Yura looked at me, her eyebrows raised in surprise.
"Pet my head?" she repeated, clearly confused.
I nodded, trying to keep a straight face. "Yes, it's a condition. If you want me to forgive you, you have to let me pet your head," I said, trying to sound serious, but I couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of the situation.
Yura blinked, still processing my request. "But... why?" she asked, her confusion evident.
I shrugged. "I don't know. It just seems like a fair trade," I replied, struggling to contain my laughter.
For a moment, Yura just stared at me, her expression a mix of bewilderment and amusement. Then, unexpectedly, she burst into laughter.
"You want to pet my head as a condition for forgiveness? You could ask for anything, and that's what you propose?" she exclaimed, shaking her head in disbelief.
I nodded, unable to suppress my own laughter any longer. "Yep, that's the deal. After all, I don't need anything," I confirmed, grinning from ear to ear.
Yura shook her head, still chuckling. "Fine, you win. You can pet my head," she said, her laughter contagious.
With a grin, I reached out and gently ruffled her hair, feeling a sense of absurd satisfaction. Yura rolled her eyes but didn't protest. There was even a slight blush on her cheeks, which I found adorable. Eventually, I removed my hand from her head. It was a rather pleasant sensation.
"I hope you won't regret your choice," said Yura, a playful glint in her eyes.
"I doubt I will," I replied, a smile still lingering on my lips.
There was a brief moment of silence between us, the tension from earlier dissipating. It was replaced by a sense of ease that felt strangely comforting.
"I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused you," Yura said, her tone sincere. "I promise I'll try to be better."
I nodded, grateful for her apology. "Thank you, Yura. I appreciate it."
With that, the atmosphere between us shifted, becoming lighter and more relaxed. We finished our lunch in companionable silence, enjoying each other's company without the weight of our earlier tension.
After lunch, Yura retired to her room, leaving me alone in the kitchen. The servants came to clear the table, and just then, the system screen appeared.
[Congratulations, host. You have successfully completed the mission: Return home before lunchtime and prepare lunch, and take care of your wife. Reward: +10 favorability with Yura, a new recipe, and the opening of the system shop.]
I smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment. It was a small victory, but it meant a lot to me. With a newfound sense of optimism, feeling grateful for the chance to start fresh with Yura.
With a smile on my face, I left the mansion and headed to the restaurant.
I was greeted by the familiar sights and sounds of the kitchen. The clatter of pots and pans, the sizzle of food on the grill, and the aromatic smells of spices filled the air.
I made my way to the kitchen, where Chef Kang and the rest of the staff were hard at work.
"Madam Jiyeon, welcome back!" Chef Kang greeted me with a warm smile. "What can I do for you today?"
"I'd like to try out the new recipe " I replied, excitement bubbling inside me.
Chef Kang nodded, a gleam of excitement in his eyes. "Of course, Madam Jiyeon."
he stepped aside, leaving me room to prepare my dish .
As I checked the system, I found the details of the new dish. It was called "Spicy Seafood Tofu Soup," and the ingredients and cooking instructions were laid out clearly.
Excited to try it out, I gathered all the necessary ingredients. I diced the tofu into small cubes and prepared the seafood, including shrimp, clams, and squid. In a large pot, I heated some oil and sautéed garlic, ginger, and onions until they were fragrant. Then, I added the seafood and tofu, along with some chicken broth, soy sauce, and chili paste.
I let the soup simmer until the seafood was cooked through and the flavors had melded together. Finally, I garnished the soup with chopped green onions and cilantro before serving it in a large bowl.
The aroma of the spicy seafood tofu soup filled the kitchen, making my mouth water.
As Chef Kang arrived, I eagerly presented him with the Spicy Seafood Tofu Soup, excited to get his opinion on the new dish. He took a spoonful, blowing on it gently to cool it down before taking a taste.
After a moment, his face lit up in delight. "Madam Jiyeon, this is fantastic!" he exclaimed. "The flavors are perfectly balanced, and the spiciness adds just the right amount of kick. I think our customers are going to love it."
I couldn't help but grin at his enthusiastic response. It was always a good sign when Chef Kang approved of a new dish.
"Thank you, Chef," I said, feeling a surge of pride. "Let's get it on the menu right away."
Together, we worked to prepare the Spicy Seafood Tofu Soup for the evening service. As we cooked, the aroma of the soup filled the kitchen, making my stomach growl with anticipation.
Once the soup was ready, we served it to the staff, eager to get their feedback. One by one, they tasted the dish, and their reactions were overwhelmingly positive.
"It's delicious, Madam Jiyeon," one of the servers exclaimed. "I love the combination of flavors."
"I think it's going to be a hit with the customers," another added, nodding in agreement.
Encouraged by the staff's response, we added the Spicy Seafood Tofu Soup to the menu for the evening.
As the restaurant filled with customers, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. This was the moment of truth. Would the customers love the new dish as much as we did?
Throughout the evening, I kept a close eye on the dining room, eager to see the customers' reactions.
The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Customers raved about the Spicy Seafood Tofu Soup, praising its bold flavors and comforting warmth.
"I've never tasted anything like this before," one customer said, taking another spoonful. "It's absolutely delicious."
By the end of the night, the Spicy Seafood Tofu Soup had become one of our best-selling dishes. Customers couldn't get enough of it, and many were already asking when they could come back for more.
As I cleaned up the kitchen after service, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. The new dish had been a resounding success, and it was all thanks to the hard work and dedication of everyone in the restaurant.
I knew that this was just the beginning. With dishes like the Spicy Seafood Tofu Soup on the menu, our restaurant was destined for even greater success in the future.
After a successful evening service at the restaurant, I decided to head home. But before leaving, I checked the day's earnings.
The total revenue for the day was impressive, with the restaurant making $5000 in profit. It was a clear indication of the success of the new dish and the hard work of the staff.
Satisfied with the day's performance, I left the restaurant and made my way back to the mansion.
As soon as I entered the living room, I saw Yura engaged in conversation with a man and a woman who appeared to be in their forties. The woman had a warm smile and kind eyes, with soft lines etched around them that spoke of years spent laughing and caring. Her dark hair was streaked with strands of gray, pulled back into a neat bun. She was dressed elegantly in a simple yet stylish dress, her demeanor exuding warmth and grace.
The man standing next to her had a friendly demeanor, with a strong, reassuring presence. His neatly trimmed beard was flecked with gray, and his eyes sparkled with intelligence and kindness. He had a firm handshake and a warm smile that immediately put me at ease. He was dressed in a well-tailored suit, his posture straight and confident.
"Jiyeon, darling, come here," the woman said, standing up and walking over to me. "It's so lovely to finally meet my daughter-in-law."
I was taken aback by her words, but before I could respond, she enveloped me in a warm hug.
"Welcome to the family," she said, her voice filled with genuine warmth.