In the kitchen, the real magic was happening.
Norma stood at the center station, her hands moving with practiced precision as she assembled plates with the efficiency of someone who had been cooking for years. Her expression was calm, focused, her eyes tracking each dish as it came together. She didn't rush, but she didn't waste a single movement.
"Order up!" Siegfria called out, sliding a plate of Bao Buns onto main kitchen table.
Norma glanced at the plate, nodded once in approval, and signalled to Adrian, who appeared at the table almost instantly.
Siegfria worked at her station with focused energy, her earlier mistakes from training now a distant memory. She moved through the orders with confidence, her hands steady as she plated each dish.
Diane was at the beverage station, her movements precise as she prepared drinks. She worked through the orders with the focused intensity of someone who had found their calling—the Lemongrass Tea, Winter Black tea , Amber roast, Hot chocolate.
Beatrice had found her rhythm too. She worked alongside Norma, her movements still careful but confident. The nervousness that had plagued her during training was gone, replaced by quiet determination. She no longer dropped knives or burned batches. She was steady.
Norma moved through the kitchen like a conductor leading an orchestra, her voice calm and commanding when needed, but mostly she just watched, her presence enough to keep everything running smoothly. The kitchen hummed with efficiency—each cook knowing their role, each dish coming together perfectly.
Outside staff wasn't idle either. Mona, Fischl and Adrian moved through the crowd with practiced grace, guiding guests to tables, handing out menus, taking orders, and serving the snacks and drinks with efficiency.
A person entered through the door, and Henry turned around to spot Anthony coming toward him.
"Boss!" He suddenly knelt in front of Henry, and Henry's eyes widened in shock at the sudden gesture.
"Anthony, what are you doing? Get up," Henry said, reaching down to pull him up.
Anthony remained kneeling, his voice earnest. "I got money to pay for my sister's medicines because of the mechanic job you gave me. And you even employed her as the cashier here."
Henry's gaze shifted toward the cashier station Alina had set up. There, a girl sat behind the counter, waving at both Anthony and Henry when she spotted them looking at her.
Henry blinked. "That's your sister?"
Anthony nodded as Henry forced him to stand up, and they walked toward the counter where Anna had waved.
"Thank you, boss, for giving me this job," Anna said as they approached. "This is the perfect job I could do without having to move around."
Henry shook his head. "You don't need to thank me. Paying employees is just a boss's duty." He paused, his tone softening. "Have you found a good doctor for you, Anna?"
"We have heard there is a miracle doctor in Liyue," Anna said, sharing a glance with her brother. "We might be able to consult him soon because of you, boss."
Henry nodded. "You can inform me or Alina whenever you need to take time off to go to Liyue. We can hire temporary workers until you get back."
Anthony thanked him again, his voice thick with gratitude, and Henry nodded kindly before turning toward the door to greet the incoming guests.
To Henry 's shock the last person Henry was expecting arrived as the café was reaching its peak.
Schubert stood in the doorway for a moment, his cold gaze sweeping the room before settling on Henry. Without a word, he found an empty table near the front and sat down, sneering at everyone seated in the café.
Henry caught Eula's eye from across the room—she had tensed the moment her uncle entered, her shoulders stiff and her expression guarded. He lifted his palm slightly in reassurance, a silent gesture telling her he could handle it.
To Henry's surprise, Schubert actually ordered something. Adrian took his order and brought it to him promptly. He ate in silence, his presence a dark shadow in the otherwise joyful atmosphere. The other guests glanced at him with barely concealed disgust, giving him a wide berth.
Out in the dining area, Henry made his way through the tables, greeting guests and checking on their experiences.
He caught Klee's eye, and she enthusiastically waved at him with one hand as her other hand wrapped around a large glass of hot chocolate. He spotted a trail of chocolate dripping down her chin, but luckily Noelle, who was already sitting in front of Klee, grabbed a tissue from the table and wiped her chin and mouth clean.
Jean had almost finished her Rose Honey Tea, her expression filled with enjoyment as she set down her cup. "This is wonderful, Henry. The atmosphere, the food—you've created something truly special."
Henry smiled, genuine warmth spreading through his chest. "Thank you, Jean. That means a lot coming from you."
She looked up at him, her eyes soft. "I meant what I said earlier. You've done something remarkable here."
[I think she likes you.]
She's just being supportive.
[Sure. That's definitely why she's blushing.]
Jean realized she was being too forward and blushed.
Henry smiled at her. "Well, I need someone to enjoy the remarkable things done here, right?"
Lisa, seated across from Jean, had just finished her samosa and took a sip of her Lemongrass Tea with an expression of pure contentment. "Henry," she purred, gesturing to the plate before her. "These samosa are divine. The spices are perfectly balanced, the covering is crunchy and flaky—it's exactly how I remember them."
"I'm glad you like them," Henry said warmly.
"I'm not a food connoisseur," Lisa said, her voice teasing. "But I must say, you've impressed me."
"I'm full of surprises."
"Clearly." She took another sip of her tea. "I'm going to be visiting this place often. You've earned a regular customer."
