Don't disrespect the stomach you're going to feed

It is the beginning of a new year. In this country where the weather is constantly hot and humid, the people bustle about doing their own thing. Those who have to work, work. Those who have to study, study. And those who dug themselves a pit and decided to set up a restaurant in the middle of a bustling city woke up at five in the morning and busied themselves for the grand opening of AE's.

At this time, our beloved MC, Aaron, finally realized that despite his love for gourmet, a sheltered princess can never walk the path of a commoner in the blink of an eye.

( ╥ω╥ )

Although he is still a little drowsy, the hands prepping the ingredients alongside other chefs and kitchen assistant never stops. Occasionally, his mouth would give out instructions and commands. The whole kitchen was only filled with the sounds of utensils clattering and knife chopping. No unnecessary noise can be heard, giving out a calm and intense atmosphere in the kitchen.

Everyone is highly focused on the tasks at hand. It is the first day of the restaurant opening. Any mistakes are prohibited. They've done a lot of experiments on the recipes and conducted numerous food tastings between themselves. It wasn't the customer's taste buds that they want to impress. Rather, it was their mini boss, Aaron.

That creature who's currently preparing the marinating sauce while yawning with his mouth closed and watery eyes, looking like a silly and utterly harmless fool is actually a devil in a sheep's clothing. That is if you don't step on his bottom line. And his bottom line, which the kitchen crews learned after surviving a heartbreaking and emotionally painful experience, is 'don't disrespect the stomach you're going to feed'.

It may sound ridiculous but to the three kitchen crew, those words are their new life slogan. Their mini boss also mentioned once,  "Food is not there just to fill one's hunger. It is one's source of happiness. If you ruin someone's meal, you might have ruined their entire day."

It's weird how their mini boss is so young, but the way he speaks always gives out a mature vibe. Their mini boss won't insult or scold them like that well-known celebrity chef you see on television. But the disappointment in his eyes and words gave their fragile heart a blow.

They could see the hidden unspoken words behind his flowery critique, "I trusted you. I hired you new fledglings and offered a good salary to you lowly creatures. But this is all you amount to? Sigh..." (These are all their imagination)

The two chefs, Reina and Gared, are both newly graduated from culinary school and are 24 and 25 years old respectively. While the kitchen assistant, Jake, is one of those hardworking high school drops out who started as a dishwasher and slowly worm his way into the kitchen through experience is 25 years old.

The mini boss is the youngest creature in the kitchen. Only 22 this year, yet their age has no upper hand against his barrage of critiques when it comes to food. After interacting with him more and more, they finally realized that their mini boss is a real food lover. One who prepares a dish with all his heart and genuinely wishes the person he feeds will feel happy.

"I once had a meal. The taste was pretty bad so I downed a wine that she hands me to soothe my taste buds. It was my last meal. I wished the cook at least take that into consideration and prepared a decent meal for me instead." The mini boss had a melancholic look on his face as he stirs the soup that the three newly hired kitchen crew prepared after taking a few sips. With a sigh, he added, "Even if you hate someone, don't disrespect the stomach you're going to feed."

The hidden words the three crew heard were, "You guys hated me. That's why you prepared this garbage for me, didn't you?"

The three kitchen crew were having psychological turmoil. The boundary between real words and words they imagined seemed to blur. They can't understand the reason for their mini boss to suddenly say those words, but they were enlightened nonetheless. Ever since that doomed food tasting day, they put all their heart into every dish they made. Following the footstep of their mini boss to the journey of feeding their future customers' stomachs with love. Lots of it.

"I am here to make you happy. Accept my food. Accept my love." They chant silently in their hearts.

The restaurant AE's was designed in which the partition between the kitchen and dining area was covered with a thick tempered glass 2/3 from the ceiling before it was cut off with a thick brick to the floor. Those from the dining area can see those bustling about in the kitchen, and those from the kitchen can also see outside.

It was said that the design was to give assurance on the food they prepared to the customers. But the big boss, Edgar, knew that wasn't the only reason for it.

"With my face, I can attract a lot of girlfriend customers. Why waste such a good walking advertisement?" Aaron pompously declared during their internal design meeting. Almost making the designer vomit blood then and there. Edgar could see the designer's hand holding the pen shook a little. Towards these narcissistic words, the designer can't seem to find a word to retort for the young man's words held credibility...

To the designer's shock, he was dealt with another blow from Edgar. "I think my face is enough of a walking advertisement?"

The designer: Where did these two narcissists come from?! Go back to whichever planet you guys crawl out of! This man can't handle this much stimulation!

"Hence, make the kitchen see-through. Two walking advertisements. We'll have enough face con customers to make a profit from." With that, the design for the restaurant was finalized...

*****

[Player Edgar acquired a new skill: Being shameless]