- 22 hours ago
The Restaurant Queen's Revenge
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00On payout day, Lina slammed $10,000 down on the table right in front of everyone.
00:04Zaya, here's your share.
00:06Good work this year.
00:07Go spoil yourself.
00:08When we opened the restaurant, we agreed you'd put in the money and I'd do the work.
00:12Splitting all profits 50 for 50.
00:14How can you just...
00:15Before I could finish, my mother-in-law scotch pulled me.
00:18Be at your age, the best you could hope for is cleaning toilets at a minimum wage job.
00:22Gross, and you'd barely scrape by.
00:25If it weren't for Lina, you'd still be working a dead-end job.
00:27Yeah, babe, $10,000 is nothing to sneeze at.
00:30You just put in a little elbow grease, that's all.
00:32Lina did most of the heavy lifting.
00:34I stared at their arrogant, patronizing faces, then calmly slipped the money into my bag.
00:39Fun.
00:39The faces lit up with relief.
00:41What they didn't know, the restaurant's most loyal customers came for the dishes I'd created myself.
00:45Without me, let's see how long this place stays open.
00:47Zaya, we'll give you another $10,000 next year when we turn a profit.
00:50Go book yourself some spa treatments.
00:52If you don't take care of yourself, you look way older than David.
00:56For real!
00:57Well, the neighbors say you look like David's aunt.
01:01No joke.
01:02I might as well call you auntie from now on.
01:08I ignored their taunts and pulled a stack of receipts out of my bag.
01:11These are the utility bills and the security deposit I paid up front.
01:15$10,000 total.
01:17Transfer the money to me.
01:18My mother-in-law's face dropped instantly.
01:20Why are you making such a big deal out of this?
01:22You paid it, so what?
01:22Why are you asking for the money back?
01:24It's just $10.
01:25The restaurant made a million this year.
01:27It's pocket change.
01:33Exactly.
01:34We're family.
01:35Why haggle over utilities?
01:37Besides, Lena took pity on you and gave you a shot at entrepreneurship.
01:41Gratitude goes a long way.
01:43Staring at their grinning, smug faces, I was completely disillusioned with this family.
01:48When we opened the restaurant, Lena and my mother-in-law put in $10,000.
01:51Since we'd contributed less money, I took on all the work.
01:53I got up at 3 a.m. every day, driving to nearby farms and fresh produce markets to pick out
01:58the highest quality ingredients, then rushing back to prep everything before opening.
02:01Once we were open, I was stuck in the kitchen designing and cooking every single dish.
02:05On busy days, I'd work late into the night, getting less than four hours of sleep before
02:09waking up again to head to the farms or docks.
02:11I kept this up 365 days a year.
02:14Meanwhile, Lena spent her days at the spa or splurging on designer bags and clothes.
02:17We were the same age, but she looked polished and glamorous while I was worn out, tired,
02:21and aged beyond my years.
02:22I didn't care about that, though.
02:24I just wanted the restaurant to succeed.
02:25But in the end, the restaurant pulled in $990,000, and I got $10,000.
02:29After my $10,000 in utilities I covered, I'd actually lost $10,000 that year.
02:33And they still expected me to thank Lena for everything?
02:37Bea, I should pay you back, honestly.
02:40But I just booked a 10-day Hawaiian vacation for the whole family, and I'm short on cash now.
02:45Just keep a note, and I'll settle it with you next year.
02:48The restaurant's doing great.
02:50I promise I won't miss a cent, okay?
02:51She sounded sincere.
02:52No hint of calculation in her eyes.
02:54Babe, let it go.
02:56Lena already said she'll pay you back.
02:57Don't keep nagging her.
02:58She's even taking us on vacation.
02:59That costs way more than 10 go, and Lena's always kept her word.
03:02When you make money, you share it with family.
03:04The trip's all on me, except if we all go, there's no one to run the restaurant.
03:08Bea, you stay here.
03:09David can go.
03:09You're a married couple.
03:10It doesn't matter who goes.
03:11Besides, the regulars come for your cooking.
03:13The place can't run without you.
03:14That's my clever girl.
03:16Perfect plan.
03:17Bea stays to run the restaurant.
03:20Don't be upset, babe.
