Chef Hua
Chapter 269: Episode 159, Round 1 of the Encounter

Chapter 269: Episode 159, Round 1 of the Encounter

Hua Xiaomai had never been particularly picky about her surroundings, and she wasn’t one to miss her own bed. Wherever she went, as long as there was a large quilt, she could soundly sleep until the bright daylight.

However, the next morning, just as the sky started to brighten, she suddenly woke up.

The gentle morning light cast a faint shadow on the window lattice. The person beside her still held her tightly in his arms, sleeping very soundly with long, even breaths.

She moved her arms and legs and immediately felt pain all over her body. A surge of anger flared up in her heart, and it took a lot of effort to suppress the impulse to elbow him. She inhaled the cool air and struggled out of his embrace, put on some clothes casually, and prepared to rush to the bathhouse for a shower, and then...

Then it seemed that she was responsible for preparing breakfast, right?

Just thinking about it made her angry. Hua Xiaomai tiptoed out of bed and stared at Meng Yuhuai’s sleeping face for a while before muttering through gritted teeth, "Sleep, sleep, sleep. You wouldn’t even know if a wolf carried you off!" She then decided to leave the room.

But just as she turned around, an arm suddenly extended from behind her and effortlessly pulled her back into bed.

Meng Yuhuai’s years as an Escort Master required him to be always alert, so the moment Hua Xiaomai moved, he woke up. He usually got up quite early, but since he could remember, this was the first time there was a woman in his bed. The warm, mild fragrance made him feel that lying for a bit longer was not a problem until he felt that Hua Xiaomai seemed to be about to rush out, and he got up hurriedly.

"Let go!" Hua Xiaomai turned her head and said irritably, "It hurts to death. Don’t bother me!"

She glanced at him again, her face turned red, "You’re not even dressed!"

Meng Yuhuai knew he had been somewhat rough the previous night. Without waiting for her consent, he pulled her close and inspected her neck and legs, spotting some bruises. Though his throat tightened instantly, he managed to hold back and softened his tone, "I’m sorry, I just..."

Just what? Had he been abstinent for so many years, and last night, finally having his feast, he was a bit clumsy and couldn’t control himself?

He remained silent and nodded seriously, "In any case, it won’t happen again tonight. If I hurt you again, just twist my arm."

"You think I didn’t twist you last night? Your skin is so thick; you didn’t feel a thing. I was just wasting my effort!" Hua Xiaomai originally wasn’t really angry with him and knew he wasn’t good at coaxing, so she didn’t plan to make it too hard for him and muttered a few more words before she was ready to call it quits. Then, suddenly realizing something, she exclaimed, "Wait, what about tonight? I’m not..."

Meng Yuhuai chuckled, lowered his head, and rubbed his cheek against her neck. The stubble that had sprouted overnight itched and hurt her, and she quickly tried to dodge. As they were tussling, a loud cough suddenly came from the yard.

Hua Xiaomai’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly pushed him away, silently mouthing: "Hurry up and let go, I need to cook." She had him open the door slightly to make sure Old Madame Meng wasn’t outside, then quickly grabbed her change of clothes and rushed into the bathhouse to clean up hastily and dashed into the kitchen.

There were still many leftovers from the previous day under the stove. Master Zhao’s cooking really wasn’t up to par. Seeing the overnight leftovers just worsened the appetite, but Hua Xiaomai worried that throwing it out might provoke Old Madame Meng’s complaints. Therefore, she simply moved all the leftovers aside, started cooking a pot of light celtuce and vegetable leaf porridge, and then dug out two dried tofu skins and a piece of pork tenderloin from the basin. After some thought, she decided to make "Crispy Bell Rings."

The tofu skins were slightly dry after being left out overnight, but she softened them with a hot towel. Then she chopped the pork tenderloin into fine mince, mixed it with salt, Shao Wine, and egg, placed the filling on the tofu skins, rolled them into cylinders, and sealed the ends with flour paste. After cutting them into sections, she deep-fried them until the tofu skins turned crispy and golden brown, ready to be served.

True to its name, the dish was as crunchy as a ringing bell, yet with the addition of the egg, the filling remained juicy, tender, and delicious. It was suitable as a main dish or a side, often accompanied by alcohol. Nevertheless, it was also a good choice for breakfast porridge.

With deft movements, Hua Xiaomai quickly prepared a full plate of Crispy Bell Rings, picked out two more vegetables, and made a homestyle dried fermented black beans stir-fried with lotus root and a cold mixed green bean strip salad. The various dishes together looked quite refreshing and appetizing.