Arknights - Echoes Of The Unfound Dawn

As the taxi pulled up in front of the restaurant, Xian stepped out, now dressed in the neutral outfit he'd used for his earlier hospital stunt. The kids, who had been lounging around near the entrance, immediately perked up when they saw him.

"Hey, Xian!" Tobi called out, waving excitedly. "You're back!"

Finn narrowed his sharp eyes at Xian, his clever mind already picking up on the details. "Wait a minute..."

"What?" Elisa asked, tilting her head as she looked at Finn's scrutinizing gaze.

"His clothes," Finn replied with a smirk. "They're different. Where'd you go, boss?"

Xian sighed, realizing his subtle attempt to slip back into the restaurant unnoticed had failed spectacularly.

"Uh, I... took care of some 'business,'" he said vaguely, brushing past them.

"Business?!" Rico exclaimed, his loud voice echoing across the street. "What kind of business? And why'd you change your clothes? Are you hiding something?"

"Not hiding," Xian corrected, lifting a hand dismissively. "Just being... efficient."

Elisa stepped forward, crossing her arms as she looked at him with an almost maternal disapproval. "Efficient, huh? That doesn't explain the clothes. Spill it."

Xian groaned, realizing there was no escaping their questioning. "Fine, fine. I went to do some advertising, alright?"

"Advertising?" Mira echoed softly, her big green eyes wide with curiosity. "Like handing out flyers?"

"Not exactly." Xian smirked, his tone dripping with mischief. "I went to a hospital."

"A hospital?" Nia blinked, tilting her head. "Why a hospital?"

Xian leaned against the doorframe, enjoying the suspense he was building. "Think about it. Who needs good food the most? Overworked hospital staff and patients stuck with bland meals. I delivered some samples and left them hungry for more. Literally."

The kids stared at him, their reactions mixed.

"You just... waltzed into a hospital?" Elisa asked incredulously.

"Yep."

"And they believed you?" Finn added, his tone equal parts impressed and skeptical.

"Of course," Xian said, grinning. "I might've told them I stumbled across the food and gave them the restaurant's address. You should've seen their faces when the smell hit them. Priceless."

Rico threw his hands up, laughing. "Man, you've got guts! I wouldn't have thought of that."

"I don't know whether to be impressed or worried," Elisa muttered, shaking her head.

"Probably both," Finn quipped.

"Well," Xian said, clapping his hands together, "enough about that. Get ready to work. The rush is coming, and we need to be prepared."

Xian headed straight to the kitchen, where he rolled up his sleeves and began pulling out ingredients. The kids followed him, curiosity evident in their expressions.

"What's on the menu today, boss?" Tobi asked eagerly, leaning against the counter.

Xian glanced over his shoulder, smirking. "We're keeping it simple but irresistible. Think classics: fried rice with smoky wok flavors, stir-fried noodles with caramelized onions and tender beef, steamed buns stuffed with juicy pork, crispy scallion pancakes, and a few bowls of hearty soup for balance. Oh, and for dessert, sweet red bean paste dumplings."

The kids' eyes widened, and Mira's stomach let out a loud growl. She blushed furiously, hiding behind Nia.

"That sounds amazing!" Rico said, practically salivating.

"Focus," Xian said, pointing a spatula at him. "You'll get to eat later. Right now, you're my helpers. Here's what I need from you..."

Xian started delegating tasks, his tone brisk but not harsh. Elisa was tasked with handling the buns, carefully folding and sealing each one with precision. Finn took charge of the pancake batter, his sharp eyes ensuring the consistency was just right. Rico was assigned to chop vegetables, though Xian kept a close eye on him to make sure he didn't go overboard with his enthusiasm.

"Tobi, you're in charge of plating," Xian said, tossing him a clean towel.

Tobi caught it clumsily, grinning. "Got it!"

"What about me?" Nia asked softly, standing at the edge of the counter.

"You're on soup duty," Xian replied. "Gentle hands for a delicate broth."

"And me?" Mira asked hesitantly.

Xian thought for a moment before handing her a small sieve. "You're skimming the oil from the soup. Attention to detail is key."

As the kids worked, the kitchen filled with the sound of sizzling pans, the rhythmic chopping of vegetables, and the occasional burst of laughter.

"Hey, boss," Rico called out. "What's your secret to making food smell so good? It's like magic."

"No magic," Xian replied, tossing noodles into a hot wok. "Just science. Heat releases aromas, and when you hit the right balance of oil, spices, and timing... bam! Instant hunger."

"Science, huh?" Finn muttered, flipping a pancake. "Sounds like something you'd say to sound smart."

"Smart enough to get us customers," Xian shot back with a grin.

"Tch," Finn admitted.

Tobi leaned closer to the steaming plates of food, his stomach growling audibly. "Are we sure this isn't torture? Working with all this food and not eating any of it?"

"You'll eat when the job's done," Xian said firmly.

The kids groaned in unison but kept working, the aroma of their efforts filling the air with a mouthwatering scent.

By the time they finished prepping, the kitchen counters were lined with neatly plated dishes, each one looking as good as it smelled. Xian surveyed their work, nodding in approval.

"Not bad," he said. "Now, let's see if my little hospital stunt pays off."

