One day before the reopening, the rest of the staff woke up feeling like their hearts were about to leap out of their chests from nervousness. They were all worried that they would make a mistake tomorrow or that there were no patrons and customers to show up.
Their fears and worries weren’t unfounded, but Shen Lingqing understood the pressure they were under well. Even she couldn’t stay still and was having a hard time falling asleep these days; she just wasn’t showing it to others.
“Director Shen, we are ready.” Lin Xiao knocked on Shen Lingqing’s door to inform her that the kitchen was ready and that he, along with Liu Jinfei and Yang Fangjin, was going to have one last trial on the menu she came up with before their opening tomorrow.
“Alright, I’ll be there in a minute,” Shen Lingqing replied, as she leaned on her seat and pinched the bridge of her nose. Was exhaustion finally catching up with her?
No, this wasn’t good. The reopening of the restaurant hadn’t come yet. Until then, she could not slack off with work and leave the fate of the restaurant to her staff. She wouldn’t be able to face her father if she failed the first challenge.
Qiao Lian was already downstairs and was conversing with the staff, as they waited for Shen Lingqing to come down. When Shen Lingqing arrived, all the staff were in the dining area, watching her. She took a seat and gave her order to Lin Xiaoyu who was a.s.signed to serve her.
Shen Lingqing had just taken a seat when the chime attached to the front door made a sound, as it was opened from the outside. She lifted her head and arched her brow when she saw familiar faces entering the restaurant.
“What are you doing here, Lingtian?” She asked her younger brother who had shamelessly taken a seat next to her and looked over her shoulder to check the menu she was holding.
Shen Lingtian had just arrived with their cousins. As to how he knew what she was up to, she could only a.s.sume that Qiao Lian had told her brother to pay them a visit today.
“Hey, now, Sis! Don’t be like that. It was hard for me to convince Ye Xingchen and Ye Jiewen. Liyue and Liyuan weren’t busy anyway, so I had them tag along,” Shen Lingtian said in defense.
“Miss Qiao, who are they?” Lin Xiaoyu whispered next to Qiao Lian, wondering about the ident.i.ties of these unexpected guests that arrived to see their manager.
“Ah, that young man is Director Shen’s younger brother, Shen Lingtian. Those twins standing on her right side are their cousins on the paternal side, while those two are their second-degree cousins on their mom’s side,” Qiao Lian explained.
Those who overheard their conversation gasped and looked at their guests in surprise. The young masters of the Shen family, minus Shen Zichen, were all here! They never thought that they would get to see these young men today.
Musing at the three men, the staff realized they all indeed possessed good-looking features. While Shen Lingqing took after her father, Lu Xinyi’s genes were more prominent with the youngest child of the ShenLu couple.
“We came to see if you are ready for the opening tomorrow, Qing Jie. I hope you don’t mind our intrusion,” Shen Liyue told Shen Lingqing with a grin.
“I mind.” Shen Lingqing didn’t bat an eyelid and crossed her legs, sitting like a regal queen on her throne. “Our chefs would serve you the dishes today, but you have to pay the full price of what you would have.”
“So stingy!” Shen Liyuan groaned. “We don’t even get a discount on your newly acquired restaurant?”
“Hey, now. We came here to show our support to Qing Jie,” Ye Jiewen, who was the only girl in their group, commented, “Don’t worry, Qing Jie. Gege and I would gladly pay and leave generous tips, so long as we are satisfied with the dishes.” She winked in Shen Lingqing’s direction.
“See? Even Jiewen and Xingchen are willing to pay. Do you think I run a charity here, huh?” Shen Lingqing glared at the Shen twins. However, she was glad that they at least made an effort to see her today before the reopening of the restaurant.
“Ah! Enough of this! I’m hungry! I want to eat!” Shen Lingtian s.n.a.t.c.hed the menu in front of his sister, his eyes s.h.i.+ning as he read it—a true foodie after her mother and Uncle Xue.
“Oi! Don’t be so selfish, Lingtian! Let us choose the dishes, too!” Shen Liyue complained. Another round of fighting between Shen Lingtian and the twins followed shortly.
“They will never grow up.” Ye Xingchen sighed and shook his head. At least, their Qing Jie wasn’t annoying like these three monkeys. Whenever there’s food involved, the three would surely fight to have a share of it.
From the moment these three started talking, the Shen residence had never had a dull moment whenever they were together. It made their family reunions merrier and funnier than they would have been.
With Shen Zichen and Shen Lingqing’s cold personalities, Shen Lingtian’s bright smile and outspoken personality balanced the equilibrium between the ShenLu children.
“What do you expect? They’ve always been like this,” Ye Jiewen agreed with her older brother.
Meanwhile, the three chefs in the kitchen had received the news that they had just received some unusual customers for the day. So they would need to serve not only Shen Lingqing but also her brother and cousins.
“Her younger brother and cousins came to show their support to her. How touching. Now, I miss my sister, too.” Yang Fangjin sighed, as he wondered how her sister was faring in the new hospital she was admitted to.
He wanted to see her, but with the reopening fast approaching, he could only wait until all of these preparations and the reopening day was over.