Chapter 100: Unhappy Again?

Chapter 100: Chapter 100: Unhappy Again?

The so-called debrief lasted less than five minutes.

All Nan Zhi and the others had to do was review the menu sales and adjust the next day’s grocery list accordingly.

After quickly settling these matters, Nan Zhi started looking around for Nan Yi.

’Hm? Where’d he go?’

"Xiao Xi, have you seen Yiyi?"

Nan Zhi had no choice but to ask Qing Xi, who was dozing off in a small chair.

Qing Xi lifted his groggy, sleepy eyes.

"Huh? I don’t know."

"Yiyi went outside to cash out a customer."

Xie An’an chimed in with a clear voice.

Nan Zhi: "Cash out? There are still customers here?"

’Is it Lu Shixu?’

Her question stunned Fu Chao.

"Huh? Qi Pei’er, didn’t you go?"

Qi Pei’er was even more confused.

"Weren’t you supposed to go?"

They only realized after talking that it was a mix-up caused by a lack of communication.

They hurried to the kitchen entrance.

There, they found that Nan Yi had not only taken the payment but had also cleared the dishes and wiped the table spotless.

Fu Chao’s jaw dropped.

"Yiyi, you’re amazing!"

Qi Pei’er also gave him a huge thumbs-up.

"That’s our Yiyi!"

Nan Yi had been a big help all day, but considering his age, everyone had only given him minor tasks.

This was the first time he had handled something from start to finish all by himself!

[I was wondering what he was running in and out for, but it turns out he was helping! Did he step up because he saw the adults were all busy talking? Nan Yi is the best!]

[This useless production team doesn’t even know when to switch cameras. I can’t believe I didn’t get to see our hardworking, thoughtful, and sweet little Yiyi!]

[I have to say, Nan Yi has improved so much. Who would’ve thought that the quiet, gloomy kid from the beginning would grow up to be so responsible?]

[Has anyone ever considered that maybe he didn’t "grow up," but that he was always like this? That some people’s prejudice just put a biased filter on him.]

[Well, the reason people had a problem with him back then was because of his birth mom...]

[And there’s no prejudice or filter when it comes to Nan Zhi?]

...

Everyone was praising him, but Nan Yi felt nothing inside.

It wasn’t until Nan Zhi also praised him with a smile, telling him he did a good job, that the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

It was a hint of subtle, private joy.

Nan Zhi glanced at the time, just about to announce that filming was over for the day.

Just then, Qi Pei’er casually glanced out the door.

"Huh? Why haven’t the customers at that table left?"

Nan Zhi followed her gaze.

It was indeed Lu Shixu.

The man was as sharp as a radar. The moment she looked over, it was as if she’d flipped a switch on him; half a second later, his gaze met hers.

Nan Zhi calmly averted her eyes, pretending she hadn’t seen anything.

Fu Chao noticed but said nothing.

It was Nan Yi who explained.

"The customer at that table said he wanted to sit a while longer."

Qi Pei’er took off her apron.

"But we’re already closed... I should go talk to him."

Nan Zhi showed no reaction, even as Qi Pei’er walked out of the kitchen.

Fu Chao, never one to hold his tongue, lowered his voice and asked Nan Zhi:

"You’re not going?"

Anyone with eyes could see that Lu Shixu was waiting for Nan Zhi.

Nan Zhi asked back, amused.

"Why should I go?"

She had already made everything perfectly clear.

If Lu Shixu refused to give up, that was his business, his choice.

It had nothing to do with her.

Besides, Nan Zhi didn’t think the amnesiac Lu Shixu could persist for long based on just some vague feeling.

He would give up on his own sooner or later.

’And that’s when we can finally go our separate ways for good...’

Fu Chao: "You’re so right!"

He was so excited that everyone else turned to look at him.

He even scared the sleepiness right out of Qing Xi!

Nan Zhi looked at him with a helpless, amused expression.

Fu Chao scratched his head in embarrassment.

Qing Xi grumbled unhappily.

"Uncle, you’re annoying!"

"Sorry, sorry... I’ll do the dishes! Let’s clean up quickly so we can go home and rest!"

Fu Chao rolled up his sleeves, brimming with endless energy, and started bustling around the kitchen.

A short while later, Qi Pei’er returned and said the customer outside had left.

Nan Zhi knew then that Lu Shixu had gotten her message.

She smiled, didn’t give it another thought, and joined the cleaning crew.

With everyone working together, the little restaurant was spotless inside and out in less than an hour.

The kids were so tired they were swaying on their feet.

Well, except for Nan Yi.

He was the only one standing dependently next to Nan Zhi, his eyes wide and bright.

Qi Zhang yawned, took his aunt Qi Pei’er’s hand, and politely said goodbye to everyone.

Qing Xi had fallen fast asleep and was being carried on Fu Chao’s back, his soft breathing faintly audible.

Xie An’an, perched on her father Xie Yu’s arm, was also about to leave.

Suddenly, she tugged lightly on Xie Yu’s collar and whispered something in his ear.

Xie Yu’s expression was a little strange.

But he had to do as his daughter wished and approached Nan Zhi.

"She wants to say something to you."

"Hm?"

Nan Zhi was confused.

She saw Xie An’an lean forward, get close to her, and whisper in a soft, childish voice:

"Auntie Zhizhi, good night. I like you a lot."

Nan Zhi was surprised at first, then she smiled.

"Thank you, An’an. I like you too."

The corner of her shirt was instantly tugged tight!

Nan Zhi immediately looked over to see Nan Yi with his head down, showing only the top of his dark, fluffy hair.

’Is this little jealous boy unhappy again?’

’Oh no,’ Nan Zhi thought. ’I’m probably going to have to spend a lot of effort cheering up my baby boy later.’

She quickly said goodbye to everyone and watched them leave.

The restaurant door closed.

Nan Zhi quickly took Nan Yi’s little hand.

She deliberately used a cheerful tone.

"What’s wrong? Are you unhappy?"

Nan Yi lifted his face, but it didn’t hold the displeasure Nan Zhi had expected.

He blinked and answered nonchalantly.

"I’m not."

Whether Nan Zhi believed him or not, he shook her arm.

"Mom, go wash up. You must be really tired today! You should go to bed early!"

With that, he pulled Nan Zhi by the hand and started heading upstairs.

All the way up, little butler Nan Yi nagged Nan Zhi about every little detail.

It was as if their parent-child roles had been reversed!

Nan Zhi let herself be pulled along by Nan Yi’s force.

She lifted her free hand, her soft palm landing on the back of his head.

"What about you, Yiyi? Aren’t you tired? I saw you did a lot today."

"I’m not tired! I’m super strong!"

Nan Yi puffed out his chest proudly.

But then, Nan Zhi bent down and gave his calf a squeeze.

Caught off guard, Nan Yi’s little face instantly contorted.

"HISS!"

It was sore and achy!

Nan Zhi’s heart ached for him, but she also found it funny.

"Still say you’re not tired?"

Nan Yi stammered for a long moment before answering.

"I just... I just... I don’t want Mom to worry about me."

Nan Zhi was deeply touched and chided him gently.

"You silly boy, no matter what you do, a mother will always worry about her child."