03:21I'll bring you back a gift.
03:22A lump formed in my throat.
03:24Heavy and stuck.
03:24I didn't snap.
03:25I just took a deep breath.
03:26I'm going back to the restaurant.
03:28Fine.
03:28Don't forget Mr. Jang's celebration bout.
03:30200 guests coming.
03:31I ignored her and walked away.
03:35Look at her, pouting like we treated her badly.
03:38Mom, that's just how she is.
03:40Thinks the world owes her.
03:41Leave her alone.
03:41She'll get over it.
03:42As the door clicked shut, my heart died.
03:44Back at the restaurant, it was peak dinner rush, packed with customers, with a line snaking
03:49out the door to wait for tables.
03:51My parents were working as waiters inside, rushing around nonstop.
03:55When we were short-staffed, Lena refused to hire more help, saying it was too expensive.
03:59A restaurant making $20,000 a day had only me and one prep cook in the kitchen, plus
04:05two waiters up front.
04:06I didn't just cook.
04:07I waited tables, took orders, and ran the register too.
04:11My parents, heartbroken by how overworked I was, volunteered to help for free for six
04:15months.
04:16Lena saw it all and said nothing but thanks, and taking their free labor for granted.
04:21Fuming at the memory, I went into the kitchen and told the prep cook to stop cooking immediately.
04:25Then I put up a closed sign on the front door.
04:27Waiting customers grumbled, but I handed out small gifts and cash compensation to everyone,
04:32sending them off happy.
04:34Bia, everything's fine.
04:36Why close during dinner rush?
04:38You'll lose a fortune.
04:41Yeah, it's our peak hour.
04:44This can't be right.
04:45I smiled and pulled out two chairs, sitting them down with coffee.
04:50Mom, Dad, I'm done with this business.
04:52They stared, shocked.
04:53What?
04:55The restaurant's booming, making over a million a year.
04:57You can't just quit.
04:59I took a calm sip of coffee.
05:00I only got $10,000 in profit share.
05:03They froze, exchanging stunned looks.
05:08What?
05:09Lena only gave you $10,000?
05:11And even worse, I lost $10,000 total, plus six months of your unpaid labor.
05:18My dad slammed his fist on the table.
05:19How dare she?
05:21You built this restaurant with your own hands.
05:23She can't treat you like this.
05:24My mom gently stroked my calloused hands.
05:26We don't care about the money, sweetie.
05:28But $10,000?
05:30That's unfair.
05:31I smiled faintly.
05:33So I'm splitting from her.
05:35I'm opening my own restaurant.
05:37Opening a decent restaurant in the States costs at least $50,000 to $60,000 up front.
05:41And the regulars love your food?
05:42But will they follow you?
05:44Don't worry about the money.
05:45I'll apply for a business loan.
05:47The customers come for my cooking and my service.
05:50Trust me.
05:50I'll succeed.
05:51My parents' face is lit up with hope.
05:53We believe in you, bae.
05:54We're with you all the way.
05:55I heard there's a street front spot for rent on the block.
05:58Better location and interior than this place.
06:01Go check it out.
06:02I called the landlord right away to view the space.
06:07It was even much better than my parents said.
06:09Two stories.
06:10First floor fit 20 tables.
06:13Second floor had 10 private dining rooms.
06:15The kitchen was large, bright, and fully equipped with nearly new gear.
06:19Lena's old restaurant was only 1,700 square feet, crammed with 15 tables.
06:23No private rooms.
06:25Tiny storefront.
06:26Low ceilings.
06:27Crowded and stuffy when busy.
06:29Customers always said they only came for my food, not the terrible environment.
06:33This new spot could host way more guests, plus private parties, graduation dinners, and corporate events.
06:39But rent was double the old place.
06:41$200,000 a year.
06:43I looked at my bank account.
06:44Only $30,000.
06:46A loan would take two weeks to process.
06:48Too slow.
06:49I couldn't risk losing the spot.
06:51Then my phone lit up.
06:53$180,000.
06:54I jumped up in shock.
06:56A text from my mom popped up right after.
06:59We sold our house, sweetie.
07:00This $150,000 is your startup fund.
07:03Don't be stressful.
07:04We'll always have your back.
07:05Tears streamed down my face.
