Chef Hua
Chapter 278: Episode 163: Excitement_2

Chapter 278: Episode 163: Excitement_2

Lady Wu stared at that fish for a long time, sighed softly, and walked out quickly, getting onto the carriage and hiding inside, refusing to show her face again. Wu Wenhong offered a wry smile, shaking his head as he hurriedly followed. Hua Xiaomai saw the couple out, and when the carriage had faded into the distance, she too returned inside. As she passed by the table, she couldn’t help but take another look.

Even though she couldn’t eat, she still liked looking at the beautiful dish. And then... she found herself standing there, lost in thought for a while, until Zhou Yunyun, who was getting anxious in the kitchen, came out to call her again. Hua Xiaomai quickly followed her in.

That evening, when it was about time to close up, Meng Yuhuai came to take Hua Xiaomai home.

After the hour of Hai, when there were no more people around in the village, Hua Xiaomai let him tighten her collar without a word, then openly took his arm, and walked with him towards the southern part of the village, telling him all about the day’s events without stopping.

"I really can’t figure out what Uncle Su is trying to do," she said, scratching her forehead with some frustration. "If we’re talking about appetizing and qi-regulating dishes, I indeed know a few, like honey-roasted lotus and pear, dried orange peel and plum soup, and yam with chicken gizzards... After eating those, you really can feel your appetite growing! But the crux of the problem is that Lady Wu simply refuses to eat, she feels sick just at the sight of it. What can I do? Although I promised to come up with some ideas for them, I don’t have a single clue right now. Uncle Su really gave me a tough problem by sending the two to look for me!"

Upon hearing this, Meng Yuhuai thought for a moment, then said pensively, "I haven’t met this Uncle Su you speak of, but from what you say, he seems to have great admiration for your cooking. You also mentioned that the couple was well-dressed and seemed quite wealthy... Perhaps Uncle Su thinks they could help you?"

"Help me? Help me with what?" Hua Xiaomai looked up at him, bewildered, with wide, round eyes, full of confusion.

Meng Yuhuai, seeing her adorable look, couldn’t help but gently pinch her face. He stopped, led her to a sheltered spot against the wind, and said, unhurriedly, "Although your small restaurant has gradually started to do better, it hasn’t made a name for itself yet. Maybe Uncle Su thinks that this Mr. and Mrs. Wu, with their wide connections, might be able to pave the way for you, networking on your behalf. Let’s not dwell on these matters for now. Since you’ve agreed to help, you should indeed think it over carefully. What you may gain from this afterward is a matter for later."

"I’m not expecting to gain anything from it!" Hua Xiaomai glanced at him and said without hesitation, "Uncle Su has been good to me, brought a lot of business to my small restaurant. Naturally, I can’t just brush off someone he’s referred. Besides, you didn’t see it, Lady Wu is frighteningly thin; it’s alarming to look at her. I would help if I can, not shirk it. Aren’t I worrying about this right now? What, do you think I’m just after the money?"

Meng Yuhuai chuckled but did not argue, merely leading her home.

...

Hua Xiaomai was busy in the restaurant all day long, her only leisure time being after returning home each evening. After greeting Old Mrs. Meng at the door and washing up and tidying herself, she sat on the edge of the bed and stared down in silent contemplation.

Although she was not medically trained, she had a rough idea that someone suffering from anorexia typically needs some stimulation. A good dish is all about the harmony of color, aroma, and taste. Now that Lady Wu couldn’t eat and felt nauseated at the smell of greasy scents, the avenues of "aroma" and "taste" were most likely impassable, leaving only "color" to focus on.

Before those two left today, Lady Wu had fixed her gaze upon another table’s "Squirrel Carp" for a long time, seemingly quite interested in it. While she didn’t actually give in to her cravings, her attraction to that particular dish was indisputable. Women love things that are brilliantly colored and beautifully shaped, and starting from this angle, even if there was no guarantee it would be practical, was worth a shot.

After all, she was a professional, and since they had come to seek help at her doorstep, how could she not offer something substantial in return? Even if the method proved futile in the end, at the very least, she needed to showcase her skills well enough not to tarnish her own reputation.

With an idea in mind, she focused all her attention on this matter. Lacking the needed culinary books at hand, she could only incessantly comb through her memory, picking out dishes famous for their bright colors to ponder upon, wracking her brain so much that she almost forgot to eat and sleep.

Meng Yuhuai saw her weary from labor, and at first, he empathized with her, occasionally inquiring about her wellbeing, advising her to prepare the ingredients in advance if she had any plans, so she wouldn’t be caught without anything to use. However, as several days passed and she remained so engrossed daily, he started to find it unbearable. But being of such a nature, he couldn’t quite express it, only accompanying her by the side and shaking his head in silence.

In the blink of an eye, three or four days had passed, and Hua Xiaomai had finally drafted a menu. Having pondered over it several times, she couldn’t help but sigh that she had really used every trick in the book. If this still failed, she couldn’t imagine any other solution. Afterwards, she took out the two large bundles of dried chilis from her chest.

It really was hard to part with them, there was so little of it, and to use it once would mean there was even less left. The thought alone was enough to make her heart ache!

This morning, Hua Xiaomai finished cooking the meal and settled it in the pots. After tidying up, she prepared to go to the restaurant to get busy. Just as she stepped out of the courtyard gate, she ran right into Da Zhong from Lianshun Escort Agency.

"Oh, Brother Da Zhong, why have you come so early?" She hurried over with a smile, "How are Uncle Ke and Sister-in-law Zuo doing? I should have gone to see them, but I’ve been so tied up lately that I just couldn’t find the time. Please apologize to them for me, and ask them not to take any offense at my absence!"

"They are... doing alright, I guess," Da Zhong replied somewhat awkwardly, managing a smile, "Sister-in-law, are you heading to the restaurant to work? Is Yuhuai around?"

Hua Xiaomai nodded, "He’s at home. He even mentioned to me last night that he ought to return to the Escort Agency in a day or two. You..."

"I have something to discuss with him." Da Zhong seemed in a hurry and without waiting for her to finish, strode into the courtyard. Hua Xiaomai watched his retreating figure with some bewilderment, pursed her lips, and then headed towards the east end of the village.

What followed was another entire day of busyness. When it was almost time for the evening rush, a squeaky cart noise stopped at the restaurant’s entrance. La Mei ran out to take a look and immediately rushed back into the kitchen, tugging at Hua Xiaomai’s sleeve and saying, "Sister, that Mr. and Mrs. Wu are back!"(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it with your recommendation and monthly tickets at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)