Old Man Ming's restaurant has been doing good business in the past 4 years. Due to little Sue now being married, Taf was helping out more in the restaurant, behind the scenes.

It can be said that he had a bit of talent when it came to the cooking and preparation of dishes. He even created a special on his own for the menu.

His special has become one of the restaurants top sellers which have kept Mr Ming buzzing with delight.

How could he not be happy when the more seats are filled, the more stacked his pocket becomes?

Due to this, he has encouraged the young lad to be more creative with his dishes. After all the more exquisite the better and more it could be sold for.

Tafari went along with his plans when he broached the topic. Although knowing Old Man Ming exploitive nature, when it comes to making any easy money and getting it for free.

He simply didn't know what it was, but for some reason, it became a pleasurable hobby for him. The difference in the aroma that filled the nostrils when certain spices and seasons are sauteed.

The variety of flavours that could be acquired from cooking the same meat in different ways was amazing.

What made him love it, even more, is the thrill of coming up with new ideas and recipes.

To make bold and rash choices with ingredients after a eureka moment. Those were the best moments he had while in the kitchen.

....

After another long day of work, Taf and Old man Ming sat around a table in their routine after-hours discussions.

" Old man Ming this might not be such a bad idea right?"

" Imagine giving the customers the option of cooking their own meals as a special once a week. Letting them feel empowered as we advise them on the flaws in their preparation"

Tafari spoke of one of his many ideas of putting even more butts in the seats.

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" Hmmm, I don't know. Isn't the point of a restaurant to provide ready-made food for hungry patrons?"

A rebuttal came swiftly from Old man Ming as he thought of the idea.

" It seems like shooting ourselves in the foot if we seemingly go against our core business ideals."

" After all we are here to serve the customer, not the customer to serve themselves"

" Isn't that what a home cooked meal is for?"

He continued to drive his point home as their heated discussion continued.

" You seemingly are missing the point Old Man Ming"

" What I am recommending is something new and fresh that Is by far different from the rest."

" Look at it this way and see it from my perspective"

" It gives an added choice that is not around. People like to try new things and events. This would give the restaurant a newly found limelight"

" Even if it fails, it can be written off as a means of marketing expense. What Is there to lose right?"

Taf drove his point home as the discussion continued in the night.

" Maybe you are right in your thinking and it wouldn't be such a bad thing to try something new"

" I'm getting old and set in my ways, which sometimes can be a bad thing".

" That's why fresh blood and innovation is always a need in business".

The wrinkles showed on his face as time could be said to not be a friend. In these four years, Taf has noticed the changes but has said nothing.

" I wanted to discuss something with you about the business"

Taf looked surprised as he heard Mr Ming voice quiver a bit.

" I have gotten old and within a decade or more this business will be too much for me"

" With both daughters now married and taking care of their families, there is no one to continue the business when I am gone".

" I want you to take it over when I pass. I know you will probably leave the city within the next few years, but think of it as a retirement plan"

Mr Ming had a proud look as he pats the boy's shoulder that he had watched grew.

" They say a mortal aim is to be immortal through the lives of his children after procreation. For me this might be partially true as while half of it might be that, the other half is this business I built on my own"

" I don't want it to die like myself and if it is to live. I want it to be survived by those I love. Maybe In the future, you could hand it down to a grandchild of mine"

" Haha.., Better yet become a cultivator and watch it flourish for aeons"

He joked as he looked on the child before him.

" Taking care of your business when your gone would be a pleasure old man Ming"

" In my eyes, this place is not just a business but where the first loving memories I've made were birthed. It is my home and my oasis in the desert."

" Even if I become a powerful being, whenever I come to this place it will be my humbling"

" Haha.., but why are we talking about such pitiful things. I'm sure you have decades remaining in them old bone".

He laughed as he looked on the seemingly proud Old man Ming.

" Kiddo you sure know what to say to keep this old man spirit alive and kicking"