I left the mansion and got into my car. In just a few minutes, I arrived at the restaurant, and I was surprised to see a line of customers waiting outside. The sight brought a smile to my face, and I felt a surge of pride knowing that our hard work was paying off.
As I stepped inside, I was greeted by the bustling energy of the restaurant. The staff was hard at work, moving quickly to serve the eager customers. The aroma of sizzling meat and savory spices filled the air, mingling with the chatter and laughter of the diners.
I made my way to the kitchen, where Chef Kang and the rest of the staff were busy preparing orders. The kitchen was a hive of activity, with pots bubbling away on the stove and plates being garnished with colorful vegetables.
"Madam Jiyeon, welcome back!" Chef Kang greeted me with a smile. "We're quite busy today, as you can see."
I nodded, taking in the scene before me. It was clear that the restaurant was thriving, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction knowing that our hard work was paying off.
"Keep up the good work, everyone," I said, addressing the staff. "Let's make sure every customer leaves here with a smile on their face."
The staff cheered in response, energized by my words. With a renewed sense of determination, they continued to work tirelessly, ensuring that each dish was prepared to perfection.
Throughout the morning, the restaurant remained busy, with a steady stream of customers coming in to sample our delicious food. I moved around the restaurant, checking in with diners to ensure that they were enjoying their meals and addressing any concerns they might have.
As the lunch hour approached, I glanced at the clock and realized that it was time for me to return to the mansion. With a sense of reluctance, I made my way back to the kitchen to bid farewell to the staff.
"Thank you for all your hard work today," I said, addressing the chefs and servers. "I have to return home now, but I'll be back later to check on things."
The staff nodded, understanding, and I made my way out of the restaurant. As I drove back to the mansion, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride knowing that our restaurant was thriving.
Upon my return to the mansion, I went straight to the kitchen. The servants seemed pleased to see me, and I greeted them with a smile as I made my way to the kitchen. However, along the way, I didn't come across Yura.
In the kitchen, I rolled up my sleeves and got to work, determined to prepare a delicious lunch for Yura. Today, I decided to make seafood and tofu stew, accompanied by a variety of side dishes.
I started by preparing the broth, simmering anchovies, kelp, and dried shrimp in a pot of water to create a rich and flavorful base. Meanwhile, I diced tofu into bite-sized cubes and chopped an assortment of vegetables, including zucchini, mushrooms, and onions.
Once the broth had simmered and developed its flavor, I strained out the solids and returned the liquid to the pot. I added the tofu and vegetables, along with some gochujang and soy sauce to add depth and spice to the stew. As the stew simmered on the stove, I moved on to preparing the side dishes.
I blanched some spinach and seasoned it with sesame oil and sesame seeds, creating a vibrant and flavorful dish. I also made a batch of crunchy pickled radishes, marinating them in a tangy mixture of vinegar, sugar, and salt.
Finally, I plated the stew and side dishes, arranging them neatly on a tray. The aroma of the bubbling stew filled the kitchen, making my mouth water as I worked.
As I put the finishing touches on the lunch tray, Yura suddenly appeared behind me, startling me. I hadn't heard her approach, and her sudden presence made me jump.
"Yura, you scared me," I said, turning around to face her.
She was standing there, her arms crossed over her chest, her expression unreadable. From what I could see, she seemed to be doing better. Perhaps her estrus period was over now. There was a tense silence between us as I waited for her to speak.
"I see you've finally decided to make yourself useful," she said, her tone cutting.
I felt a pang of irritation at her words, but I pushed it aside, reminding myself to stay calm.
"I've prepared lunch for you," I said, gesturing to the tray on the counter. "I hope you like seafood and tofu stew."
Yura's expression softened slightly as she looked at the food.
"I suppose it will do," she said, her tone slightly less cold.
I nodded, relieved that she seemed somewhat appeased. I watched as she picked up the tray and made her way to the dining room. I followed behind her, feeling a sense of trepidation.
As we sat down to eat, the atmosphere was tense. Yura barely spoke, and when she did, it was only to make curt remarks about the food. I tried to keep the conversation light, but it was clear that she wasn't in the mood for small talk.
Despite the tension, the meal itself was delicious. The seafood and tofu stew was rich and flavorful, the perfect combination of savory and spicy. The side dishes added a burst of color and texture to the meal, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride as I watched Yura enjoy her food.
As we ate, I couldn't help but notice how tired Yura looked. Her usual air of confidence seemed to have faded, and there were dark circles under her eyes. It was clear that she hadn't been sleeping well, and I felt a pang of concern for her. After all, I didn't know how late she had stayed in my room last night.
Once we finished eating, a servant came to clear the table. The atmosphere between Yura and me remained tense, and she seemed to be on the verge of saying something.
At that moment, only Yura and I remained at the table, our eyes meeting. After a few minutes, Yura cleared her throat, her cheeks flushing slightly as she spoke.
"I'm really sorry for what has happened in the past few days. After all, it wasn't part of the contract," she said sincerely.
Now I thought her estrus period was over, and it reassured me. For now, I nodded, and she continued, "And thank you for not marking me last night. Not everyone can resist that. If you want, we can stop and divorce right away, and I can compensate you," she said, looking at me with anticipation in her eyes.
Her request caught me off guard, but at that moment, the system screen appeared:
[You cannot divorce Yura. Most of the system's missions are related to Yura. If you divorce her, the system will uninstall and take back all the rewards it has given you.]
Already, I had suffered a lot in the past few days, and now this. But I didn't really blame her; after all, it wasn't her fault. She couldn't control it.
"It's okay, Yura. We can work through this," I said, trying to sound reassuring. "Let's just focus on moving forward. After all, I don't blame you. It's not your fault," I said with a reassuring smile.
Yura nodded, relief evident in her eyes.
"But I have one condition for forgiving you," I said, my voice firm.
Yura looked at me, her expression curious as she waited for me to continue.
"You must let me stroke your head," I said seriously, my tone firm.