Chef Hua
Chapter 299 - 173 Unlucky_2

Chapter 299: Chapter 173 Unlucky_2

Zhou Yunyun was indeed great material for learning to cook. Within just about a month, she had progressed rapidly and was already able to cut the cabbage as fine as hair threads, and very evenly too. Knife skills can’t be mastered in just a day or two, so seeing her talent and willingness to put in hard work, Hua Xiaomai gradually started teaching her how to prepare side dishes, letting her memorize everything little by little.

"Look, this soup pot, besides being tasty, the most important thing is to have enough ingredients in it; otherwise, after a few bites, there will be nothing left but broth in the pot. How could that satisfy anyone?" she said, swiftly chopping the head of the silver carp in half, leaving only a thin skin connecting the two halves. "You see, making Sichuan Bai Zhi Fish Head Soup is easy, just put a whole fish head in each pot. As for the lamb soup, put two jin of lamb meat in each one. When the time comes, measure it properly, don’t shortchange anyone, understand?"

Zhou Yunyun first nodded her head, then with a slight hesitation, she said, "But Master, putting two jin of lamb meat in every pot, what if it’s just one person eating, wouldn’t that be wasteful?"

Hua Xiaomai sighed, glanced at her, and her tone was a bit unfriendly, "Haven’t I told you this before? Why can’t you remember? People pay the same amount of money; why should they get less just because there are fewer of them? If word of this got out, wouldn’t we be branded as unscrupulous? Such a trivial thing, and you expect me to explain it how many times? I’m not even tired of talking about it, I’m tired of saying it!"

Zhou Yunyun was so frightened that she trembled, forcefully snatching the knife from Hua Xiaomai’s hand and throwing it aside before she cautiously said, "Master, what’s wrong with you?"

At this point, Chun Xi and La Mei were also in the kitchen, and hearing the noise, they came over, laughing, "Xiaomai girl, what are you getting so angry about? Yunyun is just worried about our restaurant losing out. It’s good to do business honestly, but her worrying about us isn’t wrong either. Why are you yelling at her? Look how scared she is; she even thought you were going to chop her up with that knife!"

"No, I was afraid the Master might accidentally hurt herself..." Zhou Yunyun quickly gestured with her hands.

Chun Xi then leaned into Hua Xiaomai’s ear, giggling, "I’m telling you, isn’t it that time of the month? Hey, I’m just like you, when those days arrive, my temper turns awful, I yell at everyone. We’re all women here, I understand, really!"

"That’s not it!" Hua Xiaomai turned and frowned at her.

"No?" Chun Xi scratched her chin, "Then could it be... did you and Brother Yuhuai have a fight? Wow, married not too long ago, and already looking as frazzled as a hen. Tsk, he doesn’t seem like the kind to be unreasonable, it must have been you who provoked him!"

"Sister-in-law Chun Xi!" Hua Xiaomai rolled her eyes, exasperated, "I didn’t argue with him, don’t go spreading rumors everywhere. If my sister hears about it, she’ll worry."

"Won’t spread it, won’t spread it. I love to chat but I know my limits. I won’t say a word about your personal matters, don’t worry!" Chun Xi patted her back, seemingly in comfort, then turned to pat Zhou Yunyun’s head and along with La Mei, carried a basket full of washed and boiled chopsticks out to the hall. Seeing Zhou Yunyun’s terrified appearance, Hua Xiaomai felt a pang of sympathy and walked over to pat her shoulder.

"I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have shouted at you. But dealing with the lamb soup is simple; we’ll divide it into large, medium, and small servings. The large serving will have two jin of meat, the medium one will have one jin, and the small one will have five liang. This way, the customers coming to eat will have a choice, and we won’t waste anything or lose out. It was actually a very simple matter; I was confused and ended up scolding you unnecessarily."

"It’s okay, it’s okay." Zhou Yunyun waved her hands repeatedly, her face slightly reddened, "Master, you seem upset. Why don’t you sit down and rest for a while? The other day I saw you making Mixed Tea. I used to make it at home too. How about I make some for you?"

"Rest?" Hua Xiaomai forced a smile and shook her head, "Look at the time, it’s almost noon. Not only can we not rest, but we will be busy in no time. Never mind about me, hurry up and get the vegetables ready. Oh, and before we close tonight, remind me so I can ask your brother Yuhuai to help write down those soup names on the wooden board, so we can hang it in the shop tomorrow."

"Okay." Zhou Yunyun secretly sighed in relief and responded with a smile.

This rush lasted until late evening. Hua Xiaomai had originally promised to go back and stew pork bone soup for Old Lady Meng, but after that argument, where was her mood for it? She simply stayed in the shop as usual, preparing to leave with Chun Xi and La Mei. With nothing else to do, she asked Zhou Yunyun if she felt cold at night and whether she wanted an extra blanket or anything of the sort.

But just as the hour of Hai arrived, Meng Yuhuai came.

Hua Xiaomai was sitting with her back to the door. Hearing La Mei greeting him, she hurriedly turned around and saw that he was looking towards her with a slight smile on his lips.

Uh...Why suddenly feeling a bit guilty? She didn’t know whether he had come straight from Lianshun Escort Agency or had gone home first.

She stood up, hesitated for a moment, then slowly walked over. She glanced at Meng Yuhuai’s face, unable to discern whether he was happy or angry. Biting her lip, she spoke softly, "What brought you here today?"

"I figured you wouldn’t be able to sit still, eager to sell those soup pots in the shop as soon as possible, so I came over to write the names on the menu for you. Tomorrow you can use it." Meng Yuhuai’s expression was usual, he spoke amiably, "Also, to take you home."

"Oh..." Hua Xiaomai felt slightly relieved, called Zhou Yunyun to bring the wooden board and ink, and watched as he added the names of the soup pots. She then stretched languidly, feigning ease, "I am indeed a bit tired, let’s go home?"

Meng Yuhuai nodded, said goodbye to the three people in the shop, and walked out with her. They had walked some distance and were quite far from the small restaurant when he suddenly stopped.

"Did you argue with my mother today?" He suddenly turned and bent down his head, looking into Hua Xiaomai’s eyes. (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast a recommendation ticket or a monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)