Chef Hua
Chapter 343: Episode 195: A Dog Can’t Change Eating That Thing_2

Chapter 343: Episode 195: A Dog Can’t Change Eating That Thing_2

Zhou Yunyun knew that she needed to prepare a good meal to send to the fields for Meng Yuhuai to eat. She saw Hua Xiaomai getting a bit flustered and couldn’t help but whisper by her side, "Master, since I’ve got nothing else to do, why don’t I do it for you? You taught me how to make the baked spare ribs before, and while my cooking skills can’t match yours, I think Brother Yuhuai won’t be too fussy, I..."

"Precisely because I’m making this for your Brother Yuhuai to eat, that’s why I don’t want to entrust it to someone else, and letting you do it would be even less appropriate," Hua Xiaomai turned around and pursed her lips at Zhou Yunyun, "He’s out there in the sun, busy in the fields. If I can’t even make a proper meal for him, wouldn’t that invite criticism? Furthermore, when he is away from home, there is no choice, but now that he is here, his meals should naturally be my responsibility. If I let you take over, what would that be?"

At this point, Zhou Yunyun realized she had misspoken and stuck out her tongue, "Master, I didn’t mean anything by it, please don’t misunderstand, I just saw you were so busy..."

"I know," Hua Xiaomai squinted and gave her a reassuring smile, "Quick, fetch me two food boxes. There’s not much to do in the kitchen now, I’m going to bring him the food so he doesn’t go hungry."

...

It was now past noon, and most of the farmers working in the fields had already had their meal and were idly resting against haystacks. Knowing she was late, Hua Xiaomai hurried on her way, delivered the food to Meng Yuhuai and chatted with him for a while before preparing to take advantage of the lull to bring the other portion home for Mother Meng to have some fresh and hot food.

As she came down from the field ridge, she suddenly heard someone calling her from behind. When she turned around, she saw Luo Yuejiao bounding towards her like a jubilant rabbit, latching onto her arm and calling out, "Sister Xiaomai."

Having not seen each other for some days, Hua Xiaomai was also glad to see her and smiled broadly, "My, who is this pretty girl with the round face? I heard she’s getting married this autumn. I wonder how the dowry embroidery is coming along. Do you still have time to wander about outside?"

"Sister Xiaomai, you’ve become ever so naughty, making fun of me the moment we meet!" Luo Yuejiao pouted and stamped her foot, "My dad and my brother are both working in the fields, can’t I come over too? If they need a hand, I can be useful! By the way, are you heading back to the little restaurant? I’ll go tell my dad and join you on your way back, alright?"

"What, your cooking skills still haven’t improved? Are you getting cold feet about getting married and planning to slip into my place to steal some more skills?" Hua Xiaomai chuckled, reaching out to pinch her round cheek, "I indeed need to go back to the little restaurant, but first, I have to take this food home to my mother-in-law."

Luo Yuejiao winced in pain from her pinch and quickly stepped back, puffing up her cheeks, "My mom said my cooking has improved a lot. I just thought you might be less busy this afternoon, so I wanted to come by and chat with you and Yun’er. Is that not okay? Since you’re going home first, I’ll accompany you, and then we can go together to the east side of the village, how about that?"

Hua Xiaomai always liked this girl, and seeing her say this, she readily agreed, taking her by the arm and heading quickly towards the south side of the village. As they turned onto the small dirt path leading to her home and reached the door, she suddenly heard voices from inside the courtyard, whispering with lowered voices. Not knowing why, she stopped in her tracks, quietly stood outside the door, and turned to Luo Yuejiao, signaling her to be silent with a wave of her hand.

"...The things my daughter and I did in the past, I understand that you are upset with me, and I totally get it because, after all, no one would feel good about such matters. But who asked you to raise such an exceptional son? My daughter... had a moment of wayward thoughts, and not only did I not stop her, I went along with her nonsense. Now that I think about it, the guilt is quite heavy in my heart."

Is that... the voice of Guan Rong’s mother?

Hua Xiaomai suddenly furrowed her brows.

How could this be, just yesterday she had seen the two of them standing at the door whispering, and today they managed to enter the yard so smoothly? Speaking in such a low and humble voice, admitting fault so readily, could it be that they were still scheming to get some money from Old Madam Meng?

Luo Yuejiao clearly also recognized that the person in the yard was Guan Rong’s mother. Her teeth clenched suddenly, and she was about to rush in. Hua Xiaomai quickly grabbed her tight, pressed her lips together, shook her head, and gestured for her to not act rashly.

In the yard, Old Madam Meng hadn’t said a word, but she didn’t seem to have the intention to send Guan Rong’s mother away either, just silent.

Guan Rong’s mother paused for a moment, then continued, "Elder sister-in-law, the reason I came to your house to borrow money is because I know your family lives a decent life. I never expected to find you in such a state—whether or not I borrow the money isn’t really important. However, I must speak a truth from the bottom of my heart whether you can accept it or not. Only then will I feel at peace."

Old Madam Meng still remained silent. After a good while, she suddenly said coldly, "If you have something to say, say it quickly. Don’t beat around the bush with me, I don’t have that much free time!"

"Your daughter-in-law..." Guan Rong’s mother began but suddenly lowered her voice even further, sneakily saying, "Your daughter-in-law has quite a few things in hand. That small diner makes a decent amount every month, and Sauce Garden is also a place to earn big money. The two of them live lavishly behind closed doors, while you, as the mother-in-law, don’t have a penny to your name. What does that look like? The younger generation spends recklessly when they have money, as the mother-in-law, you ought to take some control—what I’m saying has no other meaning. I’ll leave my words here, even if you really pocket all of her money, I will never ask you for a single penny again!"

Hua Xiaomai stood at the door, anger suddenly flaring in her heart.

After all this time, she came to stir up trouble? As long as the neighbors aren’t living well, constantly in chaos, you’d be content, wouldn’t you?

Luo Yuejiao stood behind Hua Xiaomai, her fists already clenched, tugging at her sleeve, whispering, "This mother and daughter really are cut from the same cloth, totally shameless!"

Hua Xiaomai couldn’t be bothered to deal with her, thought for a moment, then stepped into the yard. She smiled brightly at Guan Rong’s mother, who was immediately thrown into disarray by her arrival, pressed her lips together, and said, "Elder sister-in-law, do you have free time today to come over for a visit?"

(To be continued. If you like this work, we welcome you to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)