07:07Mom, Dad, thank you.
07:10I won't let you down.
07:12With the money in hand, I called the landlord to sign the lease the next day.
07:18The next morning, I skipped my usual trip to the farms.
07:21Lena, packing for her vacation, saw me at home and scowled.
07:25Faeon, you wish me you a quarter.
07:26Sanchen Chong's Yan Kuei is in a weeking.
07:27Some Andriels need to be ordered in TP land.
07:30Don't mess this up.
07:31He's rich and pays $10,000 a table.
07:33You screw this up.
07:34He'll never send us customers again.
07:35I glanced at her, eating breakfast quietly.
07:37Lena, I'm quitting.
07:39What do you mean?
07:41I'm done working here.
07:43You're upset about the $10,000, aren't you?
07:46She pulled a bag of designer cosmetics from behind her
07:49and held it out like she was giving charity.
07:51Here.
07:52These are mine.
07:52They're worth thousands of dollars.
07:54Take them.
07:55We'll call it even for the utilities.
07:56No hard feelings.
07:57I didn't look up.
07:58No thanks.
08:00Take them back.
08:01Her face turned awkward for a second.
08:03Then she forced a smile.
08:05Fine.
08:05Whatever.
08:09We have to leave for the airport now.
08:12The restaurant's in your hands.
08:13She dragged her suitcase and left with my mother-in-law and David.
08:16My husband of five years didn't even look back.
08:20Villa, seafood, here I come.
08:25I sighed.
08:26The cosmetics in the bag were obvious fakes with a sharp, cheap smell.
08:29I grabbed the bag to throw it away.
08:31But before I opened the door, I heard Lena muttering outside.
08:34Do you think she's really quitting?
08:37What else can she do besides cooking?
08:40She'll be back begging for a job soon.
08:45Mom's right.
08:47When we get back, she'll still be there waiting for us.
08:51I stood in the hallway and clenched my fists.
08:53I didn't want the restaurant anymore.
08:55And I didn't want my husband either.
08:57From today on, I built a restaurant that was mine and mine alone.
09:01With that in mind, I signed the lease for the new spot immediately.
09:04Then called my lawyer to draft the divorce papers.
09:06When David came back from vacation, we'd be divorced.
09:09I went back to the old restaurant and told the staff I was starting my own place.
09:12I'm opening my own restaurant.
09:14Anyone who comes with me will get better pay and better benefits.
09:18If you want to stay, that's fine too.
09:20We're coming with you!
09:23We can't stand Lena anymore.
09:25She treats us like slaves and calls our cooking garbage.
09:28She's always yelling at us.
09:30Nothing is ever good enough for her.
09:32She pays the lowest wages on the whole block.
09:34We only stayed because of you.
09:36My heart was filled with warmth.
09:37I hired two more cooks and three servers, and we got ready to open.
09:41The new space was already fully equipped, so we just cleaned up, and we were good to go.
09:45The night before opening, I sat outside and stared at the old restaurant across the street.
09:50For a whole year, I poured everything into that place.
09:51Table 8 has been waiting 20 minutes. Move faster.
09:53My time.
09:54This is cold. Take it back.
09:55My heart.
09:56And in the end, it was all for someone else.
09:58This time, it was all mine.
10:01I posted an opening poster on social media with the caption,
10:04Grand Opening.
10:0520% off all dishes.
10:07New and returning customers welcome.
10:09Old regulars blew up my posts, flooded the comments.
10:13Can't wait.
10:13The new place looks amazing.
10:15My kid lives for your cooking.
10:16We'll be there tomorrow.
10:18Congratulations, V.
10:19Looking at all the likes from loyal customers, I smiled.
10:22Tomorrow would be a good day.
10:24Then a text from Lena popped up.
10:26Here's Mr. Jang's banquet menu.
10:28Buy cheap frozen seafood and add extra seasoning.
10:30Don't mess this up, or we're finished.
10:32I gave a cold snort and deleted the chat.
10:35Lena, you can handle Mr. Jang's fancy high-end banquet yourself.
10:39The next day, everyone arrived bright and early to prep and get ready for opening day.
10:44My parents even asked our neighbors they knew well to help hand out flyers around the neighborhood.
