Chef Hua
Chapter 337: Episode 192 Wulong Tuzhu_2

Chapter 337: Episode 192 Wulong Tuzhu_2

The woman, though loud-voiced and fierce, couldn’t quite keep her face when reproached so sharply; she mumbled something and finally shuffled aside to let those few people go in before her, then twisted her way into the courtyard.

Hua Xiaomai hurriedly pulled Zuo Jinxiang along, entering the courtyard together with Sun Great Saint.

Wenmei Pavilion was not only elegantly decorated, but its layout was also vastly different from the usual restaurants. Most other wine shops and eateries, no matter their size, would have a large hall with several sets of tables and chairs for the comfort of the diners. The rooms in this courtyard, however, were partitioned into several small chambers, each door hung with bamboo curtains, behind which guests could be vaguely seen seated at tables. At first glance, all arrangements inside looked very refined.

She didn’t have time to look closely; intending to catch a waiter to ask where the shopkeeper was, she noticed the tall and burly woman standing in the middle of the courtyard, also looking around. Hua Xiaomai was still hesitating when she saw someone emerge from a corner door to their left, glance at them, and frown: "Was it you making a racket outside just now? Don’t you see what kind of place this is? Is it a place for you to run wild? Our master is generous, not willing to argue with you, but now that you have the audacity to come inside, get out at once!"

First, there had been an altercation with that woman; indeed, a considerable commotion. Hua Xiaomai had come with a purpose today and if she left a bad impression, things would be difficult. So, she put on an apologetic smile and opened her mouth: "I’m truly sorry, the noise wasn’t intentional; just a small misunderstanding. May I ask if your master is available at the moment? I’ve come from Fuzhe County, from a Zhenwei Garden of my own, producing sauces..."

Before she could finish, the tall and strong woman uttered a "huh" and turned to look at her. But instead of speaking to her, she interjected with a grin to the other person: "Don’t bother with her, what Zhenwei Garden? Never heard of it! When it comes to sauces, in the entire Fuzhe County, only our ’Wanji’ is authentic! Sir, you see... If your master is free, could you please ask him to meet us?"

What? This woman was from that damned "Wanji" in West City?! Hua Xiaomai abruptly widened her eyes, taking a good look at the woman from head to toe.

Ah, no wonder she found this woman so dislikeable; it turned out that you never encounter your enemies without meeting them!

Lucky for her, she had listened to Meng Yuhuai’s advice and had come to Gu County to plan today. Otherwise, the local business might have been snatched away by "Wanji" again!

But... if she was from Wanji, then the old rice she bought in the small shop yesterday, could it be she planned to use it to make sauce?

"Everyone wants to see our master. If he tended to every visitor, how would he get any real work done? I am the shopkeeper of this Wenmei Pavilion. If you have any business, talk to me!" The man glanced at the woman disdainfully, and gave Hua Xiaomai a cursory look, "Are both of you here to sell sauces? Then I advise you to leave early. Our Wenmei Pavilion always uses our own sauces. No matter how fancily you sell your goods, we aren’t interested!"

Hua Xiaomai had expected this would not be easy and was not disappointed. She turned around to take a small bottle and a small pot of sauce from Sun Great Saint’s hands and presented them to the man. She smiled, "I know Wenmei Pavilion has high standards, but my sauce is truly incomparable to the ordinary. Whether you buy it or not, you may keep these two items for your master to taste. If he likes them..."

"No, no!" the shopkeeper waved his hands vigorously, speaking gruffly, "There are countless people everyday trying to latch onto our Wenmei Pavilion for business. How do I know what’s inside these? What if it’s poisonous? Take it away immediately!"

Business cannot always be expected to succeed, but shouldn’t there be some mutual courtesy regardless?

Hua Xiaomai felt a heat in her heart and, in a huff, she took back the little jar of sauce. The robust woman across from her, seeing Hua Xiaomai hit a snag, smiled until her face bloomed and ingratiatingly said to the shopkeeper, "You’re right not to take her stuff. Those kinds of small workshops, you just know they’re bound to be filthy, and getting a stomachache is no joke. Our Wanji’s place, on the other hand, is completely different. The entire Fuzhe County’s eateries and food establishments are in business with us..."

"You go away too!" The shopkeeper didn’t even glance at her properly, just snorted contemptuously through his nose.

The atmosphere had become a bit tense. Hua Xiaomai didn’t want to be humiliated, but if she just turned and left, she also felt somewhat discontent. While hesitating, a smart-looking young waiter emerged from a side door, holding a tray with a steaming dish swiftly on his way to the inner room. As he passed by the few onlookers, Hua Xiaomai couldn’t help but sneak a glance inside the basin.

The dish inside was a very exquisite recipe made with sea cucumber and shrimp paste, named "Wulong Tuzhu," named for the sea cucumber’s black and shrimp paste’s white. Tong’an Prefecture wasn’t near the sea, so to have a dish like this one would have to spend quite a bit of money and effort.

Hua Xiaomai narrowed her eyes at it and raised her eyebrows slightly, then suppressed a smile, emitting a faint laugh.

This chuckle fell right into the ears of Wenmei Pavilion’s shopkeeper; he lifted his gaze towards Hua Xiaomai’s face for a brief second and immediately his expression fell. In a cold voice, he asked, "What are you laughing at?"

Hua Xiaomai replied calmly, "I knew your Wenmei Pavilion had strict rules, but I didn’t know that you don’t even allow laughter here. I’m laughing at my own amusement. What’s that got to do with you?"

"Don’t play dumb with me!" The shopkeeper grabbed a young waiter who was about to walk by and pointed at the tray, "This Wulong Tuzhu is the signature dish of our boss, and everyone who has tried it has been full of nothing but praise. What are you, daring to laugh at it?"

"Oh, so the owner of your establishment also personally cooks? How coincidental," said Hua Xiaomai, nodding slightly and pursing her lips, "It’s nothing much. I’ve long heard of the esteemed name of Wenmei Pavilion and thought it must be something extraordinary. But seeing it today, I can’t help but feel that under its grand reputation, it hardly lives up. I couldn’t help but laugh."

"What did you just say?" The shopkeeper’s face changed color, "Are you saying my Wenmei Pavilion’s reputation..."

"Isn’t this dish a joke to look at? It’s hardly surprising that it’s laughable," cut in Hua Xiaomai, not giving him a chance to finish. "Just a cursory glance, and I can see at least three errors. You call this... a signature dish?"

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