Chef Hua
Chapter 180: Episode 114 Rumors

Chapter 180: Episode 114 Rumors

Ah, Jing old man actually took the initiative to invite her to the old residence for a meal, this truly is the first time ever!

Could it be he saw how her business was booming lately and wanted a share of the profits? But... didn’t Jing old lady come by the other day to ask her to make fish soup, and successfully talked Jing Taihe into increasing the money given back to the old residence to five hundred wen per month? How come...

Or could it be that the old couple finally felt guilty and thought their previous attitude toward Hua Xiaomai had been improper, so they specifically invited her to have a meal to mend the relationship?

... Regardless of how likely that scenario was, just looking at Jing old man’s face gloomy enough to rain didn’t seem to suggest that!

Jing Family’s old lady was getting on in years, spending her days eating and sleeping, with both Jing old man and Jing old lady in charge of family matters—so, what exactly did these two want?

"Returning to the old residence," a matter most detested by Hua Second Lady. Hearing Jing old man put it that way, she immediately felt displeased, flinging the handkerchief in her hand onto the table and muttering, "It’s neither New Year’s nor a festival, why such a formal dinner? I’m busy at home, certainly not as idle as you all day long!"

Jing old man instantly glared with round eyes and bellowed angrily, "What kind of attitude is that? I am your father-in-law, how did your parents teach you to talk to your elders?"

"Huh?" Hua Second Lady lifted her chin and sneered, "My parents died early, too soon to teach me! I treat others as they treat me, and from the second day I entered this house, this has been my attitude, so what can you do about it?!"

"You!" Jing old man was so enraged he almost fell backwards, but couldn’t swallow his pride to argue with his daughter-in-law, the air he snorted from his nostrils caused his beard to tremble uncontrollably, and he couldn’t utter a single word for a long while.

Seeing the two of them on the verge of another fight about to erupt, Hua Xiaomai felt a shiver in her heart, hurriedly stepped forward, pinching Hua Second Lady’s hand while talking to Jing old man with a forced smile, "Uncle, you know I set up my stall by the riverside every evening, and I really can’t spare the time. I’ll make a couple of dishes later, and when my brother-in-law and sister return to the old residence, they can take it back with them; please also try my cooking."

Jing Taihe was the Jing family’s only legitimate descendant; visiting his parents was his undoubted duty, and Hua Second Lady, as his wife, had no excuse to refuse. What about her? She was just a poor relative from another place who had come to seek refuge, no need for her to get involved as well, right?

"You sure know how to dodge!" Hua Second Lady hissed in Hua Xiaomai’s ear, rolling her eyes at Jing old man and saying resentfully, "If you have something to say, just go to the blacksmith shop to find Taihe, you two can close the door and talk all you want, I don’t need to..."

"Just because it’s a dinner, you all act so reluctant and dissatisfied?" Jing old man blew his beard and glared, his face turning iron blue as he scolded, "Don’t babble here, it’s settled then. If you don’t come tonight, I will grab your mother and we’ll both come here to catch you, you can’t escape the temple if you run!"

He paused for breath and then said to Hua Xiaomai, "Missing one day at your stall, what’s it worth? It’s not like if you don’t earn money tonight, you’ll starve tomorrow! When I say come with them, just agree, and don’t drag up all those messy excuses; I won’t believe any of them!"

Saying that, he actually turned and left with a wave of his sleeve, soon disappearing into the distance.

Really... not even giving a chance to refuse!

Previously, Jing old couple wouldn’t even give her a second glance, and today, why on earth are they so insistent on dragging her along to eat at the old residence, even showing a terrifying attitude of "You dare not come, and you will pay"?

No, no, no, something’s not right here!

The old residence is so close to the blacksmith shop, Jing old man could have easily gone there to notify Jing Taihe, why run all the way to the small Jing courtyard instead?

Could it be... tonight’s dinner is aimed at her?

But, she hadn’t done anything to incur heaven’s wrath or people’s resentment!

Hua Xiaomai felt a throbbing headache, her face contorted as she looked to Hua Second Lady: "Second sister, what do you think Jing old man and old lady mean? Why do I feel so uneasy?"

"Don’t ask me, where would I know?" Hua Second Lady glared at her with a huff, "You ungrateful thing, I’m telling you now, if trouble finds you tonight, don’t expect me to help you!"