Chef Hua
Chapter 30: Episode 23: Run Until My Legs Break

Chapter 30: Episode 23: Run Until My Legs Break

The heavy rain poured down, washing over every flagstone in the streets and alleys of Fuzhe County, leaving the bustling market abruptly deserted. The vendors hastily pushed their carts to rush home, splashing countless water droplets with their feet. The rain was so intense that many shops also shut their doors to prevent the rain from seeping inside.

Upon hearing that a girl from the same village as Meng Yuhuai had gone missing, Ke Zhenwu was very concerned and immediately sent several workers to help search for her. In a flurry, Hua Xiaomai donned her raincoat and followed Meng Yuhuai out of the gates of Lianshun Escort Agency once again.

The sky was frighteningly dark, pitch-black, with hardly a pedestrian in sight. Hua Xiaomai, looking at the empty streets, felt her heart pounding ceaselessly.

How could a living, breathing person just disappear without a trace?

"I’ve sent a few men to the south and the east, you and I will head north first," Meng Yuhuai looked back and instructed before striding forward quickly without another word. Hua Xiaomai hurried to catch up, not daring to lag behind even a step.

Fuzhe County was not very big, but to comb every corner on foot still required a substantial effort. Meng Yuhuai marched on, leading Hua Xiaomai in a loop around the streets and alleys of the north side. After more than an hour and inquiries at numerous shops that were still open, they found no news of Guan Rong. Frustrated yet undeterred, they turned to head towards West City.

Hua Xiaomai could barely walk any further, merely forcing herself to keep going. The oversized raincoat was not entirely waterproof, and the cold rain funneled down her neck, chilling her to the bone, as if she had fallen into an ice cave. Seeing that Meng Yuhuai showed no signs of slowing down, she clenched her teeth, ran up to him, and whispered, "Big Brother Meng, we can’t keep blundering around aimlessly, can we? You’ve known Sister Rong for a long time—do you know if she has any relatives in the county, or if there’s anywhere she likes to go?"

"I’m not sure," Meng Yuhuai replied blankly, shaking his head. He then grabbed an old man hurrying by with a shoulder pole, "Old man, have you seen a young girl, tall and thin, with a delicate appearance..."

"Haven’t seen, haven’t seen, let go of me now!" the old man replied impatiently, shaking off his hand and disappearing in an instant.

Meng Yuhuai was also very anxious. Turning to look at Hua Xiaomai, his frown deepened.

She was bent over with her hands on her knees, panting heavily. Her shoes were completely submerged in the water, and the legs of her trousers were soaked through, clinging to her calves.

He quickly looked away, remembering she had already run back and forth twice between the market and a teahouse outside the city; he suddenly felt a pang of softness in his heart.

"Come here," he went over to pull Hua Xiaomai under a narrow eave, "Stay here and wait for a while, I’ll look around nearby. Don’t leave until I come back, understood?"

Hua Xiaomai was briefly stunned but immediately grasped his meaning and nodded quickly: "Okay."

Considering her previous urgency, Meng Yuhuai thought she would never agree to stay put, but she acquiesced so readily that he was surprised. He gave her another glance and then turned to disappear into the veil of rain.

It was as if the sky had sprung a leak, with the fierce wind driving rain against walls and the ground in a relentless barrage. Hua Xiaomai stood obediently under the eaves, occasionally looking up at the gloomy sky, really feeling the urge to cry.

Guan Rong was very frail, and quite beautiful. If she encountered a villain, or was kidnapped, that would be a serious trouble!

If only she had known, she wouldn’t have let Guan Rong come with her to the county today. Even if she needed someone to show the way, wasn’t there Sister Hua at home? With her second sister’s fierce and aggressive temper, she’d never suffer a loss wherever she went! Now, how was she going to explain this to Guan Rong’s parents?

The more she thought about it, the more terrified she became, with all sorts of chaotic thoughts springing to mind. Her knees became so weak she couldn’t stand, and she crouched down against the wall.

When Meng Yuhuai returned, he found Hua Xiaomai curled up into a small bundle under the eaves, her face, mostly covered by her conical hat, was deathly pale, and her shoulders were shivering uncontrollably. He was startled, thinking to himself that a girl’s constitution couldn’t compare to his. He quickly stepped over and asked, "How are you feeling?"

