Chef Hua
Chapter 141: Episode 94: Missing_2

Chapter 141: Episode 94: Missing_2

"Taoyuan House?" Jing Taihe mulled over these three words in his mouth for a while, "It seems I have heard of it, it’s quite renowned in the Provincial City."

Hua Erniang glanced at him, but didn’t pay much attention to what he said, focusing only on Hua Xiaomai: "I guessed it was mostly about this! So how are you planning to respond to her, are you really planning to go to Taoyuan House as a head chef?"

"...I haven’t decided yet." Hua Xiaomai, for some reason, was slow to react. After a moment, she looked up and smiled at Hua Erniang, "I’m somewhat reluctant to leave that stall of mine, and besides, I should first discuss this matter with you and my brother-in-law."

"Hmm, at least you know some propriety." Hua Erniang was very pleased with her answer, lifted her chin proudly, and said, "It’s not me boasting, but with my sister’s cooking skills, even if those renowned restaurants took interest and wanted her to take charge of their kitchen, it would be perfectly normal."

While speaking, she nudged Jing Taihe with her elbow: "You agree, right?"

Jing Taihe smiled and nodded as if in agreement.

"But still, it’s up to you in the end." Hua Erniang went on nonchalantly, "Zhao Laoye from Chunfeng Restaurant had also mentioned this to you before, and at that time I didn’t agree because I didn’t want you to leave my side. Being a girl, I really was worried for you. But now, I’ve thought it through; you have these skills, how could I possibly hold you back forever? If you really want to go, let’s properly discuss it, I am not bound to keep you confined in this small village forever."

As soon as she said this, she felt immensely far-sighted, capable of seeing the big picture, and considerate. Unable to control her pride, she raised an eyebrow and said with a smile, "How about that, isn’t your second sister very reasonable and good to you?"

Hua Xiaomai didn’t say a word, just lowered her head and stared at the bowl in her hands.

"I’m talking to you!" Hua Erniang, rarely being reasonable, and not getting a response, immediately got angry and slapped Hua Xiaomai on the back of the head harshly, "Are you deaf, did flies fly into your ears?"

"Ouch!" Hua Xiaomai felt a sharp sound next to her ear, her scalp was burning with pain, and she instantly came to her senses, suddenly looked up and said, "Second sister, can’t you be a little gentler?"

"Why are you daydreaming, I already said I won’t keep you from it, so why are you still..." Hua Erniang was full of suspicion, sizing up her face closely, "What are you thinking about?"

Hua Xiaomai rolled her eyes at her and rubbed the back of her head vigorously: "I already said I was tired, yet you insisted on dragging me here to talk. If I can’t respond in time, you hit me hard, this is not how it should be! Didn’t I say, the matter of me taking charge of the kitchen at Taoyuan House, I need some time to think it through properly, I’m not in a hurry, what are you anxious for?"

She was indeed hit too hard by Hua Erniang, and her tone became a bit harsh. Hua Erniang had never heard her talk back to her like this before, and immediately became furious, rolling up her sleeves and about to hit someone.

"Hey, you, Hua Xiaomai, a few days without discipline and your guts are growing fatter! I tried to be kind and you take it as liver and lung, today I really must..."

"Alright, alright!" Jing Taihe, looking helpless, quickly stepped forward to stop her, "Isn’t the little sister tired? What’s the harm in letting her rest? We can talk about this tomorrow, why must you clear it up right now? Can’t you be a bit quieter, the neighbor Mr. Pan has ears like a hawk!"

Hua Erniang, having her hands caught by him, struggled twice but couldn’t break free, so she had to retreat in defeat, saying grumpily to Hua Xiaomai, "If you’re tired, just roll back to your room and sleep, we’ll talk slowly tomorrow morning!"

Hua Xiaomai was more than happy to hear it, hurriedly put down the bowl in her hand, and dashed back to the west room, slamming the door shut with a bang.

A quiet night passed, and early the next morning, Hua Xiaomai was jolted awake by Hua Erniang’s thunderous voice.

"Oh my little sister, hurry and come out, there’s been a big incident!"

Hua Xiaomai, still groggy, suddenly startled awake, hurriedly dressed and ran out, bumping into her older sister head-on, grabbing her arm repeatedly asking, "What happened, what happened?"

Could it be that someone went to report a complaint again, saying there was an issue with her stall by the river? Or perhaps, was there a problem with her chili?

Hua Erniang stomped her foot and said urgently, "Did you know that last night, Master Ke from Lianshun Escort Agency, was not yet done eating when he was hurriedly called away? Goodness, I just heard from village folks, it turns out that the Escort Agency was transporting a shipment for someone, and halfway through, they encountered bandits on the waterway. The guard, it was Brother Meng from Meng Family!

It was indeed him! A block weighed down Hua Xiaomai’s heart.

Yesterday evening, Ke Zhenwu and Lv Bin were whispering the whole time, probably because they feared that the news would spread too quickly, drawing public discussion, and worrying Meng Yuhuai’s family as well. This was also the reason why he didn’t let Lv Bin notify Meng Laoniang. But where is there a wall without wind in this world? It was only a night, and yet the news had spread all over the village!

"So... what’s the situation now? Brother Meng from Meng Family..." she uneasily tugged at the hem of her own clothes and cautiously asked, the words that followed seemed a bit hard for her to say.

"Tsk, they can’t find anyone!" Hua Erniang sighed repeatedly, "I also heard it from village folks, they encountered water bandits on the way, not only was there bloodshed, the entire boat was capsized! Among them was an Escort Agency employee who was a good swimmer, he struggled desperately to get back to the shore, madly hurried back to Fuzhe County to report the incident, and only then did the Escort Agency know something went wrong. As for the others, there’s... no news at all!"

(To be continued. If you like this work, please head to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for it with recommendation tickets or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)