Chef Hua
Chapter 253: Episode 151: Encountering Something Edible

Chapter 253: Episode 151: Encountering Something Edible

The dish was a mess with several crab shells tossed carelessly inside, broken into pieces. Brownish sauce dripped onto the table, dotting it here and there, creating a bit of a slovenly scene. The rich aroma of the wine and the sweet crab flavor had not yet dissipated, wafting throughout the room.

Hua Xiaomai, following the man’s gaze toward the table, was immediately embarrassed and hastily waved to Chun Xi and La Mei to clean it up. Luo Yuejiao also ran over to help, while Hua Xiaomai herself smiled awkwardly, "I’m so sorry, there were no customers in the shop around noon, so we just started eating ourselves. We’ve made a fool of ourselves in front of you two."

The man seemed very easy-going, rubbing his hands together and laughing, "No worries. Since you run a restaurant, isn’t it natural to enjoy the perks first because of your vantage? Being able to feast is only right. But... you haven’t eaten all of the raw pickled drunken crab, have you?"

"There are still some left!" Hua Xiaomai also laughed along, quickly nodding her head. After a moment of thought, she looked back at the man, "Crab is something that needs to be savored slowly to truly appreciate its flavor. It looks like the two of you must have come from the official road. If you are in a hurry to continue your journey..."

"It’s not a problem." Before she could finish, the woman standing beside stepped forward, pointing to the man and softly laughing, "My man here, once he sees something tasty, he can’t move an inch. If he doesn’t get to eat his fill all at once, he’ll sit on the ground and refuse to leave! Miss, just bring out whatever specialty dishes you have here. Once he is satisfied, we can continue on our way without delay."

Another food lover has arrived, it seems?

Hua Xiaomai couldn’t help but chuckle at the woman’s words, her eyes crinkling as she laughed: "Apart from the drunken crab, the restaurant also has a pot of meat that has been stewed for a full ten hours; the flavor is quite decent. The kitchen has a variety of vegetables and meats as well. What kind of flavors do you two prefer?"

"Pot of meat?" Upon hearing this, the man’s eyebrows perked up in delight, "That name sounds novel, and it seems like a tasty dish. Alright, let’s have that, and also pick out two fresh vegetable dishes to stir-fry and bring them over — Miss, you’ll have to move quickly, the crab scent everywhere in this restaurant is tantalizing my cravings!"

Hua Xiaomai quickly responded with a laugh, took La Mei to the kitchen, first selected four or five raw pickled drunken crabs from the jar, placed them on a plate, then ladled a spoonful of sauce over it. She then hurriedly reheated the pot of meat, stir-fried some oily gluten with small bok choy and sweet sauce on the side, and finally warmed a pot of Shao Wine, bringing everything out all at once.

The couple had already taken their seats at the table, looking somewhat eager, craning their necks to gaze in the direction of the kitchen. As soon as they saw La Mei carrying out the dishes, their eyes lit up. They didn’t wait for the food to be properly arranged on the table before stretching out their hands for the chopsticks, their faces full of eager anticipation.

Hua Xiaomai’s favorite were customers like this. The inherent longing for delectable food on their faces instantly brightened her mood, and she also felt a surge of expectation, hoping to hear them praise and affirm the dishes she had prepared.

After all, the relationship between a cook and their diners is mutually indispensable. If all people did when they came to eat was to fill their bellies and leave without a word after finishing their meal, simply dropping a "good" at most, then what would it matter how successful the business was?

The man, who had been whispering and laughing with his wife just now, became silent the moment the food was served. His eyes swept over each dish, nodding slightly. He picked up a small piece of gluten and brought it to his mouth, tasting the pot of meat, then cracking open a crab to carefully chew on the leg meat for a long time, and finally, poured himself a cup of warm Shao Wine and slowly drank it down.

For some reason, Hua Xiaomai’s heart started thumping a bit faster.

This couple, judging by their accent, seemed to be locals. They dressed plainly, without attendants following them, and did not appear to come from a wealthy background. Moreover, they only carried a couple of bags, unlike traveling merchants. It was difficult to determine their status. However, the man’s elegant, restrained actions while tasting the food, his controlled yet slightly changing expressions, and his systematic approach to what he ate first, all revealed that he was a real gourmet.

Ever since her small restaurant had opened, business had been slow. Now that a connoisseur had suddenly arrived, how could she not be nervous?

After exchanging a glance with the lady next to him, the man turned to Hua Xiaomai with a light smile, "Miss, may I know who the head chef of your little restaurant is? If it’s possible, could you please invite him to come out and meet us?"