Chef Hua
Chapter 291: Episode 169: Three Gifts (3)_2

Chapter 291: Episode 169: Three Gifts (3)_2

"Don’t rush, let’s talk inside." Hearing him say this, Hua Xiaomai was also moved. She led him upstairs to a private room to sit and rest, quickly brewed a pot of tea, and then sat opposite him, "What’s the good news? Just give me a brief, I still have a lot to do in the kitchen."

"Oh my, at this point, what can we do about the missed business at noon?" As Pan Ping’an was feeling warm, he lifted his robe to fan himself and took a sip of tea, cheerfully saying, "Let me tell you, this is really a huge surprise as if a pie had fallen from the sky. I was so happy that I couldn’t sleep for a couple of nights. After discussing it nearly enough, I immediately rushed back to the village to share the joy with you! Guess what, guess what good luck has fallen into your lap?"

Hua Xiaomai was almost laughing and crying at the same time. This man, always playing coy.

She leaned back in her chair, a slight smile curling at the edges of her lips: "I can’t guess, please just tell me, I really need to get back to cooking."

Disappointed by her lack of participative enthusiasm, Pan Ping’an soon became excited again, shaking his head and proclaiming, "Let me tell you, you better brace yourself—someone is willing to pay to open a Sauce Garden for you!"

"What?!" Hua Xiaomai almost fell out of her chair.

"See, see, I told you to sit tight, got scared, didn’t you?" Pan Ping’an laughed heartily.

Hua Xiaomai didn’t have time to respond as her mind quickly raced through several thoughts, forming a guess.

Dongzi said that Wu Wenhong had gone to Provincial City a few days ago, and following that, Pan Ping’an did not return to Fire Knife Village on time. Now he’s here full of joy, announcing that someone wants to open a Sauce Garden for her. Could she assume that there was some connection?

So this was the third gift from Wu Wenhong? Truly... too absurd!

"Is the person’s last name Wu?" She asked, her smile freezing, as she stared directly into Pan Ping’an’s eyes, enunciating each word.

"Eh, how did you know?" Pan Ping’an was startled, then smacked his forehead, "Oh, look at me, of course you know him, he’s willing to invest in you. If it were someone you didn’t know, who would be such a big fool... oh no, I mean, who would be so generous?"

Slipped out the truth, didn’t he? Hua Xiaomai gave him a glance, trying to keep her composure: "What did Mr. Wu tell you exactly?"

Pan Ping’an was waiting for her to ask, vividly saying, "You know, I also found it odd. How did he know that I was working with you in the sauce business, and why didn’t he come to find you directly but went all the way to Provincial City to find me? He said he knew I was selling the sauce with you, asked how the business was doing, and when he heard that now about seven or eight restaurants in the city specify they want our sauce, including two very famous large ones, he immediately asked my opinion on starting a Sauce Garden stating that it could be profitable. Of course, I nodded vigorously!"

"Oh, why?" Hua Xiaomai slightly tilted her chin.

"Isn’t that obvious?" Pan Ping’an spoke earnestly, "Though our sauce has a steady market now, it still lacks a name, and since it’s popular, we should expand soon to overshadow Antai Garden. We currently lack the capital and even though we have the will, we do not have the way, but since someone is willing to invest Silver, why not seize this opportunity? Mr. Wu said that if we are willing to engage in this business, buying the garden, furnishing the home, hiring workers... he would handle all these concerns, we wouldn’t even have to spend a copper, a chance like this doesn’t come by every day! I told Hua Xiaomai girl, Mr. Wu keeps saying that you helped his family a great deal, you are a benefactor to his household, what exactly is your relationship with him that he would go to such lengths to help you?"

Hua Xiaomai didn’t want to explain any further, she simply said, "Uncle Pan, stop. Don’t think too much, I absolutely cannot accept this. It’s impossible."

Pan Ping’an’s face immediately stiffened, and he stumbled over his words: "Why, why would you refuse such a good opportunity, you..."

"I have helped his family indeed, but even if he wants to repay me, everything has its limits, this is too exaggerated, I absolutely cannot accept it." Hua Xiaomai said definitively, "I’ll explain things to him myself. Our sauce business will continue as usual—has Mr. Wu already left Provincial City?"

"He actually left before me, but..." Pan Ping’an was flabbergasted, stammering, "You are turning down such a great opportunity to make money and gain recognition, are you really content with just earning those few copper coins every month? This is..."

"Uncle Pan, are you implying that you look down on our small business and no longer wish to partner with me?" Hua Xiaomai frowned slightly, tired of arguing, and simply asked.

Pan Ping’an’s eyes widened, and he chuckled awkwardly, "Why would I not want to partner with you, Hua Xiaomai girl? We’ve always worked well together, and your sauce is so good... but aren’t you going to reconsider this at all?"

"There’s nothing to reconsider." Hua Xiaomai shook her head decisively, then said, "Tomorrow I need to make a trip, we’ll talk about how much sauce to make next month, what kinds, when I return, and I’d appreciate if you could stay in the village for a couple more days."

Pan Ping’an felt as if a bucket of snow water had been dumped on him. The joy he had before returning now vanished, replaced by a deep sadness and disappointment. He nodded listlessly, no longer willing to stay longer, and left the floor with unsteady steps.

That whole day, for the remaining time, Hua Xiaomai felt unable to focus properly on her business, closing shop half an hour earlier than usual and rushed home, heading straight to her room to grab Meng Yuhuai who had just returned.

"This Wu Wenhong is getting more and more outrageous. I was already planning to return the money for those game and mushrooms to him, this makes it a perfect opportunity, will you accompany me to Qingping County tomorrow?"(To Be Continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote on Qidian (qidian.com) for recommendation ticket, monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to continue reading.)