Chef Hua
Chapter 183: Episode 115: Who on Earth Is It_2

Chapter 183: Episode 115: Who on Earth Is It_2

"Auntie," Hua Xiaomai took a deep breath and flashed a smile at Elder Jing, "I have absolutely nothing to do with Scholar Wen. If I really must say, it’s only because his residence is close to the riverbank. When I make too much noodles or vegetables at my stall, I would give him some. Beyond that, there’s nothing else. I don’t know how these rumors got started..."

Elder Jing stared at her intently, obviously not convinced, and said with a sneer, "Oh, why bother denying it? That Scholar Wen, educated as he may be, is currently down on his luck, but he used to have quite a reputation here in our village! His parents passed away early, and your parents have also been gone for a few years now. Isn’t this just perfect..."

She was about to say "Isn’t this just a case of a perfect match," but the fierce glint in Hua Erniang’s eyes made her heart falter, and she quickly changed her tune: "Isn’t this just heaven-made match? He’s set on pursuing an official career. If you marry him and someday he succeeds in the imperial examinations, wouldn’t you be a proper madame? My, my, this really is an opportunity many can only dream of!"

Hua Xiaomai didn’t have the patience to listen to her ramble on and on. She closed her eyes, her smile carrying a bit more of a grinding-teeth undertone: "Auntie, there’s really no connection between him and me. Since we are relatives, why would I deceive you? Just tell me where you heard these rumors from."

Elder Jing actually did lower her head and ponder for a moment, scratching her scalp as if in significant distress: "How could I possibly remember clearly? Everyone in the village is talking about it. I just joined in because it was lively, and listened in a bit. As for who started it, I really can’t say. Still, you’re out there at your stall by the river every day, how could you not know anything?"

Hua Xiaomai shook her head with a wry smile.

Forget about the mostly male clientele at her stall who didn’t care to gab about such gossip, even if the village girls or young wives occasionally came by, why would they discuss these things in front of her? The rumors had been circulating for three or five days, and yet she, the person directly involved, was the last one to know. What a farce!

Meanwhile, Elder Jing continued to prattle on: "Tsk, why even inquire about such things? If you ask me, you should hurry up and settle things with that Scholar Wen. The villagers will naturally have nothing to say. Otherwise..."

She went on and on with her nonsense, yet when it came to the crux of the matter, she was utterly useless. Hua Xiaomai, growing impatient, decided not to bother with her at all and abruptly turned to run outside.

Hua Erniang, fearing her sister might do something rash in the heat of the moment, no longer cared to argue with Elder Jing. She grabbed Jing Taihe and hurriedly followed Hua Xiaomai, heading straight home.

...

The Jing family’s courtyard was particularly quiet that evening; Hua Xiaomai went back to her room to sleep early since she hadn’t gone to set up her stall. Hua Erniang and Jing Taihe lay head-to-head on the bed in the east room, sighing deeply from time to time. They worried that rumors could be crushing, feared how they might affect Hua Xiaomai’s mood, and fretted that suitors might get cold feet because of the scandal, tossing and turning restlessly all night.

The next morning, Hua Erniang headed out immediately. Not long after, she dragged Chun Xi and La Mei back to the Jing family’s courtyard.

At that time, Hua Xiaomai and Luo Yuejiao were preparing vegetables for the evening’s stall. Hua Erniang peered cautiously into the kitchen, and, with her voice at a bare whisper, and a stern look on her face, said, "We’ve always had a good relationship. With such rumors spreading in the village, why did you keep it from me? What exactly is going on here? Tell me everything from start to finish."

Chun Xi glanced at La Mei, licked her lips and said with a pained expression, "With such things, once they spread, they can damage a girl’s reputation. Everyone in the village is talking, and I don’t know the truth of it – how dare I rashly come to tell you? I heard that Xiaomai and that Scholar Wen, not only acting intimate in the village but even going to the County, walking down the street hand in hand... The person who told the story was so convincing that it was hard not to believe them!"

Hua Xiaomai, in the kitchen, heard every word Chun Xi said, and couldn’t help but furrow her brows.

They said she walked hand in hand with Scholar Wen in the County? That day, when she ran into Wen Huaren in front of the tavern and he pulled her to help out with Master Tan’s favor, indeed he seemed to have grabbed her hand at some point, and she scolded him along with Hua Erniang. Wen Huaren said that many people from Fire Knife Village had also gone to the County that day, but she didn’t recall seeing any familiar faces in the crowd. What in the world was going on?

"Xiaomai sister..." Luo Yuejiao stole glances at Hua Xiaomai’s expression, timidly tugging at her sleeve, "Don’t be angry. People in the village are like that; they’ll talk for a couple of days and then gradually forget about it. Just ignore them, please don’t take it to heart..."

Hua Xiaomai turned and gave her a smile, thought for a moment, put down what she was holding, and walked into the courtyard, calling out to Chun Xi, "Sister-in-law, I have a favor to ask of you."

Chun Xi had been enthusiastically chatting with Hua Erniang and La Mei and was momentarily taken aback to see Hua Xiaomai suddenly step out, hurriedly saying with a smile, "Hey, let’s not talk about asking. If you need something, just say it. As long as I can do it, no second words!"

"Then I won’t hold back," said Hua Xiaomai, pursing her lips, "Sister-in-law Chun Xi, could you help me find out who actually started this rumor?"

Chun Xi, not missing a beat and slapping her thigh, nodded vigorously, "You want to know that? No problem! Not to brag, but when it comes to the people and affairs of Fire Knife Village, there’s nothing I can’t find out! Rest assured, by tomorrow morning at the latest, I’ll drag the person responsible right to you. Whether it’s to scold or to punish, it’s all up to you!"

(To be continued. If you like this story, please visit Qidian ( qidian.com ) to cast your recommendation ticket and monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com .)