister. Who had done a costly mistake. Xiao Yan had witnessed it, and took his break just around then.

"Easy, because he was asking for her." Xiao Yan took anyone on, even Zhao'en before she worked here. But she knew that it was due to being unable to deny it. He needed to work hard, and his wages were dependent on how many tables he has waited upon. Her mother offered it as a way to incentivise him, as compared to hers which was on an hour than anything else.

"That will make sense." She rarely was at the forefront, and rarely took orders. Mostly because she sometimes forgot them, often never remembering what had been so important before. And why she was often kept away unless she was handling the special guests, often bringing with her a notebook to note down their orders. Because she was just bad at doing so otherwise, and most of them were verbal.

She went inside, taking another pot. The cook looked at her, with a disapproving glance. As usual. The kitchen was filled with pots, lids used to cover food while they were steamed and she was looking over one which was fried. She looked for another pot, since she began to cook in the early evening when it was beginning to fill.

It used to be more, when she had an assistant. But hers had just left, with no intention of continuing her contract.

Hoping that she might not notice, she slowly went off. Taking nimble but small steps by the end of the day. With the pot safely in her hands, and eventually making her own way. Warm, but she managed to handle it.

"Why are you taking an extra pot?" She asked. Stopping Chaoyun in her own tracks, as she turned to face the woman. Careful not to pour hot soup over herself, since it was just too warm. Knowing that at this stage, it was pointless to even try. Far too late to even make an effort.

She will not admit it, because of how she was treated here. Often being asked to cut, cook and run around simultaneously. Scolded when she dropped just a little extra, reprimanded if she hurt her fingers with the amount of tasks she was expected to take on. If anything, this was a special kind of hell.

As a child, she complained because of the burns and was moved outside. And ever since then, had been called lazy. Not that she didn't want to, but for the sake of her sanity. And she has held a grudge since then.

"Well, aren't you afraid that I will tell her." Knowing what sort of intentions she had, which was the reason why she was here in the first place. Nonetheless, this was not a decision she could partake in and do as she wished. Her mother was still the one in charge, and by all means had been fair.

"It was a mistake, not as though it will gain me a reprimand." She shook it off, before leaving as it was. Since it was not going to be something that was fatal. Or it will have been if it was someone else, but since it was resolved there was no need for it to be so. She brought the pot out, putting it on the table where she saw the boy.

"It had better be warm." She took out a spoon and a cup. Before using a laden to scoop up much of the soup into an empty bowl. While Zhao'en looked around, not doing much. Not that she expected it to be so. She doubted any sane customer who had just witnessed what she did will choose her. Preferring to have Qiao'er do it, and put on a show at the same time.

While she had to do damage control.

"This is worth it, having service that will only come if you're in your own home."

"But it was at my expense." Zhao'en sat between them. Taking a seat. Yuntong gave her the idea, although her feet were used to this. Standing for several hours on end, with no stop for a rest. Or really much of a choice to see it become a reality.

"No, because it was your mistake." He did say the truth, which embarrassed the girl slightly. Although not in a malicious way. If it was, he could have done far worse than pointing out that mistake.

Although he did guess that she was obliged to do so, because she happened to be older and in this position for a far longer period of time. Even several months will have managed to make her skilled enough to be independent, while years honed the kind of experience and the many kinds of people she has seen.

And will make sense why she will take over for her on the first round. Mostly because of the fact that it was unfair to ask her to face the reality on her own. That was unreasonable to push onto someone new. And why he didn't thank her, because it was also her fault.

He seemed well aware of all of it, at the very least. While savouring the soup, which without a doubt came much later than he anticipated.

"Well, good thing I ate before this." Meaning that the only thing left will have likely been the soup on the menu.

"Who took your order?" She gave him a nice smile. At least wanting to know what she was giving out for free.

He pointed to his sister. Reminding her that he had chased all but her.

"What did he order?" She looked towards her.

She took a small piece of paper. Which will have been certain that her mother will have docked her own pay. But a promise was a promise, and what could she do.

"If you're going to pay, might as well enjoy it." Since he mentioned it, might as well try to forget it. That was the easiest way to avoid all of this. She took a bowl and started drinking.