Chapter 290 - Soft Opening Day (8)

Claire and Clark were just outside talking about random things. Both of them were watching at the horizon, staring at the spectacular sunrise.

"Claire, when Sofia told us about the kitchen shear, you were about to say something... but, I noticed that you hesitated and went silent?" Clark softly asked.

"I was just surprised that Sofia is so knowledgeable. In terms of gaming, it is expected. In terms of business planning, I think she is a genius at learning her skills online. But, in terms of cooking, I never thought she would also know the details of kitchen shear!" Claire explained with a heavy sigh.

"Sofia is capable. You too... You are capable! Aren't we lucky to the two of you?" Clark murmured. He shifted his gaze from the sunrise towards Claire's face.

"Lucky... hmmn, it's just that... ahhh, I don't know... whatever. She is the very first friend that I have. The only friend that stayed true to me for the longest time. So, I am always protective of her. However, she does not seem to need my protection anymore," Claire pouted.

"Now, it's her who is protecting us..." Clark chuckled and remembered the incident with the report in their school gate.

While the two were busy gazing at the sky, a red sedan parked next to Jing Jing's car. Then, two more service trucks followed. Now, the side of the road looked crammed as the five vehicles formed a line in parking.

"Who could be the driver of that car?" Clark spoke and recognized that the red sedan was a limited edition car. Claire may not be able to react to the sedan but Clark's curiosity was piqued by its sight.

Claire frowned at his remarks and raised her eyebrow. "Why do you want to know who is driving the car?" she instantly asked.

Sensing Claire's sudden shift of tone, Clark quickly reached her hand and smiled sheepishly. "The car is limited edition. I am just saying it casually. I don't really want to know the driver! It's just a reaction after seeing a rare vehicle."

"Since the car is parked next to Ms. Jing Jing's, then, the driver of that red car must be connected to Sofia too?" Claire analyzed. Since it was only them who managed to open early, she assumed that whoever he is, he must be working in their business them too!

"Yes, that's possible!" Clark replied and stare at the red sedan.

The door of the red sedan opened and an elder man slowly stepped out of it. He looked in the direction of Claire before he assisted the elder woman to step out of the car too. 

"Maybe Sofia's grandparents?" Clark tried to make a guess while the two elders were still far away from them.

For a moment, the two elders just looked around and observed the buildings. They just stood there while holding each other's hands. Seeing them holding hands sweetly, Clark also interlocked his fingers with Claire's fingers.

"Sofia's grandparents do not have a car. And they do not wear this kind of clothing too," Claire quickly replied while examining the newcomer's clothes. The newcomers wore a descent pair of formal suits and the way they walked seemed to have held a different level of authority. It was exactly their appearance that made Clark a conclusion that Sofia and the two elders were very similar in bearing. The similarity of their presence and Sofia's seemed to have held the same vibe even though they were a few meters away from him.

"This is the intersection street... There is nothing much that changed in this area," the elder man mumbled.

"Hehe, we came here to inspect the place. I did not expect that the establishment is also open. Should we go inside?" the elder woman also commented.

"I think Ms. Jing Jing is already there. Then, let's go and meet the business owner of this establishment," the elder man stated.

Then, the two of them did not waste their time. They proceed to walk slowly approaching Claire and Clark.

"Hello! I saw Ms. Jing Jing's car. Hehe," the elder man casually greeted them.

Claire and Clark bowed their head slightly and said in unison, "Good morning, guests! Ms. Jing Jing is inside."

"Guests?" the elder woman gave them a confused look. Even more, Clark and Claire were also baffled by her expression.

"Haha, this.. well... I think that the two of you also work in this establishment? There is a wedding event tomorrow that will use this establishment as the reception. We will be decorating the place," the elder man easily explained.

"Ohh... yes. Sorry, you just looked similar to our leader," Clark stated.

Just as Claire opened her mouth to speak her response too, Sofia chimed behind her...

