Seven years later, Ji Aier returned to this city filled with memories, along with the Happy Steakhouse. Uncle Beard had finally found his beloved, so he moved the Happy Steakhouse to a new location. Hu Kexin also came back and was often sweetly pestered by a wealthy young lady who drove a BMW. Later, Ji Aier learned that Hu Kexin actually came from a good family. He had left this city in the first place just to avoid this girl, who was his childhood sweetheart betrothed since they were children.
Ji Aier's children, Ji Minze and Ji Qianhe, were already six years old and were in primary school. They were in a full-time boarding class. On Friday afternoons, Ji Aier would pick them up and they would stay with her for two days. Sometimes they would ask Ji Aier who their father was. She told them that they were two naughty kids who popped out of a stone. Qianhe believed it, but Minze didn't look convinced at all. His expression made Ji Aier see a shadow of Ji En.
"Xiao Ai, there's a big shot outside!" Yanzi dashed in and said, excited as if she had discovered a new continent.
"What big shot? Just don't tell me the president is here!" Ji Aier continued grilling the steak and said. The most important person who had ever come to the Happy Steakhouse before was Hu Kexin's childhood sweetheart.
"He's a super handsome guy!" Yanzi placed the dishes ordered by the customer beside Ji Aier. "He wants a medium-rare filet mignon."
"Is he more handsome than Kexin?" Ji Aier asked without even turning her head, worried that if she got distracted, the steak would be overcooked.
"They're not comparable. They're of different types! Kexin is too soft and sweet, while this guy is cooler."
"Only little girls like you would like someone who acts cool like that. I think Kexin is nice. He's very approachable," Ji Aier said, and then she plated the grilled steak. Although she was only 25 years old this year, she felt as if she had the vicissitudes of a 35-year-old.
"You make it sound like you're so old. I'll take this out first," Yanzi said and then took the steak ordered by the customer at Table 5 and walked out. Ji Aier continued grilling the medium-rare filet mignon ordered by the new customer.
After Yanzi also took this steak out, Ji Aier leaned against the side and took a short rest. She was really exhausted today because Kexin was on leave. Ever since she gave birth to Minze and Qianhe, Ji Aier's spine often couldn't bear the weight, and if she stood for a long time, she couldn't straighten her waist at all.
"Xiao Ai, that customer just now said the steak was overcooked and wasn't fit for human consumption. He wants to see you!" Yanzi came in and said anxiously.
"Wasn't it supposed to be medium-rare?" She had grilled it medium-rare just now. Could the customer want it even rarer, like rare? Ji Aier quickly took off her scarf and followed Yanzi out of the kitchen.
"Hello! May I ask what you're not satisfied with? We'll try our best to improve it," Ji Aier said, standing beside the steak and looking at the customer. She was certain that the steak was medium-rare.
"Are you asking me or the steak?" the customer said, clearly dissatisfied. But this voice sounded so familiar. It was as if it came from several centuries ago.
Ji Aier raised her head and saw the man in front of her. Thick eyebrows, cold eyes, a straight nose, and thin lips. She suddenly felt as if she had been frozen.
"Ji En..." Ji Aier exclaimed. But he seemed much colder than the Ji En she had known. Ji Aier almost felt that the person in front of her wasn't a human being but an iceberg.