Chef Hua
Chapter 119: Episode 83: Aren’t You Afraid of Being Misunderstood? Part 2

Chapter 119: Episode 83: Aren’t You Afraid of Being Misunderstood? Part 2

He was the leader of the Lianshun Escort Agency, often visiting the Zhao Family estate with Ke Zhenwu, so Old Liu had to give him some face; he harrumphed and said no more, pointing at the broken chili plant with a cold voice, "I’m just a gardener, not a Daluo Golden Immortal; this pot is definitely beyond saving, but the others should still have a chance."

Hua Xiaomai’s heart suddenly filled with countless hopes; she quickly asked, "Then what should I do? Just give your command, and I will follow it exactly."

"Humph!" Old Liu let out another cold snort, glanced at her, and said reluctantly, "You people, you know nothing, just ruin things out of curiosity; I can’t stand it! You don’t even need to look; I know when this chili was potted, its roots must have been injured! I can’t trust you to not just make things worse."

Having taken a breath, he continued, "Oh, forget it, since you’ve come to me, I can’t just stand by and watch. Leave the chili with me for now; I’ll nurse them back to health, and after the rainy season is over, you can come and take them back!"

Hua Xiaomai was genuinely worried about further mishaps if the chilis were left in her care; hearing his words, she understood this was the best solution and simply nodded her head in agreement, then thanked him with all proper decorum.

Old Liu called for a family retainer to help him move the pots of chili to a sheltered spot from the rain, glaring at Hua Xiaomai, then indifferently greeted Meng Yuhuai without much heart, turned, and walked away. Hua Xiaomai watched his retreating figure and sighed with relief from the depths of her chest.

Meng Yuhuai glanced at her and muttered, "Let’s go," before heading out in front.

...

The ground in the garden was wet and slippery. When she entered, her entire mind was focused on the chili plants, and she hurried along without any mishap, not feeling the slippery ground. But now, with one less thing on her mind, she could feel the slickness beneath her feet with every step, as if she was about to slip.

The path was narrow, with various plants and flowers on both sides; worried about crushing something valuable if she were to fall, she slowed down her pace. Even so, she was unsteady, and Meng Yuhuai left her far behind.

What kind of person is he... She looked up, her eyes narrowed slightly in annoyance, and deliberately slowed her pace even more. Meng Yuhuai walked out of the garden in a few strides, turned around, and realized that Hua Xiaomai was still moving at a glacial pace, which made him smile wryly.

Look, look, look, can’t you help a bit? Hua Xiaomai glared at him, not bothering with him, and tried to maintain her balance on her own. Meng Yuhuai waited there for a moment and, seeing that she was struggling, strode over. He hesitated before grabbing her wrist and tugged her forward, saying coldly with his back to her, "At this rate, you won’t make it out of the Zhao Family estate by tomorrow!"

A fine drizzle hung in the air, dampening Hua Xiaomai’s sleeves, but his palm was dry and warm, slowly seeping through the fabric, causing her heart to skip a beat.

It’s just holding hands, just holding hands, as a fine young woman of the new era, you’re not scared of holding hands, right? She repeated this to herself over and over, glanced at his somewhat rigid back, then curled her lips slightly and rolled her eyes playfully.

"Hey!" She poked Meng Yuhuai’s shoulder with her other hand, "Aren’t you worried that if someone sees us, you won’t be able to explain?"

Meng Yuhuai turned around at the sound, only to see her directing a mischievous grin at the hand he was using to hold her wrist.

"You!"

Here we go again, that expression again; what divine being are the Hua Family elders to produce such a daughter?

He gritted his teeth and didn’t let go of her hand, his words seeming to pop out one by one from between clenched teeth, "I am clear of conscience, what is there to fear?"

Hua Xiaomai laughed loudly and quickly gestured with her hands, "Don’t be angry, I was just teasing you."

"You have the time to jest, but it’d be better to hurry up and get out." Meng Yuhuai turned and ignored her, pulling her off the muddy path, then immediately let go of her hand.

Hua Xiaomai pouted and followed him out the side gate, to see that Steward Ma was already waiting there.

"Thank you for your help today," Hua Xiaomai said as she thanked him, "I stepped in mud in the garden, so I won’t go and say goodbye to Old Master Zhao. Please thank him for me, and in a few days, I’ll come to move those chilis back."

After speaking, she turned to leave.

Unexpectedly, Steward Ma came up and stopped her, "Miss Hua, no need to hurry. Our master has instructed that once you are finished here, please visit the front hall."

"Me?" Hua Xiaomai tilted her head in confusion, "Did Old Master Zhao say what it was about?"

"How could we servants know the thoughts of our master? Miss, please just follow me, there’s a noble guest waiting there as well." Steward Ma led the two to the entrance of the front hall and respectfully announced, "Master, Miss Hua has arrived."

The portly Old Master Zhao stood up from his chair, quickly stepped out the door, and cheerfully said to Hua Xiaomai, "Miss Xiaomai, is everything taken care of with the chili plants? Don’t worry, Old Liu is very skilled with plants; if he says there’s hope, there’s no doubt about it. Come in, come in, I have something to discuss with you!" (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it at Qidian (qidian.com) with a recommendation ticket or a monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)