Inside a bustling restaurant, laughter and chatter blended with the constant clinking of cups. The aroma of roasted meat and spices hung heavy in the air.
But in the back kitchen, the atmosphere couldn't have been more different.
Sounds of ladles against pots and the hiss of boiling oil rang out non-stop. Everywhere were hurried footsteps across the floor, workers shouting orders over one another as they busied themself with work.
It was just another normal day behind the scenes at 'The Expert's Taste.'
"Han Suo! Han Suo! Where is Han Suo?!" a deep voice bellowed at the kitchen entrance.
A man stood there, red-faced and fuming, his stiff collar soaked with sweat. The veins in his neck bulged as he shouted, scanning the hectic kitchen for his target.
"Coming!" came a hurried reply from the back.
A young man with short black hair pushed through a group of passing cooks. He rushed over, nearly slipping on a patch of spilled broth.
"I'm here, Manager Hong!" he said, bowing slightly.
"Table 2 and Table 4. Bring the food out! They've been waiting for 5 damn minutes!"
"But... but it's my break time now..."
"Do it! Or get the hell out of here!" Manager Hong snapped, eyes blazing. There was no room for negotiation.
Han Suo held back a reply. He didn't dare to talk back. He was just a lowly server, easily replaced. His half-eaten bread roll was quickly shoved into his pocket, still warm, before he turned and dashed over to the serving station.
He quickly spotted the dishes marked with the numbers '2' and '4.' He scooped them up, arranging them carefully across his arms and elbows with practiced precision.
Outside, at Table 2, three men sat around a half-empty bottle of wine, their faces flushed from drink and victory.
"Hahaha! Today was a big success!" the burliest of them bellowed, slamming his cup against his companion.
"Of course! Brother Siba was fearless, fighting that wolf bare-handed!"
"Bah, it was nothing! I could've taken on two of them if there were more!" Brother Siba bragged with his chest puffed in pride.
Meanwhile, Han Suo weaved through the crowd, balancing four steaming dishes. His focus was locked on Table 4 just ahead.
As he came closer, suddenly, his foot hit something slick.
His balance vanished.
It was wine spilled long ago by a customer at Table 3, coating the floor in a nearly invisible puddle.
'Keng!''Clang!'
Porcelain shattered against the floor. Broth splattered across as chunks of meat flew into the air. One bowl struck squarely in the face of the man in the middle of Table 2—Brother Siba.
"AHHH! HOT! HOT!" he screamed, leaping to his feet.
Han Suo crashed to his knees. The sharp pain in his leg and the sting of scraped palms barely registered. But he immediately scrambled up, grabbed a few pieces of tissues from his pocket, and rushed to Brother Siba's side.
"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" he wiped the man's face frantically.
Brother Siba's eyes flared with rage. His massive hand shot out, slapping Han Suo's hand away with the back of his knuckles.
"What kind of service is this?!" he roared, voice echoing across the establishment. "Get your damn manager out here! NOW!"
Manager Hong approached Table 4, a faint smile on his face, his posture calm and professional. Behind his back, he subtly waved Han Suo away.
Han Suo obeyed, backing off with nervous glances. From a distance, he watched as Brother Siba jabbed a finger in his direction, shouting furiously while Manager Hong bowed politely and listened.
Fifteen minutes later, in the back alley behind the restaurant.
"Please, Manager Hong! Just give me another chance!" Han Suo cried out, his face streaked with tears and knots.
Manager Hong said sharply. "No. That's your second mistake this month. You're fired."
He turned without hesitation and began walking away.
Han Suo scrambled after him, grabbing onto his sleeve with both hands.
"Please! I beg of you! I still have to take care of my Young Sister and my Old Mother!" he pleaded, falling to his knees.
At that, Manager Hong paused. His steps slowed as he began to hesitate.
'Life for an Unblessed like him is not easy. Even has to support his family. All the burden is on his shoulders...' he couldn't help but think.
For a brief moment, Manager Hong seemed to consider the plea.
But after a few seconds, he let out a breath, turned halfway, and flicked a few silver coins onto the ground.
"Take it and go. I've already paid your full salary this month out of compassion. Look after your mother and sister."
After that, he pulled his sleeve free and walked off without another word, leaving Han Suo kneeling in despair.
A moment after Manager Hong left, Han Suo bent down and picked up the 7 silver coins scattered on the ground. His face gradually returned to normal, the sorrow fading away. Rage flickered in his eyes as he gritted his teeth, then turned and slammed his fist into the nearby wall.
"Ahhh!! You fucker!" he yelled. "Just a tiny mistake, and you fired me like that! After half a year of working tirelessly like a dog!"
He punched the wall again and again, knuckles striking brick with dull thuds. The skin on his fists reddened, then split open, blood smearing across the wall. He kept going until the pain finally caught up to him and forced him to stop.
Breathing hard, he slumped down against the wall like a balloon losing air.
He sat there for a long moment with his eyes vacant.
'Another job gone. Guess I'll have to find a new one soon... My savings will only last me a few more months.'
'Sigh... An Unblessed like me can't get anywhere in this fucking city!'
He stared up at the cloud-covered sky above the narrow alley, letting out an exhausted sigh.
In a world where the strong prey on the weak, someone like him, born without the aptitude to sense Ki, was like an ant. Anyone passing by could crush him without a second thought.
Even as a simple server, he had faced all kinds of ridicule and contempt. After all, he was just another powerless nobody, only good for odd jobs.
With sadness and frustration toward this cold, unforgiving world, Han Suo slowly dragged his tired body home.
A while later.
Han Suo arrived at a worn-down three-story building, its outer walls stained with age and grime. He took out a rusted key and unlocked the creaky front door. The narrow staircase inside was dim and cramped, lit by a single lightbulb. Step by step, he climbed to the second floor and stopped in front of a modest one-bedroom apartment. It was his humble home. (rented, of course)
As he pushed open the door, the sound of quick, eager footsteps echoed from inside. A small orange cat and a black dog rushed toward him, tails wagging and eyes shining. The moment he stepped in, they leaped upon him.
He opened his arms wide, catching them both in a warm embrace.
"Young Sister, Old Mother, I'm home!" he said with a smile of happiness.