Chef Hua
Chapter 309 - 178: Caught_2

Chapter 309: Chapter 178: Caught_2

Hua Xiaomai returned to the courtyard and immediately saw Old Lady Meng standing at the entrance of the main house, her gaze sweeping in her direction occasionally, as if she wanted to say something yet ultimately remained silent.

She lowered her head and pondered for a while, then approached with a smile, pointing at the courtyard wall and said softly, "Mother, thank you for backing me up today. Although it’s very likely unrelated to their family, I’m ecstatic that you stood up for me. I was thoughtless a few days ago and offended you, but you are generous and do not hold it against me. If I ever make mistakes in the future, please guide me..."

"Don’t bother me with such nonsense!" Old Lady Meng slowly and clearly rolled her eyes, her voice low yet clear, "Do you think I have nothing better to do than to back you up for no reason? I am protecting the face of the Meng family! That vile girl dared to scheme against my son, just because of that, she will never see a kind face from me for as long as she lives!"

After speaking, she spat on the ground and strode majestically into the main house.

Hua Xiaomai watched her back, shook her head, and smiled, then went on to prepare meals in the kitchen without further mention.

...

With Meng Yuhuai away on a long trip and such an incident occurring at home, it was fortunate that Great Saint Sun was there to help. Chun Xi and La Mei occasionally came to look in on her, which gave Hua Xiaomai some peace of mind.

On the second day of the month, she went to the Jing family’s small courtyard early in the morning. Besides preparing a good meal for the couple, she also made an appearance in front of Lady Hua, to put her at ease. Lady Hua inevitably cursed the thief who set fire to the vegetable patch. Recalling that Meng Yuhuai had not been home for New Year’s since their marriage, she could not help but complain softly.

Hua Xiaomai knew she meant well, fearing she might be upset by Old Lady Meng, so she let her chatter away, accompanying her for an entire day’s conversation until she returned to the Meng family’s courtyard on the third day of the New Year. She brought some of Ke Zhenwu’s favorite dishes to the Lianshun Escort Agency, where she inquired about his residence to visit him. Seeing the old man looking thinner than a month or two ago yet still spry and cheerful, her heart settled a bit.

Although it would be appropriate to rest during the New Year, she hadn’t had a moment’s peace for several days. Soon it was the fifth day of New Year, the market reopening day, and Hua Xiaomai was even busier, going early to the small restaurant on the east side of the village. She helped Zhou Yunyun open up the place, ready to get business going again.

It was said that the market would not open until the fifth day, but traders and business people couldn’t possibly wait at home until then. Usually, by the second day of the New Year, they hurriedly set off, hoping the first business transaction of the New Year would bring in more profit.

The imperial road was bustling with ongoing traffic, and by noon, the small restaurant was bursting with customers stopping by for a meal, making the first day of business remarkably packed.

Hua Xiaomai, with Zhou Yunyun bustling in the kitchen, and Chun Xi and La Mei attending to customers outside were incredibly busy when a young merchant, holding a three-tiered food box, hastily ran down from the imperial road.

"Quick, quick, quick." As he entered the restaurant, he urgently said to Chun Xi, "I need two meat dishes and two vegetarian dishes, doesn’t matter with rice or steamed buns, just prepare portions for four people, the faster the better. I’m taking it to eat on the road and won’t take up your tables here; can you make mine first?"

Chun Xi, unused to handling such clients, was somewhat stunned. Ultimately, La Mei, being more agile, came forward, pushing her aside and said smilingly to the young man, "You only said you want two meat and two vegetarian dishes, but didn’t specify which. It’s difficult to start without knowing exactly what you want! Also, there’s a first come, first served order here. Everyone here wants to finish their meals and hit the road as well, and if we serve you first, they certainly won’t agree! Please take a look at the menu board on the wall, decide what you’d like, and let me know."

"Ah, why so troublesome!" The young man slammed his food box on the table, reluctantly glanced at the wall, looked indecisively for a while, then stamped his foot and said, "We aren’t picky eaters, just make whatever is easiest; the most important thing is speed. I’m delivering goods, and I’m already late. If it’s any later, they’ll surely cut my price!"

Despite the cold weather, he was so anxious that he broke out in sweat on his forehead. La Mei found it somewhat amusing, nodded quickly in agreement, grabbed the food box, and swiftly walked into the kitchen to explain the situation to Hua Xiaomai.

"This is a restaurant, not a ready-to-eat meat shop; how could we have food ready to sell to him? It still takes time for the chef to prepare!" She laughed and added, "I wanted to tell him it would take as long as it takes to drink a cup of tea, but I was afraid he’d just leave in a hurry, and we’d lose that business, so I held back."

The speaker intended no harm, but the listener found meaning. As Hua Xiaomai heard this, ideas started forming in her mind, but she didn’t rush to express them. Instead, she sent both Chun Xi and La Mei to keep the young man calm while she swiftly prepared the two meat and two vegetarian dishes properly in the food box, and had Zhou Yunyun deliver it. She then busied herself in the kitchen, her mind churning. Just as she completed making a dish of fish-flavored eggplant, a commotion erupted in the main hall, accompanied by applause and cheers; she frowned, untied her apron, and hurried out.

The hall was packed, and all the guests’ attention was firmly fixed on two individuals outside the door, amidst a flurry of discussions and laughter so loud anyone walking in would feel their ears ring.

Hua Xiaomai followed everyone’s gaze and immediately saw Great Saint Sun standing outside, gasping heavily as if quite exhausted. He was gripping someone tightly; noticing Hua Xiaomai emerging, he suddenly dropped the person like a sack, stepped unceremoniously on him, and waved energetically towards her, shouting, "Sister-in-law, I’ve caught the thief who set fire to your field!" (To be continued. If you enjoyed this work, you are welcome to vote for it with a recommendation ticket or monthly ticket at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)