The next morning, Ximing woke up with one very important decision.
He was opening his restaurant.
Not tomorrow.
Not next month.
Soon.
He walked into the kitchen and looked at the empty counter.
"I need a test."
Kael, who was drinking tea nearby, looked suspicious.
"A test?"
"Yes. We're going to invite people to taste the food."
"How many people?"
Ximing smiled.
"Twenty."
Kael nearly dropped his cup.
"Twenty?!"
"That's not even a lot."
"You said this was supposed to be a small restaurant."
"It is."
Kael stared at him.
"Your definition of small is concerning."
The Tasting
By afternoon, Ximing had prepared several dishes.
The long dining table was covered with food.
There was fragrant rice, noodles, roasted vegetables, fresh bread, soup, grilled meat, fruit drinks, and several desserts.
The villagers arrived one by one.
The rabbit farmer was first.
Then a fox family.
A pair of wolf beastfolk.
Several workers from nearby farms.
And, of course, a group of curious children.
Ximing stood at the front of the table.
"Welcome to the first tasting for The Garden Table."
Everyone applauded.
Kael leaned toward him.
"You're enjoying this."
"Very much."
The First Bite
Everyone tried the food.
For several seconds, there was silence.
Ximing became nervous.
Then—
"THIS IS DELICIOUS!"
The room erupted.
People began talking at once.
"The noodles!"
"The bread!"
"What's in this soup?"
"Can I have another plate?"
Ximing laughed.
"Slow down! There is enough for everyone."
Kael tried the grilled meat.
He nodded.
"Excellent."
Ximing looked at him.
"Just excellent?"
Kael took another bite.
"Very excellent."
Ximing smiled proudly.
"I'll accept that."
A Business Partner
After dinner, the older rabbit woman approached Ximing.
"I have something to ask."
"What is it?"
"If you open this restaurant, I'd like to supply some of your vegetables."
Ximing smiled.
"That would be wonderful."
"I can provide carrots, cabbages, onions, and herbs."
"Perfect."
Another villager approached.
"I raise chickens."
Ximing immediately looked toward General.
"...You have chickens?"
"Many."
Ximing's eyes lit up.
"I'll buy eggs from you."
Kael watched as several villagers began offering ingredients and services.
Within minutes, Ximing had accidentally created a small business network.
He looked at Kael.
"I think we're actually doing this."
Kael smiled.
"Looks like it."
But Ximing Had Another Idea
That night, Ximing returned home and opened his fashion notebook.
The restaurant was only the beginning.
He began drawing again.
This time, he designed clothing for the villagers.
Simple but elegant shirts.
Comfortable trousers.
Beautiful dresses.
Formal coats.
Children's outfits.
And eventually, something more luxurious.
A royal-style formal outfit.
Ximing looked at the drawing.
"I could sell these in the human territory."
Kael looked over his shoulder.
"You haven't even opened the restaurant yet."
"I know."
"And you're already planning another business."
"I have ideas."
"Too many ideas."
Ximing smiled.
"That's what happens when someone finally has free time."
Kael shook his head.
A Name for the Clothing Brand
Ximing thought carefully.
The restaurant was The Garden Table.
The clothing business needed something different.
Something elegant.
Something that could eventually appear in the Royal Capital.
He wrote several names.
Then one caught his attention.
YASMIN
Ximing stared at it.
The name felt elegant.
Soft, but powerful.
Exactly the feeling he wanted.
He began sketching a simple emblem beside it.
"LEVON".
Kael looked at the page.
"That's beautiful."
"I think so too."
"What does it mean?"
Ximing smiled.
"It's a name I like."
He didn't explain any further.
He simply continued designing.
The Future
Late that night, Ximing stood outside.
The restaurant was nearly ready.
His farm was flourishing.
His chickens were multiplying.
His house was warm and comfortable.
And now he had the beginnings of two businesses.
Yet none of it felt like the exhausting life he'd left behind.
Because this time, he had something he had never had before.
Choice.
He could work when he wanted.
Rest when he wanted.
Spend time with Kael.
Grow his farm.
Cook.
Design.
And someday...
Raise children.
Ximing looked toward the distant mountains.
"I wonder what the human territory is like."
Kael stood beside him.
"Why?"
"I think it's time we visit."
Kael smiled.
"Shopping?"
"Shopping."
"For the restaurant?"
"Yes."
"For your clothing business?"
"Obviously."
Kael narrowed his eyes.
"Anything else?"
Ximing smiled innocently.
"Maybe."
Kael sighed.
"I knew it."
Ximing laughed.
For the first time since arriving in the beast world, he was genuinely excited about what came next.
Not because he was searching for danger.
Not because he wanted fame.
Not because he wanted power.
He simply wanted to see what else this new world had to offer.
And perhaps...
The human territory would be the beginning of something much bigger.