The next morning, Ximing woke up to a delicious smell.
He opened his eyes.
"Bread."
He sat up immediately.
Then he remembered.
"The restaurant!"
He hurried downstairs.
Kael was already preparing breakfast.
"You're awake early."
"I smelled bread."
Kael laughed.
"That was intentional."
After breakfast, Ximing headed toward The Garden Table.
But when he arrived, he stopped.
There was a line outside.
A very long line.
Ximing stared.
"What's happening?"
Mira, who was helping at the restaurant that morning, smiled.
"Everyone wants the new noodles."
"What new noodles?"
"The spicy vegetable noodles."
Ximing blinked.
"I didn't know we were selling those."
"I experimented yesterday."
Ximing looked at her.
"You experimented with my recipe?"
"You weren't here."
He smiled.
"Fair enough."
Inside, every table was occupied.
The restaurant had become much more popular than Ximing expected.
Customers were coming from nearby villages.
Some were travelers.
Ximing watched the workers moving around efficiently.
The kitchen was busy, but nobody looked overwhelmed.
He felt proud.
Not because the restaurant was making money.
But because it could function without him standing over everyone.
That was the whole point.
He wanted freedom.
And he was finally getting it.
Expansion
After lunch, Ximing gathered the workers.
"I think we need more tables."
Everyone looked at him.
"How many?" Elena asked.
"Maybe twenty more."
Rian nearly dropped the tray he was holding.
"Twenty?"
Ximing nodded.
"We're running out of space."
Kael looked toward the restaurant.
"He's right."
Mira smiled.
"You're expanding already?"
Ximing shrugged.
"I didn't expect this many customers."
He thought for a moment.
"We could also add a second floor."
Everyone became silent.
Kael looked at him.
"Didn't you say you wanted a peaceful retirement?"
Ximing sighed.
"Don't remind me."
Everyone laughed.
That afternoon, Kael used his earth magic to help with the foundation.
With a gesture, the soil beneath the planned extension became firm and level.
Ximing stared.
"I still love watching you do that."
Kael smiled.
"It's useful."
"Very."
Together with the workers, they planned the expansion.
The first floor would remain the main restaurant.
The second floor would have private dining rooms.
There would also be a small balcony overlooking the village.
Ximing wanted it to feel warm rather than luxurious.
"A place where families can celebrate," he explained.
Kael nodded.
"Sounds like you."
That evening, Ximing stood outside the restaurant.
The sign read:
THE GARDEN TABLE
Lights glowed through the windows.
Inside, people were eating, laughing, and talking.
Ximing smiled.
He had started with one simple thought:
I want a peaceful life.
Somehow, that peaceful life had grown into a home, a restaurant, a farm, and a clothing business.
And somehow...
He didn't mind.
As long as he remained free to choose.
Kael came to stand beside him.
"Ready to go home?"
Ximing nodded.
"Definitely."
He looked back at the restaurant one last time.
"Tomorrow, we plan the second floor."
Kael sighed.
"You really can't stay away from work."
Ximing grinned.
"It's not work if I enjoy it."
And the two walked home beneath the evening sky, already discussing what they would have for dinner.