Chef Hua
Chapter 184: Stay away from her in episode 116

Chapter 184: Stay away from her in episode 116

Chun Xi, upon receiving Hua Xiaomai’s entrusted task, grabbed La Mei’s hand excitedly and hurried out, as if she couldn’t wait a moment longer, ready to embark on a grand venture right away.

After sending the two off with Hua Erniang, Hua Xiaomai too turned around and headed back to the kitchen, lifted the lid of the pot that was stewing chicken soup, took a peek inside, and sprinkled some salt in. Inevitably, she began to prattle on to Luo Yuejiao about how to make the chicken soup taste the best.

Hua Erniang paced around the courtyard several times, her heart still unsettled. In just a few steps she reached the kitchen doorway, casually leaning on the doorframe, looking around aimlessly. Eventually, she lifted her head and softly called out, "Hua Xiaosan."

"I’ve told you hundreds of times not to call me ’Xiaosan’; why don’t you listen, Second Sister?" Hua Xiaomai turned around, helpless, and gave Yuejiao, who was covering her mouth to stifle a laugh, a nudge with her mouth, "Yuejiao is here, can you give me some face? Do you really need me to nag all day? Your ears might not be bothered, but I’m tired of talking!"

Hua Erniang waved her hand generously, "Right now, don’t pick on me. Anyway, Yuejiao isn’t an outsider, is she going to laugh at you? I’m saying..."

"Hey, she said you’re not an outsider!" Hua Xiaomai cut her off mid-sentence, elbowing Luo Yuejiao teasingly and giving her a conspiratorial wink.

Luo Yuejiao laughed softly, about to respond, when suddenly a gust of wind blew by her ears, and within moments, Hua Xiaomai was lifted by the ear by Hua Erniang.

"I’m talking about serious matters, don’t joke with me! Those damned words we heard last night at the old house, you shouldn’t take them to heart. In Fire Knife Village, there’s no shortage of jealous villains; seeing your stand doing brisk business, raking in money by the handful, jealousy’s already seeping in their hearts and eyes. If you feel uncomfortable because they talked about you, that would be playing right into their hands!"

"Did I ever get angry?" Hua Xiaomai pulled at Hua Erniang’s hand, squinted her eyes, and smiled at her, "I just want to find the person who’s been spreading those rumors and drag them out. They’re maligning me behind my back; I can’t let them off easy, can I?"

"What are you planning to do?" Hua Erniang held her wrist nervously, her palm sweating slightly, "How can I help you? My reputation as the ’Tyrant of Fire Knife Village’ didn’t come from nowhere. If we really catch that person, I’ll have to teach them a lesson!"

"Mmm... I haven’t thought it through yet." Hua Xiaomai shrugged, spoke carelessly, and turned to finely chop the half-fat half-lean pork on the cutting board.

"If you ask me..." Luo Yuejiao looked at Hua Xiaomai, then at Hua Erniang, scratching her chin timidly, and said softly, "If you ask me, maybe Xiaomai shouldn’t set up her stand tonight. There are some gossipy people in the village who say really annoying things. Even if you don’t care, it’s still uncomfortable to hear, so it might be better not to..."

"Why should we!" Hua Xiaomai and Hua Erniang interrupted her in unison.

"There’s no reason for me to take the blame for something I didn’t do. I’m not afraid of my shadow being crooked if I’m standing straight; why should I hide?"

"Exactly!" Hua Erniang added, "If we don’t set up our stand, we’ll appear guilty, wouldn’t that give people even more to talk about? Our little sister operates in the open with nothing to hide; why should we fear them? We can’t stop people from gossiping, but every coin we earn honestly from our business goes straight into our pockets. If we’d be dissuaded by a few words from others and no longer wish to earn money, that would be truly foolish!"

Hua Xiaomai, feeling the sentiment deeply, kept nodding in agreement. Luo Yuejiao, having nothing to argue, could only sigh quietly to herself.

You two truly are sisters...

As dusk approached, and it was just about to get dark, Hua Xiaomai set up her stand by the river, as usual.

Hua Erniang had intended to go with her, but fearing her fiery temperament could lead to an argument after a few words, Hua Xiaomai firmly stopped her and dragged Luo Yuejiao out to push the cart with their stall supplies.

Leaving the Jing family’s courtyard and walking a short distance, the two girls casually looked up, only to see a figure standing not far ahead.

Meng Yuhuai was wearing a blue-gray robe, standing under an osmanthus tree, slightly lifting his chin, looking in their direction.

It was the season when osmanthus flowers bloomed. A breeze passed, and fluffy purple-pink petals fell upon his shoulder. Already tall, he stood out among the passing farmers hurrying home, making him quite eye-catching. Hua Xiaomai paused for a moment, then walked over, "Big Brother Meng, what are you doing here?"