Chef Hua
Chapter 285: Episode 167: Three Gifts (1)

Chapter 285: Episode 167: Three Gifts (1)

The window in the room wasn’t shut too tightly, leaving a small crack through which a breeze now squeezed in, causing the oil lamp on the table to flicker and waver, its light intermittently brightening and dimming.

Meng Yuhuai stood up to close the window, and when he came back, he saw Hua Xiaomai sitting on the bed wrapped in a quilt, in a daze, her face so furrowed it looked as if she could squeeze out bitterness. He waved his hand in front of her eyes and forced a smile, "I merely mentioned that Uncle Ke wasn’t feeling too well, how did that scare you into such a state?"

Hua Xiaomai turned her head to avoid his hand, frowning as she said, "I’m not a stranger to Uncle Ke. I’ve seen with my own eyes how sturdy he is—on freezing days, he’d be in the yard practicing martial arts with a stick while wearing just a thin robe, his face flushed and vigorous. For him to fall ill over this matter shows just how upset he must have been."

In the past, whenever she visited Lianshun Escort Agency, she always found it to be a harmonious place filled with laughter and warmth all day long. As for people like Lv Bin, they were exceedingly loyal to Ke Zhenwu, treating him with the respect deserved for an elder in the family. Now, just the sight of a bit more money had them turning tail and walking away!

People should, of course, plan for themselves and their families, but... Ke Zhenwu wasn’t a stingy man, and he’d never shorted them on their wages. They earned quite well at the Lianshun Escort Agency! Meng Yuhuai even spoke of "worthy birds choosing trees to nest in", but with actions such as these, how could Lv Bin and the others be considered "worthy birds"?

She fell silent for a moment, then raised her head to ask, "Is Uncle Ke’s illness serious?"

"Not too bad." Meng Yuhuai pondered for a while before nodding slightly, "Da Zhong had a doctor see him, who prescribed some medicine to soothe the qi—he has always been in good health, this time it’s purely out of anger. Once this anger subsides, he will most likely be alright."

Hua Xiaomai nodded and, after a moment of contemplation, suddenly threw off the quilt and jumped out of bed, hastily grabbing a jacket, struggling into it, and running towards the door.

"What are you fussing about now?" Meng Yuhuai hurriedly caught her arm.

Turning back to look at him, Hua Xiaomai pressed her lips together, "With such a big incident at the agency, you’ll definitely be busy there for the next few days, won’t you? There’s not much I can help with, but I do know how to make a couple of nourishing soups. I was thinking, starting tomorrow when you go to the agency in the morning, you could bring some to Uncle Ke. Make sure you watch him drink it all before leaving. Ah, I really should go check on him myself, but with just me to manage everything at my little restaurant, if I’m not there, business won’t run at all. Please pass on my message, so he can be at ease."

Meng Yuhuai’s face blossomed with a smile that seemed very comforting upon hearing her words, he touched her cheek and said, "It’s good that you have this intention, but it’s too late now and there’s no rush. Why don’t you make it tomorrow morning while you’re cooking for mother, and then..."

"To stew that soup will need more than an hour. If I start in the morning, I’m afraid it won’t be ready in time." Hua Xiaomai shook her head, her tone slightly complaining as she spoke, "If you’d come back earlier, I could have prepared sooner. But you had to go drinking with Da Zhong. That just shows that wine really is a hindrance to everything—Alright, now let go of me. I remember there’s half a slab of ribs in the kitchen. I’m quick with my hands; it won’t take me long to get everything ready."

"Then I’ll come with you." Seeing he couldn’t stop her, Meng Yuhuai gave up arguing and took her hand, accompanying her to the kitchen.

Chop the ribs into small pieces, blanch them before boiling in cold water, throw in a couple of sections of green onion, slices of ginger, add some goji berries, red dates, and dried tangerine peel, then sprinkle a little bit of Shao Wine, and stew until the meat is falling off the bones. When ready, add some chopped radish. Just before serving, season with a bit of salt—soup dense, meat tender, and radish soft, drinking a hot bowl in the dead of winter not only warms the body but is somewhat comforting as well.

As Hua Xiaomai busied herself in front of the stove, Meng Yuhuai stood aside with his arms folded, occasionally passing things to her and engaging her in small talk.

"You didn’t see how Da Zhong looked today—so angry he could’ve had his hair standing on end." He had a slight smile on his lips but his tone was very calm, "Though he’s usually a bit greedy and frivolous, he’s truly single-minded. Knowing how good Uncle Ke has been to him, he’s stayed loyal. Even if a mountain of gold and silver were laid before him, he’d act as if he didn’t see it."

"Hmm, I figured he might be a bit scared too," Hua Xiaomai chuckled softly, "If he followed Lv Bin and the others, Sister-in-law Zuo would definitely chop him up with a kitchen knife!"