Chef Hua
Chapter 345: Episode 196: Money Brings Trouble Too_2

Chapter 345: Episode 196: Money Brings Trouble Too_2

Luo Yuejiao could only feel that the bluestone pavement in the courtyard was so hot that it burned her feet. She truly wanted to leave, but she was also worried about Hua Xiaomai, who was alone and vulnerable, so she had to put on a brave face, tightly shut her mouth, and grind her teeth audibly. However, as she had no intention of leaving, Guan Rong’s mother on the other hand, was already restless. Seizing the moment while nothing involved her, she stood up, patted her pants, and said with a forced smile: "I’ve been here quite a long time already, I should get back to check on things at home; there’s still a lot waiting for me!"

She muttered in a low voice: "Busy from dawn to dusk every day, never a moment of peace," and edged towards the courtyard exit.

"What’s the rush, Auntie?" Hua Xiaomai lifted her chin and turned around to call her back, wearing a faint smile as she said, "My mother is alone at home all day, with no one to talk to. I have to head back to the small restaurant soon to see to things. With you here, you can keep my mother company and alleviate her boredom!"

"This...," Guan Rong’s mother had to stop and turn around, "Our houses are so close anyway, there’s no need to hurry at the moment. We’ll have plenty of time later on; I’ll come by tomorrow..."

So now isn’t a good time, but tomorrow when Hua Xiaomai isn’t home, you’ll come over and whisper your tempting lies to Old Lady Meng, won’t you?

Hua Xiaomai, however, had no intention of simply letting her go. With a pretend "Ah" of realization and a slap to her forehead, she smiled and said: "Now I remember, Auntie, you must be in a hurry to take care of Sister Rong, right? How is she these days?"

This matter was like a thorn in Guan Rong’s mother’s heart, and even though she knew she shouldn’t show her true feelings, she could not help but display a twinge of sorrow on her face, sniffled and heaved a sigh: "Isn’t it the same? On good days, she can walk a few rounds in the field, but on the bad days... lying on the bed all day, unable to get up, breathing like a bellows. It breaks my heart as a mother to see... Xiaomai girl, I know you are annoyed with her, but after all, you two used to be so close..."

"I hear people in the village say that her illness lingers and I was somewhat skeptical, but hearing you talk like this today, it seems it’s true?" Hua Xiaomai did not let her continue, corner of her mouth hooked as she said, "So many medicines taken but to no avail, isn’t that just wasting money?"

Guan Rong’s mother’s face changed, she swallowed hard, and did not respond.

"If you ask me, rather than drag this out, it might be better to think of some other solution," Hua Xiaomai sighed as if with deep concern and turned to look at Luo Yuejiao, "By the way, Yuejiao, you told me a couple days ago, that the Taoist temple outside our village is very effective. In your opinion, if one were to go there to pray, could it be of some help?"

Luo Yuejiao, who had known her for a long time and had once accompanied her selling snacks by the river for a long period, had a good understanding of her intentions. Rolling her eyes coyly, she said with difficulty: "Well, that temple is indeed effective, but as my mother says, those immortals and Heavenly Venerables there are not willing to help just anyone. If someone has bad conduct, and always commits malevolent deeds, even if they knock their heads bloody there, it will be of no use!"

"Is it that troublesome?" Hua Xiaomai raised an eyebrow, turned her head to look at Guan Rong’s mother, and said lightly, "Oh dear, if even the gods won’t help, then Sister Rong’s sickness really might be serious..."

In those days, people were extremely reverent and fearful of spirits and deities, with nothing feared more than being accused of "not accumulating yin virtue." Guan Rong’s mother was so chocked up she almost couldn’t breathe, a layer of tears forming in her eyes as she looked to Old Lady Meng for help.

But why would Old Lady Meng support her? She merely turned her head aside with a light snort, not uttering half a word.

"I... I really should get back..." Guan Rong’s mother, deeply struck, fled as if escaping, stumbling out. Soon after, the sound "bang" echoed from the neighboring main house door, followed by a burst of loud weeping.

Hua Xiaomai took a deep breath quietly, but her heart didn’t feel the slightest bit relieved.

Truth be told, scolding Guan Rong and her mother was just a way to vent her frustration, the bigger trouble was still waiting for her.

She turned around and saw Meng’s mother sitting stiffly at the table with a frosty face, breathing in and out in meditation, as if she was ready to exert her power at any moment.

Er... She didn’t want to face such a situation alone, it would be better to wait for Meng Yuhuai to return in the evening and drag him into this too!

With that thought in mind, Hua Xiaomai chuckled sheepishly at Meng’s mother while discreetly edging back toward the entrance of the courtyard, "Mother, I must hurry back to the little restaurant now. I still have lots of vegetables and meat to sort out, and if I delay any longer, I won’t be ready for the evening business. Oh, and... don’t forget to reheat the stir-fried beef and baked spare ribs to eat, if there’s anything else you’d like to eat, just tell me when I come back tonight, and I’ll make it for you and bring it over tomorrow noon, haha...hahaha..."

Before her words had finished, she was out the door like a rabbit, not forgetting to drag Luo Yuejiao with her and dashing out in just a few strides, not stopping until they reached the main road to catch their breath.

"Sister Xiaomai, why are you afraid of her?" Luo Yuejiao was still somewhat indignant and puffed up as she said, "Just now I saw it very clearly, she just wants the money in your hands, right? We talk reason, why run? And all that tiptoeing around, if it’s about dealing with a mother-in-law, you are way behind Jing Dajie!"

"What do you know?" Hua Xiaomai shot her a glance, "Even if I’m in the right, this issue can’t be clarified in just a sentence or two. If it drags on, it might really affect the evening business—and I’m warning you, don’t go back and tell your sister-in-law about this. If she knows, she will definitely tell my second sister about it. In a month or two, my second sister is going to give birth. She needs to nurture her health, and I really don’t want her worrying about me for no reason."

"I know, do you think I’m that tactless?" Luo Yuejiao replied with utter impatience, "Aren’t we in a hurry to get back to the little restaurant? Let’s go!"

...

Hua Xiaomai was certain that Meng’s mother wouldn’t go to bed early as usual that evening. After closing the restaurant, on her way back home, she felt uneasy and pondered for quite a while. Sure enough, as soon as she stepped into the Meng Family’s gate, she saw Meng’s mother sitting motionless in the middle of the courtyard, clearly intent on having a serious talk with her.

Perhaps hearing the sound of footsteps, Meng Yuhuai, who had been feeding the horses behind the house, came around. Seeing her, he smiled and said, "You’re back? Today I planted a good portion of the chili seeds, and with another day of busy work tomorrow, it should all be done. You’ve also been tired all day, go wash up early and rest."

As he spoke, he was about to take her hand.

Meng’s mother, however, was unwilling to let it slide. Seeing the two trying to slip away, she hurriedly shouted, "Hold on! Xiaomai, you stand there, I have something to say to you." (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation ticket, monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)