10:49Old customers showed up before we even opened.
10:52This place is so much nicer than the old one.
10:55Finally, away from Lena's attitude.
10:58We only came for your food anyway.
11:02They sat down and ordered, praising every dish.
11:05By noon, we were full, with a line wrapping around the block.
11:08We were swamped.
11:10Everyone was busy rushing around.
11:12The head chef and I were in the kitchen cooking non-stop.
11:14Meanwhile, Lena's family kept posting photos all day.
11:17Beach trips, fancy dinners, luxury shopping sprees.
11:21They tagged me.
11:22Wish you were here, babe.
11:23New designer bag, only $20,000.
11:26I checked my phone when I was free, then put it down and kept working.
11:30At closing time, we were all exhausted.
11:32I grabbed my calculator.
11:34My fingers moved quickly over the calculator.
11:35And when the last keystroke fell, I barely contained my joy and announced,
11:39$15,000 in sales today!
11:41Everyone gets a $100 bonus!
11:44We cheered.
11:45Tears pricked my eyes.
11:47It was just the first day, but it was perfect.
11:49David called for the first time in days, sounding annoyed.
11:55Why haven't you replied to my texts?
11:58I've been cooking all day.
11:59No time for my phone.
12:00Told you she's working.
12:02She never quit.
12:03Then why are there no sales in our account?
12:05She's just prepping for Mr. Jang's banquet.
12:07Don't worry.
12:08Right.
12:08We'll be back to help you before the banquet.
12:11Hurry up!
12:11The crabs are getting cold!
12:13My mother-in-law yelled in the background.
12:15They hung up without a goodbye.
12:16They just wanted to make sure I was still their obedient cook.
12:19If they'd checked my social media, they'd have known I was gone for good.
12:22For the next few days, business stayed steady at $10,000 a day.
12:26I added delivery, and we were making enough to pay back my parents.
12:30$150,000 in no time.
12:31Ten days later, Lena's family came back from Hawaii.
12:34They walked up to the old restaurant and saw the closed sign.
12:37Lena frowned.
12:40Why is it closed?
12:42It's late.
12:42They're closed for the night.
12:44They unlocked the door, walked in, and froze.
12:47The kitchen was empty.
12:49The dining room covered in dust.
12:50Call Ben now!
12:53David called ten times.
12:55No answer.
12:56Lena opened my social media and saw my grand opening post.
13:01The next morning, they showed up at my new restaurant, furious.
13:05How dare you open a restaurant behind my back and steal my staff?
13:09What is wrong with you?
13:11I stepped back.
13:12I told you I was quitting before you left for vacation.
13:15You just didn't believe me.
13:17You quit over ten grand?
13:19I gave you a chance.
13:20You'd be nothing without me.
13:23We made one million.
13:24You took 990 grand.
13:26I took ten grand.
13:28Who's the real winner here?
13:31Ungrateful brat!
13:32Give this restaurant to Lena or I'll ruin you!
13:34Babe, stop being childish.
13:35Mr. Jang's banquet is huge.
13:37Don't mess this up.
13:38I stared at him.
13:39This man would never protect me.
13:42Get out.
13:43Lena and my mother-in-law charged at me.
13:45My staff stepped forward, blocking me.
13:49This restaurant has nothing to do with you.
13:52If you harass me again, I'll call the police and get a restraining order.
13:57They backed down.
13:59I added,
14:00Mr. Jang's banquet is in two days.
14:02Better get moving.
14:05I walked inside.
14:06Babe, I bought you coffee.
14:08Just apologize to Lena.
14:10He thought a coffee could fix everything.
14:13Babe, we're family...
14:15Not anymore.
14:16What?
14:17David,
14:19I want a divorce.
14:21They stood there, stunned.
14:22I went back to work.
14:23At lunch,
14:25Mrs. Wilson,
14:26principal of Oak Elementary School, came in.
14:28Bea, I love your food.
14:30Fresh, healthy, great for kids.
14:32Would you cater our school lunches?
14:33Lena refused.
14:34She said it's not profitable enough.
14:36I said yes, immediately.
14:382,000 kids.
14:39Steady income, guaranteed profit.
14:41I finalized the menu that day.
14:43The kids loved the food.
