Chef Hua
Chapter 284: Episode 166 Reasonable but Heartless_2

Chapter 284: Episode 166 Reasonable but Heartless_2

...

Since getting married, this was the first time Hua Xiaomai had slept alone in this room, feeling uncomfortable all over.

Usually, with him by her side, she would feel as warm as a large furnace. Even if she dove into the bed cold, she would warm up in no time. However, today, the bedding seemed incapable of retaining heat. Lying inside it for a long time, her hands and feet remained chillingly cold, making it difficult to fall asleep.

She nestled in the blanket, thought about the Lianshun Escort Agency, and couldn’t help feeling a bit worried. Wondering what serious matter had occurred, yet thinking of the joyful expressions on Wu Wenhong and his Lady earlier that day made her heart lighten, and she couldn’t help but smile. Drifting off into a drowsy sleep, she woke up after only a short time.

A very faint noise came from the courtyard gate, followed promptly by a series of familiar footsteps that approached the door.

Hua Xiaomai jerked awake, shaking off her sleepiness. She quickly flung off the blanket, jumped out of bed, and lit the lamp on the table. As the door opened, she ran toward it in two or three quick steps.

Meng Yuhuai, wrapped in chilled air, walked in and immediately saw a small figure flinging herself at him. Fortunately, the light in the room spared him any effort to recognize that it was his wife. Noticing her bare feet, he frowned, hurriedly shut the door, bent down to pick her up, placed her by the bed, and dusted off her feet, asking with displeasure, "What’s with the weather tonight? It’s so cold, why are you running around barefoot? Are you looking to get sick?"

The chill from his body made Hua Xiaomai sneeze, but she was too concerned to care, waving her hands and rapidly firing questions, "Oh, never mind that, why are you so late? It’s past curfew, how did you leave the Prefecture? I saw Big Zhong this morning. He looked worried. What exactly happened at the Escort Agency?"

"With so many questions, which one do you want me to answer first?" Meng Yuhuai smiled and shook his head at her, then continued, "I left the County with Big Zhong before curfew. He wanted to talk some more, and we saw a small shop outside the city. He insisted on having a couple of drinks, and that’s why I’m late."

"Ah? You had drinks?" Hua Xiaomai was even more surprised, "But isn’t Big Zhong’s family in the city? How will he manage, leaving him to return alone?"

"He’s a grown man, and his martial skills are strong. There’s plenty of places where he could stay the night. He doesn’t need me to worry about him." Meng Yuhuai cleaned her other foot, tucked both into the blanket, poured himself a bowl of hot tea, sat at the table, and sighed softly.

Hua Xiaomai curled up honestly in the blanket, only her head sticking out, and bit her lip, "You still haven’t told me what exactly happened. Can’t you say?"

Meng Yuhuai glanced at her, a slight smile played at his lips, "It’s not that I can’t say... Well, you probably don’t know that Uncle Ke was originally from the military, do you? He and a friend left the army at the same time, thinking to start a business together. So, they both invested their savings and opened the Lianshun Escort Agency."

So the Lianshun Escort Agency was actually co-founded by Ke Zhenwu and someone else? But why hadn’t she ever seen that partner over these years?

As if guessing Hua Xiaomai’s thoughts, Meng Yuhuai continued, "That man wasn’t a local from Fuzhe County. After setting up the Escort Agency, he returned home, leaving everything in Uncle Ke’s hands, and just splitting the profits annually as agreed. The Escort Agency had been running for over a decade. Last year, he fell seriously ill and passed away. Uncle Ke then instructed us to ensure his share was delivered to his family every year."

Hua Xiaomai said nothing, only uttering a "hmm."

Meng Yuhuai looked at her again, his brow furrowing slightly, "Just a few days after our wedding, that man’s son suddenly came to the Escort Agency, saying he wanted to dissolve the partnership and operate separately, splitting the Escort Agency. Although it was sudden, it made sense. Uncle Ke didn’t argue and agreed. Because he was so attached to the Escort Agency, he took out the ledgers for the son to see and exchanged his family’s share for cash. Unexpectedly, once his back was turned, the son said he was going to open another Escort Agency in the Prefecture and took a large number of our people with him, including Lv Bin and his group."

Hua Xiaomai was taken aback, her mouth agape in surprise, unsure of what to say.

All feasts part eventually; with Ke Zhenwu’s partner deceased, his son’s new plans were quite normal. Even his forthright poaching could hardly be faulted by anyone from the outside—it still didn’t feel right, though.

"Lv Bin and the others... Uncle Ke treated them so well, how could they just leave like that without any consideration?" She frowned.

"Fine birds choose fine trees to nest in. That man had made quite a bit of money over the years and was well-off. His son, even more generous, offered high wages. Perhaps Lv Bin and the others felt they had better prospects with him; how could they not be tempted?" Meng Yuhuai shook his head and continued, "Big Zhong said he was worried that man might come to me. He had planned to talk to me beforehand but Uncle Ke stopped him because we had just gotten married. Today, he couldn’t hold back anymore. I spent tonight listening to him complain and curse. Lv Bin has ’died’ several times in his words."

As he spoke, he sighed softly again, walked over to the bed, reached under the blanket, and took Hua Xiaomai’s hand. "Uncle Ke doesn’t care much about the money; he gave away his due quickly. But the sudden departure of so many brothers left us understaffed. With the New Year approaching and it being a busy time, Uncle Ke was quite upset and has been sick in bed for several days now." (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit qidian.com to cast your recommendation ticket and monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)