"Sir! Ma'am! A fine morning! Good to see you both! Let me introduce my business friends. You may have heard of them for we are in the same gaming squad. Here is Claire and this is Clark!" Sofia introduced.

"Miss Sofia is actually here too!? I thought it would only be Ms. Jing Jing who is here to facilitate the first day of business! Hehehe," the elder woman stated.

"Ohh... haha I see, the generation of youth is really promising! Hehe, Miss Sofia, we did not expect that your establishment is open already! Great job!" the elder man also complimented while giving them a friendly smile.

"Yes! We thought that we should come here to check the vicinity. But, we were shocked to see that there are already employees working at such early hour!" the elder woman also expressed.

"Hmmn, this is our first day of operation, so, we are checking everything to avoid mistakes. Please come in! I"ll guide you to the wedding reception," Sofia stated and gestured for them to enter.

"Sof, who are they?" Claire secretly whispered to Sofia while stealing glances at the two.

"They are Brent's wedding organizer. They will be decorating the second floor for the wedding reception tomorrow," Sofia simply replied.

"Ahhh... yes, I remembered it now. I think you've mentioned them to us," Claire spoke while repeatedly nodding her head.

"Hmm... That's them. Anyway, we tasted the dishes on our menu. If you two want to taste too, go to the kitchen," Sofia suggested.

Hearing Sofia's words, Claire's attention quickly shifted from the two elder couples to the food tasting on their menu. 

"Really? I will taste the dishes! Come, Clark! Let's taste them together!" Claire exclaimed and grabbed Clark's wrist. They swiftly dashed their way towards the kitchen while Clark muttered for her to slow down.

For a while, Sofia looked at the two love birds crossing the entrance and walked towards the dining area and then to the kitchen.

"Ms. Claire, have you seen Miss Sofia?" Jing Jing called them before they could enter the kitchen door.

"Ms Jing Jing, Sofia is outside. She is talking with the organizers of the wedding! Claire calmly stated.

Outside the establishment, Sofia had sensed the deep curiosity of the two elders.

"The boy looks familiar. Where did I see him? Hmmmn," the elder man sounded while the three of them were watching Clark and Claire walked in a hurry.

"He is the second young master of the Zhang family, sir. Perhaps, you have seen him before in his family gatherings. I think Clark looked like his father too," Sofia stated.

"Ahhh... he does resemble Mr. Zhang. It must be from events. How did you easily get a partnership with Mr. Zhang in your business, young lady? He even spent his time to lend his son to you!" the elder woman stated.

"Hahaha... we are just friends. There is no business partnership between his father and us," Sofia replied in a simple manner.

"If you don't mind, can we start decorating, Miss Sofia? In fact, as what we mentioned earlier, my wife and I... we did not expect you to open your establishment so early.... but now that there is already an opportunity to start doing our work, maybe we can put our things in the location?" the elder man stated.

"Of course!" Sofia agreed.

"Alright!" the elder man spoke and then looked at the two service vehicles that were parked behind his red sedan. He waved his hand and workers quickly jumped out of the service vehicles. "Bring the tools and the pieces of equipment. We can start decorating early and rest early!"

Several employees quickly advanced their way with different tools in their hands.

"You don't need to trouble yourself, young lady. They can do their job well. Just continue with what you are doing before we arrived. We know that you are busy," the elder woman stated.

"Haha, not yet. Later, we will be busy once the store is open for customers. We are still preparing. If you don't mind, can I offer you a drink and meal for breakfast?" Sofia smiled at them.

"Ohh.... you are so thoughtful, young lady! Thank you for the offer but no need to prepare anything. We just want to see the place only and will be back to our home to eat," the elder woman stated.

The receding footsteps of the group of employees resounded as they climb upstairs and made their way to the location. Sofia carefully observed the things that they were carrying before she returned her attention to the two elders.

"I will accompany you," Sofia offered.