Around 6 PM, Xiao Yu and her friends arrived at the restaurant.
She first stood by the window, secretly peeking inside. After not seeing Liu Ming, she immediately led everyone to the second floor, quickly found their work clothes and changed, then ran back to the first-floor dining area.
The entire sequence of actions was completed in one go!
Anko looked at her with a face full of black lines, then helplessly said, "Actually, we could just tell Uncle Xiao Ming directly. There's no need to be so sneaky like this; people who don't know might think we're thieves."
"Anko, you're still too young," Xiao Yu said seriously, patting Anko's head.
"Call me Anko," Anko said, displeased.
"That's not important. We're doing this so Brother Xiao Ming doesn't find excuses to make things difficult for us. Look, we're all helping to greet customers now, so how can he be embarrassed not to let us stay for dinner?" Xiao Yu said proudly.
Xiao Lu and Xiao Nai looked at her speechlessly; they felt Anko's idea was more reliable.
Sora walked over and said to them, "Uncle is very easy to talk to; don't make him sound so scary."
"Exactly!" Miyu also jumped out, nodding and saying, "As long as we're not naughty, Brother Xiao Ming is still very easy to talk to."
Everyone couldn't help but roll their eyes at her. Among all these people, it seemed like she was the naughtiest one.
"Hey, what do you mean by that? Who am I doing all this for? I won't call you guys again in the future!"
Miyu immediately protested. Today, she had been scared half to death by Liu Ming for everyone's sake. Now, not only was no one comforting her, but they were all looking down on her. Her heart felt utterly cold.
Xiao Yu and the others immediately began to comfort her.
What a joke! If Miyu stopped giving them inside information, how would they come over for free food in the future? They couldn't just come over every day and try their luck; that would be too embarrassing.
"Alright, everyone stop talking. We'll be closing in about half an hour, so go get busy. Really, look at Kyoko, how diligent she is." In the end, it was Sora, the sensible eldest daughter, who interrupted their conversation.
"Sister, it's too much to compare us to Kyoko. She's the model worker of the shop; she can do everything perfectly."
"If you really want to compare, you should compare us to Brother Xiao Ming. He's the shop owner and head chef, after all, that would be more convincing."
Sora rolled her eyes at her again. What kind of person Liu Ming was, she knew perfectly well. Besides the two little kids, Xiao Hina and Kanna, who wasn't more diligent than him? Even Xiao Lingyin worked hard every day to learn how to make desserts.
Before she could say anything more, she saw Liu Ming walk out of the kitchen, seemingly preparing to slack off at the cashier's desk again.
When Liu Ming arrived in the hall, he found the waitstaff there, and upon closer look, it was Xiao Yu and her friends.
Xiao Yu also saw Liu Ming and quickly explained, "Brother Xiao Ming, we're busy working, so we're not just freeloading."
Anko couldn't help but cover her face in embarrassment. Wasn't her sister just admitting it? It was so mortifying; as her biological sister, she wanted to find a hole to crawl into.
Looking at the mischievous expressions of the Xiao Yu sisters, Liu Ming couldn't help but laugh. He teased, "How about you two sisters just work here? I'll provide food and accommodation."
"Okay!" Anko agreed without thinking. She didn't like her family's daifuku as much as Xiao Yu did.
Xiao Yu immediately covered her mouth, then said to Liu Ming, "No, our shop is also very busy, and they really need our help."
As the few of them chatted and laughed, time passed by minute by minute.
At this moment, Senzaemon and his companions also walked out of the private room.
"Boss Liu, your cooking is truly delicious. I'm almost reluctant to leave now."
Chitawara Natsume came before Liu Ming. At this moment, her spirit had changed greatly, appearing much more energetic, and her pretty face even retained the blush from her enjoyment.
"Then don't leave. Don't you have a younger sister? Just like last time, just push the work onto her," Liu Ming said with a smile.
"I wish I could, but the problem is, after last time's experience, she won't fall for it again," Chitawara Natsume said, troubled.
"Then I can't help you," Liu Ming said, shrugging helplessly.
"I do have a solution," Chitawara Natsume licked her red lips.
"Oh?" Liu Ming looked at her, puzzled.
"Why don't you just come with me?" Chitawara Natsume said seriously.
"No way, I'm not leaving here," Liu Ming glanced at her. The other party still hadn't given up.
"Manager, you're still so heartless."
Liu Ming had already stopped paying attention to her.
Senzaemon also came before Liu Ming, extending his hand and shaking Liu Ming's firmly, then saying, "Your cooking is truly excellent. I made the right choice coming today."
"Thank you~" Liu Ming politely returned the greeting.
"Could I borrow this clothing for now? I'll have someone return it later." Senzaemon knew that Erina and Liu Ming didn't get along well, so it was better for him to ask.
"Oh, this is free. It's specifically for situations like yours. You can just throw it away when you get back; no need to specially return it."
Liu Ming paused and continued, "And you don't need to feel embarrassed. Regular customers here sometimes specifically ask me for them, so you can rest assured and accept it."
"Then I'm truly grateful to you, Erina, you should thank Mr. Liu too."
"Hmph," Erina snorted heavily. "If it weren't for his cooking, my clothes wouldn't be like this, and this outfit is ugly as sin."
"You don't have to take it. Or, why don't you give it back to me now!" Liu Ming said indifferently.
"You! Pervert, H..." Erina's expression changed, and she immediately pulled her clothes tighter with her hands, nervous.
Her own clothes underneath were now in tatters. If it weren't for the current outfit covering her, she wouldn't dare to come out and see people, and Liu Ming, knowing this, actually told her to take it off.
Couldn't this scoundrel have some gentlemanly manners?