The long queue outside the restaurant attracted the attention of many passersby.
This corner of Aden Square is mostly filled with shops selling strange and unusual items like magic potions and weapons, so unless someone has a specific need or is simply taking a stroll, few people would specifically come here.
They'd never seen a shop with such a long queue before, so many people were curious and came to see what was going on. The luxurious restaurant and the expectant expressions on the faces of the customers patiently waiting in line were quite puzzling.
What kind of delicious food does this restaurant serve? Why would they dare leave so many customers waiting outside?
What was even more surprising was how quietly these customers stood there. A few acquaintances would exchange a few words quietly, showing little impatience or anxiety, quite different from the noisy atmosphere of other restaurants.
This atmosphere and sense of anticipation made some onlookers stop. Although they didn't join the long queue, they chose to stay and see if the restaurant truly offered extraordinary cuisine.
Upon opening the door, Mai Ge was surprised to see a long queue outside the restaurant. He hadn't expected so many customers to arrive early.
Moreover, it had successfully attracted a group of onlookers, numbering over twenty. While not all of them might convert into customers, it at least increased the possibility of attracting more guests that evening.
"Boss Mai, you're finally open! I've been waiting for half an hour!" the young man standing at the front row said with a hint of resentment, but his eyes were mostly filled with joy.
"The restaurant opens and closes according to the schedule. Please take a look and choose your preferred time to dine. Now, please come in." Mai Ge said with a smile, opening the door without any apology on his face.
He wouldn't indulge customers on this rule. Sufficient rest and preparation time was essential, and once this rule was broken, it would likely lead to endless extensions and earlier openings, which was the last thing he wanted. He even wanted to take a day off the day after tomorrow.
"I know, it's the restaurant's rule. Two Rou Jia Mo, please." the young man nodded, saying as he entered.
Although he felt that Mai Ge was a bit heartless in this regard, he had just seen Mai Ge and Amy sitting inside eating, and he hadn't opened the door to let the early guests like them go in and sit down first.
However, for the sake of the delicious food, he had no choice but to forgive him. After all, even if he stood outside the restaurant all day, he couldn't get such delicious food at another restaurant.
"Boss Mai, you've been thinking about that matter…" Crassus walked to the door and looked at Mai Ge with a smile.
"Esteemed guest, please come in and order first. Don't block the way for the other customers." Mai Ge said with a smile, interrupting Crassus. His smile was impeccable, and his reason perfectly justified.
"Alright." Crassus swallowed his words, then leaned on his mage's staff and headed into the restaurant. Seeing Amy playing with the Ugly Duckling at the counter, his eyes lit up again. He quickly walked to the table under the counter and sat down, smiling at Amy, saying "Hello, little girl."
"Hello, Grandpa White Beard." Amy looked up at Crassus and greeted him in return. Her eyes were fixed on the mage's staff in his hand, topped with a sapphire, and she asked curiously, "Is that a mage's staff? The kind every mage must have."
"Yes, and this isn't just any ordinary mage's staff. Besides casting spells, it's also a melee weapon. I used it to smash a dragon's head back in the day." Crassus gently rubbed the mage's staff in his hand and said with a smile, suddenly feeling a little nostalgic. Back then, he was young and impetuous, fearless. The title of "mad mage" seems to have been forgotten by everyone now.
"Wow, you're so awesome!" Amy said absentmindedly, staring at the sapphire on the mage's staff. Her interest was clearly focused on the gem that glowed blue under the light.
Crassus, who had originally intended to boast about his past achievements, felt like he'd punched a pillow when he saw Amy's completely uninterested expression. He gave an awkward laugh and didn't continue.
However, now that he had a chance to talk to Amy face to face, Crassus wasn't in a hurry. Little girls had many interests, as long as he could find something that piqued her interest, he could definitely trick her into becoming his apprentice. He turned to Mai Ge, who was walking in, and said, "Boss Mai, I'd like two servings of Yang Zhou Fried Rice, served separately."
"Okay, please wait a moment." Mai Ge nodded, turned and went into the kitchen. He had just given Amy a lesson on preventing scams at noon today, and Crassus had come here with ill intentions, trying to trick Amy into becoming his apprentice. This was a good opportunity to test the results. If there were any flaws, he would continue to make up for them in the evening.
The line outside the restaurant had all gone inside, yet the restaurant still wasn't full. This was the advantage of its size, sixteen four people square tables could accommodate sixty four guests at once.
However, most unfamiliar guests sit alone now, and few people share tables. But when there are more people in the future, this treatment may not be so good, and sharing tables will be inevitable.
Meanwhile, many passersby who had been watching from the outside were now drawn in by curiosity. However, many shook their heads and left after seeing only two dishes on the menu and their exorbitant prices.
"This owner must be obsessed with money." was the thought in the minds of most of the customers who left because of the price. A single dish of unknown Yang Zhou Fried Rice cost 600 copper coins, that was several days' wages for many people.
Of course, some customers who are not too strapped for cash choose to sit down first, but don't rush to order. Instead, they wait to see what kind of food others will receive after ordering before deciding whether to order one themselves.
"Boss Mai, I brought my own chair, may I come in?" At that moment, a loud voice rang out from outside the door, the restaurant door was pushed open, and a demon's head poked in.
Many of the customers who turned around were surprised, and some of the more timid ones felt a bit fearful. Lava demons were notoriously short-tempered, and this one didn't seem to be one to be trifled with either.
"Big Bald Head, don't make a sound, or I'll burn you with a fireball!" Amy said sternly, looking at Sargeras standing at the door with some displeasure. Scaring someone in the restaurant was a bad thing.
Sargeras immediately cowered. He still clearly remembered the stinging sensation of the small fireball that landed on him that morning, and he had spent the whole day doing guild quests, earning nine gold coins just to come here for Rou Jia Mo. Of course, he couldn't cause trouble, so he lowered his voice and called out, "Boss Mai..."
Watching a lava demon being transformed into a docile lamb, Mai Ge couldn't help but chuckle. He was also surprised that the lava demon had brought his own chair, probably intimidated by the ten gold coins chair he'd paid that morning. Mai Ge walked to the kitchen doorway, nodded, and said, "Okay, come in."
Sargeras pushed open the door, carrying a simple iron chair inside. He sat down at the table by the door, and just as he was about to order, his gaze fell on Crassus sitting in front the counter. His eyes widened in surprise: "Isn't this...?"