Chef Hua
Chapter 167: Episode 107 Redistribution of Interests (Part 1) (Second Update) 2

Chapter 167: Episode 107 Redistribution of Interests (Part 1) (Second Update) 2

He glanced at Pan Ping’an and hurriedly added another sentence, "Ah, and you, Brother Ping’an, you don’t have to be afraid, it’s all just a misunderstanding!"

"So... can I continue to sell sauce in the Provincial City?" Hua Xiaomai pursed her lips, her expression a mix of a smile and a non-smile.

Shopkeeper Zhu inwardly groaned, thinking to himself how could I, a mere shopkeeper, make such decisions without asking the owner first? However, on the surface, he had no choice but to force a smile and agree wholeheartedly, "Hehe, of course, of course, the sauce made by the young lady is just this!" He gave a thumbs up and gestured twice.

"Then, thank you very much." Hua Xiaomai finally nodded in satisfaction, pointing to the door, "It’s getting late, please feel free to leave, I won’t see you out."

Shopkeeper Zhu had nothing more to say, humming and hawing as he quickly led the three out of the Jing Family’s small courtyard and directly to the inn to the east of the village. Hua Xiaomai let out a long sigh from deep within her chest, turned her head toward Meng Yuhuai and the others from the Escort Agency, and smiled, "Big brother Meng and everyone, thank you so much for your help today. If it weren’t for you protecting our family here, I really don’t know how bad the situation could have gotten. But I’m not sure how we should settle the expenses?"

Meng Yuhuai opened his mouth to reply, but Dazhong from the side had already jumped in, chuckling, "Sister Xiaomai, you speak as if we’re strangers. We’ve known each other for so long and are practically old friends! In the end, we didn’t really do much, didn’t even touch a single finger of the other party, how could we accept your money? Um...hehe, if you really want to thank us, why not cook us a couple of good dishes for us brothers to feast on? Every time I eat your cooking, I dream about it for days!"

"What’s the difficulty in that?" laughed Hua Xiaomai, "Even if you hadn’t mentioned it, I would have prepared a table of food to thank you guys; but one thing is for one item, the reward that should be given must not be reduced by a penny. If you refuse to accept it, I won’t feel comfortable asking for your help in the future should I encounter any problems!"

Dazhong, tongue-tied, did not know how to respond and scratched the back of his head as he stepped aside. Meng Yuhuai thought for a moment, then nodded and said to Hua Xiaomai, "There’s no need to rush this matter, let me return and ask Uncle Ke how we should handle the reward, and then we can settle up with you."

"But aren’t you resting at home these days?" Hua Xiaomai glanced at him with a puzzled look.

"What of it?" Meng Yuhuai smiled lightly, "You don’t think the entire Lianshun Escort Agency is waiting on these few rewards to support ourselves, do you? A delay of a few days won’t matter, I suppose Uncle Ke won’t mind either."

After saying this, he no longer paid attention to Hua Xiaomai and turned his head toward Jing Taihe to nod, "Since this matter is resolved, we shall leave first. If you encounter anything similar in the future, be sure to tell me quickly. We grew up together; if you hesitate too much, it’ll be as if you don’t consider me a brother. Not just me, even the Great Saint wouldn’t agree to that, remember?"

Jing Taihe felt touched and didn’t know what to say; he could only nod repeatedly in agreement. Over there, Hua Xiaomai clapped her hands and laughed, speaking to Dazhong, "Then don’t rush back to the County tonight; I won’t go to the riverside stall, and I’ll cook a table full of good dishes waiting for you guys to come and eat!"

Dazhong, overtaken with joy, scratched his ears and grinned continuously in agreement. They exchanged a few more pleasantries with Jing Taihe, then finally took their leave, while the always silent Pan Ping’an till sat slumped under the tree, glancing over now and then.

Hua Erniang was annoyed by his shady handling of the matter, not even giving him a proper look, she walked away into the main room, Jing Taihe smiled generously and mentioned that he would go to the blacksmith shop to take a look, and also turned to leave, leaving only Hua Xiaomai and Pan Ping’an in the courtyard.

Hua Xiaomai was sure that he had something to say, so she was not in a hurry, busying herself with taking the teacups and the plate of broad beans and sunflower seeds back into the kitchen. When she came back out, as expected, Pan Ping’an had stood up, staring straight at her.

She pretended not to notice and started to open and check the sauce jars one by one around the courtyard. Just as she reached the third large jar, Pan Ping’an came over hesitantly, calling softly from behind her, "Xiaomai girl, that..."

"What’s the matter, Uncle Ping’an?" Hua Xiaomai turned around and smiled at Pan Ping’an. In a pleasant tone, she said, "Shopkeeper Zhu has already left, you need not worry too much. I see you look unwell, why not head back for some rest? Tonight, I’m inviting Meng Family’s elder brothers for dinner, if you don’t mind, you and Grandpa Pan and Grandma can join us as well. It’s just a simple meal, but it’s warmer and more lively when more people join."

"Ah," Pan Ping’an replied, lifting his head, his gaze quickly flitted across her face as he stammered, "Little Xiaomai girl... that...the business of selling sauces, are we still in it?"

Hua Xiaomai smiled and looked down, not directly answering his question, instead she asked, "What do you think, Uncle Ping’an?"

"That... didn’t Shopkeeper Zhu just say? He won’t trouble us over this matter in the future. Since that’s the case, why should we not make this money?" Pan Ping’an’s voice was as thin as a mosquito’s buzz, he cautiously added, "But earlier, I heard you say that the owner of Taoyuan House in Provincial City wants to hire you as head chef. If that happens, how will you have the time to deal with this sauce business?"

"That’s my own matter, there’s no need for you to worry, Uncle Ping’an," Hua Xiaomai maintained her smile, continued in a calm and composed manner, "Frankly, I make sauces just to earn a little extra money. With this ready opportunity in front of me, if I were to hesitate, wouldn’t I be foolish? But..."

Hua Erniang already had quite an unfavorable opinion of Pan Ping’an, sitting angrily in the main room. Suddenly hearing Hua Xiaomai speak this way, a surge of fury rushed to her head. She grabbed a rolling pin from the kitchen and leaped into the courtyard, angrily saying, "Hua Xiaosan, has your brain been pecked by the chickens we raise? We were almost ruined by his scam, how can you still not learn your lesson? Let’s not even talk about relying on the little money from selling sauces to make a living. Even if we were to pursue this business, we cannot partner with such an unscrupulous person!"

After speaking, she turned towards Pan Ping’an, angrily saying, "Uncle Ping’an, don’t take my words disrespectfully, but you know what you’ve done! My sister is naive and can be easily fooled by a few words, but I’m not so easily tricked! This matter ends here, no room for discussion!"

Her rolling pin swung fiercely through the air, making a whooshing sound. Pan Ping’an, a bit scared, kept retreating, desperately waving his hands, yet he found no words to defend himself. Hua Xiaomai quickly grabbed Hua Erniang’s arm, smiling and said, "Second sister has such a temperament, I haven’t even spoken my piece yet, what are you so anxious about? Let me finish speaking, and if you still feel it’s inappropriate, it won’t be too late to use this stick then!"

Hua Erniang, not truly wanting to hit her, pouted and turned her head to the side huffily. Hua Xiaomai gently patted her back, then turned to Pan Ping’an and said, "Uncle Ping’an, it’s not that we can’t continue with this business, but there are some things I want to put straight first. What to do from now on and how the profits should be split will probably need some new rules." (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to support by casting recommendation tickets and monthly tickets at Qidian (qidian.com). Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to continue reading.)