Chef Hua
Chapter 159: Episode 103 Trouble Has Begun_2

Chapter 159: Episode 103 Trouble Has Begun_2

"It turns out they are from Antai Garden, no wonder they are so extravagant!"

"Ah, Pan Ping’an has really hit a snag this time! Messing with Antai Garden, he can only bite off more than he can chew, can’t he?"

Shopkeeper Zhu, wearing a smug expression, waited unhurriedly until everyone had discussed enough before continuing, "In these past two or three months, your village’s Pan Ping’an, I don’t know where he got a batch of sauces from, that even five or six restaurants in the city no longer patronize our business. As far as I know, there are also several well-known taverns that are also on hold. Antai Garden does big business, naturally it won’t care about a few small restaurants, but our master cannot help feeling he has lost face, so he sent me to come and talk to that Pan Ping’an and the family making the sauces."

Despite his unreasonable words, Hua Xiaomai, prepared in her mind, did not feel much, but Qiao Xiong by her side was infuriated, chuckled lightly, and said, "I don’t understand what you’re saying. The taverns and restaurants should choose whichever sauces they want, that should be up to them, what does it have to do with your Antai Garden? A willing buyer and a willing seller, it’s only natural. Pan Ping’an... where did he go wrong?"

"Ha." Shopkeeper Zhu glanced at his face, his eyelids flipped and the corner of his mouth twitched, contemptuously said, "Talking to you bumpkins really is laborious, do you not understand? He broke the rules."

"What rules?" Qiao Xiong, chin raised, his hands under the table already clenched.

"Antai Garden’s word is the rule!" Shopkeeper Zhu snorted contemptuously, tapped lightly yet meaningfully on the table, "If you want to do the sauce business in Provincial City, you ought to consult Antai Garden first. Our boss is generous and kind, naturally, he will support fully. Pan Ping’an didn’t even say a word, just went ahead and stole the business, isn’t that breaking the rules, then what is it?"

Support? Ha, perhaps the so-called "support" is just having your renowned Antai Garden take it for themselves, not to mention you might even require a certain profit monthly to ensure their own safety. To say such things, truly sickening!

Hua Xiaomai kept telling herself to stay calm repeatedly, yet she still could barely restrain herself, immediately wanting to step forward and dispute with Shopkeeper Zhu. However, she had just moved her foot when the hem of her garment was already tugged, turning her head, she saw Luo Yuejiao frowning tightly, desperately signaling with her eyes.

"Sister Xiaomai," Luo Yuejiao whispered very softly, tremblingly said, "don’t be impulsive, now they only recognize Uncle Ping’an, not you, why should you come forward and attract trouble?"

So what if they don’t recognize her now? Fire Knife Village only had a few hundred households, if Shopkeeper Zhu intended to inquire about someone, wouldn’t it be as easy as turning over his hand?

As if echoing Hua Xiaomai’s thoughts, the fat man looked arrogantly around at the diners beside the table, suddenly pulled out a piece of broken silver weighing about an ounce from his bosom, and gently placed it on the table, emitting a "clack" sound.

"If anyone is willing to tell me where Pan Ping’an lives and who made that sauce, this piece of silver, I will immediately give it as a thank-you gift to him." He sneered, "You better understand, even if you all refuse to betray a villager, by tomorrow, I can still have the matter thoroughly investigated. This silver is taken out merely to let you enjoy a couple of good days, opportunities come and go quickly, you’d better grasp it well."

The words clearly carried an intent to insult, but with a whole piece of silver at stake, apart from Qiao Xiong who was well-off, how could anyone else not be tempted? Someone was about to stand up and speak, but fortunately, they were glared back into silence by Qiao Xiong.

Shopkeeper Zhu waited a while and, seeing that no one else spoke up, his face turned frosty. With a huff, he stood up, swept his sleeves, and addressed Hua Xiaomai: "Since everyone’s lips are sealed so tight, young lady, this piece of silver is yours. You make good noodles; I’ll come back for more tomorrow."

Having said that, he led the three men around and walked away, soon treading the village path and disappearing into the distance.

The diners, who had been sitting properly at the table just a moment ago, immediately crowded around, led by Qiao Xiong. Each of them furrowed their brows and whispered, "Xiaomai girl, what do you think we should do about this? This man is so wealthy and imposing. We managed to resist his money today, but not everyone in the village may feel the same. If he really goes to your house... Sigh, even though you haven’t done anything wrong, these people clearly aren’t reasonable!"

Hua Xiaomai bit her lip as she looked down.

If only she knew what to do! Who could have thought that just making sauce could lead to such trouble?

After a moment of silence, she looked up and smiled at everyone: "Regardless, thank you all for not selling me out today. Take this piece of silver and share it amongst yourselves. It wasn’t really my money to start with, but consider it a small token of my gratitude, and please don’t mind that it’s not much."

Upon hearing this, the eyes of the crowd gleamed, except for Qiao Xiong who solemnly said, "If you give this piece of silver to everyone, won’t the transaction just now have been in vain? Those four had quite a feast!"

"No worries, I can afford this loss." Hua Xiaomai gratefully glanced at him, "Everyone kept silent just now to protect me. You’re right, these things can’t be concealed anyway. Don’t feel too troubled about it."

Qiao Xiong felt even more uncomfortable, pulled a handful of Copper Coins from his pocket, tossed them onto the table without counting, and grunted "I don’t want it" before storming off. The others, still a bit bewildered, eventually exchanged the piece of silver for Copper Coins, divided it equally among themselves after paying for the noodles, and happily went on their way.

Hua Xiaomai lost the heart to continue her stall, hastily packed up with Luo Yuejiao, and listlessly returned to the Jing Family’s courtyard.

She knew she couldn’t keep this a secret. By tomorrow, the whole village would know. So as soon as she got home, she told everything to Mother Hua and Jing Taihe from start to finish. As soon as Mother Hua heard it, she flew into a rage, unable to contain herself, and was about to rush out the door.

"Damn it, I’m going to find Pan Ping’an!" (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation ticket and monthly ticket, Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)