14:44And Mrs. Wilson signed the contract.
14:46On my way back,
14:47I passed the old restaurant.
14:49Empty.
14:50I still had access to their security cameras.
14:52I watched Lena begging Mr. Jang on the phone.
14:57Lena's voice shook.
14:58Mr. Jang,
14:58can we reschedule the banquet?
15:01We've had some issues.
15:03Reschedule.
15:03This is my son's college graduation.
15:06If you mess this up,
15:07you're finished in this city.
15:09It's all ready.
15:10Everything's perfect.
15:11We have no chef.
15:13No food.
15:14And we spent all the deposit.
15:15No chef.
15:16No food.
15:17What do I do?
15:19I got it.
15:20Frozen remake dishes.
15:21Heat and serve.
15:23$100 a table.
15:24We make $9,900 profit.
15:26Of course.
15:27It's better than base,
15:28but you'll never know.
15:30I laughed.
15:31Mr. Jang was a food expert.
15:32He'd taste the frozen garbage in one bite.
15:35The next day,
15:36the banquet began.
15:37The first dish was served.
15:38Mr. Jang stood up
15:39and flipped the table over.
15:41You dare serve me frozen trash
15:43for $10,000 a table?
15:44Are you insane?
15:45His bodyguard smashed up.
15:47Lena huddled in the corner,
15:48sobbing.
15:49Please.
15:49Mr. Jang was furious
15:50and had nowhere else to go.
15:52Mr. Jang,
15:54long time no see.
15:57Bia,
15:57your cooking is the best.
15:59Can you host my banquet here?
16:00Of course.
16:01I'd stayed up all night
16:02prepping premium ingredients,
16:04rearranged the private rooms,
16:05and decorated for the party.
16:06The food,
16:07service,
16:08and decor were perfect.
16:09The guests raved.
16:11Afterwards,
16:12Mr. Jang handed me $100,000.
16:14I'll send all my friends here.
16:16She'll pay for this.
16:18Mr. Jang's revenge was swift.
16:20Lena's restaurant closed.
16:22She had to pay $100,000
16:23in legal fees.
16:24Her reputation was destroyed.
16:26She came to my restaurant.
16:28You think you won?
16:30I can open another restaurant.
16:31Just wait and see.
16:33I smiled.
16:34She'd never understand.
16:36Three months later,
16:37she opened a new restaurant.
16:38$3 million investment.
16:40My mother-in-law sold their house.
16:41She hired a top team
16:43and left again from Maldives.
16:44The day before opening,
16:46she found a place now.
16:47The team had run off
16:48with all the money.
16:49They came begging.
16:50David broke down in tears.
16:51We're sorry.
16:52We lost everything.
16:55Please take us back.
16:57Don't divorce him.
16:58We'll work for you.
16:59I'll pay back the $10,000.
17:01Please help us.
17:03I looked at them.
17:04They weren't sorry.
17:04They were desperate.
17:05I'm not helping you, David.
17:07Sign the divorce papers
17:08or I'll sue you.
17:11Sue me?
17:12Half this restaurant is mine.
17:14It's marital property.
17:15You can't escape us.
17:17The restaurant belongs to my father.
17:19The money came from
17:20selling his house.
17:21I'm only the manager.
17:23It's not marital property.
17:24They tried to argue,
17:24but my staff stood behind me.
17:26They left.
17:27Defeated.
17:28Then Lena went live
17:28on social media.
17:29The cashier ran to me.
17:31Bea, Lena's live.
17:32She's lying about you.
17:33I gave her a job.
17:34I trusted her.
17:35And she betrayed me.
17:37She ruined my banquet.
17:38She stole my restaurant.
17:39She took everything for me.
17:42She stole our money.
17:43She destroyed this family.
17:47She's evil.
17:48Don't eat at her restaurant.
17:50She uses expired food.
17:52The comments turned ugly.
17:54Shame on her.
17:54Boycott her restaurant.
17:55I shared her stream
17:57to my 28 customer groups.
17:5814,000 loyal regulars.
18:00They flooded Lena's live.
18:02We were there.
18:03Lena did nothing.
18:04You served frozen food
18:05and got caught.
18:07Shame on you.
18:08Lena panicked
18:08and ended the stream.
