Chef Hua
Chapter 200 - 124: It’s Good to See the World (First Update)

Chapter 200: Chapter 124: It’s Good to See the World (First Update)

Song Jingxi had come personally to invite her several times, and if sincerity was to be measured, it was truly sufficient. For Hua Xiaomai, having someone appreciate her culinary skills like this was definitely a very joyful matter.

However, she really hadn’t considered it thoroughly and didn’t know how to respond.

"Are you in a hurry to go out? Did I come at a bad time?" Seeing that she seemed to be in a dilemma, Song Jingxi glanced at the small pot in her hand, filled with pumpkin and green bean soup, and smilingly said with a kind face, "I wasn’t thoughtful enough, considering you have to take care of all kinds of household chores every day, always busy. I was just thinking about my own matters, and rushed over in haste, passing through Fuzhe County and didn’t even stop..."

Hearing this, Hua Xiaomai quickly shook her head and smilingly said as she looked up, "Actually, there’s not much to be busy with, please come inside and take a seat, wait a moment and I’ll brew some tea for you."

After saying this, she led Song Jingxi and the two maids following her into the Jing Family’s small courtyard, asking her to sit in the main room, then handed over the small pot to Luo Yuejiao, sending her to run to the fields to deliver it to Hua’s second mother. Then she dashed into the kitchen, boiling hot water swiftly and taking out the Purple Bamboo Shoot Tea that Master Zhao had sent.

When she returned to the main room with the hot tea, Song Jingxi was looking around, and upon seeing her come in, she smiled with pursed lips and reached out to take the tea bowl.

"There’s no need to be so hasty, I came to ask you to be a head chef, if anything, it’s me who is asking for you!"

"Please don’t say that," Hua Xiaomai stood in front of her and waved her hands, speaking earnestly, "I’m very happy that you appreciate my cooking skills, how could I possibly live up to such a word as ’ask’?"

She paused, then with a hint of apology continued, "Regarding the misunderstanding with Antai Garden the other day, I really should explain it to you properly. At that time, I was just... in a moment of haste..."

"Alright, didn’t I tell you? I was just joking with you just now, how could I know you would take it so seriously?" Song Jingxi raised her brows lightly, looking at her half teasingly, and spoke languidly, "You must also know, that Antai Garden and I are relatives, and while I don’t fully understand their behavior over the years, I have heard bits and pieces. It was their business practices that were unscrupulous, how could the blame fall on you? I also only learned about your ability to make sauces after hearing about that incident... Ah, right, just the other day, I had someone specifically go out and buy some of the preserves you made, and I’ve tried them!"

"Oh?" Seeing that she indeed seemed to hold no grudges, Hua Xiaomai relaxed gradually, and hearing that she had tried her preserves, her interest was piqued, "Do you mind telling me which ones you tried and how you found them?"

Song Jingxi tapped her chin with her finger, as though reminiscing, "Hmm, there was a salty sour plum and another... I think it was called green crispy plum? That’s my favorite. It’s refreshing and tasty when eaten, sour, yes, but you can eat a lot without your teeth feeling uncomfortable. It’s quite delightful to have one or two on a summer day when there’s nothing else to do, it makes the whole body feel comfortable!"

Hua Xiaomai couldn’t help but smile broadly when Song Jingxi said she liked it, and exchanged a few modest pleasantries. In the midst of their conversation, Hua’s second mother and Luo Yuejiao hurried back from the fields.

She probably knew what Song Jingxi’s visit was about and was quite anxious inside, abandoning her work in the fields to rush back, her hands covered in mud. She burst into the main room, and upon seeing Song Jingxi, was actually at a loss for words.

Seeing her like this, Hua Xiaomai found it somewhat amusing and quickly went to whisper a few words to her, having Luo Yuejiao accompany her to the kitchen to fetch water for washing her face and hands.

Then Hua’s second mother came to her senses, quickly agreed, and went. On this side, Song Jingxi smiled and said, "Although I am not acquainted with your second sister, seeing how anxious she is about your affairs, one can guess that your relationship must be very harmonious on normal days. No wonder you haven’t made up your mind until now. But I sincerely ask you to become the head chef at my Taoyuan House, and as I’ve said, if you are willing to come, the monthly salary, accommodation... whatever requirements you have, you can just mention them. I can’t promise an excessive amount, but at the very least, I will do everything I can to treat you fairly."

"I understand that, it’s just..." Hua Xiaomai pursed her lips, seeing her sincerity, and decided to pour out all her thoughts.

"Though my business is small, it’s still my own trade, and having done it for so long, if you ask me to suddenly leave it behind, I really would be rather reluctant. Your Taoyuan House is certainly good, and my second sister also says that if I want to go, she won’t stop me, but..."