Chef Hua
Chapter 150: Episode 99: It Doesn’t Make a Difference This Time

Chapter 150: Episode 99: It Doesn’t Make a Difference This Time

"Weren’t you saying you had no intention of getting involved? So why, once everyone had left, are you eagerly asking about it?"

Hua Xiaomai lifted her eyelids slightly and took another look at Meng Yuhuai.

The man’s gaze was deep, faintly containing a hint of inquiry. If one wasn’t paying attention, it would be very easy to miss.

In the whole affair, Hua Xiaomai had considered herself to have done nothing dishonorable, so after thinking it over for a moment, she began to say, "Actually..."

But she only managed to get out these two words when one of the men sitting at the table eating noodles, about thirty years old, waved Meng Yuhuai over with a hearty laugh, "Meng little brother, come here. We saw everything with our own eyes that day and know it best. We’ll tell you all about it in detail, while Miss Xiaomai still needs to attend to her business!"

After beckoning, he turned to Hua Xiaomai with a smile, "Miss Xiaomai, I’m really looking forward to those shrimp meat dumplings, you know! And don’t forget the smoked tofu—make sure to pour a generous layer of sesame oil on top!"

Hua Xiaomai nodded at the man from a distance and smilingly responded. Meng Yuhuai glanced at her and then turned to sit down beside the man.

Thus, for the next half hour at Hua Xiaomai and Luo Yuejiao’s stand—no, it would be more accurate to say the entire stall—was filled with the man’s booming voice, embellishing the incident that happened by the river with exaggerated flare, making it seem as though one was experiencing it all over again firsthand.

Luo Yuejiao took some pea shoots near the stove to rinse and upon bringing them back, couldn’t help but whisper to Hua Xiaomai.

"Sister Xiaomai, was what happened that night really as twisted and bizarre as that big brother said? Wow, it’s far more exciting than what my sister-in-law told me! Ah, I really should have gotten to know you earlier; then I could have joined my sister-in-law in watching the excitement that day. Maybe, I could have even helped scold that Guan sister a bit for you!"

Even though she clearly didn’t like Guan Rong, she still referred to her as "sister." Hua Xiaomai found it amusing and turned to look at her, saying, "It wasn’t that exaggerated. That big brother clearly turned a true story into a fictional tale. You believe it? If your curiosity is really that strong, next time I encounter such situation, I’ll definitely call on you to back me up, okay?"

"Forget about it," Luo Yuejiao pouted, "such troubling matters, it’s better for you to encounter them less often. My mother says it’s not easy for a young lady to manage a stall all by herself. I’d rather hope things here can stay more peaceful for you, so you can worry less."

Her words were so comforting that Hua Xiaomai couldn’t help but reach out and tousle her hair playfully. Luo Yuejiao shrieked, "Hey, your hands are covered in flour!" and dodged away.

By the time of Hai, most people had left the stall, but Meng Yuhuai had not yet departed. He didn’t sit at the stall either; instead, he went for a stroll by the river, and after some time, came back.

Hua Xiaomai was sure he had something to say. She quickly tidied everything up, threw the water in the basin under the tree, and then called him over.

"Meng Family big brother, why haven’t you gone home yet? I’m about to pack up," she looked up, pursed her lips at him, half-jokingly adding, "Could it be that one bowl of fish noodle soup wasn’t enough for you? If not, I can make you another..."

Meng Yuhuai knew she was joking, smiled and shook his head and after pondering for a moment, he said abruptly, "It was Guan Rong’s mother who came to my house first thing this morning, and after not saying much, she began to cry, lamenting how difficult her daughter’s life has been recently. When she bumps into familiar faces in the village, they take the opportunity to tease her. Although they may not mean any harm, it’s been hard on her over time, so she hoped I... could say a few words on her behalf to the villagers."

Hua Xiaomai’s heart skipped a beat upon hearing this explanation but didn’t interrupt, merely responding with an "Oh."

"Later, Guan Rong pulled me aside by the river to repeat the story of that day. She didn’t blame me for anything; instead, she constantly insisted she knew she was wrong but didn’t know what to do next and asked me for advice," Meng Yuhuai continued.

"So that’s why you brought her straight to my stall?" Hua Xiaomai glanced at his face and lifted her chin a bit.

The person in question sighed with growing helplessness, but his tone remained steady, "How could I just bring her here without knowing what you might think? It was her who followed me when she saw me leaving. I couldn’t just push her away. My family and hers are neighbors; her mother and my mother enjoy chatting together when they’re free, but I..."