18:10I sued them for defamation.
18:12Lena got 30 days in jail
18:13at 20,000 in damages.
18:15I divorced David.
18:16Six months later,
18:17my restaurant was number one
18:18on the city's best food list.
18:20We expanded twice.
18:21Monthly revenue hit $500,000.
18:24One year later,
18:25I was opening my second location.
18:26I saw Lena outside
18:27a cheap street restaurant
18:28wearing skimpy clothes,
18:30begging customers to come in.
18:31The assistant said
18:32she lost everything.
18:33Her mom's in a nursing home.
18:34Her brother left.
18:35She works here for tips.
18:36I didn't care.
18:37My focus was my restaurant.
18:39That's all that matters.
18:42The moment I signed the lease
18:43for my first branch,
18:44my fingers brushed
18:45against the brand new contract
18:46and a deep sense of steadfastness
18:49settled in my heart.
18:50My original restaurant
18:51had long secured the top spot
18:53on the local food ranking list.
18:55Diners flocked here
18:56every single day.
18:57Regular customers came back
18:58time and again
18:58while tourists traveled from afar
19:00just to try our food.
19:02Expanding to a new branch
19:03was only a matter of time.
19:04This new location
19:05sat right in the city's
19:06high-end commercial district,
19:07surrounded by office buildings
19:09and luxury apartments.
19:10The foot traffic
19:11and spending power here
19:12far outshone our original
19:13street front shop.
19:14For an entire week,
19:16my team and I pulled
19:17all-nighters planning renovations,
19:18finalizing menus
19:19and training new staff.
19:21I oversaw every single detail
19:22from the layout of the kitchen
19:24to the etiquette
19:25for front-of-house service.
19:26The veteran employees
19:27who had followed me
19:28from the old restaurant
19:29had now become core supervisors,
19:30handling their duties
19:31efficiently and reliably.
19:33Ms. Bae,
19:34several established restaurants
19:35around here
19:36have heard we're opening.
19:37I was buying supplies yesterday
19:38and I overheard a chef
19:39from a Michelin-recommended restaurant.
19:40He said a home-style place
19:41like ours wouldn't survive
19:42three months in this district.
19:44Good.
19:44If they're already talking about us,
19:46that means they're paying attention.
19:50I smiled faintly
19:51as I continued tweaking
19:52exclusive signature dishes
19:53for the branch.
19:54Let our food speak for itself.
19:55There's no need to dwell
19:56on idle gossip.
19:57We don't aim to outshine anyone.
19:59We just focus on
20:00running our business well.
20:02Competition in the overseas
20:03catering industry
20:03has always been fierce
20:04and unapologetic.
20:06Most restaurants
20:07in this commercial zone
20:07had been operating
20:08for over a decade,
20:09backed by abundant capital
20:10and extensive social connections.
20:12Naturally, they grew wary
20:14when a small restaurant
20:15built purely on word of mouth
20:16moved in.
20:16I had anticipated this
20:18and prepared myself
20:19for cutthroat competition.
20:20We held no lavish
20:21grand opening ceremony.
20:23Instead, we stuck
20:24to our classic promotion,
20:2520% off all dishes,
20:27plus complimentary
20:28handmade desserts
20:28and signature drinks
20:29for every table.
20:30Even so,
20:31the branch was packed
20:32from day one.
20:33Office workers,
20:34apartment residents,
20:35and wandering tourists
20:36poured in.
20:37Our authentic flavors,
20:38generous portions,
20:39fresh ingredients,
20:40and thoughtful service
20:41quickly won over
20:42a large group
20:42of new loyal customers.
20:46Yet trouble arrived
20:47just three days
20:48after the opening.
20:49It was the busy
20:49pre-service hour
20:50when food safety inspectors
20:51showed up out of the blue
20:52with an official notice.
20:53They said someone had filed
20:54an anonymous complaint,
20:55accusing us of selling
20:56spoiled ingredients,
20:58failing kitchen hygiene standards,
20:59and illegally using
21:00food out of those.
21:01The inspectors marched
21:02straight into the kitchen
21:03and began checking
21:04refrigerators,
21:05ingredient shelves,
21:06cookware,
21:06and disinfection equipment
21:07one by one.
