Chef Hua
Chapter 186: Episode 117 Colluding with Wolves

Chapter 186: Episode 117 Colluding with Wolves

Out of nowhere came a Cheng Yaojin; Wen Huaren was lifted into the air and thrown aside. He almost lost his footing and nearly sat on the ground, but he quickly steadied himself and looked at Meng Yuhuai with a pained expression. "Meng Yuhuai, why are you doing this? Otherwise, how can this matter be resolved? I...I also feel wronged!"

When Hua Xiaomai heard this, she became even more upset.

You feel wronged? Where exactly am I lacking to deserve your disdain?

She immediately jumped up and rushed over, planning to punch the scholar before saying anything else. Meng Yuhuai quickly signaled to Luo Yuejiao to firmly hold back Hua Xiaomai, then he turned around and glanced lightly at Wen Huaren: "Don’t let me say the same thing a second time."

Although he was usually a man of few words, he was mostly gentle and polite to the villagers and rarely showed such a severe expression. Scholar Wen, swept by his sharp gaze, shuddered in his shoulders like he had been stabbed, his mouth drooping sadly as he muttered quietly, "I am a victim too..."

"Don’t say more, just remember what I said earlier." Meng Yuhuai ignored him completely, turned around, and moved the heavy charcoal stove onto the cart, then nodded at Hua Xiaomai, "You should also hurry back home."

The real lover of meddling! Hua Xiaomai muttered to herself, secretly glancing at Meng Yuhuai’s gloomy face, which looked like it was about to rain. Unexpectedly, the words "big vinegar pot" popped into her mind, and she couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

"Tsk!" Meng Yuhuai immediately turned back at the sound, his eyebrows slightly knitted, giving her an unhappy look.

"All right, all right, I’m going home now." Hua Xiaomai quickly waved her hands at him and pushed the cart, taking off, but not even two steps later, the man behind called out to her again.

"I’ve rested at home for quite a while and plan to return to the Escort Agency in a few days." Meng Yuhuai seemed slightly uncomfortable, speaking while his eyes gazed across the river to the dark expanse, not knowing what he could see there, "If you need anything, just come to the Escort Agency to find me." Thinking it over, he added, "If you can’t make it, sending Taihe to find me works too."

Hua Xiaomai nodded and thought for a moment, then raised her eyebrows, "How many more days do you plan to stay in the village? The chilis are about to ripen, soon ready to eat. Since you helped me get the seeds, I’d like you to have the first taste, guaranteeing you’ll find them excellent."

"Then I’ll... stay another three to five days?" Meng Yuhuai weighed his words and threw out the question.

"That should be about right." Hua Xiaomai laughed out, "In that case, on the day the chilis ripen, I’ll have my brother-in-law invite you over for dinner as a thank you."

"That works." Meng Yuhuai agreed readily, and Hua Xiaomai smiled at him, turned around, and walked off with Luo Yuejiao to the west end of the village.

The night passed without incident; early the next morning, Luo Yuejiao still showed up early, and as soon as she stepped into the Jing Family’s small courtyard, she immediately pulled Hua Xiaomai to the back of the house.

"Sister Xiaomai, right after my sister-in-law left your house yesterday, she hastened to the village to inquire on your behalf." She lowered her voice, speaking mysteriously, "From yesterday afternoon to this morning, there hasn’t been a moment of rest, so busy! Last night, after we closed the stall and went home, I quietly asked her, and it seems she already has some clues. Before noon today, she will definitely bring the perpetrator to you. Make sure you’re ready to confront them forcefully and reasonably, you can’t afford to be at a disadvantage!"

"So soon?" Hua Xiaomai was a little surprised. Chun Xi and La Mei’s efficiency was indeed remarkable!

"Of course!" Luo Yuejiao boasted proudly, twisting her neck, "I can’t guarantee other things, but when it comes to investigating these local gossips, if my sister-in-law claims second place, absolutely no one dares claim first. Anything that happens in Fire Knife Village, there’s nothing she can’t find out. Just relax completely; instead of worrying, you might as well think about how to deal with that gossipmonger—that’s the real issue!"

Hua Xiaomai was amused and nodded repeatedly, pulling her to the back of the house to water the chilis and other vegetables, then went to the kitchen to teach her cooking, not mentioning it further.

Indeed, near noon, the bright voice of Chun Xi came from outside the courtyard.

"Oh my, these last two days have worn me out!" Her voice echoed throughout the courtyard even before she entered, startling the chickens in the corner, who jumped up and down flapping wildly, sending feathers flying everywhere. "Erqiao, quick, get me a bowl of water to drink, my throat is about to smoke!"