Chef Hua
Chapter 335: Episode 191 Encounter_2

Chapter 335: Episode 191 Encounter_2

Meng Yuhuai knew she was being stubborn but didn’t mind her, and continued, "As far as I know, under the jurisdiction of Tong’an Prefecture, places like Gu County and Yuzhe County are quite affluent. If you truly plan to expand the business of Zhenwei Garden, it would be better to start by visiting those areas. In my opinion, you don’t need to bring other workers. Having Great Saint accompany you would be most suitable. He’s eloquent and accustomed to dealing with people; having him with you is quite an advantage."

Hua Xiaomai stealthily glanced at him, wanting to ask if he could accompany her, but after thinking it over, she ultimately didn’t say anything and just nodded in agreement.

As they were talking, a sudden noise came from outside the door. Both turned their heads to see Zuo Jinxiang walking in hurriedly with a tray full of food.

Hua Xiaomai quickly withdrew her hand from Meng Yuhuai’s palm, stood up, and called out, "Sister-in-law Zuo." However, the woman seemed to be in a great hurry, placing the items in her hand on the small table without waiting and eagerly said, "I waited and waited and saw that you didn’t come to eat, so I simply brought the food here for you—Xiaomai, are you planning to go to Gu County to look after the business of your Sauce Garden? Ah, that’s where my maiden home is! Would it be good if I went with you?"

Eh? Hua Xiaomai hadn’t expected her to say that. She raised her eyebrows slightly and said with a faint smile, "So Sister-in-law Zuo is from Gu County? I have been considering this matter, but haven’t made a decision yet. You take care of the meals at the Escort Agency; how can I..."

Zuo Jinxiang clapped her hands and said nonchalantly, "What’s the big deal? You are not familiar with Gu County. Instead of bumping around like headless flies, wouldn’t it be more convenient if I showed you the way? Besides, it’s not just for you. I also had something hold me up during the New Year, and couldn’t visit my parents. Taking this opportunity to visit them would be perfect!"

While she spoke, she looked at Meng Yuhuai with a half-smile, "As for the Escort Agency, just have the restaurant deliver food for the day; it won’t cost much. Brother Meng Yuhuai, I’m trying to help your wife here; you wouldn’t refuse, would you? Look, I’ve met Great Saint. He’s about your age and if he alone accompanies your wife everywhere, aren’t you afraid it might cause gossip? Wouldn’t it be more worry-free with me tagging along?"

Meng Yuhuai pondered for a moment with his head down.

Zuo Jinxiang had a cheerful and straightforward personality and got along well with Hua Xiaomai. Having her accompany Xiaomai to Gu County would indeed give him peace of mind. He therefore nodded readily and smiled, "Then I would be much obliged if Sister-in-law Zuo could accompany her on this trip. I thank you in advance."

"Why be so courteous with me?" Zuo Jinxiang waved her hand, indicating that there was no need for thanks, then turned to look at Hua Xiaomai with concern, "But Xiaomai, I know that your restaurant currently has only one chef; without you, the business cannot continue..."

"I can’t worry about that now," Hua Xiaomai sighed, "Right now in Zhenwei Garden, there is a lot of sauce stockpiled in the warehouse. If we delay any further, the goods will go bad... Let’s get this sorted out first."

Zuo Jinxiang understood her anxiety and didn’t say more. They agreed to meet at the west end of Fire Knife Village the next morning, then she urged them to quickly finish their food and left with a smile.

...

After lingering in Lianshun Escort Agency for a while, Hua Xiaomai and Meng Yuhuai saw that it was almost time and led their horse out of the County to return to the village.

The road was nearly deserted, and the two were not in a hurry. They rode their horses for a while, then proceeded slowly, picking only trivial small talk to pass the time, which was quite relaxing indeed.

It was strange, though, that today while heading to the Lianshun Escort Agency, Hua Xiaomai had been pondering in secret about visiting other counties to plan her next moves. However, somehow, hearing the same thoughts from Meng Yuhuai, they seemed to carry more weight, settling her down immediately. The frustration that had entangled her all day vanished in an instant, her heart felt much lighter, and that night she actually had a sound sleep. The next morning, she called up Sun Great Saint, pushed the cart from Zhenwei Garden, and went to Gu County with Zuo Jinxiang.

The Gu County boundary wasn’t far from Fire Knife Village. Before noon arrived, the three entered the County. Looking up, they saw an array of shops standing shoulder to shoulder, with a bustling crowd on the streets that seemed even wealthier than Fuzhe County. It was Hua Xiaomai’s first visit to this place. Standing by the roadside, she felt a bit bewildered and turned to look at Zuo Jinxiang, "Sister-in-law Zuo, where are the restaurants mostly clustered in this city? Where should we start?"

Zuo Jinxiang, with her head lowered in thought for a moment, nodded and said, "Well, if you’re talking about where the restaurants and inns congregate, that has to be near East Street. But if you ask me, if you want your sauce to make a good impression right off the bat, there’s one place you must go to."

She casually pointed in front of her, wearing a slightly self-satisfied expression, "Over there in Yuequan Alley, there’s a ’Wenmei Pavilion’, the most famous in the entire County of Gu! Tsk tsk tsk, to speak the truth, their rules are extremely strict. Ordinary people would find it hard to even sit inside, but because their dishes are so delicious in terms of color, aroma, and flavor, the rich folks in the city flock there like ducks, and there’s no one in the city who doesn’t know their reputation!"

"Oh? How strict are their rules?" Hua Xiaomai raised an eyebrow and asked.

"Listen to this," Zuo Jinxiang counted on her fingers, "Wenmei Pavilion serves only ten tables a day, and each table can accommodate no more than four people. If among the diners there is one who drinks excessively, huh, they wouldn’t even think about stepping through the door! They don’t open for business during the hot summer days, nor when it rains heavily. And if the owner or the chefs are in a bad mood, they don’t do business for ten days to half a month!"

"Wow, that’s some attitude?" Sun Great Saint exclaimed, having never heard of such a thing before.

As someone who had been rolling in the food industry herself, Hua Xiaomai felt a spark of excitement upon hearing this.

Even if she wasn’t there to sell sauces today, she had to visit the "Wenmei Pavilion" no matter what!

"Let’s go there right now!" Her curiosity piqued, she could hardly wait, tugging at Zuo Jinxiang’s sleeve and dashing off, zigzagging through the city until they finally arrived at a tranquil alley amidst the hubbub.

The "Wenmei Pavilion" with its grandeur stood distinctively decorated. At a glance, it didn’t look like your regular eatery but more like a private courtyard. Plum trees, well over a dozen of them, were planted at the entrance and within the courtyard. Though the bloom had long passed, the twisted and entwined branches still lent the whole yard an elegant charm.

Hua Xiaomai’s curiosity was fully hooked, and she forgot all about her original intentions as she set foot to enter. She hadn’t even crossed the threshold when suddenly someone squeezed past, shoving her to the side and pushing her far away, grumbling impatiently, "Annoying, don’t block the way, move further away!"

(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets, monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)