Yes, that's the kind of confidence one should have. So he immediately pulled out an account book, though it was so old and yellowed that no one could tell what year or month it was from. He flipped through the pages with one hand and worked the abacus with the other, the beads clacking away. Then he shook his head and sighed, full of self-pity: “Yesterday’s takings were barely four thousand coins. Over seventy diners, and that’s all they ate. But I hear there’s a temple fair coming up. Well, that’s fine—while business is slow these few days, I can take a good rest. Once the fair is over and the place is packed, then I’ll really be busy.”

“Ah… business is so good, it’s enough to make a person anxious. I’d better go hire another helper tomorrow.”

He wore a look of furrowed-brow hesitation, calm and unhurried. Then, quite unintentionally, he glanced up and was slightly taken aback.

Standing across the counter was a woman of stunning beauty, in the prime of her youth, dressed in fine silks and satins. A bit disappointing, though—there was no official dress code here, but her bodice wasn’t low-cut; instead, it was a straight collar embroidered with silver thread.

She was a very beautiful woman, but in her eyes, it was hard to find the spirit and charm usually seen in women her age.

How to put it? There was no innocence or clarity in her gaze—only unfathomable depth, as if many stories were hidden behind those eyes.

Standing behind her were four or five men dressed as guards, each with a sword at their side, broad-shouldered and imposing. They looked casual, but seemed ready to spring into action at the slightest sign of trouble.

Brian Carter smiled. He had practiced this smile in front of a bronze mirror for a long time—customers are like gods, and a spring-like smile is a must.

“Miss, here to eat?”

As he spoke, Brian Carter's Adam’s apple trembled uncontrollably, his heart about to leap out of his chest. Heaven help him—if this woman replied, “I’ve taken a fancy to you,” Brian Carter wasn’t sure he wouldn’t strangle her in a fit of rage.

Abigail Grant sensed something odd. Was this the bookworm? He was at least polite, but his gaze seemed a bit too intense. No, it was rude!

But since she was here, she nodded and said, “Mm… to eat.”

Brian Carter breathed a sigh of relief. Those two simple words sounded like music to his ears. He hurriedly said, “Please, this way!”

Excited, he personally walked around the counter, chose the window seat, dusted it off with a feather duster, and respectfully invited Abigail Grant to sit.

For someone like Abigail Grant, Brian Carter's attentiveness was a bit over the top. She sneered inwardly: “Maybe this bookworm thinks I’m some beauty he can win over. His awkwardness is amusing, but what a fool.”

Abigail Grant sat down on a wooden stool, while the guards stood to the side.

Brian Carter cheerfully brought over a menu and said, “Miss, what would you like to eat? Here’s the menu.”

“Menu…” Abigail Grant said suspiciously, taking the menu and seeing a dazzling list of dishes with names like “Wealth and Honor” and “Colorful Splendor.”

Abigail Grant couldn’t help but smile, finding these creative dish names rather interesting. The calligraphy on the menu was also quite unique—her assessment was that the writing was pretty good.

She looked up and smiled lightly: “Your calligraphy is a bit lacking, but the style is distinctive. With more practice, you might have the bearing of a true master someday.”

Brian Carter felt a pang of sadness. Beauty, I’m a chef, okay? Complimenting a chef on his calligraphy—do you really think that’s appropriate?

Brian Carter grinned and said, “Thank you for the compliment, but I don’t deserve it. Miss, please order.”

Abigail Grant suddenly remembered the “news” the eunuch had gathered, and felt a chill, as if she were being forced to the execution ground. She smiled faintly and said, “May I ask the proprietor’s name?”

“Brian Carter.” Brian Carter was already losing patience.

Abigail Grant smiled and said, “That’s a good name.”

Brian Carter forced a smile: “Let’s order first…”

Abigail Grant: “Your place is quite elegant, your name has meaning, and your writing is good. Where are you from? When were you born? How many people in your family? I suppose you’re educated—what have you read…”

Brian Carter was starting to suspect that women in the Tang dynasty were just too forward. Was this older young lady really interested in him?

But could she at least let him serve the meal before flirting?

Chapter 8: Do You Yield or Not?

Brian Carter gritted his teeth, firmly resisting temptation: “Miss, could you please order first?”

Abigail Grant was helpless, so she said halfheartedly, “Wealth and Honor? What’s that?”

Brian Carter replied, “Stir-fried cabbage.”

“Nice name… but… do you have, um, dishes that don’t need to be cooked?”

Brian Carter was baffled: “What do you mean, dishes that don’t need to be cooked?”

Abigail Grant said, “Like grapes.”

“…” Brian Carter was stunned. If you want to eat grapes, why did you come here? He shook his head and said, “No!”

“Pears, then.”

“Don’t have those either.”

“Then send someone to the street to buy some for me. That’s what I want to eat.”

Brian Carter felt wounded. Seriously? After all this effort to get a customer, she wants him to go out and buy fruit, wash it, and serve it to her? Is she here to make trouble?