Chef Hua
Chapter 123: Episode 85 Have a Request_2

Chapter 123: Episode 85 Have a Request_2

"Thank you!" Hua Xiaomai finally let her guard down, flashed him a grin, and ran off in the direction of Lianshun Escort Agency, her steps becoming lighter.

Meng Yuhuai stood in his spot for a while, shook his head, and then hastened his pace to catch up with her.

...

The rest of the way passed without conversation. They quickly returned to the Escort Agency, where Hua Xiaomai inevitably recounted the situation with the chili to Second Lady Hua in detail.

"So, only one plant couldn’t be saved, but the others are all fine?" Although Second Lady Hua had always shown little concern for those "few plants," upon hearing this, she also let out a sigh of relief, suddenly perked up her eyebrows angrily, and said, "In that case, why did you take so long? You wouldn’t have been sneaking off to play somewhere, would you?"

While she spoke, she also glanced very obviously in Meng Yuhuai’s direction.

Hua Xiaomai didn’t bother arguing with her, glossed over the matter in a few words, thanked Ke Zhenwu, and then pulled Jing Taihe along as they hurried back to Fire Knife Village.

On the way, because she had dropped a great weight from her mind, her whole demeanor became lively, pestering her elder sister with nonstop chatter, trying every trick to make her laugh, to the point that Second Lady Hua threatened to beat her. Jing Taihe didn’t intervene but merely watched the two sisters with interest, smiling, making the atmosphere very harmonious amidst the constant laughter.

Upon entering the village from the west, they arrived at the Jing Family’s courtyard, where Second Lady Hua suddenly halted.

Hua Xiaomai was walking right behind her and nearly bumped into her back. She quickly touched her nose with a startle and was about to voice a complaint when she inadvertently looked up and saw someone pacing back and forth at the courtyard gate.

Isn’t that... Jing Taihe’s mother? And... why is she holding a big plump live fish?

Before, she hadn’t been aware, but at least during the half-year she had been in Fire Knife Village, the number of times old lady Jing had visited the Jing Family’s courtyard could be counted on one hand, and even on that one occasion, the visit had ended in chaos, leaving no peace. What brought her here suddenly now?

Before she could figure it out, Jing Taihe, walking ahead, had already hurried up to her: "Mother, what brings you here?" His tone was clearly tinged with panic, as though he was afraid his mother and wife might start another quarrel.

As for Second Lady Hua, she just stood still, rolled her eyes, and mumbled a vague "hmm" as a form of greeting.

Old lady Jing glanced at her, then at Hua Xiaomai behind her, and said discontentedly to Jing Taihe, "You’re still asking me? Didn’t your father tell you about it yesterday? You’ve pushed it out of your mind... Everyone says to raise sons for security in old age, and you’re the only seed of the Jing Family, yet you’re so careless. Tell me, what good does giving birth to you do me if this is how you behave?" She started rambling non-stop.

"Yesterday? What happened yesterday?" Jing Taihe was still a bit confused, furrowed his brows and thought hard for a long while before suddenly slapping his forehead, "Ah, I totally... totally forgot! Mother, after we came back home last night, we discovered that the shed behind the house had collapsed. We spent half the night cleaning it up, and this morning we went to the County, I..."

"Enough, enough, enough!" Jing Taihe’s mother glared at him impatiently, "You are a busy man, and we here are bored all day long; we cannot compare with you. Don’t waste words with me; it’s still not too late to discuss that matter!" Saying this, she picked up the fish and shook it.

Hua Ermu ignored her, pulled Hua Xiaomai into the house, and went to the kitchen to fry the medicine. Jing Taihe soothed his mother with a few words, had her sit in the courtyard, and followed her in. He said to Hua Xiaomai, "Little sister, there’s something I meant to discuss with you last night, but it slipped my mind in all the rush. If you have a moment now..."

"Brother-in-law, go ahead, I’m free," Hua Xiaomai looked around the courtyard with a bit of confusion and gave Jing Taihe a pursed-lip smile.

"Here’s the thing," Jing Taihe cautiously glanced at the back of Hua Ermu, "You know, my grandmother is getting on in years and her health isn’t great. Recently, with the continuous rainy days, it’s hard to avoid the damp, and she’s been feeling somewhat unwell, always complaining of no appetite and can’t eat. Yesterday, your second sister and I were at the old house for a meal, and I heard from my dad that the old lady has been craving a fragrant and spicy fish soup for several days now, but it’s been delayed since no one at home really knows how to cook it. My mother was wondering if you could help..."

Before he could finish, there was a clatter of bowls and dishes from the stove, and turning their heads, they saw Hua Ermu slamming things around, tossing a couple of bowls and dishes into the sink.

Making a bowl of fish soup was a mere trifle for Hua Xiaomai, and frankly, although she had no contact with that side of the Jing family’s old house, they were still relatives. Even if it was just to make Hua Ermu’s later days in her in-laws’ house easier, she simply had to help out.

With this thought, she readily nodded to Jing Taihe, "What’s the problem? If you want a fragrant and spicy fish soup, I have a ready method here. It’s just that the steps are a bit complicated and will take more time. Brother-in-law, can you ask the madam to wait a bit longer?"

She agreed so swiftly that Jing Taihe instantly felt a huge relief, as if lightened by two pounds, and hurriedly agreed. He ran out to speak a few words with his mother and brought in the live fish.

The so-called "milk soup" is a thick broth cooked with chicken and duck bones and feet along with ham. If given enough time and cooked just right, when it comes out of the pot, the soup is milky white, covered with a layer of light yellow film, immensely rich and delicious on the palate.

Hua Xiaomai skillfully simmered this milk soup and sliced the cleaned carp into thin pieces on a slant, frying them in oil until golden brown.

Making this dish required the milk soup to simmer for a long time and was not to be rushed. Hua Xiaomai, busy in the kitchen, hardly felt it, but Jing Taihe’s mother, waiting in the courtyard with nothing else to do, felt somewhat bored and simply stood up to stroll around.

Hua Ermu was drinking medicine at the kitchen door. Seeing her, Jing Taihe’s mother approached and asked, "What are you drinking?"

"Arsenic, do you want some?" Hua Ermu sneered and turned her back, ignoring her.

Jing Taihe’s mother felt snubbed and glared at her fiercely. Since she needed a favor from her, she couldn’t openly make a fuss and could only sheepishly retreat. After a moment’s thought, she entered the kitchen.

At that time, Hua Xiaomai was cutting mushrooms and bamboo shoots into thin strips. Seeing her entering, she just smiled and said nothing.

Jing Taihe’s mother stayed silent for a while then suddenly said, "I heard from Taihe that you’ve set up a stall and started doing business?" (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcomed to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)