Chef Hua
Chapter 292: Episode 170: Not doing things that don’t take advantage

Chapter 292: Episode 170: Not doing things that don’t take advantage

Meng Yuhuai had been overwhelmed with the affairs of the Escort Agency recently, constantly busy from dawn to dusk, and it wouldn’t seem an exaggeration to describe his situation as frantically chaotic.

With more than half of the people in the Escort Agency gone and coinciding with the year-end when many merchants needed to transport and deliver goods, it truly took all his effort to allocate manpower. Ke Zhenwu, still sick albeit showing improvement, remained sulking at home every day, unwilling to show his face. He happily delegated all responsibilities of the Escort Agency to Meng Yuhuai, enjoying seclusion and leisure.

In the village, everyone said that Meng Yuhuai was a young and promising man, but after all, he was just a Leader, and before this, he only needed to listen to Ke Zhenwu’s arrangements and didn’t have to think too much. Now that everything fell on him, even the slightest detail had to be meticulously considered. He was somewhat unaccustomed, and it took him several days to finally get the workings of the Lianshun Escort Agency in order, feeling that this was even more exhausting than going out to escort goods.

When he saw Hua Xiaomai in a hurry, wanting to drag him to Qingping County, he began to contemplate the idea.

Accompanying his wife on a trip could be seen as a chance to relax and stroll around, which seemed... not too bad?

He had not spoken for a long time, and Hua Xiaomai, growing impatient, slapped his arm in frustration, displeased, she said, "Is it really that hard to decide whether to accompany me to Qingping County? If I weren’t unfamiliar with the route, I wouldn’t need you at all!"

Meng could have easily avoided her slap, but he sat there motionless and took it, then he calmly pulled her hand and said, "Don’t rush, I’m thinking about finding someone tomorrow morning to pass a message to the Escort Agency. Since you’re going to seek out Wu Wenhong, I must naturally accompany you—though I reckon your journey might be in vain."

Hua Xiaomai persistently questioned him, but he refused to elaborate further, merely smiling faintly before heading to the washroom to freshen up and then to bed for an early rest without mentioning it again.

The next day, they both got up early. After preparing a full day’s meals for Old Lady Meng, Meng Yuhuai found someone in the village who was originally planning to go to Fuzhe County to make a purchase, asking him to convey a message to the Lianshun Escort Agency beforehand, then he led Hua Xiaomai out of the house.

According to his plan, since they were married, their first trip out together should involve a slow journey to enjoy the scenery and try out some delicious food, making it a leisure trip. Unfortunately, Hua Xiaomai, preoccupied with her business, dragged him along swiftly, and they entered the county gates of Qingping County before noon.

Wu Wenhong had some reputation in Qingping County. After asking around in the county, out of ten people, eight had heard of his name. Once they learned his residence, they weren’t in a rush anymore. The two casually chose a bustling restaurant for lunch and drank a couple of cups of tea, estimating that even if the Wu family were to take a nap, they should be up by this time, they hurried north towards the city.

The Wu residence was located in a peaceful alley amidst the bustle, a large courtyard with three sections, with cypress trees planted both in front of the gate and inside the courtyard. Even in winter, it was a sight full of green. From the moment Hua Xiaomai entered these grounds, she couldn’t help but look around this wealthy residence with great interest. Meng Yuhuai, on the other hand, appeared very calm. After announcing themselves to an elderly gatekeeper, they were led to the front hall to wait.

Wu Wenhong soon hurried from the back yard, stepping briskly toward Hua Xiaomai, and with a laugh said, "Ah, my dear, when they said it was you, I half didn’t believe it, thinking your restaurant keeps you too busy to travel all this way to Qingping County! You came just at the right time. My wife and I just returned from Provincial City two days ago. If you had come earlier, you might not have caught us!"

As he spoke, he instructed a maid standing by to bring out Lady Wu, then turned to Meng Yuhuai with a smile, "And this is... "

"This is my... " Hua Xiaomai was pondering whether to introduce Meng Yuhuai as "husband" or "my man" in front of others, but he had already greeted Wu Wenhong with a cupped fist, exchanging pleasantries. Soon after, Lady Wu rushed from the inner residence, and they all sat down to chat for a while. Hua Xiaomai inquired about Lady Wu’s recent appetite, then took two ingots of silver from Meng Yuhuai and slid them across the table.

Wu Wenhong was momentarily stunned, his eyes widening. After a long pause, he seemed utterly baffled as he said, "My dear, what is this? This money... "

"I should have brought it to you earlier, but I heard you were in the Provincial City, so it was delayed," Hua Xiaomai smiled, "The game and mushrooms you sent sold very well in my little restaurant, and I made a good profit in just a few days. I felt it wouldn’t be right to take advantage of you, so I thought it proper to bring you this money. I’ve never dealt in game before, so I’m not sure of its worth; if it’s not enough, you ..."