(MC POV)
We returned to the shop together with Manami, the fox youkai having recovered from her crying a few moments ago.
"Welcome back, though this time not as a customer I suppose. Do you want anything, Manami? Ah, but where shall she sleep today?"
"I… It's fine… I… I'm ok with sleeping outside."
Lian Li turned to her, aghast, "No way! You're definitely sleeping with us! How could we let you sleep outside after all that?!"
"I'll be intruding, aren't I?"
I already had an idea of what Lian Li wanted so I backed my 'wife' up, "It's alright Manami. After all that we've been through, how could we even treat you like an outsider? You're practically family now."
"Family!" Cai Hong cheered before hugging Manami.
Manami couldn't help but smile at the little dragon and patted her head, "Thank you… For accepting me."
I grinned, "It's the least I could do after you acted as my wife's big sister all this time."
Lian Li pouted at me but I patted her head to appease her.
Originally, I also thought to heal her tails with a healing pill but that might make it harder to arrange the meeting between Kiyomi and her later. And I don't think it's necessary to do that in this World anyway, they aren't here to cultivate to godhood in the first place.
Manami turned to me, "Is it… Really fine for me to stay and work here?"
I shrugged, "Well, you know that only Lian Li and I are the only permanent staff here so sometimes we get really busy. Having you around to help would certainly be quite welcome. What's more, if we were to have another pretty girl in the store, it would definitely increase our sales!"
Both Lian Li and Manami giggled at my joke.
My 'wife' then turned to Manami, "Let's go~ I'll show you our uniforms! I think you'll look really cute in them!"
"E… Eh? I… But…"
"No buts! Come on! Does Cai Hong want to come along too?"
"Cai Hong want! Papa! Cai Hong go?"
I chuckled, "Of course you can."
"Yayyyy!"
Lian Li brought Cai Hong and Manami through the kitchen and to our house to help her get changed while I stayed behind in the shop to prepare, especially since the lunch rush would be coming soon.
The rest of our part time staff arrived on time and immediately started working at their assigned stations.
A few of them questioned Lian Li's absence but I explained that she was taking care of a new permanent hire.
That surprised a few of them since both Lian Li and I had been quite against hiring full timers for a very long time. Thus, they were wondering what made the newcomer so special for us to break that rule on our own.
Soon enough, Lian Li showed up with Manami dressed up in our wait staff's uniform, which was basically similar to a maid outfit.
Cai Hong was not with her so I assume she was back at home doing homework.
"Isn't she beautiful, Darling?" Lian Li gushed.
"Ara, ara? It's all thanks to Lian Li dressing me up~" She giggled, having already returned to her normal self.
I guess the two girls had a nice talk while Lian Li was dressing her up, just like how the two of them had the chat in the tent back in our World.
I chuckled, "Yes, she is very beautiful. Do you want Manami waiting on the tables or working the counter?"
"Ohhh~ Since she looks so pretty, it would be a waste to have her stuck behind the counter! Don't you think so, Manami?"
"Ufufufu~ As much as I would not mind either choice, I have to say that I am not confident in doing either as I have no experience in it. I do not think that there is time to teach me how to do them properly right now as well?"
I nodded, "That's a good point. In that case, could I trouble you to do what you do best? We could clear the area at the end to make an impromptu stage for you. You can use one of the bar stools as your seat too."
"Ara ara? That's a perfect idea, Darling~ Let's go with that~"
With my help, a small stage was soon put up just in time as we opened for the lunch crowd.
Manami started singing her own songs to entertain the crowd and her voice reached all the way out onto the streets which drew in even more people than we normally would.
Soon enough, we were completely packed and there was even a line of people waiting to enter the store outside.
Despite the rush, some of the part time staff found the chance to clap me on the back and congratulate me on getting my second 'wife' cheekily.
I never heard Manami sing before but I knew she could play different types of instruments back when we were celebrating the new year in our old World. It's unfortunate that I never got to see her perform again after that since it truly was a captivating performance.
But right now, hearing Manami sing on the small stage at the back of our store, I truly thought that the bar Manami had been working in before definitely got away too cheaply.
If you were hearing her voice right now, you'd think you were listening to a top vocalist singing in a high class theatre instead of a patisserie by the side of the street. Her voice was so breathtaking that most off the customers inside the store were all quietly listening to her singing, sometimes some of my staff would also be distracted and stop to listen to her.
Well, I have to admit that I was also charmed by her voice too so there's no way I could blame them.
However, the melodious atmosphere quickly shattered when the sound of furious shouting came from outside the store.
The door was then slammed open and several large sized and burly men came stomping in with clubs and swords.
One of them was even dragging along Eris by her wrist while she tried and failed to break free from his grip.
"Yo, we're robbing the place," The leader called out casually.
Wow… In the middle of the day? Is this guy an idiot?