As if on cue, the sound of footsteps approached the restaurant. Xian glanced at the clock and smirked.

"Right on time," he said.

The kids exchanged excited glances, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten as they prepared to welcome their first wave of customers.

.

.

.

.

.

Not long after the dishes were ready and the kitchen filled with a tantalizing aroma, the restaurant's door creaked open. A man in a hospital uniform stepped inside, his movements hesitant as he looked around. Behind him, a small group of visitors-patients' relatives and friends-followed, drawn in by the delicious scent wafting from the kitchen.

"Ah, welcome!" Xian called out from behind the counter, his voice calm yet inviting. "Please take a seat wherever you like."

The group exchanged glances before settling into various tables. The kids perked up immediately, exchanging determined nods as Xian turned to them.

"You know the drill," Xian said, his tone carrying both authority and encouragement. "Get to work, just like we practiced."

"Yes, boss!" they replied in unison, scattering to their stations.

Elisa and Finn, who had taken on the roles of wait staff, grabbed their notepads and approached the customers with polite yet eager smiles.

"Good morning, sir. Here's the menu," Elisa said, her tone steady and professional as she handed the first customer a laminated sheet. "Let me know if you need recommendations."

Finn chimed in at the next table, leaning slightly forward with his natural charm. "If you're looking for something hearty, the fried rice is a favorite. And trust me, you won't regret it."

"Really?" one of the hospital workers asked, eyeing Finn with skepticism.

"Really," Finn said confidently, winking.

Meanwhile, Mira and Tobi worked as runners, bringing glasses of water to the tables and setting them down with surprising precision.

"Here you go!" Tobi said cheerfully, though his hands were slightly shaky. Mira followed silently, her big green eyes focused on ensuring every glass was placed perfectly.

The scene quickly grew busier as more customers streamed in, the majority wearing scrubs or visitor badges. Some hesitated at the doorway, glancing around the modest interior.

"This place doesn't look like much," one nurse whispered to her colleague.

"But that smell..." the colleague replied, sniffing the air and unconsciously stepping further inside. "I think I'm drooling."

At the cashier counter, Rico and Nia handled orders, their teamwork surprisingly efficient.

"Okay, so that's one order of fried rice, two steamed buns, and a soup," Rico said, tapping the cash register with surprising dexterity. "Anything else?"

"No, that'll be it," the customer replied.

"Alright, coming right up!" Nia added with a small smile as she handed over the receipt.

Back in the kitchen, Elisa dashed in to grab plates while Finn took orders at the remaining tables.

The restaurant quickly became a whirlwind of activity. Xian worked in the kitchen, churning out dishes with impressive speed, while Elisa and Finn moved between tables with trays balanced expertly. The hum of conversation mixed with the clinking of utensils and the sizzling from the stove.

A customer at one table laughed, nudging his friend. "I thought this place was going to be a dive. Guess I was wrong. The food here smells incredible."

Another customer at a nearby table chimed in, "Yeah, but where's the chef? They must be working some kind of magic back there."

One particularly bold customer leaned over to Finn as he delivered a plate of noodles. "Hey, who's the genius behind this food?"

Finn smirked, tilting his head toward the kitchen. "Our boss. He's... unique."

The customer raised an eyebrow but didn't press further, too eager to dive into the steaming plate of food in front of them.

As the customers ate, their initial skepticism melted away.

"This fried rice is unbelievable," one nurse said, her voice tinged with awe. "The flavors are so balanced."

"The noodles have that perfect wok taste," another added, slurping up a mouthful.

"Even the buns are amazing!" a patient's relative exclaimed, taking another bite.

At the cashier counter, Rico leaned in with his usual energy. "Don't forget to spread the word! Tell your coworkers, friends, even that grumpy guy in accounting. This place is worth it!"

Some customers chuckled, while others nodded in agreement, already planning to return with more people.

After the rush began to settle, Xian finally stepped out of the kitchen to take a breather. He leaned against the wall near the entrance, watching the scene with a satisfied smile.

However, some of the customers immediately noticed him.

"Wait... isn't that...?"

"It's him!" another whispered, staring at Xian with wide eyes.

"That's the guy from the hospital!"

The realization spread through the room like wildfire. Some were shocked, while others smirked knowingly. Whispers filled the air, with phrases like "he planned everything" and "genius marketing" echoing softly.

Xian caught snippets of the conversation but ignored them, focusing instead on the kids. They were moving between tables, chatting with customers, clearing plates, and handling orders with surprising professionalism.

As he leaned back, chuckling softly, Xian's mind wandered.

This is going better than expected, he thought, his gaze shifting to the kids. They worked hard, their teamwork seamless despite the chaos.

But then, his smile faltered slightly as his thoughts darkened.

How long will this peace last? he wondered. The warmth of the bustling restaurant suddenly felt fragile, like a bubble waiting to pop. He thought about the materials he needed for his personal projects, his mind shifting to calculations and plans.

And then...

The reunion, he mused, his expression tightening. They're already moving. I know it. But what will happen here? This world is had change since im already here.

He shook his head, pushing the uneasy thoughts aside. For now, he would focus on the restaurant, the kids, and the growing community around them.

"Alright, back to work," he muttered, straightening up and heading back into the kitchen as the sounds of laughter and chatter filled the air.