Chef Hua
Chapter 143: Episode 95 Looking at Each Other_2

Chapter 143: Episode 95 Looking at Each Other_2

Isn’t this the only piece of good news in the past two days?

Perhaps it was because of this that she felt a bit more settled and let out a long sigh of relief.

That evening, Hua Xiaomai and Luo Yuejiao went to set up their stall on the riverbank, and unsurprisingly, they found that whether it was the patrons who came to eat noodles or the common folk enjoying the cool on the riverbank, everyone was discussing the encounter between the Lianshun Escort Agency’s escort ship and the water bandits.

This matter didn’t have much to do with their lives, but it provided fodder for idle chitchat after a meal. When it came to Meng Yuhuai, most people sighed and lamented, calling it a pity, probably convinced, like Madam Hua, that he most likely had lost his life this time.

Luo Yuejiao squatted behind the stall, washing dishes, listening intently to the people’s discussions without missing a word. Looking up and seeing Hua Xiaomai just finish frying a plate of small fish to serve at a table and was momentarily free, she waved her over.

"Sister Xiaomai, so the uncle with the long beard last night was talking about Brother Yuhuai?" she frowned and bit her lip, "I only realized this morning when I heard my mother talking about it. My mother said that encountering danger on the water is the most uncertain thing. Those water bandits rely on their great swimming ability and fear nothing, committing murder and robbery with impunity! Sister Xiaomai, do you think Brother Yuhuai... might really not return?"

"How could that be?!" Hua Xiaomai glanced at her, and without a second thought said, "Don’t listen to those people’s nonsense. Whatever they say, you just believe? Don’t you have a brain to think for yourself? The place where they had trouble is quite far from our Fuzhe County. Even if there’s news, it will take several days to reach here. Big brother of the Meng Family is capable; he’ll surely turn the tide."

Luo Yuejiao pursed her lips, about to say something else, when coincidentally, Wen Huaren came over and called out softly from behind Hua Xiaomai.

"What’s the matter?" Seeing him, Hua Xiaomai’s face fell, "Didn’t I tell you? If you don’t have much money, you’re better off buying some buns to keep at home so you can last a few days. You come here to eat a bowl of noodles and feel good for the moment, but what will you do tomorrow?"

"I’m not eating noodles." Wen Huaren hurriedly gestured with his hands, "I came because I heard about Brother Yuhuai’s incident. Considering Taihe often associated with him and brought people to support your business, I thought you might know something more about it, so I came to ask."

"I don’t know anything!" Hua Xiaomai grew more irritated, throwing the cloth in her hand aside and turning around annoyed, "I still have a business to run. Why are all of you bothering me with these trifles? Don’t you find it annoying?"

Startled, Wen Huaren shrank back a step and, undeterred, mumbled, "I’m just concerned, you know. If you don’t know, just say so. Why are you so angry?"

Luo Yuejiao was also taken aback and tugged at Hua Xiaomai’s sleeve, whispering, "Sister Xiaomai, why are you so hot-tempered? If you’re not feeling well, why don’t we close the stall early today so you can go back and get a good night’s sleep."

"...I’m fine." Hua Xiaomai realized she might have overreacted and been too harsh with her words. She forced a smile at Luo Yuejiao and softened her tone to Wen Huaren, "The weather is too hot, and it’s making me irritable. Don’t take it to heart; I wasn’t angry with you."

"No harm done, no harm done." Wen Huaren didn’t take it personally, waving it off with a laugh, "The weather indeed is too hot. Sitting in the house reading, I feel restless. You stand behind this stall for hours in front of the stove, it must be worse. So... you really don’t have any news about Brother Yuhuai?"

Hua Xiaomai shook her head and went back to tidying up the vegetables next to the stove.

...

In the blink of an eye, more than ten days passed, the weather grew hotter and the number of people coming out to enjoy the cool every evening increased, so the business at Hua Xiaomai’s stall by the river flourished even more.

In the first two days, people’s conversations could hardly avoid mentioning the Lianshun Escort Agency. However, as the days passed, fewer and fewer people talked about it. On the fifth, sixth day, there were still a few who lamented over the poor old Madam Meng. By the tenth day, no one even brought her up anymore, as if the incident had never happened.

Jing Taihe and Great Saint would go to the Lianshun Escort Agency every few days to check for news, but returned empty-handed every time. Jing Taihe and Meng Yuhuai were close as brothers, and being a man of few words, became even more silent during this time, often sitting alone in the hall without making a sound for a long period. Madam Hua advised him a couple of times, but seeing he wasn’t very responsive, she let him be.

That evening, Hua Xiaomai was returning from the riverside after closing her stall, Luo Yuejiao as usual helping her push the household belongings up to the Jing family’s courtyard gate. They stood outside talking for a moment when suddenly they heard the sound of a horse’s hooves clattering.

Hua Xiaomai shivered and immediately turned around to look, spotting in the darkness a shadowy figure approaching with a horse from afar.

The night was too dark to see the person’s face, only a vague silhouette with a rather tall stature, and the moonlight stretched his shadow very long. Hua Xiaomai dropped the handcart on the ground and spontaneously ran forward a few steps.

As the figure got closer, leading the horse and gradually stepping into the light shining through a neighbour’s window, his features began to clear.

A tall figure, black-blue robe, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, with a distinct jawline...

Hua Xiaomai was immediately stunned, standing motionless, unsure what to do.

Meng Yuhuai hadn’t expected to see anyone out at this hour and was momentarily startled by the sight of two girls standing at the Jing family’s gate staring at him.

Upon recognizing the girl in front as Hua Xiaomai, he too paused, then a smile crept across his face.

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