Chef Hua
Chapter 152: Episode 100: Unsatisfactory

Chapter 152: Episode 100: Unsatisfactory

It was just a stumble, but he managed to smash his face up like a pig’s head, even knocking out teeth?

Hua Xiaomai stared at Pan Ping’an’s face and took another careful look. Seeing his shifty eyes, she felt even more that his words were not entirely true. However, since he had already made up his mind not to say more, no matter how much she asked, it would only be a waste of breath. Instead of that, they might as well save some energy.

Thinking this, she led Pan Ping’an to a table in the courtyard to sit down, went to the kitchen to pour a cup of tea for him, placed it in front of him, and sat down herself. She chuckled, "I was just thinking, in these few days, Uncle Ping’an, you should be coming back. True enough, I heard your voice last night. It’s just that I set up my stall by the river every night lately and by the time I come home it is already late, so I didn’t go over to disturb you. Otherwise, I should have come to check on you."

"Hah, could I really complain about you?" Pan Ping’an grimaced as if in great pain and sipped the hot tea, waving his hand, "I’ve heard from my dad, your noodle stall is doing better every day. You need to prepare various broths during the day and stand by the river for two or three hours at night, not to mention making sauces and preserved fruits. You’re busy from dawn to dusk! I know you’re busy! With such diligence, you deserve to make good money!"

Hua Xiaomai laughed upon hearing this, and politely responded, "If we really talk about it, I am able to earn money largely because you are willing to help. Since you’re back, you’ll stay for a few days. If you have time, come to the riverside, I’ll treat you to noodles. I can’t offer anything fancy, but I can provide plenty of different noodles, just eat as much as you want."

"Ha ha ha!" Pan Ping’an also burst into laughter and semi-seriously said, "Then I won’t be polite," then he added, "Let’s get back to the real business now."

Hua Xiaomai also intended to ask him how the sale of various snacks and preserves was going, and she immediately spoke formally, "I was about to ask you, about the food you took to the Provincial City the past two months, how did it sell? Were there any problems?"

Pan Ping’an lowered his head and thought for a moment, then nodded slightly, "The Vinegar Cake and Yuan Yang Roll were both very popular. They tasted great, and they looked good too. Placed on the restaurant tables, people praised them highly, utterly delighted. Only... only the Sugar Ginger Slices, they were somewhat lacking. That stuff is cheap and doesn’t sell for much, also its spicy flavor isn’t liked by everyone. A few restaurant owners I know well kept complaining to me, saying that the batch of Sugar Ginger Slices from the last two months hasn’t sold well, so we really shouldn’t make those anymore!"

Hua Xiaomai nodded lightly, having anticipated this situation.

She had considered that it was springtime, a season when it is easy to catch colds, and eating spicy foods like the Sugar Ginger Slices could whet the appetite and also help with coughing and induce sweating to expel pathogens, which would be beneficial to people’s health.

However, ginger itself is not liked by everyone, not even by her. If even she didn’t like to eat something, how could she expect others to cherish it? No matter its health benefits, restaurants are not clinics or pharmacies. After all, everyone who walks in is there to satisfy their hunger, why would they enjoy eating something they didn’t like?

Thinking this, she smiled apologetically at Pan Ping’an, "Uncle Ping’an, indeed, I wasn’t thorough in my thinking. From now on, I’ll stop making the Sugar Ginger Slices. You mentioned earlier the restaurants you know still have a lot of unsold Sugar Ginger Slices, how much is left? Otherwise, I’ll cover the costs to prevent your loss."

Pan Ping’an probably didn’t expect her to say that and his eyes lit up, "Really, you’re willing... to cover the costs?"

"Would I lie to you? Of course it’s true." Hua Xiaomai smiled softly.

"Well..." Pan Ping’an was about to agree instinctively when suddenly he heard a robust cough. He looked up and saw that next door’s Grandpa Pan had somehow climbed up to the courtyard wall and was staring straight at him, his expression not only threatening but practically oozing murderous intent.

"No need, no need. Haven’t I mentioned? The Sugar Ginger Slices are hardly worth anything, just a few copper coins. How could I ask you to pay for that? We’re in this business together, I couldn’t possibly be so uncool. Let’s... let’s just forget about this matter!" Pan Ping’an quickly changed his tune, and still feeling uneasy, glanced up at the wall again.