Chef Hua
Chapter 139: Episode 93 How to Choose_2

Chapter 139: Episode 93 How to Choose_2

"Certainly!" Song Jingxi agreed heartily, clapping his hands, "This is no small matter, and I never intended for you to make a decision today. Go back and think it over carefully, and discuss it thoroughly with your family. I will be coming back to Fuzhe County next month, and you can tell me your decision then. Heh, rest assured, I’m not one to be unreasonable. If this works out, it will be a happy outcome for all; but if you’re unwilling, I won’t make things difficult for you."

Hua Xiaomai nodded with a smile in response and chatted a bit more with her. Jing Taihe and Hua Erniang also arrived by the riverbank and, after formally greeting Zhao Laoye and Ke Zhenwu, joined in on the courteous exchanges while Hua Xiaomai, as usual, went back to cooking noodles at her stall.

Luo Yuejiao squatted on the ground silently washing dishes but had heard every single word of that conversation clearly. Seeing that Hua Xiaomai was momentarily unoccupied, she couldn’t wait to move closer and, lowering her voice beside her ear, cautiously said, "Sister Xiaomai, are you really planning to go to the Provincial City to be a cook at a restaurant?"

"Haven’t I not made up my mind yet?" Hua Xiaomai turned and smiled at her, "Why, do you have something to say?"

Luo Yuejiao lowered her head and with a slightly aggrieved pout murmured, "Of course, I’d be happy for you if you find a good opportunity, but if you leave Fire Knife Village, who will teach me cooking? I am naturally rather clumsy, but these past few days I’ve finally seen some improvement. Yesterday, when I went home and helped my mother with the dinner, I chopped a piece of meat without any mistakes at all—my mother praised me non-stop for being capable!"

As she spoke, she glanced at the diners scattered around the tables and lowered her voice even more, "Also, the neighbors in Fire Knife Village used to complain all the time about having nowhere to buy ready-made food when they didn’t feel like cooking at night. But look how often they come to your stall now? Your business is so booming that it would really be... such a pity to walk away from it."

This indeed was the main reason for Hua Xiaomai’s hesitation. She did not want to say too much to Luo Yuejiao, just smiled and replied, "Even if I do decide to go to the Provincial City, it’s not something that will happen immediately. I promised to teach you how to cook, and I must ensure your cooking skills are presentable; otherwise, wouldn’t I lose face? Don’t worry, I’ll definitely not keep you in the dark once I’ve made up my mind. Just put your little worries back in your heart and focus on what you’re doing!"

Luo Yuejiao, a bit embarrassed, smiled shyly, and while they were talking, suddenly there came a commotion from the village path followed by a burst of rapid hoofbeats growing closer.

Very few families in Fire Knife Village owned horses, and with Meng Yuhuai out on an escort mission, who would be riding through the village at this hour, and in such haste?

Hua Xiaomai looked up to see a horse stopping by the riverbank—a figure tumbled off its back and ran toward the stall with the speed of a loosed arrow. From afar, she couldn’t make out the person’s face, but as he came closer she recognized him as a young porter from Lianshun Escort Agency, presumably named Lv Bin.

The young porter, Lv Bin, was running extremely fast and, within a few moments, arrived panting in front of the stall. He jumped beside Ke Zhenwu without even catching his breath and called out, "Uncle."

Ke Zhenwu, engrossed in conversation with Zhao Laoye, was caught off guard by the call. Looking up and seeing who it was, he broke into a smile.

"Hey, what brings you here, you little monkey? Could it be that the word of me eating Xiaomai’s noodles spread and you felt peckish too, jumping at the chance to join? Look, you should have some sense! Yuhuai brought you guys here to eat a couple of months ago and you had your fill, but this is my first time savoring this good taste, can’t you let me enjoy it in peace?"

He went on without pause while Lv Bin, desperate, sucked in a couple of breaths, stamping his feet and said loudly, "Ah, Uncle Ke, we have trouble!"

Ke Zhenwu’s expression changed instantly; he stood up abruptly from the table, eyes emitting two chilling beams, his voice instantly becoming low and authoritative, a complete change from a moment before, "What’s the matter?"

Lv Bin looked quite distressed and glanced around before leaning in to whisper a few words in his ear.

He deliberately spoke so softly that the others couldn’t hear clearly. Hua Xiaomai only vaguely caught the words "water bandits" and "encountered right after entering the waterway two days ago" among a few other fragmented phrases.

"How did you receive this news, and where is the person now?" Ke Zhenwu narrowed his eyes and furrowed his brow, asking in a hushed tone.

Lv Bin still whispered his response, this time inaudible even as a single word.

As Ke Zhenwu listened, his expression turned darker, as black as the bottom of a pot burned for decades, and with a "bang," he suddenly punched the table, making the plates and bowls jump, and bellowed, "These damned thieves dare to disregard the rules now?!"

Without a moment’s hesitation, he turned to Zhao Laoye and Song Jingxi and said, "Gentlemen, there’s a small issue at the Escort Agency that requires my immediate attention, so I must take my leave without further ado."

After making his apology, he swept up his sleeves, grabbed Lv Bin, and hurried off.

Zhao Laoye was stunned, but then stood up and called out to him.

"Do you need my help? I may not understand the affairs of the Escort Agency, but I run a restaurant and am acquainted with all sorts of people. When you get busy, even the most cautious can overlook some details. My household has many hands, and we could at least lend you some."

Ke Zhenwu thought for a moment and then nodded in agreement. So, Zhao Laoye took out a chunk of silver, about half a tael, placed it on the table, nodded to Hua Xiaomai, and quickly followed Ke Zhenwu with brisk steps towards the riverbank.

Song Jingxi, having arrived with the two men, naturally had to return to the County with them. He came over with a smile to say a few words to Hua Xiaomai, and then soon hurried after them. Hua Xiaomai, still confused about the situation, suddenly noticed Lv Bin hesitating.

"Uncle Ke, do you think we should... notify his family first?" (To be continued. If you like this novel, you are welcome to vote for it with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)