Chef Hua
Chapter 125: Episode 86 Creamy Soup Pot Fish_2

Chapter 125: Episode 86 Creamy Soup Pot Fish_2

Hua Xiaomai just clenched her teeth beside and painstakingly pondered that she must resolve this issue quickly and cleanly. Seeing her not speaking for a long time, old Lady Jing pushed her roughly and said sarcastically, "What, fallen into someone’s trap? Hmm, you are new here, so it’s fine if you don’t understand her character, but how could your brainless second sister not give you any advice? She just bears the name of a shrew for nothing!"

"Auntie, thank you for telling me these things," Hua Xiaomai remembered that she had this person by her side and hurriedly forced a smile at her.

"You don’t need to thank me; I don’t deserve it, nor do I have such good intentions," Lady Jing glanced at her sideways, "It’s just that since you’ve helped make this fish soup, I’ll return the favor to you. After today, we owe each other nothing, to avoid any future disputes over this!"

The milk soup stewing on the stove boiled, bubbling and emitting a rich fragrance that suddenly filled the air.

Hua Xiaomai, without any more time to talk, quickly added the fried golden-brown fish slices into the pot, along with two slices of old ginger, a handful of green onions, and poured in two spoonfuls of rice wine. Once the broth boiled again, she added chopped mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and diced ham.

Lady Jing took a deep sniff, swallowed, then nudged Hua Xiaomai with her elbow and whispered, "Earlier when I asked about that stall, you must have thought I was discussing money, right?"

"...No," Hua Xiaomai lifted the corners of her lips, insincerely denying.

"Even if I were to ask for money, I would go to my son, not to you, a stranger!" Lady Jing spoke sharply, then paused to think, "Hmm, lately you indeed have been prosperous. Each month you should contribute more money to the family. I’ll discuss this with Taihe soon! My son is the most filial, there’s no reason he would refuse!"

That person... who said having a son was useless, was that not you, madam?

Hua Xiaomai did not respond to her, and seeing that the fish soup was nearly ready, she scooped out a small bowl, sprinkled some pepper and a bunch of coriander, and presented it before her with a smile, "Auntie, please taste this soup and see how it is?"

Lady Jing swallowed another mouthful of saliva and stubbornly turned her head away, "This is made for the old lady at home; I won’t drink it!"

"You’re the best judge of the old lady’s taste, just help me taste for seasoning to see if it’s right," Hua Xiaomai pushed the bowl closer to her.

Unable to resist longer, Lady Jing finally took a sip, smacked her lips, and then took three big gulps. She looked up at the sky, muttering softly, "The seasoning is just right, but... your cooking skills aren’t that great! With your skills, you’re able to run a stall in the village? It seems like everyone in Fire Knife Village has gone mad!"

Hua Xiaomai did not argue with her, seeing that she found the taste appropriate, so she found a clay pot, poured the fish and broth into it, prepared a bowl of ginger vinegar sauce, and placed them all together in a food container, handing it to her.

"Auntie, this milky fish soup is best eaten hot off the stove. When most of the fish is consumed, you can add some vegetables like radishes or tofu to cook further. It’s tasty and convenient. I added quite a bit of pepper powder. It’s spicy enough to dispel the dampness, and the old lady may find it comforting after eating," Hua Xiaomai explained.

"I got it! I got it!" Lady Jing unhappily replied, grabbed the food container, and turned to leave. But after only a few steps, she suddenly turned back, mysteriously asking, "Your second sister, what kind of medicine was she actually drinking just now? Was it something to help conceive a son?"

Hua Xiaomai did not want to answer her question, to avoid future blame if things didn’t work out, so she just smiled and saw her out.

...

After Lady Jing had left, Hua Xiaomai immediately pulled her second sister back to the western room and relayed everything she had just heard.

Her second sister exploded before she had finished speaking. She was so furious she could jump three feet high, stomping and cursing non-stop, "That little wretch, truly shameless! When she initially came running to our stall to wipe tables and wash dishes, it was her own insistent decision; what does it have to do with us? Didn’t we try our hardest to stop her? Now, seeing that she can’t gain anything from us, she goes around playing the victim. I spit! Just you wait, I’ll drag her out right now, I must..."

"Can you calm down and listen to me?" Hua Xiaomai looked at her helplessly, "I’m worried that by now, perhaps half the village thinks the stall is a joint venture with her and that if she’s not at the stall, it’s because we’ve unrighteously driven her away, leaving her unable to voice her grievances. If we let her continue this way, we’ll surely be the subject of gossip; even if we explain to everyone, we won’t be able to make everyone understand! What’s more crucial is, if this affects our business at the stall, we’ll really suffer a huge loss! So, we must quickly resolve this matter."

"What are you thinking of doing?" her second sister frowned deeply, still angry.

"You and Chun Xi, as well as La Mei, are quite close, right?" Hua Xiaomai pondered, "That day, when they were at our house, I saw, they have quite loose tongues.

Her second sister slightly stunned, "Them? Yes, they do love to chat, but I can assure you, they truly get along well with me, and they would definitely not spread bad rumors about our family."

"That’s not what I meant," Hua Xiaomai shook her head and smiled, "I trust that you’re on good terms with them, precisely why I want to ask them for a favor."

She leaned in and quietly muttered her plan into her second sister’s ear.

Her second sister’s eyes sparkled, "Okay, then I’ll seek them out tomorrow!" (To be continued. If you like this work, please go to qidian.com to cast your recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)