With three more employees, the shortage of staff in the store was relieved.
Shi Xiaolei once again turned his attention back to the kitchen, fully immersing himself in cooking.
Under his intentional control, the quality of the dishes gradually returned to its previous level, and customers' dining experience also improved.
After a few days, the complaints from regular customers had vanished, and some new customers, visiting for the first time, were also won over by the store's affordable, delicious dishes, becoming repeat customers.
Overall, since reopening, the store's business has been quite good.
There's a saying, 'Work makes one feel fulfilled,' and another, 'With money in hand, one's heart is at ease.' As the store's business gradually got back on track, Shi Xiaolei's state of mind became more fulfilled and peaceful.
After a busy day at the store, sending off customers who left with satisfied smiles, he would return home, wash away the smell of oil and smoke, play with the little girl Connie for a while, and then chat with 2B about everyday life. This seemingly ordinary yet warm life, though a bit like retirement, was absolutely ideal for Shi Xiaolei, who longed for peace and stability.
If only such a life could continue indefinitely... 'I knew things wouldn't be that easy.' Looking at the group of American soldiers armed with live ammunition standing outside the door, Shi Xiaolei couldn't help but curse under his breath.
"Mr. Locke." The leading soldier, who looked like a squad leader, stepped forward two paces and pulled a piece of paper from his pocket: "You are suspected of leaking military secrets and endangering public safety. Please cooperate with our investigation and come with us."
Perhaps to ensure the success of this operation, or for other reasons, in any case, these soldiers appeared at the back door of the shop around eight or nine in the evening.
Half an hour earlier, Lisa, Claire, and Chappell had already left after finishing their shifts.
Only 2B was by Shi Xiaolei's side... The little girl Connie had been at the store for a while earlier, but she wasn't there now because Bayonetta, who had just finished a battle, had also come to the store to replenish her energy during dinner. After they finished eating together, Bayonetta planned to go home to rest, and she took the little girl with her on the way.
"Locke." She didn't know what was happening, but the soldiers' hostility was obvious. Coming to Shi Xiaolei's side, 2B had already switched to an alert state, mentally prepared to act at any moment.
In a soft greeting, there was deep concern and a strong sense of determination.
Feeling 2B's protection, Shi Xiaolei's heart warmed. But out of the thought of 'not wanting to make a big fuss,' he still gave her a look and shook his head slightly: "Relax, no need to be so tense."
"Madam, this matter has nothing to do with you, you can leave first."
As an intelligent android from the YoRHa unit, 2B had the code for 'protecting her master' embedded in her core programming from the moment she was created. In the world of NieR: Automata, this bond, strong enough to make her sacrifice her life, was for all humanity. After being summoned to the Marvel Universe by Shi Xiaolei, the object of this bond also shifted to Shi Xiaolei alone.
Although Shi Xiaolei never regarded 2B as a bodyguard or guard, nor had he ever given her such instructions, in 2B's heart, she had long positioned herself as Shi Xiaolei's personal attendant.
In this situation, hearing the American soldier's 'you can leave first,' it's really not hard to guess what 2B's reaction would be.
Her eyes narrowed, 2B put her hands behind her back, and her seemingly slender and weak legs spread slightly, subtly lowering her center of gravity, adopting a stance ready to launch an attack at any moment.
Having been dispatched to carry out this mission, these soldiers' experience and strength were clearly not lacking. Even though 2B's movements were very subtle, they still sensitively detected this change.
The atmosphere suddenly tensed, and the soldiers instinctively reacted. The two behind the captain had already raised their gun barrels, clicked the safety off twice, and assumed a ready-to-fire position.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa~." Fearing that things would slide in the direction he least wanted to see, Shi Xiaolei quickly raised his hands, showing an expression of 'I'm cooperating, not resisting,' while quickly giving 2B an order: "Sylvia, don't mess around. Calm down, calm down~."
"But..."
"No buts." Squeezing out an awkward smile at the leading soldier, Shi Xiaolei turned around, looked into 2B's eyes, and lowered his voice to a whisper: "Listen to me. First, you should know my abilities; they alone cannot truly threaten my safety. Second, we don't know the exact situation yet, so we should respond carefully and not just flip the table and make things irreversible. You know, I really like the peaceful life lately... Finally, never mind, just remember one thing: unless I nod, absolutely do not act without permission, understand?"
"..." Staring into Shi Xiaolei's eyes, after a few seconds, 2B bit her lip somewhat reluctantly: "Yes, I understand."
"Very good." Nodding, Shi Xiaolei continued to instruct: "Now, you go home first and make two phone calls for me. One to Stark, and the other, do you remember that person named Coulson?"
"I remember, the middle-aged man with a slightly receding hairline, right?"
"Exactly, that's him. His business card is in the box on my bedside table; if you don't remember the number, look for it there. Anyway, call him too and explain the situation."
"Okay."
Before the soldiers became impatient, Shi Xiaolei briefly gave a few instructions, then gave 2B a reassuring look.
Watching 2B leave, he turned back to face the soldiers.
Shi Xiaolei rubbed his hands with a smile: "Would you like to come inside and sit for a while? Have a drink before you go? Gentlemen, at least tell me what's going on, won't you?"
"NO."
Having received orders to 'not do anything irrelevant and bring the target back to base as quickly as possible,' the soldier unhesitatingly rejected Shi Xiaolei's suggestion.
And to achieve 'as quickly as possible,' the captain stepped forward two more paces, grabbed Shi Xiaolei's arm, and pushed him towards the car.
"Whoa, whoa~, I get it, don't push, I'll walk myself."
Since it had already started, he might as well endure it to the end. To figure out what was really going on and confirm which force was targeting him, Shi Xiaolei suppressed his inner anger, swallowing the curses that had risen to his throat.
Without showing any signs of resistance, he cooperatively got into the military vehicle. To fool the soldiers in the car, Shi Xiaolei even curled up his body, deliberately feigning a somewhat pathetic appearance.
The soldier in the driver's seat started the engine, and the vehicle drove away from the dim streetlights, disappearing into the increasingly deep night.