Chef Hua
Chapter 111: Episode 79 Ask My Stick_2

Chapter 111: Episode 79 Ask My Stick_2

Hua Xiaomai initially wanted to tell her that it was because she had authenticated a batch of counterfeit goods for Master Zhao of Chunfeng Restaurant, and the chili seeds were a token of thanks, but then she thought better of it and simply smiled: "Yes."

"..." Guan Rong was silent for a while, just fiddling with the corner of her clothes.

The longer she was with her, the more Hua Xiaomai disliked her seemingly aggrieved demeanor. After thinking for a moment, she added, "Sister Rong, do you also like those chilis? Let me tell you, by June or July, they should be bearing fruit, bright red and particularly beautiful. If you want some—"

Guan Rong suddenly raised her head, her eyes brightening.

"If you want them, I can keep some seeds and sell them to you cheaply!"

The light in Guan Rong’s eyes suddenly disappeared, and she muttered, "Oh, those things are so expensive, I can’t afford them."

You know they’re expensive? Then why on earth did you bring them up? Are you annoyed that Meng Yuhuai gave me something, or do you want me to give you some for free? Hua Xiaomai thought bitterly.

"Sister Rong, are you upset?" She tilted her head and scrutinized Guan Rong’s face, "It’s not that I am stingy, but those chilis are really valuable. It’s said that in the whole Fuzhe County, only Master Zhao’s household at Chunfeng Restaurant has two pots. And honestly, I do have some difficulty giving those seeds away for free."

"No, it’s not something to be upset about. The things are yours, how you deal with them is up to you," Guan Rong forced a smile, though that smile looked almost uglier than crying.

If you understand that, then it’s best.

Hua Xiaomai glanced at her and adjusted the apron ties behind her back: "Sister Rong, I still have to run my stall, so I won’t keep you company any longer. You—"

Before she could finish, she suddenly caught sight of Wen Huaren rushing towards them.

"Miss Xiaomai, you better go see, your second sister and Aunt Geng are fighting, and it’s gotten physical!"

What? Why has Aunt Geng come to the riverside again?

Hua Xiaomai immediately opened her mouth but, forgetting about Guan Rong, turned and followed Wen Huaren toward the direction of the stall. Even before she got close, she could already hear the two women cursing at each other. Looking up...

Hua Erniang was holding a large noodle ladle, swinging it at Aunt Geng’s head. With her tall stature and agility, she easily gained the upper hand. Aunt Geng, not a match in strength, could only cling tightly to her waist, putting all her effort into headbutting her stomach. The two entangled, unable to determine a winner for the moment.

The villagers, having nothing better to do, loved watching a commotion. It wasn’t long before the area around them was packed, the onlookers pointing and endlessly discussing the scene.

Hua Erniang, while hitting Aunt Geng with the ladle, cursed loudly: "You’ve lived such a long life, have you lived it as a dog? How dare you run and tell on me, badmouthing me! Didn’t you inquire who I am, not someone you can bully? Now that you’ve offended me today, don’t blame me for not treating you like an elder, I won’t stop until you learn your lesson!"

Aunt Geng’s head was low, her voice buzzing: "It was me who told, so what? Hey, it was me! Who let you pull my hair? Did you know I found a big tuft of hair had fallen out when I got home that day? You dare to hit, so you should taste it too!"

A women’s fight typically lacks any method, and Hua Xiaomai, standing beside it, was mesmerized, almost reluctant to intervene.

So it turned out that it indeed had been this Mrs. Geng making trouble behind the scenes, sabotaging others’ business, something cursed by the heavens!

The surrounding spectators were all quite excited, some mischievous ones even laughing out loud, yet not a single person intended to step forward to separate them.

Just then, for some reason, Hua Erniang was pushed back by Aunt Geng and staggered, barely managing to stand without falling. Seeing her chance, Aunt Geng, smirking smugly, advanced again.

Hua Xiaomai, originally still in a mood to watch the drama, saw this and knew it couldn’t go on this way. She rushed to the stall, grabbed the stick she carried every day, and confronted Aunt Geng, forcefully stabbing it into the ground.

Aunt Geng was startled, her steps faltering, and her eyes widened: "What... what are you doing, you want to hit me?"

"You think I wouldn’t dare?" Hua Xiaomai stared her down, "Aunt Geng, I’m asking you, did you really make up those lies to harm my stall, almost causing me to never be able to set it up again?"

Her expression was fierce, as if she was ready to devour someone, and Aunt Geng got the shock of her life, swallowed, and said defensively, "It was me, what about it? You make noise on this riverside all night long, can’t I have an opinion? I have an opinion, can’t I say it? Others might tolerate it, but I cannot!"

"You live eight miles away, you couldn’t hear a fart!" Hua Erniang, hearing this, immediately spat in her face.

Wen Huaren, standing outside the circle of onlookers, also murmured quietly: "Why make such a fuss? I live so close, and even at night, I haven’t heard any noise worth mentioning."

Feeling insulted, Aunt Geng wanted to rise angrily, but Hua Xiaomai blocked her with the stick, pushing her back until she fell.

"Aunt Geng, you’re an elder, and by rights, I shouldn’t hit you, but what you’ve done, it’s too unlike an elder! We run our stall honestly, never cheating anyone or obstructing anyone," she stepped forward, her voice cold and harsh, "if you genuinely have a complaint against us, feel free to speak up frankly. If I find it reasonable, I will naturally change. But if you’re just here to make trouble, doing shameful things behind our backs, hum!"

She stood erect in front of Aunt Geng: "You must still remember the incident with Chef Wei being beaten, right? If you dare to mess with us again, just ask this stick in my hand if it agrees!" (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for monthly and recommendation tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)