“Such a classy restaurant! But it was not here last time I came here,” Parmer said, surprised.
“Big sister! Rainbow fried rice!” Parbor exclaimed. Clapping his hands, he trotted towards the glass window and bumped into it. He took two steps back, looking puzzled.
Gjergj hurried over to his boy. “Oh, sweetheart, are you hurt?” Part of him was worried, while the other part wanted to laugh at his kid’s adorable stupidity.
The customers by the window got startled at first, but then they couldn’t help but smile when they saw the cute little boy.
“Why can’t I get in, Father?” Parbor asked.“‘Cause you’re standing in front of a large sheet of crystal glass,” Gjergj replied, smiling. He picked up his small hand and put it on the crystal glass. “You can feel it, right? It’s transparent. Everything can be easily seen through it.”
Parbor touched and patted the cool glass, and then smiled. “Crystal glass! Crystal glass! Big sister!”
“Seems like he can’t wait to get in and play with the big sister,” Harrison said, smiling. Then he turned to Parmer, and wrapped his arm around his shoulder. “What about you, Math Genius? Are you excited?”
“Why would I be excited? But I don’t mind teaching her a little math if she’s cute,” Parmer said with his arms crossed.
Harrison gave a nod, and patted him on the shoulder. “Oh, you’re so generous! Come on! Time for dinner! Mag’s business is really booming!”
“With his cooking skills, I don’t think there are still seats available right now,” said Gjergj. He took Parbor’s hand in his and entered.
No sooner had Gjergj walked in than he noticed the new dish in front of almost every customer. It was white and soft with different toppings, and he liked the new smell floating in the air.“Hey, man, what is this dish that you’re eating?” Harrison asked a guy sitting by the door.
“It’s called tofu pudding. Amazing food! You should try the savory one. It’s just unbelievable!” the guy said, giving a thumbs-up.
“No, try the sweet one! Trust me, you won’t regret it!” another guy said.
Harrison turned to the kids and smiled. “You’re very lucky, kids. You get to try a new dish tonight!” Then, he and Gjergj took the two boys to the end of the waiting line.
Parmer’s attention was attracted by the paintings on the wall. Marvelous Rodu, majestic Dragon Islands, dreamy Wind Forest, knights on horses, flying dragons, magic casters… Every painting was so strange yet riveting.
“Rainbow fried rice! Big sister!” Parbor said, looking around as if looking for something.
The two adorable kids attracted many eyes, especially the smaller one with hair in a mushroom bowl. Mere sight of him was enough to make people smile.
“Big sister! Big sister!” Parbor exclaimed merrily, eyes shining in delight.
When Parmer turned to look where his brother was looking, he saw Amy. He froze, his eyes wide. Finally, he said, “Why are you here?!”
Amy was also a little surprised, but apparently she was calmer. “This is my father’s restaurant.”
“Why is this your father’s restaurant?”
“Because he is the owner, I guess.”
Parmer felt insulted. He swallowed to calm himself down.
He had been very upset since the day they competed in class. The riding today had helped a lot, but now he found himself feeling nervous.
“So you have met?” Gjergj asked, surprised. He had planned to introduce her.
“She is the one who beat me in math the other day,” Parmer admitted reluctantly.
Gjergj and Harrison exchanged a wry look.
They had never seen this coming. It was all they could do not to laugh.
Mag took a look at them. So he’s Gjergj’s son. No wonder I found his face familiar. Thankfully, he’s not as fat as his old man. The smaller one must be his second son.
“Big sister, hugs!” Parbor said in his childish voice, extending his arms, walking towards the counter.
“Sorry, but you’re too heavy,” Amy said, looking down at him from her chair.
