Chef Hua
Chapter 287 - 168: Three Gifts (Part 2)

Chapter 287: Chapter 168: Three Gifts (Part 2)

The chilies in the paper package seemed different from those Hua Xiaomai had at home; they were smaller, and their spicy fragrance was even more intense. They lay clustered and stacked, a dazzling red that mesmerized her.

Though the gift wasn’t heavy, it truly encapsulated the giver’s intention, gathering all the chili seeds from Qingping County. Just the effort of doing so must have been significant. But Dongzi said there was not only this gift but also a second and a third to come?

She opened her mouth to speak, but Dongzi had already pulled out two or three smaller paper packages from the bottom of the basket, smiling as he spoke first, "Almost forgot, there are a few more packets of vegetable seeds here, just some winter radish, cabbage, nothing worth much. My master said, since your household already has the land, and it’s lying vacant now anyway, you might as well plant these seeds, then by next February or March, you’ll have a harvest, and the soil will be well-nourished, perfect for planting chilies."

He went through the contents of the basket with Hua Xiaomai, then turned, handing the basket to La Mei and stood up as he slapped his hands together, "Alright, I’ve done what the master tasked me to do, so I should head back. For the other two gifts, you’ll have to wait a few more days, by then I’ll..."

"Don’t rush." Hua Xiaomai quickly stood up as well.

"Do you have any instructions, Chef Hua?" Dongzi immediately stopped, looking at her with a smile.

"Not instructions." Hua Xiaomai shook her head with a smile, "I wanted to ask you, is Lady Wu still taking her medicine?"

"Isn’t she?" Dongzi spread his hands, showing helplessness, "Whether the medicine does any good, even my master isn’t sure. But who dares to ignore the doctor’s words? If you ask me, that medicine’s bitterness is unbearable. Just smelling a whiff of it while it’s being prepared is uncomfortable, so imagine how much worse it must be to take? This constant ingestion of bitter medicine could ruin even the strongest stomach!"

"Hmm." Hua Xiaomai hummed in acknowledgment, pondered for a moment, and then beckoned to Dongzi, "Why don’t you come inside the restaurant and sit for a while? I have something I’d like you to bring back to Lady Wu. Also, it’s so cold today, and you came to my small eatery so early; you must have left before dawn. You should at least have a bowl of tea."

As she spoke, she reached for her money to give to him.

Dongzi, quick on his feet, saw through her intention immediately and waved his hands, laughing heartily, "If you’re offering me money, I dare not accept it. Before leaving, my master instructed that if I accepted any money from you, he’d have my hide! My master is generous to his servants and will reward me himself, so you needn’t worry. As for a warm bowl of tea, that would be nice—I know restaurant owners like you always have clear tea on hand, but I’m used to Mixed Tea."

"We have Mixed Tea as well." Seeing his earnest "no money" speech, which didn’t seem like mere politeness or pretense, Hua Xiaomai stopped insisting. She led him with a smile to sit down in the main hall and immediately went into the kitchen.

She had learned to make Mixed Tea only after coming to Fire Knife Village, because Jing Taihe loved it, and they sometimes had to prepare it at home.

The frying process incorporated pine nuts and finely sliced chestnuts mixed with tea leaves, all put into a blackened large kettle on the stove to brew. In no time, a rich aroma filled the entire kitchen. Pouring the thick tea broth into a bowl and adding a bit of salt produced a fragrant, hot, steaming Mixed Tea; a cup of it in winter warmed one’s entire body.

Hua Xiaomai brought out the bowl of tea, accompanied by two paper-wrapped packages, placed them in front of Dongzi, and, while handing him a handful of fried seeds, smiled and said, "These two packages contain Sugared Winter Melon Strips and dried haws. Lady Wu has to take medicine every day; take these back for her to cleanse her palate, maybe they’re better than what you can buy outside. Also, please relay a message to Master Wu from me, tell him to advise her for me—tell him I’ve accepted the gift he sent today and thank him for it, but from now on, he needn’t send any more items, I’ve received his sentiment."

Dongzi took a large sip of the tea, praised it with a "good tea," and laughed, "Your words are a bit off. The master gave the orders, and we servants can only follow them. How could we dare to suggest what he should or should not do? I’ll definitely pass on your message, but if I come again, please don’t send me away!"

Hua Xiaomai, unable to suppress her curiosity and with a half-smile, said, "What kind of business does your master actually do?" To gather so many chili seeds at once wasn’t an easy task at all.