Chef Hua
Chapter 234: Episode 141 Arriving on Time_2

Chapter 234: Episode 141 Arriving on Time_2

So it had been over a month since the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the shopfront to the east of the village was finally all set up and ready for its grand opening.

Hua Xiaomai calculated in her heart to set up two tables for a banquet on the opening day, inviting all the familiar faces from her family’s circle. First, to thank them for their care and attention over the years, and second, hoping their presence would enliven the occasion and, at the very least, fill the space. As for the third reason, it was her hope that through their word of mouth, her little restaurant could get some publicity.

The old couple from next door, Pan Tai Gong, the paper shop’s Qiao Xiong, and Great Saint, who was on good terms with Jing Taihe—none of these people could be left out. Hua Xiaomai thought about it and decided to pay a visit to the Lianshun Escort Agency, intending to invite Ke Zhenwu, Zuo Jinxiang, and the rest of them as well.

Alright, she admitted she had a little personal motive— a certain friend seemed to have been absent for quite some time. She hadn’t intended to ask for his help with the restaurant from the start, but the fact that he didn’t even ask about it seemed... rather off, didn’t it?

However, on the day she visited the Lianshun Escort Agency, she still did not see Meng Yuhuai.

"So you really are planning to open this little restaurant?" After hearing Hua Xiaomai’s intentions, Ke Zhenwu laughed so hard his beard shook, "Well, I always said, with the culinary skills you’ve amassed, just selling noodles from a stall every night is such a waste. Opening a store, I can go whenever I want in the future, isn’t that great?"

While speaking, he gestured to Dazhong and others, saying very seriously, "I’m putting my word down here, on the twenty-sixth, when little Mai opens her restaurant, everyone from the Escort Agency, without exception, will follow me to support it! All you restless monkeys, hold back your energy for now, on that day, make as much noise as you like!"

Dazhong, who is known to be gluttonous, heard that all of them could go together. How could he not agree? He jumped three feet high and approached Hua Xiaomai, grinning from ear to ear, "Sister Mai, you just focus on getting things ready. If anyone makes trouble in your restaurant in the future, I’ll definitely be the first to stand up for you... Heh heh, I just hope that when I eat at your place, you’ll give me a discount, is that okay?"

"Even if you don’t stand up for me, I wouldn’t overcharge you!" Hua Xiaomai responded with a smile, her eyes never resting on him but looking around the yard.

Sitting under the corridor, Ke Zhenwu saw her expression clearly and couldn’t help smiling, picking up a stick to greet Dazhong, saying while chuckling, "Go on, get away from sister Mai, standing so close. Aren’t you afraid of getting punched? Talking about standing up for someone, when would it be your turn?"

Taken by surprise with a stick hit, Dazhong stepped aside aggrievedly, rubbing his head and mumbling quietly, "Who can hit me? These two fists of mine are not just for show..."

"Go and do what you need to do!" Ke Zhenwu hit him again with the stick, half-joking, half-serious as he chased him away, then turned to Hua Xiaomai with a teasing look, "Looking for someone? I sent him up north, he’s been gone for over a month, didn’t you know?"

So...he was out on another escort mission? Hua Xiaomai raised her eyebrows, replying with a smirk, "Who’s looking for him? Can’t I just look around?"

"Tsk, you girl, still arguing with me?" Ke Zhenwu laughed uncontrollably, "Although Yuhuai is tight-lipped, after all these years with me, he never hides anything from me. He’s already told me everything clearly, and you’re still in denial?"

He then proceeded to stroke his long beard thoughtfully, shaking his head and sighing, "I’ve always said the two of you seemed well-matched, and sooner or later, you would end up together. How about it? That kid Yuhuai, it’s about time he settled down, and now that he’s finally entertained the thought, I can rest easy!"

Hua Xiaomai always prided herself on being thick-skinned, but being teased so blatantly still made her feel a touch of warmth on her face. Embarrassed and unwilling to flee, she lifted her chin, feigning composure, impatiently changing the subject: "Oh, Uncle Ke, I... I’ve still got lots to do with my shop. I squeezed out time today just to invite you. You just tell me whether you’ll come on the twenty-sixth and leave all this idle chatter aside, okay?"

"Why wouldn’t I go? Didn’t I say? Everyone from the Lianshun Escort Agency will be there!" Ke Zhenwu didn’t make it tough for her and nodded with a laugh. Relieved, Hua Xiaomai bid him farewell quickly and ran out.

In a blink, it was August 25th. That day, Hua Xiaomai, along with Chun Xi and La Mei, spent the whole day in the shop, reorganizing everything once again. Jing Taihe and Hua’s second mother rushed over to help after dinner.

This tiny storefront had been newly embellished, and although the tables, chairs, and cabinets were not expensive items, they were all clean and neatly arranged, leaving visitors at least feeling comfortable upon entry.

The kitchen, being of paramount importance, was thoroughly cleaned from top to bottom, not even a speck of dust in sight. Hua Xiaomai checked everything carefully upstairs and downstairs. After ensuring there were no oversights, she took a deep breath, walked over to the counter, and shifted the welcoming pine on top of it a bit.

Hua’s second mother claimed to be helping, but in her current state, who would dare let her lift a finger? Jing Taihe brought a chair for her to sit under the tree at the door. After keeping busy for a while and seeing nothing else to do, he also went out to join her in casual conversation.

Hua Xiaomai stood with her back to the door, her ears filled with the soft laughter of Hua’s second mother. Suddenly she heard a "Oh my!" followed by silence. Puzzled, she turned around to see Meng Yuhuai standing at the doorway, dusty from travel, with an almost imperceptible smile on his lips.

"I only found out about your restaurant’s opening tomorrow after I returned to the Escort Agency. I hurried back to the village, and fortunately, I made it in time." (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it with a recommendation ticket or monthly ticket at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)