21:09The new junior staff
21:10panicked and turned
21:10to me nervously.
21:11I kept calm
21:12and fully cooperated
21:13with the inspection.
21:14All meat, vegetables,
21:16and dry goods
21:16had been delivered
21:17from our partnered farms
21:18and specialty food markets
21:19that very morning.
21:20Every purchase receipt,
21:21quarantine certificate,
21:22and inventory log
21:23was neatly filed.
21:24Our kitchen underwent
21:25thorough sanitization
21:26three times a day,
21:27and staff health certificates
21:28were displayed in plain view.
21:29We complied with
21:30every industry regulation.
21:32After a comprehensive check...
21:33Everything here
21:34is fully up to standard.
21:35We found absolutely
21:36no violations.
21:38This was clearly
21:39a malicious complaint.
21:40We'll make an official record.
21:42If anything like this
21:42happens again,
21:43contact us immediately.
21:46It must be
21:47those restaurants nearby.
21:48They're jealous
21:49because our business
21:49is booming.
21:50They couldn't beat us fairly,
21:52so they tried
21:52to shut us down.
21:53I walked to the window
21:54and glanced at the luxurious
21:55restaurants across the street,
21:56knowing exactly
21:57what was happening.
21:58Spreading rumors,
21:59filing false complaints,
22:00and sabotaging rivals
22:01were common tactics
22:02in this line of work.
22:03And this was only
22:04the beginning.
22:04Clear conscience
22:05fears no accusation.
22:06We do our jobs properly.
22:08We never compromise
22:09on ingredients
22:09or quality.
22:10No petty schemes
22:11can bring us down.
22:12We thought the malicious report
22:13was the end of it,
22:14but more trouble followed
22:15in the days ahead.
22:16A flood of one-star reviews
22:18suddenly popped up
22:18on food delivery platforms,
22:20all posting identical
22:21negative comments,
22:23bitter-tasting food,
22:24stale ingredients,
22:25rude service,
22:26and excruciatingly
22:28slow serving speed.
22:29Every account behind
22:30these reviews
22:31was newly registered
22:32with no prior order history.
22:34Blatant fake reviews
22:35meant to tarnish
22:35our reputation.
22:36Soon after,
22:38loiterers hung around
22:39our entrance,
22:39whispering lies
22:40to incoming guests,
22:41claiming we used
22:42gutter oil
22:43and low-quality ingredients.
22:44Our customer flow
22:45dropped noticeably.
22:47The dining hall,
22:48once full to capacity
22:49even during peak hours,
22:50now had plenty
22:51of empty seats.
22:52New diners turned away
22:53after hearing the rumors.
22:57Boss, if this keeps going,
22:59the branch will suffer badly.
23:00Should we explain ourselves
23:01to the customers
23:02and clear our name?
23:05Actions speak louder than words.
23:07I thought for a moment
23:08and made a decision.
23:09First, print out
23:10all purchase receipts,
23:11ingredient quarantine reports,
23:13and real-time
23:13kitchen surveillance footage,
23:14then post them
23:15at the entrance
23:16and share them on social media
23:17and our customer groups.
23:18Second, set up
23:19a free-tasting stand
23:20outside the shop
23:21for passers-by
23:21to try our signature dishes.
23:23Third, assign a dedicated team
23:24to submit evidence
23:25to the delivery platforms
23:26and appeal against
23:27the fake reviews.
23:27Our strategy worked instantly.
23:29Pedestrians saw
23:30the fresh ingredients
23:31and spotless kitchen
23:31with their own eyes
23:32and tasted our delicious food
23:34firsthand.
23:35The rumors crumbled overnight.
23:37The platforms removed
23:38all fake reviews
23:38and permanently banned
23:39the troll accounts.
23:40In just two days,
23:42our customer flow rebounded,
23:43even higher than
23:44the opening week.
23:45Restaurants that show
23:46their kitchen
23:46are the most reliable.
23:48Saying restaurants that dare
23:49to show their kitchen
23:50and ingredients
23:50are truly trustworthy.
23:52Our scheming rivals
23:53gave up once their tricks failed.
23:54Help us all
23:55in practices
23:55grandmother
23:56help us
23:56allow us
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