Time to get to work!

The kitchen heat hit Mei like a wall as she pushed through the swinging doors of the Golden Dragon. Steam billowed from bamboo baskets, and the sizzle of woks filled the air with the scent of ginger and garlic. Mr. Chen stood by the pass, his apron stained with soy sauce as he shouted orders to the line cooks.

He spotted her immediately. "Mei! You got the cookies?"

She pulled the red box from her bag and handed it over. Mr. Chen turned it in his hands, his brow furrowed. "Where’d you find these? I’ve never seen this brand."

"Some little store in Chinatown. Good Fortune Imports, I think."

He shook his head but didn’t question further. "How much?"

"Ten dollars."

He pulled a crumpled bill from his pocket and slid it across the counter. "Alright. When table six is done, bring these out. They’re regulars. Make sure they get some."

Mei nodded, tying her apron quickly. She glanced at the box as Mr. Chen set it near the dessert station. The dragon on the lid seemed to gleam under the kitchen lights, its gold foil eyes almost watching her.

She turned to head to her first table, sitting by the window. They’d already finished their meal, empty plates of har gow and siu mai pushed to the side.

Mei approached with the check and the small red box. "Fortune cookie?" she offered, placing it on the table.