Mai Ge woke up at 6:30 the next morning. In this world without games and movies to kill time, the night seemed so long, though his sleep quality was much better.
"By the way, System, do you sell TVs? Computers? Smartphones? PS4s? Do you have WiFi?" While brushing his teeth, Mai Ge suddenly remembered the system and couldn't help but ask in his mind.
"Host, please be respectful. This system does not provide any non-kitchen appliances! Nor does it provide free WiFi!" the system's stern voice sounded.
"Don't panic, I don't have the money to buy them right now." Mai Ge calmly spat out the foam in his mouth. Judging from the system's attitude, he could probably buy them if he had the money, but he really didn't have any spare cash to buy these leisure items. Besides, if WiFi wasn't free, he could always pay for it.
After washing up, Mai Ge placed the little dress he had washed and dried for Amy the day before by the bed. Wearing pajamas when going out wasn't really appropriate.
Mai Ge went downstairs, opened the door, and saw that the opening hours were indeed written on both sides of the sign. It also had a cleverly designed countdown timer that displayed the remaining days of the restaurant's closure, currently showing 6. It was indeed very user-friendly.
This world also uses a 24-hour system, with a time concept similar to Earth. Thanks to the efforts of the dwarven craftsmen, wind-up watches were becoming increasingly common.
More advanced crystal watches, powered by crystals, were still only popular among nobles and the wealthy due to their high price, ensuring that they wouldn't be unable to tell time.
Since it wasn't opening time yet, Mai Ge jogged for a while at the square in front of the restaurant. However, his physical condition was really poor these days; he was out of breath after only a short time and barely managed to run for about twenty minutes.
"Boss Mai, what are you doing so early?" Mo Bai happened to open the door and asked, somewhat puzzled, looking at the panting Mai Ge.
"Exercising a bit. Boss Mo, opening so early?" Mai Ge replied with a smile. Mo Bai's weapons shop and restaurant were only about a meter apart. He used to hear the clanging and hammering everyday, but now the renovated building had excellent soundproofing; he couldn't hear a sound at all.
"Yes, I was just about to go to Boss Mai there for two plates of Yang Zhou Fried Rice before starting work." Mo Bai nodded. After eating it twice yesterday, he had completely fallen in love with Yang Zhou Fried Rice.
Moreover, when Mo Bai woke up this morning, he felt refreshed and had no fatigue at all. Even his lower back, which used to hurt every morning, no longer hurt.
"The restaurant opens at 7:30 in the morning. The exact opening hours are written on the sign on the door. It'll be open a little while; I'll go get ready and prepare the ingredients." Mai Ge replied with a smile.
"Oh, okay, I'll wait a bit longer then." Mo Bai said, slightly taken aback. Usually, other restaurants open whenever there are customers, but Mai Ge had set a specific opening time.
But then he thought about it again, and it's normal for Mai Ge to have some manners and temper, since he can make such delicious and amazing Yang Zhou Fried Rice.
Mai Ge returned to the restaurant, went upstairs to wash his face, and just then, Amy woke up, changed her clothes, and came over with her eyes half-closed and little arms outstretched. She looked up at Mai Ge and said sweetly, "Daddy, hug me."
The little one had just woken up, and a single strand of hair was sticking up on her head. Her half-closed eyes and outstretched arms were just too adorable. Mai Ge couldn't resist bending down and picking Amy up, saying softly, "Hold you for a while, then Little Amy can brush your teeth and wash you face by yourself. The restaurant needs to start preparing for opening."
"Okay." Amy nodded, hugged Mai Ge's neck for a while, then got down on her own, tiptoed to get the toothpaste and toothbrush, and looked back at Mai Ge, saying, "Little Amy can do it myself, Daddy, go ahead and get busy."
"Okay." Mai Ge nodded with a smile, pretending to go out, but couldn't help peeking in from the doorway for a while. The little one was brushing her teeth quite well, so he went downstairs reassured.
The time was exactly 7:30. Mai Ge went over and opened the door. Mo Bai was looking at the opening hours on the small sign at the door.
"We're open for business now, please come in." Mai Ge said politely with a smile.
"Okay, two servings of Yang Zhou Fried Rice, I can't wait any longer." Mo Bai said with a hearty laugh, stepping into the restaurant.
"Good morning, Dwarf Grandpa Mo Bai." Just as Mo Bai sat down, Amy came downstairs, greeted him, then looked at Mai Ge and touched her hair, saying, "Daddy, shouldn't you tie up Little Amy's hair? It seems a little too long."
"Tie hair?" Mai Ge looked at the purple strip of cloth Amy was holding, a little hesitant. He had never done this before and would have to figure it out. He finally said, "Amy, sit down for a while. After I finish making the fried rice for Grandpa Mo Bai, I'll tie your hair, okay?"
"Okay." Amy nodded, putting away her hair tie and sitting obediently to the side.
Mai Ge quickly prepared a serving of Yang Zhou Fried Rice for Mo Bai, then immediately started making a second serving. By the time Mai Ge finished and brought out Amy's serving, Mo Bai had just finished eating.
"Two servings of fried rice, twelve gold coins in total, give money." Amy said earnestly, standing beside Mo Bai and extending her hand.
"Twelve gold coins, little boss, please count them." Mo Bai smiled and placed the gold coins in Amy's hand. He was used to the little girl acting like a little adult when receiving money. He stood up and looked at Mai Ge with a smile, saying, "Boss Mai, the Yang Zhou Fried Rice was also very delicious today, but the restaurant has just opened, and there aren't many people here yet. I'm afraid business isn't too good, is it?"
"Yes, the customers traffic is a bit low." Mai Ge nodded. This was also his biggest frustration; even good wine needs advertising.
"Then I'll be going. Perhaps I can bring you two customers at noon, the kind who won't mind the price." Mo Bai said with a smile, glancing at Amy who was carefully counting the gold coins.
"Thank you." Mai Ge smiled. Word of mouth referrals were indeed a quick way to increase customer numbers.
"You're welcome." Mo Bai waved his hand generously and turned to leave.
Let Amy eat first, then Mai Ge made himself a serving. A serving of Yang Zhou Fried Rice, besides being delicious, completely swept away the hunger and fatigue from his morning run, leaving him feeling refreshed and energetic.
Seeing that no customers were coming anytime soon, and meeting Amy's expectant gaze as she held the hair tie, Mai Ge couldn't delay any longer. He took the hair tie from Amy's hand, a little nervously saying, "Little Amy I'm not very good at tying hair."
"Daddy, I believe in you." Amy said, turning to look at him encouragingly. She had somehow found a small mirror and was gazing expectantly at her reflection. Teacher Luna used to tie her hair, but her father had never done it before.
"So, am I really going to do it?" Mai Ge was still a little nervous, smoothing Amy's hair and trying to recall hairstyles for girls. The simplest would be a single ponytail, or a cute bun, or even braids…
After ten minutes, Amy put down the mirror, turned to look at Mai Ge, who was sweating profusely and trying to flatten her bun into a small bun, and pouted slightly, saying, "Daddy, Little Amy thinks it's better to wear my hair down..."