Jean watched the exchange, her eyes flickering between Lisa and Henry. She straightened in her seat, clearing her throat lightly. "Me too, Henry. I'll come to support your café whenever I can."
Henry looked between the two women, a slow grin spreading across his face. "I'll make sure to save both of you a table."
Lisa's smirk widened, clearly amused at seeing Jean get worked up. "See that you do."
Henry glanced at Jean, who was still blushing for some reason. His eyes drifted to her hair, where the hairpin he had gifted her was tucked neatly into her blonde locks.
[Wow. She's really wearing the hairpin you gave her. It seems she accepted your proposal.]
Jean noticed Henry looking at her hairpin, and their eyes met for a second—a quiet moment passing between them that needed no words.
She shyly broke eye contact, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear before turning toward Lisa to chat, her composure slowly returning.
A small smile tugged at Henry's lips as he moved toward the corner table where Eula and Amber were seated.
Amber was happily working through a plate of Bao Buns, her cheeks puffed out as she chewed, while Eula was elegantly sipping her Winter Black Tea, an almost finished Medovik cake sitting on her plate.
Henry approached, his tone light. "How's the food?"
Amber swallowed quickly, beaming up at him. "Henry! These Bao Buns are amazing! I could eat a hundred of them!"
Eula set down her cup, her expression softening. "The tea is surprisingly good and the cake is well made."
Henry blinked, surprised by the genuine compliment. "Well, I'm glad you're both enjoying yourselves." He turned around to glance if Eula's uncle was behaving well and not causing a scene.
Schubert had finished his meal. He set down his cup with a sharp clink, his cold gaze sweeping across the room before settling on Henry and then throwing a disappointed glance at Eula.
Henry felt the weight of that gaze and turned to face him.
Schubert rose from his table, and walked toward Henry. The room seemed to quiet slightly, the other guests sensing the tension.
"Mr. Henry," Schubert said, his voice carrying a cold edge. "I see you're still meddling where you don't belong."
Henry met his gaze evenly. "What do you mean? I am just running a café, Mr. Schubert. Everyone is welcome here."
Schubert's lips curled into something that wasn't quite a smile. "Everyone? Even those who disgrace their family name by associating with the likes of you?"
Eula stiffened beside him, but Henry didn't flinch. "Your niece is a valued customer and a friend. She's welcome here anytime, regardless of her family name."
Schubert's eyes narrowed. "You think you can just waltz into Mondstadt and interfere with family affairs? I warned you before."
"And I gave you my answer before," Henry said, his tone still calm. "Eula is her own person. She makes her own choices."
Schubert leaned closer, his voice dropping to a low growl. "You're making a mistake. The Lawrence name carries weight in this city. You'd do well to remember that."
Henry didn't look away. "I think you should finish your meal, Mr. Schubert. You're welcome here anytime. But I won't tolerate anyone threatening my staff or my guests."
Schubert's eyes widened, just slightly. He wasn't used to being challenged—not like this, not twice.
Eula suddenly stood up and stepped forward, her voice cold and sharp as a blade. "He doesn't need to remember anything, Uncle. I already told you before many times—I am no longer a Lawrence. You have no authority over me, and no right to threaten anyone I care about."
Schubert's eyes widened, his composure cracking. "Eula—"
"I said what I said." She stepped closer, her gaze unwavering. "You will leave. Now."
Schubert's gaze flickered between them, his jaw tightening. Then he straightened, his expression cold. "Fine. But this isn't over."
He turned and walked toward the counter, paying for his meal before pausing only once to cast a final glance at Henry. Henry met his gaze with a calm smile, saying nothing.
Henry looked at Eula and squeezed her hand, his voice soft. "Thank you."
Eula's cheeks flushed deep as she realized Henry was holding her hand. "Well I... I don't want the Lawrence name to be associated with... unpleasantness."
"Of course." Henry's grin returned. "Whatever you say."
The rest of the day passed in a blur. The café remained full, customers coming and going in a steady stream. Mona, Fischl, and Adrian worked tirelessly, their feet aching but their spirits high, while the kitchen kept up with the demand, Norma leading the team with calm authority.
Some people did complain that most snacks and drinks here were on the pricier side, starting from 1500 Mora. But the cool air of the café and the tasty dishes prepared by the chefs quickly silenced their complaints.
Henry stood near the counter, his eyes sweeping across the room, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction fill him.
By the time the last customers had left and the door was finally locked, Henry collapsed into a chair near the counter, happier than he'd been in months. The staff gathered around, their expressions a mix of exhaustion and triumph.
Alina was the first to speak. "We did it."
Henry looked up at her, his grin wide. "We did."
Siegfria let out a cheer that was immediately followed by a yawn. "I'm tired. And hungry. Can we eat now?"
Norma laughed, the sound warm and genuine. "We can. We have a lot of leftover food."
Adrian, Mona, and Fischl's eyes lit up at the news that there were snacks and drinks for everyone.
Beatrice leaned against the counter, her eyes drooping but her smile genuine. "I can't believe we made it through the first day successfully. And with so many customers."
"I can," Henry said, his voice warm. "You all did wonderfully. Every single one of you."
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