Today has been a really a bad day for Lucas Qian, the owner and head chef of the world-renowned medicinal cuisine restaurant, Asclepius' Abode.
The first customer in the morning was relatively normal. It was a to-go order like most of them are. A bowl of snow pear soup and some steamed chicken with ginseng. Probably for a middle-aged woman.
The second group to come in was a NIGHTMARE. A family of three with the rich entitled parents and their picky, rich, second generation son. It was the first time in years that someone other than his teacher had dared to criticize the taste of his signature abalone and luffa soup. They made a huge fuss and INSISTED that he come out personally "so that they can have a talk with him". And who was the one who criticized the food? Of course it was that picky fu'er dai. Lucas ends up wasting a whole hour trying to deal with these people. And the whole thing boils down to: "My son HATES abalone!!!" There were plenty of other dishes on the table and the abalone and luffa soup was sitting farthest from the kid. If he hates abalone, then why the hell would he go out of his way to eat it?
The third were a pair of uncle and niece. The niece flung pieces of chicken and radish EVERYWHERE. But Lucas really couldn't say anything because she was three. Three-year-olds don't really know any better. Plus, her uncle was super apologetic and paid for the Qing dynasty vase that his niece destroyed.
The fourth were a pair of spouses. Apparently, it was their 3rd wedding anniversary. Things started out pretty normal. A candlelit dinner with some of Lucas' personally brewed rice wine. Then, the husband got up to wash his hands and his phone which was left at the table, rang. The wife checked the contact name (it was unfamiliar to her apparently) and then answered the phone. Lucas could tell that she got PRETTY PISSED. She hung up in a fit of rage and when she saw her husband again, she composed herself. Let's just say it got pretty heated. A half opened bottle of his precious rice wine just went to waste.
The last customers were a family of three generations. Grandparents, parents, and the kids. They were a really well known and influential family. Lucas had let them dine on a discount on the account of his friendship with the third son and his family. The atmosphere was tense. They were hiding daggers in their words and using veiled sarcasm. Thankfully, there weren't any major problems.
Poor Lucas almost died from the stress.
"I'm closing the restaurant for a few days. I think we all need a break. Otherwise, I'm afraid that my mental stability will take a hit."
And so he did just that.