Chef Hua
Chapter 179: Episode 113 You Come Too_2

Chapter 179: Episode 113 You Come Too_2

"Have you never thought of buying a shop?" Master Tan could hardly contain himself, taking another step forward, with, surprisingly, a glimmer of expectation in his eyes.

...Was it all for this?

Hua Xiaomai was taken aback, looked him up and down again without responding and asked with a slight frown, "You’re not thinking of selling off this premises, are you? If so, why not just sell it directly to Mr. Huang earlier? He seemed wealthy, so money shouldn’t be an issue for him, he probably wouldn’t haggle much over the price... but this little wine shop is, after all, your family heritage, can you really bear to part with it?"

What a joke! If this man had originally intended to sell the shop, then why did she go through all that trouble earlier, possibly even offending Mr. Huang, what was it all for?

Master Tan gave a bitter smile and lowered his head, "Ah, girl, I won’t lie to you, this little wine shop has never done well since it came into my hands. At first, I thought maybe it was because I lacked experience, but as time went on, I gradually realized that I’m simply not cut out for this. Rather than letting the shop fail under my ownership, I’d rather sell it to someone competent, that way I would feel somewhat better."

"Then why didn’t you sell it to Mr. Huang?" Hua Xiaomai asked, perplexed, "Doesn’t he already run Dongchang Pavilion? According to what the passersby were saying earlier, while his restaurant isn’t as booming as Chunfeng Restaurant, his business is still quite good. Why wouldn’t you..."

Master Tan smiled but didn’t speak, burying his head even lower.

Everyone has their difficulties in life; Hua Xiaomai didn’t feel the need to pry until she knew every detail. Seeing his demeanor, she smiled and said, "If you don’t wish to say, then let it be. Don’t trouble yourself. However, I don’t have much money on hand, I can’t afford your shop, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed."

"It’s alright," Master Tan forced a smile at her, "I still have half a year’s time, perhaps with the grace of Heaven, the business might just improve. You are a capable person, even if things are tight right now, it won’t take long for your days to get better. When that time comes, if you want to buy a shop, remember to come and have a look here. As long as I still own this place, I promise to sell it to you at a low price, without making an extra penny off of you."

"Alright," Hua Xiaomai didn’t bother to prolong the conversation, quickly agreed, and after bidding him farewell, along with Second Lady Hua, she indeed went to Sun’s Wine Workshop in the east of the city and managed to get a cartload of wine at a very favorable price for the village.

On the way back, Wen Huaren unexpectedly stuck with them every step of the journey, claiming that the wine was too heavy and that as a man, he naturally should help. With much persuasion, he took over the handcart and accompanied the two women back to Fire Knife Village.

...

Five days later, Pan Ping’an, reluctant but with no other option, brought back a cart full of freshly prepared assorted candied fruits and sauces to the Provincial City. Each of his departures also meant a little extra earnings for Hua Xiaomai. Second Lady Hua happily secured the money in the eastern room, still dividing it into two parts, carefully placing one bundle into that exquisite box.

The chili flowers in the backyard gradually withered, and within a few days, a few small green fruits peeked out from beneath the leaves, signaling that in likely less than a month, it would be time to harvest.

The days of enjoying fresh, delicious chili were just around the corner, and Hua Xiaomai was naturally overjoyed, becoming even more energetic in her business. She added two kinds of refreshing and craving-satisfying mung bean jelly and rice cakes to her stall. On a summer night, a bowl of these could seemingly make all the heat dissipate instantly. Naturally, the customers who came for a snack couldn’t stop singing her praises.

Ever since they experienced the "Three-flavor Chicken" competition together, Wen Huaren felt he had grown much closer to Hua Xiaomai. Tired of reading at night, he would simply step out, stroll to the vicinity of her stall, and strike up a conversation with Hua Xiaomai, showing off a few lines of his pedantic poetry.

Hua Xiaomai had previously had a dispute with Scholar Wen over paying too little for her food, but as they interacted more, she gradually realized that although he was somewhat pedantic, he wasn’t the type to deliberately take advantage. Her opinion of him improved, and she naturally refrained from mocking him in her words. Sometimes, when she saw him wander out from his house to her stall, eyeing the other customers eating with envy, she would even offer him some light bites. At least, it prevented him from having to study on an empty stomach.

The weather grew hotter each day, so much so that by the afternoon, the leaves of the trees planted along the village pathways curled up from the baking sun, emitting a scent of dry freshness, while the cicadas screamed as if they were about to be scorched to death.

When summer arrived, Hua Xiaomai felt somewhat lazy, rarely willing to go out during the day; she preferred to lounge either in the main hall or her own room. To alleviate some of the heat, her mother, Hua Erniang, placed a basin of refreshingly cool well water in the room. Each night before bed, she would meticulously wipe down the bamboo mat with a cool cloth. Despite this, spending just a short while in the room still felt like being cooked in a hot pot, truly unbearable.

That afternoon, Hua Xiaomai was struck by laziness again, half-propped on the table in the main hall, calling out to Hua Erniang listlessly.

"Erjie—" she drawled lazily, "do we still have some green plums left at home? Could you trouble yourself to stew some with sugar for me to drink? I’m really about to die from the heat..."

"As if you’re the only one who’s suffering, I’m not hot? Now you’re ordering me around!" Hua Erniang hurried in from the yard, glaring fiercely at her, but her feet didn’t stop for a second as she approached and poked Hua Xiaomai’s forehead, then turned toward the kitchen.

Just then, a knock sounded at the yard gate. Before Hua Erniang could step out, Old Man Jing had already sauntered into the yard with a loud step.

What was he running over for? Hua Xiaomai, seeing the visitor from afar in the main hall, straightened up instantly, and after a moment’s thought, she dashed out and greeted Old Man Jing with a grin, "Uncle, why are you here? Come inside and sit; it’s too hot outside."

"Is Taihe not at home?" Old Man Jing’s expression seemed a bit off as he uttered this rhetorical question. His gaze swept over Hua Xiaomai’s face, darkening a shade, "I won’t come in. Where’s your elder sister?"

Before the words were finished, Hua Erniang had rushed out from the kitchen, her face falling, and looked at her father with annoyance: "What is it?"

"...you both haven’t visited the old house for quite a while, so come back with me for dinner tonight." Old Man Jing dropped this line, took another glance at Hua Xiaomai, and added, "You come as well." (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation ticket, monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)