Hua Xiaomai sprang to her feet and looked behind him, her face immediately creasing with concern, "Big Brother Meng, is there still no news of Sister Rong?"

"No," Meng Yuhuai shook his head and after a moment’s consideration said, "Continuing the search like this might not yield any news. I think we should do this instead. I’ll take you back to the Escort Agency. If you trust me, just stay there for the night. I’ll ask Sister-in-law Zuo to settle you in, and then I’ll make my way back to Fire Knife Village to search."

Hua Xiaomai’s mind was somewhat clouded as she stared blankly at him.

Meng Yuhuai thought she was hesitant and patiently explained, "The rain is too heavy. Walking back will not only delay time but also be unsafe. Riding back on a horse isn’t convenient while taking you along. Don’t worry, Sister-in-law Zuo will also be spending the night at the Escort Agency, she’ll keep you company so no mishaps occur. By the way, it’s also a good opportunity for me to go back to the village and inform your sister and brother-in-law, so they won’t worry."

"Alright, then let’s do that," Hua Xiaomai finally snapped out of it and promptly replied.

Meng Yuhuai felt surprised for the second time that day and frowned, "Do you... understand what I’m saying? I’m asking you to stay at the Escort Agency, and you have no objections?"

Hua Xiaomai shook her head without hesitation, "I’ve thought about it. If I keep following you, I’ll be a burden and slow you down, which will only delay things. It’s probably more convenient for you to travel alone. It’s okay, with Sister-in-law Zuo here, I’m not afraid."

Meng Yuhuai gazed at her deeply, "If that’s the case, then follow me back first."

...

When the two returned to Lianshun Escort Agency on Tiansheng Street, Meng Yuhuai had Zuo Jinxiang take Hua Xiaomai to change into a set of clothes and instructed her to help make a bowl of ginger soup, then he immediately left without a moment’s delay.

Hua Xiaomai drank the strong ginger soup boiled by Zuo Jinxiang and ate something with her in the kitchen; but back in her room, she couldn’t sit still, standing at the window, peering outside without even blinking.

"Miss Xiaomai, come over and rest for a while," Seeing her so uneasy, Sister-in-law Zuo came over and wrapped an arm around her shoulder, "Leader Meng is very responsible in his work, and since he has promised to help you, he will certainly not shirk it. Besides, that missing girl is from your village too, isn’t she? Even out of concern for that, he’ll do his best. Just wait here patiently."

Hua Xiaomai turned around and forced a smile at her, "I know Big Brother Meng won’t brush me off, it’s just that I’m worried about my sister..."

"Tsk, there’s nothing to worry about, our Fuzhe County is very peaceful!" Zuo Jinxiang comforted, patting her back, "I have to go prepare dinner now. If you feel sleepy, just take a nap. I’ve hung up your clothes to dry. If they’re not dry by tomorrow morning, you can wear my clothes, and have Leader Meng bring them back later. Heh, my clothes aren’t brightly colored and are a bit large for you, but don’t mind that," she said, laughing heartily before turning and walking out.

Hua Xiaomai thanked her as she left and, truly exhausted, leaned back against the headboard and dozed off.

She didn’t know how long she slept, but when she awoke, the Escort Agency was brightly lit, and the scent of dinner wafted through from the kitchen in the front courtyard. Hua Xiaomai rubbed her eyes and stood up, intending to go to the front courtyard to help Zuo Jinxiang, but suddenly someone knocked on the door.

"Miss Xiaomai, it’s me."

It was Meng Yuhuai’s voice.

Hua Xiaomai jolted, hurried over, and flung open the door, eyes wide as she looked at him.

Meng Yuhuai was drenched from head to toe, his face showing signs of fatigue as he gave a slight smile, "I’ve spoken to your sister and brother-in-law. It’s raining heavily, and you can’t return home, so you’ll stay at Lianshun Escort Agency for tonight. Your sister sent you a change of clothes."

Hua Xiaomai had no time for these details, she asked frantically, "Did you find Guan Rong sister?"

"... She went home."

"What?!"

Meng Yuhuai took a deep breath and looked at the incredulous face before him, "She returned to Fire Knife Village before the rain started."