"Besides me, I haven't seen her talk to anyone else in a long time. You're the first in all this time." Chiba Mako looked at Liu Ming curiously, not understanding why Sagiri would treat him differently.
Liu Ming felt a bit unnerved by her gaze. This person just mentioned preparing to find a new father for Sagiri. She couldn't possibly be interested in him, could she?
"The job advertisement shouldn't be wrong, right? Working here includes room and board? Would you mind if I brought an extra daughter? If not, I can pay extra for rent." Mako looked at Liu Ming seriously.
Refuse her?
However, if he really did that, then for Sagiri's future happiness, she would definitely find someone else to marry, and ultimately end up on the road during her wedding trip.
Since they were somewhat acquainted, he couldn't just stand by and watch. Besides, the restaurant really was short-staffed.
And with so many children at home now, having a mother with a child stay here would be much more convenient, and it would also allow the children to feel maternal love again.
Since there were so many benefits, Liu Ming had no reason to refuse.
Seeing Liu Ming nod in agreement, Mako's face immediately broke into a happy smile.
After returning to the hall, Mako told Sagiri the good news.
Hearing that they were moving in here, Sagiri's face showed a hint of apprehension, but she didn't resist too much.
Eriri looked at the two with envy. After they lived here, they would not only be able to see Teacher Liu every day and receive his guidance, but also eat delicious food every day. It was truly killing many birds with one stone.
So envious!
She also really wanted to stay here, but unfortunately, she was still a student, and she didn't know if her family would agree.
It shouldn't be possible, right? After all, this was a boy's home. What kind of propriety would it be for a high school girl to live there?
It wasn't until she was almost home that she remembered something: she seemed to have forgotten to ask Liu Ming about the special menu.
Liu Ming originally thought Sagiri and her mother would also leave, but to his surprise, they stayed. From their demeanor, it seemed they planned to spend the night there.
"I'm a formal employee of the shop now, right? Then where's my room? I'm quite looking forward to it." Mako looked at Liu Ming, staring intently at him.
"Although I'm short-staffed here, you don't have to be in such a hurry. And don't you need to go home and get some things before moving in?" Liu Ming said helplessly. She seemed too eager, almost like there was a conspiracy.
"Well~, for shut-ins like us, as long as we have internet, we can survive." Mako said nonchalantly.
However, her actions and tone had nothing to do with being a shut-in. She was quite familiar, or rather, do people who draw R-18 not get shy?
"What about Sagiri? She'll need drawing tools, right?" Liu Ming continued to ask.
But as soon as he finished speaking, Sagiri herself took out a small tablet computer from her backpack.
Liu Ming was speechless. Did they really need to be so thoroughly prepared?
You win.
Fortunately, there were plenty of rooms, and Liu Ming wouldn't make the mother and daughter sleep in the same room. He chose two adjacent rooms for them. This way, even if something unexpected happened to Sagiri, Mako could react quickly.
However, this place was converted from a courtyard, so it was quite a distance from the main hall.
If Sagiri truly mastered 'floor language' in the future, unless she had the strength of Thor, the people in the hall definitely wouldn't hear her.
After settling the two, Liu Ming also informed the other people currently in the restaurant about this matter.
Elma and Iko had no reaction; in fact, they were somewhat happy to have an extra person to help.
Elma no longer had to be both a chef and a waitstaff.
Tohru, however, was much more troublesome. The younger one was fine, but Tohru now understood that there was an age limit for marriage in this world. But what was the deal with the older one? It felt very dangerous.
Liu Ming gave her a chop to the head and said, annoyed, "What are you thinking? She already has a daughter; she's been married for a long time."
Tohru blinked, and the jealousy on her face instantly vanished. She said cheerfully, "Oh, if that's the case, you should have said so earlier! I saw how young she still looked, and I thought they were sisters, ah hahaha!"
Liu Ming was speechless with Tohru, this giant vinegar jar. Even though they had no relationship, she was always getting jealous. But thankfully, her temper came and went quickly, and she was easy to appease; a few compliments would make everything fine.
This was no challenge for Liu Ming, a former writer.
"You haven't forgotten what I told you last time, have you?" Liu Ming asked.
"Don't worry, with me here, nothing will go wrong," Tohru said, patting her chest to assure him.
Liu Ming was still a bit worried about Tadokoro Megumi and prepared to go check on her.
Sora and the others still had school, and Liu Ming wouldn't allow them to take time off. And they were still so young; Liu Ming wouldn't feel comfortable leaving them home alone.
After much thought, he decided to go by himself, leaving Tohru and Elma to look after them.
Tohru was initially very much against this decision, but when Liu Ming earnestly told her some words, she immediately changed her mind and even readily accepted the task.
"Tohru, you were the first person I brought back; you're like their guardian. If even you aren't willing to protect this home, then who will?"
"Are you planning to give this task to Elma? Are you willing to let Elma shake your position here?"
Liu Ming said a lot, but what Tohru heard was one clear message: the mistress of this house could only be her, and no one else.
Time flew by.
During the evening business hours, three special guests arrived at the restaurant.
Liu Ming watched Nanako and her family of three walk in, feeling a bit speechless.
Although he had left a business card last time, they had come too quickly.
Looking at their happy expressions, they didn't seem to be here for revenge.
"Big Brother Liu~" Nanako immediately showed a brilliant smile when she saw Liu Ming and quickly ran over.
"Are you all doing well?" Liu Ming looked at her, then at her parents.
"It's all thanks to Big Brother Liu. My parents' relationship is much better now, and I will work hard to keep it that way. This time, we came specifically to thank you and have dinner together," Nanako said happily.
At this moment, Nanako's parents also walked over, holding a gift box.
Although they looked a bit awkward, they still solemnly thanked Liu Ming.
"Actually, Onizuka did more." Liu Ming didn't want to take advantage of Onizuka. If it weren't for Onizuka, he probably wouldn't have gotten involved in this matter.
They seemed to recall Onizuka's appearance at the time, and both their expressions changed, remaining silent for a long time.
Liu Ming shook his head and said no more, telling the group to find a seat.
"It's truly delicious!"
"Yes, after eating, there's a warm, very comfortable feeling in the body."
Nanako felt incredibly happy when she heard her parents praise Liu Ming like this, for some reason.