章節 5: Business 101 according to Mr Ming

The next afternoon, Mr Ming stood outside his restaurant to welcome some customers.

Although Ming's Spot was a small food eatery, it was one of the most sought-after places in the area due to its 'inexpensive' luxury menu.

After welcoming a few customers, Mr Ming's eyes lit up when he spotted a couple approaching in the distance.

This was 'a big fish'. It consisted of a man and his female date, a woman dressed in some of the finest attire he had ever seen.

"Welcome, Sir and Madam! I must say, Miss, your beauty cannot be described in words. As you walk, the flowers bow their heads in shame at their inferiority."

His words may be shameless, but it was the first step to capturing this golden prey.

The lady smiled in satisfaction at the comment, praising her gentleman friend for his great insights in picking such an outstanding restaurant for having a well-mannered host.

Initially shocked for a moment at Mr Ming's words, the man quickly calmed down and replied with a knowing look,

"A man in my position always has to know the best places in the city, and this right here is one of the finer establishments there is to offer."

However, Mr Ming still managed to see that split-second fluster, but he kept it in mind as he responded with a broader smile toward the couple.

"This Sir has an eye for quality! It's an honour to serve a man who knows of the finer things in life."

Despite the lavish praises Mr Ming seemed to shower over this man, he secretly laughed at how much of an easy prey this guy was.

He knew what kind of man this customer was, someone who seemed to have it all on the outside but was broke like a dog.

The clues were evident after their short exchange.

Sure, they may be well dressed, but the man was younger than the middle-aged woman. Though she may not be termed unattractive, she was no knockout.

On the other hand, he was a pretty boy; why would he lower himself to date someone less attractive?

Mr Ming was confident. She had money, and this little birdie was picking for worms. 'Fine establishment, huh?' Mr Ming thought.

Only the most destitute of men carry their women to dine here.

'Hmmm. Let's see how much I can get out of this little birdie. Hehe.' A grin began to form in his mind as he began to plan.

"Today's specials are all on the right side of the menu. But seeing as it is unbefitting for a man of your status, how can I make you eat such ordinary dishes?"

Before the man could respond, Mr Ming continued shouting towards the counter.

"Waiter! Tell the Chef this is a special order. Prepare the rare imported red oxtail and make it quick!"

Mr Ming turned to the couple and told them about the intricacies of the dish.

"We gather it from the Paragon's forest outside the city. You might have heard of it?" While speaking, he once more hurried to the waiter along.

The waiter immediately understood this was code for a regular dish but to look fancier.

"This... that's not necessary, Senior. We would like to order from the menu." Flustered, the man whispered towards Mr Ming, keeping his voice low enough not to let his female date hear.

"No. No. A rare beauty such as this lady here deserves the best."

"Our waiter will bring it along in a few minutes. Please wait," Mr Ming replied while winking at the middle-aged woman, causing her to blush.

Seeing this, he decided to strike whilst the iron was hot.

"I'm sure the price is not an issue, Sir. But don't worry, the bill is only somewhat high due to the delivery cost from Paragon's forest."

He gave an exaggerated sigh.

Sigh..!

"The perils that were undertaken so guests such as yourself could enjoy the finest."

Pitiful statements like these continued until the man's teary face resembled that of an abandoned child, which caused the woman to ask in concern.

"Marcus, how can you be like this? I thought you were treating me today. Of course, the price is not an issue, senior." The woman looked disappointed.

"Baby! I was merely inquiring, that's all.

Haha!

Senior, bring your finest oxtail for our dining on this beautiful day."

Although he was still maintaining a calm persona, on the inside, Marcus was cussing with words he didn't even know existed. However, it only increased from the devil's following words.

"Of course. The wines are also stored to perfection within our award-winning wine cellar collection."

Mr Ming responded with a broader grin; he would dry this money cow.

"One cannot eat rare prime meat without washing it down with the best wine money can buy." He boasted as he presented a bottle of wine in his hands.

"May I suggest 'Poitou Toini', which has been stored under the most pristine conditions known to man?" It was just regular red wine.

As Mr Ming spoke, a vein bulged on the man's forehead.

"Surely, you agree, fine, sir?"

Marcus was furious inside but knew he could not show it on his face, so he agreed with a defeated look.

"Yes, of course!"

After their meal, Marcus found a complete scam, and Mr Ming brought over the bill.

"How was the meal? Was it prepared to your satisfaction?" He asked with a smile.

"It was perfection incarnate, Old Senior." The middle-aged lady smiled as she replied, nothing tasted better than free food.

Marcus sat there drinking the wine with a disheartened look.

Here he was, trying to impress this sugar mama, hoping she would let down her guard and spend without a second thought.

Then, this manipulative old geezer came by to milk him like a cow.

'How on earth am I gonna pay?' Cold sweat dripped down his face as he thought.

In worried contemplation, he muttered under his breath, 'I'm sure the bill only came up to be about fifty silver coins, right?'

Only the red wine he drank could soothe his worries, so he took a large gulp and the bill.

'What the f***!

Two hundred and fifty silver coins?!"

Marcus sprayed the wine all over his date as he gasped. Unfortunately, that would be the only time he got her wet.

"You.., you! " Marcus couldn't find the words to swear.

His crumbling composure was at the brink, but he still apologised to his lady, drenched in wine by grasping at the last straw of his sanity.

"Sorry, Baby. I just lost my bearings there for a bit." Then Marcus quickly turned to face this satanic individual in front of him.

"Old Senior, there seems to be something wrong with the bill." He looked at Mr Ming with hate, but Mr Ming only had a 'surprised' expression.

"Really? How so? Let me tally it over again.

Hmmm!

Oh! Yes, you are indeed correct. The wrong figures were undoubtedly put on the bill. You are one for details, Sir; my sincerest apologies.

Let's see. I need to switch the five with the two." Old Ming acted as if he were once more tallying the figures, and after a couple of minutes, Marcus received the bill again.

"Thank you, senior; I'm glad you used your all-knowing eye to correct this mistake. I thought you'd be more professional running such a fine establishment."

Marcus looked smug as he spoke, but when he finally looked down to see the figures on the bill, his expression changed to that of someone on the brink of a heart attack.

Why was the world spinning..? o_O

'You must be joking. Five hundred and twenty silver coins! Is this man not happy until he takes away everything I have?

What will he ask for next? A kidney for future meals, a damn kidney!? The worst thing I've done this year is to have come upon this thief. This is daylight robbery!

In the end, the middle-aged lady settled the bill. She looked at Marcus, disappointed at his inability to fix such trivial things.

'I guess he's just a pretty boy after all,' she mused as they left with Marcus looking like his soul was taken.

He vowed never to come within 200 feet of this restaurant ever again. But Mr Ming just stood there with a satisfied look, waving goodbye to the departing duo.

Haha!

"You got to know your customers, that's for sure. Business 101."