As Soon as the Door Closes (A Shift Begins)

As soon as the restaurant door clicked shut, a wave of smoky aroma from the grill wafted over, catching Wei Chen off guard. He didn't speak, his gaze fixed ahead, quietly contemplating the small, unassuming restaurant before him.

The peaceful moment was interrupted by the soft creak of the door, pulling Wei Chen's attention back to the present, and a young staff member stepped out with a friendly smile.

"There's a table by the kitchen available," he said politely.

Wei Chen nodded without a word, while Lu Jiu, his coworker and close friend, flashed a grin and led the way inside.

The table was situated near the kitchen, where the translucent plastic curtain separated them from the bustling space. Through the curtain, Wei Chen caught fleeting glimpses of figures moving in the kitchen, the subtle rhythm of the restaurant alive behind the thin veil. Lu Jiu picked up the menu and handed it to Wei Chen, who took it absently, eyes not really focused on the choices, lost in thought.

Then, the curtain rustled, and Ning An stepped out, a young woman in a dark green t-shirt and apron, holding a small tray. The weight of the restaurant's busy atmosphere seemed to settle into the slight weariness on her face. But when she raised her eyes to greet them, her breath caught.

There, sitting at the small table, was the man she had seen just days ago in the upscale restaurant across town. Her heart gave an unexpected flutter, though she masked it with professionalism.

She cleared her throat, her voice steady but a hint of hesitation lingering as she spoke,

"What would you like to order?"

Wei Chen looked up briefly, his eyes meeting hers for the shortest of moments before glancing back at the menu.

"I'll have the soy-braised pork set with mixed vegetables and grilled tofu with two oolong teas, please." Lu Jiu answered for him

Ning An nodded, wrote the order down, and made her way back to the kitchen. As the curtain closed behind her, she paused for a moment, taking a breath not from exhaustion, but because her heart was racing in a way she hadn't expected. The man she had only seen from a distance, in an entirely different place, was now sitting at a table in her family's restaurant. Right in front of her.

***

While waiting for their meal, Lu Jiu leaned back casually in his seat. "That girl from earlier... she's the owner's daughter."

Wei Chen set the menu down, not looking up. 

"She seems competent." Wei Chen said

Lu Jiu chuckled. 

"Not just competent, but stubborn, too... I once had a junior try to buy this place made a good offer, but she just hung up on him."

"Hung up?"

"Yep. She said it wasn't for sale and just hung up, no questions asked."

Wei Chen's gaze drifted toward the kitchen. "If you're seriously thinking of buying this place, it's not going to be easy," Lu Jiu added, a hint of warning in his tone.

Wei Chen remained still, his gaze lingering on the kitchen and lost in his observation of the atmosphere around him.

Soon, Ning An returned, her hands steady as she set the dishes down on their table. She lit the portable burner before hurrying back to the kitchen. Wei Chen picked up his chopsticks, placed a piece of pork on the grill, and the rich fragrance of the marinade instantly filled the air. He grilled the meat to perfection, then tasted it. Quietly, he nodded.

"The taste is good... but not as exceptional as I expected." Wei Chen said.

"Maybe your expectations are too high," Lu Jiu replied, unbothered.

Just as Wei Chen reached for another piece, the kitchen curtain opened again, and Ning An emerged, carrying a bowl of soup.

"Sorry, I forgot to bring this," she said politely, her voice soft yet steady. 

"The soy-braised pork can be a bit salty, so it's best eaten with the soup."

She placed the bowl in front of him and, with a brief nod, turned to leave again.

Wei Chen stared at the bowl for a moment before lifting it to his lips. The subtle, soothing flavor of the soup balanced the saltiness of the pork perfectly, a quiet harmony that lingered with every sip. He paused mid-chew, his eyes moving toward the kitchen.

"It's the restaurant's original recipe," Lu Jiu commented, as though reading his thoughts.

Wei Chen didn't answer, but the taste lingered in his mind, and there was something about the moment that shifted something inside him.

***

When the last piece of pork was nearly finished, Lu Jiu leaned back, offering a suggestion.

"Want to try something else?"

"That's enough for now," Wei Chen set his chopsticks down. He paused for a moment before asking, 

"Is the soy-braised pork the restaurant's signature dish?"

"I'm not sure, but I'll find out for you." Lu Jiu shook his head.

Wei Chen didn't respond. Instead, he looked up and watched Ning An as she moved between tables, his eyes searching for something in her presence.

Lu Jiu, noticing the subtle change in his friend, smiled knowingly. 

"By the way..." Lu Jiu leaned in a little, "The owner's daughter is quite charming, isn't she? Fresh and cheerful. Honestly, who wouldn't like someone like that?"

Wei Chen glanced at him, shaking his head slightly.

"What? I'm being serious. Someone like her, with that energy, everyone would be drawn to her." Lu Jiu said

Wei Chen didn't answer. He continued watching Ning An as she smiled while serving other customers. A strange feeling stirred within him, something he hadn't felt before. It wasn't just about the food or the restaurant; it was about her.

"She's more than just a cook…" Wei Chen muttered to himself under his breath, not intending for anyone to hear.

Lu Jiu, catching the shift in his friend's demeanor, chuckled softly.

"If you're serious about this place, it won't be easy, you know."

Wei Chen didn't respond, his thoughts still focused on the young woman across the room. He quietly reflected that perhaps he needed to rethink his stance on the restaurant and on her.