Chef Hua
Chapter 239: Episode 144: Future Mother-in-Law Comes Knocking

Chapter 239: Episode 144: Future Mother-in-Law Comes Knocking

Anyone who opens a restaurant undoubtedly hopes that from the very first day they are in business, they will have customers, and Hua Xiaomai was no exception.

However, it had only been about half an incense stick’s burn since the banquet outside the restaurant had started when someone followed the scent to find it. Surprised, yet somewhat astonished, she hurriedly welcomed the group inside the main hall, summoned Chun Xi to attend to them, and inevitably went on to thoroughly explain the restaurant’s signature dishes.

This group’s arrival perfectly diluted the anger towards Master Liu that had just arisen in Hua Xiaomai’s heart, refocusing her full attention on the business. Throughout the day, no other significant mistakes occurred. The group left satisfied and happily told Hua Xiaomai that they frequently traveled this route and had just discovered today that the previously quiet shop had been transformed into a restaurant. Just in time for noon when they were hungry, they decided to give it a try, not expecting the food to taste as good as it did. They promised to return in the future.

Hua Xiaomai naturally responded with a smile and breathed a long sigh of relief from her chest.

This was indeed... a great success in opening day, wasn’t it?

The two tables at the entrance did not clear until the late afternoon when Ke Zhenwu led the members of the Escort Agency back to the county, and Qiao Xiong and his group also dispersed. In the evening, the restaurant did some more business, including visits from former customers who had patronized her stall by the river, contributing to sales that, though far from booming, were quite respectable for a first opening day.

By the time the restaurant cleared out of diners, it was nearly the hour of the pig. Hua Xiaomai had Chun Xi and La Mei tidy up the kitchen properly and instructed them to lock the doors. After washing her hands, she came out only to see Hua Erniang sitting in a chair, angrily berating Jing Taihe. Meng Yuhuai and Sun Great Saint stood by with their arms crossed, clearly enjoying the drama without any intention of intervening.

"Are you really not letting me do anything?" In front of Jing Taihe, Hua Erniang rarely showed such a ferocious demeanor, gritting her teeth and fiercely saying, "Sitting in this chair all day long, my back and waist are sore, truly uncomfortable enough to kill! It’s just a bit more flesh in the belly, Doctor Xing himself said I’m in good health, should be absolutely fine, why are you watching over me as if I’m a criminal?"

Jing Taihe squatted by her side, trying to calm her with gentle words, while Sun Great Saint chuckled continuously, nudging Meng Yuhuai with his elbow. Hua Xiaomai could not help but laugh and cry; she walked over, scowling, and said, "Meng Family big brother, Great Saint brother, just standing there watching, not even offering to help? And you say you and my brother-in-law are like brothers; what kind of brothers act this way?"

"A clean official finds it difficult to settle domestic affairs; a little quarrel is good for the mood, why should I intervene?" Sun Great Saint laughed and started to walk out, "It’s late today, I should head home. You all should also head back early to rest. We still got business to do tomorrow!"

Before his words were complete, he had already walked out the main door and vanished in a blink of an eye.

Meng Yuhuai looked around, seeing that neither Chun Xi nor La Mei were there, he also came over, nodded at Hua Xiaomai: "I’ll head back first, don’t worry about your sister and brother-in-law, minor spats are not serious."

As he spoke, he glanced at her face, lowering his voice slightly: "I’ll talk to my mother tonight..."

Hua Xiaomai understood what he meant, lowered her eyelids and smiled: "Understood.," watching him exit the door, then turned to Hua Erniang, drily comforting her a few words, carefully helped her up, also left the shop, and headed west.

That night when they returned home, Hua Erniang pulled Hua Xiaomai aside, first enquiring about the day’s earnings and then shared her optimistic dreams about the future, cheekily persuading her to make a shrimp and egg stew, which she enjoyed immensely before retreating to her room to rest.

Meanwhile, inside the Meng Family compound, all was not peaceful.

After arriving home, Meng Yuhuai first closed the courtyard door, helped his elderly mother into the main house, and solemnly said in front of her, "Mother, I have something to tell you."

...

Early in the morning, a family with surname Guan living on the southern side of the village was having breakfast when old Mrs. Meng burst into the courtyard.

"Oh dear, my Yuhuai, I don’t know if he suddenly saw the light, or what." As soon as she entered, she grabbed Guan Rong’s mother’s hand, babbling incessantly, "Guess what, last night he came back and told me he wants to get married!"

Sitting at the table, Guan Rong had just reached out to pick up a piece of pickled vegetable when she heard this, her hand stopping mid-air.