Chef Hua
Chapter 117 - 82: Going to the County_2

Chapter 117: Chapter 82: Going to the County_2

Seeing her like this, Hua’s mother somewhat lost her anger and forcefully tucked her back into bed, muttering, "I really just don’t understand," then instructed her to sleep early and talk about everything in the morning, before she grumbled back to the east room.

Hua Xiaomai had a restless night and when she got up the next morning, she saw that the chili plants in the room were all wilting, especially the one that had broken, which looked like it could die at any moment, making her feel even more panic-stricken.

Chili plants thrive in sunlight and, being kept inside all day, they weren’t getting enough light. Considering their current condition, moving them outside to the rainy soil was also truly worrying. What should she do?

She crouched beside the pots for a long time, then listlessly stood up and opened the door. As soon as she stepped out, she ran into her mother, who was coming in to wake her up.

"Your sister and brother-in-law and I checked the vegetables behind the house first thing in the morning. Except for the bok choy that got smashed by the wooden frame, the others are okay. These vegetables are meant to be robust. After a couple of days when the rain stops, we can take good care of them, and there shouldn’t be any problem. Your brother-in-law is fixing the wooden shack behind the house right now. Don’t worry, this time it will definitely be sturdy enough to withstand even the strongest winds."

Hua Xiaomai sighed, "My chilies might not be so lucky."

"What, they won’t survive?" Hua’s mother was also somewhat surprised and looked at her face, then pouted and said, "Surely it can’t be that bad? If they die just because of heavy rain, then they’re really too delicate, no wonder they can’t be bought even with money; they truly aren’t something ordinary folks can afford to keep!"

"Can you please not make such cold remarks?" Hua Xiaomai rolled her eyes at her.

The rain today was lighter than yesterday, although it was still incessantly drizzling, like cow hair, it fell silently without the loud pattering noise.

She had been harboring a thought since last night and seeing the rain lessen, she could no longer hold it back. She tugged at her mother’s sleeve and pleaded in a low voice, "Second sister, I want to go to the county today..."

"I think you’re looking for trouble. Are you trying to kill yourself by heading to town in this weather?!" Hua’s mother insulted as reflexively as breathing, without needing to engage her brain. After finishing her insult, she remembered to look at Hua Xiaomai’s expression, saw her serious demeanor, and softened her tone, "Really, you want to go, huh?"

"Yes." Hua Xiaomai simply nodded, "I was so flustered last night moving those chilies out of the ground that I don’t know if I damaged their roots. Just now, they didn’t look too good. I’m not very knowledgeable about growing chilies to begin with, and now this has happened... I want to ask the gardener at Master Zhao’s house to take a look and tell me how serious it is."

"We aren’t exactly close to Master Zhao. Although you’ve helped him before, it wasn’t anything significant, and he is a wealthy man..." Hua’s mother hesitated, "What if we can’t even enter their gate, wouldn’t it be a wasted trip?"

Hua Xiaomai glanced up at her face, then quickly lowered her eyelids: "I know, so I want to ask Uncle Ke from Lianshun Escort Agency to help me get an introduction."

Heading to Lianshun Escort Agency... Hua Erniang hesitated somewhat, but seeing her younger sister seemingly truly anxious, she couldn’t bear it and tentatively asked, "Do you really want to go?"

"Yes, while the rain is light today, I want to take the chili and show it to that gardener. Otherwise, I won’t be able to put my mind at ease. It won’t take long, and once it’s settled, I’ll come right back, second sister..." Hua Xiaomai, fearing she wouldn’t agree, grabbed her hand and shook it.

Hua Erniang mulled it over for a long while, then craned her neck to glance at Jing Taihe, who was busy behind the house, and saw her husband nodding slightly toward her. She thus had no choice but to agree.

"If that’s the case, then your brother-in-law and I will accompany you," she said, reaching to untie the apron around her waist.

Hua Xiaomai blinked in surprise, "Eh? That’s not necessary, it’s just a few pots of chili, I’ll push them on a cart, just cover them with an oilcloth, and..."

"Stop arguing, on a rainy day like this, how can we be at ease with you, a young lady, going to the County alone? Besides..."

However, Hua Erniang did not finish her sentence, instead firmly tossing out, "Either we go together, or you stay home and behave." She immediately went back to the eastern room to change her clothes.

...

Although it was still early in the day, fearing the rain might get heavier later, the three of them didn’t dare delay and immediately left the house. Due to the muddy and difficult roads, it took them longer than usual. As it was almost noon, they finally arrived outside the Lianshun Escort Agency.

Hua Xiaomai had frequented this place a few times before, and having once attended a Spring Wine Banquet here, she was quite familiar with the location. She stepped directly through the door and found Dazhong in the front hall, asking for his help to go in and announce their arrival. Soon, Ke Zhenwu appeared from the backyard, followed by Meng Yuhuai, whom they hadn’t seen in days.

Ke Zhenwu, always straightforward, upon hearing the chili had problems, immediately laughed and said, "Ah, that item isn’t common in Fuzhe County; it would truly be a pity if it died. Little Mai is so anxious about that chili, I must help out in any way I can."

Turning, he then instructed Meng Yuhuai, "Old Zhao is quite familiar with you, take Little Mai to see him, let Old Liu have a good look at it. Tell Old Zhao, just say I said, if something’s wrong with those chilies, to give Little Mai some seeds, which wouldn’t be a big deal for him."

Meng Yuhuai agreed and, after greeting Hua Erniang and Jing Taihe, quietly pushed the cart toward the exit. Hua Erniang and her husband tried to follow but were stopped by Ke Zhenwu.

"It won’t be much help for you two to go, too many people might make it messy. Better to stay in the escort agency here and drink some hot tea. Little Mai has been to the Zhao Family residence before, and with Yuhuai there, nothing will go wrong. Just ease your minds."

(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you’re welcome to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)