Chef Hua
Chapter 295: Episode 171 Let’s Start_2

Chapter 295: Episode 171 Let’s Start_2

As he spoke, he reached out and slid the two ingots of silver across the table towards Hua Xiaomai, "Aren’t you going to hurry up and take it? A little bit of game and you’re shoving it back and forth, not even embarrassed! Ah right, there’s another thing, I need to instruct you about something related to that Pan fellow."

Related to Pan Ping’an? Hearing this, Hua Xiaomai couldn’t help but raise her eyebrows, "Please go on."

Wu Wenhong knocked seriously on the tabletop with his finger, "I know that right now you’re partnering with him in that sauce business, splitting the profits evenly, but once the Sauce Garden starts up, I fear the accounts can’t be settled this way anymore. I’ll put in the money, and you’ll contribute your expertise, and he, at most, would just be running errands. Though we do rely on his local influence in the Prefecture, I can find someone else to handle these affairs for you, and quite likely, they’d be more reliable and trustworthy than him. Given that, why should he continue to split the profits evenly with you? You should think this over carefully, and it’s something you should really discuss with your husband."

Before Hua Xiaomai could speak, Wu Wenhong smiled again, "Of course, when it comes down to it, this has nothing to do with me. I’m just blabbering because I’m bored. If you don’t like what you hear, just pretend you’ve never heard it, alright?"

Hua Xiaomai pondered for a moment and then nodded gently, "Thank you, I will consider this matter carefully."

"Alright, that’s one less thing on my mind, I’m feeling completely relaxed!" Wu Wenhong clapped his hands and leaned back in his chair, letting out a sigh of relief, "If it were in the past, I would’ve handled everything myself, but now, I’m pushing forty and truly, I’m feeling a bit lazy and don’t have the energy to run around anymore. Just to mention something recent, after making a couple of trips to the Provincial City, I came back with my back and legs aching! The wife isn’t in good health either, thinking about it, I should stay home and spend more time with her. From now on, I’ll have to rely on you, sister, to make some easy money for me!"

As they were all sitting in the front hall, the conversation unavoidably drifted to other idle topics. Wu Wenhong asked what Meng Yuhuai did for a living, and upon learning that he was an Escort Master, Wu Wenhong was so astonished he couldn’t close his mouth, continuously praising the profession and eagerly asking about various fresh experiences from escorting. In the midst of their conversation, a few kitchen hands brought in two pots, steaming and fragrant, followed closely by three or four small dishes.

Hua Xiaomai turned to look at the sky and couldn’t help but express her surprise, "It’s not even evening yet, and the two of you are having dinner already?"

"It’s all his doing; he gets hungry easily in the winter," said Lady Wu with a beaming smile, "Besides, he was thinking of my poor appetite. If we have an extra meal in the afternoon, there’s more variety in the dishes throughout the day, and maybe, just maybe, I might find something I like to eat––it’s just been brought in. If you don’t mind, why not join us for a bite?"

Hua Xiaomai glanced at the table and saw that both the main dishes were in hot pots, with a small stove underneath which allowed them to cook as they ate, instantly stirring something in her heart, and she silently chided herself for being foolish as her thoughts drifted back to her little restaurant. Meng Yuhuai turned his head to look at her and seeing that she was clearly lost in thought again, he couldn’t help feeling a bit helpless and quickly, without making a sound, gave her a tug.

There’s an old saying, "Tea is for extending a visit, soup is for sending guests on their way," but while the Wu couple might not necessarily have intended this meaning, it was still polite to follow such customs. He immediately stood up with Hua Xiaomai and smiled, "Time is getting on, and the journey back to Fire Knife Village is not a short one. It’s better to head back earlier. Thank you for today’s hospitality, and next time you two come to Fire Knife Village, please be sure to visit our home."

Wu Wenhong exchanged a few more pleasantries with them, then had his servants see them out. They didn’t dare to dally and set off down the official road, headed straight for Fire Knife Village.

...

Meng Yuhuai and Hua Xiaomai hurried along, sometimes faster, sometimes slower, but when they returned to Fire Knife Village, it was still past the hour of the pig. The village was dead silent, and the gate to the Meng family’s courtyard was bolted by Grandma Meng. Meng Yuhuai had no choice but to climb over the wall to get in and open the gate to let Hua Xiaomai inside.

They both washed up as quietly and carefully as possible, and upon returning to their room, Hua Xiaomai immediately sprawled on the bed, pondering over her business plans.

"...It was only after seeing the variety of dishes on Elder Master Wu’s dining table that I realized, in this deep winter, how could I have not thought to sell a couple of soup pots! We don’t need too many varieties, one Sichuan lovage stewed fish head, one pepper pig’s stomach soup—right, and add a lamb soup! Just sit on the small charcoal stove like that, and the diners can cook and eat at the same time, adding more vegetables when the meat is finished, and finally drink the soup till it’s all gone... Just thinking about it makes me feel warm in this winter!"

Suddenly, her thoughts drifted to Sauce Garden.

"Now that I’ve decided to open it, I really need to give it some thought, the things Uncle Ping’an transports to the Provincial City to sell, when it comes down to it, are just those few items. Small trading can be like that, but a proper Sauce Garden absolutely cannot—You see, just the soy sauce, I can make six or seven kinds, not to mention the heavenly vinegar, eight-treasure sauce... the more complete, the better, then..."

Meng Yuhuai sat by the table at first, willing to listen seriously to her mutterings, but as time went on, he became a bit impatient, glancing at her and called out in a deep voice, "Hua Xiaomai."

What now... that tone again?

Hua Xiaomai hurriedly turned her head, looking at him questioningly.

"I’m hungry." Meng someone frowned slightly.

It was only then that the little wife remembered that on their way back, they only casually bought a couple of pancakes to eat, which was not at all filling. This guy, tall and big as he is, definitely would have been hungry long ago, his front sticking to his back. She quickly jumped up and said apologetically, "Oh, I’m so sorry, I forgot... I’ll go right away and get you something to eat. This morning while making food for mother, I remember there was still quite a bit of food left in the kitchen..."

As she said this, she suddenly paused, doubtfully adding, "Wait, when you say ’hungry,’ you do mean that your stomach is empty, right?"

Meng Yuhuai almost didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, "Yes, it’s hunger, stomach hunger. Other matters, we’ll discuss after I’ve regained some strength."

Hua Xiaomai gave him a glance, then turned and ran to the kitchen, immediately rolling up her sleeves to get to work. Meng Yuhuai, finding it boring to sit alone in the room, followed her in, only to see his wife efficiently scoop two ladles of water, lifting the lid of the pot ready to pour it in, but her hand stopped mid-air, frozen.

"Yuhuai." She whispered as low as she could, beckoning Meng someone to come closer, "Look, the food I made this morning, mother didn’t eat a single bite, see, it’s still untouched!" (To be continued. If you like this work, please come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation ticket and monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please go to m.qidian.com to read.)