Chef Hua
Chapter 204 - 126: Too Nervous (Third Update)

Chapter 204: Chapter 126: Too Nervous (Third Update)

Hua Xiaomai had just placed the bundle she brought with her into the room when, turning around, she saw Qing He smiling at her from the doorway, and noticed Song Jingxi had already walked out of the Taoyuan House. Feeling rather surprised, she quickly took a few steps outside and said with a smile, "Why aren’t you going back? I didn’t bring much, and I can manage on my own; there’s no need for help..."

Qing He responded with a smile and approached, "My Lady instructed me to stay with you at the inn for the next few days to keep you company."

"No...is that necessary?" Hua Xiaomai felt even more astonished. "Taoyuan House is right in the bustling market area, with lots of passersby. I’m not scared easily, and I feel quite secure living here alone; you don’t need to trouble yourself..."

"Don’t be so sure, the Prefecture is different from your village," Qing He, who was very lively, tilted her head and smiled again. "It’s needless to say this place is bustling, but it’s not without its riffraff and hoodlums, who come to stir trouble every now and then. Especially since Taoyuan House is run by women, even though it has gained some reputation now, it still needs to be carefully managed. My staying here gives you an extra person to look after you, and my Lady will feel more at ease too!"

Now that Qing He had put it that way, Hua Xiaomai felt it was needless to continue with polite refusals. She pressed her lips together and said, "Then I have to trouble you for these few days."

Qing He quickly replied, "You don’t have to be so formal," and added, "Earlier my Lady said, if you feel hungry, the kitchen has vegetables ready. Your cooking skills are so good, I wouldn’t dare show off in front of you—I will have to let you handle it."

Hua Xiaomai didn’t usually eat in the evening; even back in Fire Knife Village, she would only drink some soup to cool down after closing her stall, so she wasn’t feeling hungry at that moment. Besides, since it was someone else’s place and the owner wasn’t around, she didn’t want to rashly use their things, so she shook her head.

Qing He didn’t insist. She boiled water in the kitchen, fetched a piece of soap, helped Hua Xiaomai move a wooden tub into her room, and with a final reminder to rest early, she retired to the adjoining room to sleep.

Before closing the door, Qing He turned to look at Hua Xiaomai and couldn’t help but ask, "Will you stay and help my Lady manage Taoyuan House?"

Hua Xiaomai raised her eyebrows and smiled slightly, "For now, I should focus on helping Song, the shopkeeper, prepare for the Eight Treasures Conference adequately. We can discuss that other matter in a few days—it won’t be too late then."

Qing He sighed, "You also run a food business, so you know how difficult it is for women in business. Though my Lady is doing quite well, she is extremely busy every day. She values you highly—she must believe you can be a real help. Please give it careful consideration. Oh, and my Lady is also very concerned about the Eight Treasures Conference. You’re competent, so please put in your best effort. I’ll thank you on my Lady’s behalf in advance."

"I understand." Hua Xiaomai calmly responded, escorted her to the door, closed it, and after a comfortable bath, she blew out the lantern and went to bed.

Although she was in a strange place and slightly uncomfortable, she was quite exhausted from the day’s travel. She closed her eyes, and soon fell asleep.

...

For those who run a restaurant, because they don’t do business in the morning, they wait for customers to arrive around noon. Nevertheless, the shopkeeper and the workers still had to arrive at the establishment early, to clean, wash vegetables, and hustle around joyfully.

Song Jingxi was the only chef at Taoyuan House, and she had to supervise the preparations. Naturally, she couldn’t arrive too late. Shortly after si time, she hurried from her home, instructed the shopkeeper surnamed Tao on a few items, and went straight to the inner hall to seek Hua Xiaomai.

Hua Xiaomai had already been awakened by the noise of rushing water; she was freshened up and well-dressed at that time. When Song Jingxi arrived, she approached and exchanged a few words.

"We came back late last night, and I didn’t take you around. There’s plenty of time before we start business—I’ll take you to check out the kitchen, shall we? Then we can discuss the Eight Treasures Conference in detail," Song Jingxi said, and without waiting for Hua Xiaomai’s consent, took her hand and led her directly to the kitchen in the backyard.

Hua Xiaomai felt utterly like a country person new to the city, everything appeared novel to her. Once in the kitchen, her eyes widened even more.