Chef Hua
Chapter 390: Episode 217: This Lady Wants to Talk to You - Part 2

Chapter 390: Episode 217: This Lady Wants to Talk to You - Part 2

Meng Yuhuai listened in confusion, intoned solemnly, "What are you talking about? Where did that culinary skill of yours come from? I’ve always found it strange. According to Madam Hua’s account, you were forced to busily toil in the kitchen because you were exploited by your elder brother, which might have taught you to make some ordinary dishes. However, how do you know so well what to do with those precious ingredients?"

"This..."

Hua Xiaomai secretly stuck out her tongue, knowing she had let the truth slip in her moment of excitement and lost her measure. She quickly gestured with her hands, "This can be discussed another day. I brought it up just to let you know that after enduring so much hardship, I don’t solely wish to rely on my cooking skills to make a living; I want to do more with it. Everyone is telling me that I should head to the Provincial City to carve out a niche for myself, I..."

Before she could finish, Meng Yuhuai suddenly laughed, gently shaking his head.

"What are you laughing at?" Hua Xiaomai half-seriously, half-jokingly glared at him.

"I think I understand how you are calculating things, and I don’t find it impossible to understand, but if this goes on, when will it end?" Meng Yuhuai took her hand and said calmly and resolutely, "Today, someone told you to venture into the Provincial City and you were inspired to actually consider it. If tomorrow someone suggests you should go to the Capital, would you not be able to sit still and rush over immediately?"

"How could that be possible?!" Hua Xiaomai glared back at him, "I know my own limits very well, how could I entertain such unreliable thoughts with how inaccessible that place is?"

"When you were first setting up stall by the riverbank, you probably never thought of coming to the Provincial City to compete with those renowned chefs, right?" Meng Yuhuai calmly said.

Hua Xiaomai was momentarily at a loss for words.

Indeed, human desires are never fully satisfied. Reflecting on it now, her initial thought was very simple: to open her own small eatery. It didn’t need to be too big or too fancy; just a pot and a stove of her own was enough to make food that people enjoyed and praised. She was already satisfied with that.

Now, is this considered deviating from her original intention?

The fish in her hands was well-cooked, emitting a burnt and fragrant smell, so she pulled a large leaf, wiped off the dust, tucked the fish into it, and set it aside. Then, she turned to look at the man beside her again.

"I understand what you mean. Can you give me some time to think about it properly?" She dropped her smile, speaking earnestly, "There’s something I need to tell you. If I hadn’t taken you to heart from the beginning, I probably wouldn’t have been in such a rush to get married. So you are very important to me. Let me slowly learn how to be a good wife, I won’t be reckless."

In this era, girls were shy and reserved. Meng Yuhuai, having lived for more than twenty years, had never heard such a direct and passionate confession before. His normally sun-tanned face couldn’t help but become slightly warm, yet his lips stretched into a wide smile. He took the skinny little wife into his arms, resting his chin on her head and whispered with a smile, "Alright."

Having wandered through the woods for a while, his body carried a scent mixed with leaves and grass. Hua Xiaomai felt much more relaxed, letting him hold her for a while longer, but ultimately she couldn’t resist, murmuring softly, "Can I eat it now? I’m so hungry..."

...

That day, returning from the mountains to Dong’an Inn, both felt a great sense of relief. Considering that tomorrow Meng Yuhuai would be free from other chores, they chatted for a long while, discussing the fun places in Tong’an City, and decided to set aside all else the following day and enjoy themselves in town.

Hua Xiaomai was still thinking about the various dry goods the man had bought back at the inn the other day; smooth and fresh shark fins, crispy and elastic fish skins, and that big basket of plump and pleasing fish, shrimp, and clams. She insisted on dragging Meng Yuhuai to purchase some. Whether the eatery needed them or not, it was a good idea to take them home and enjoy them first.

Unexpectedly, in that store, which was about the size of two small eateries, they ran into Song Jingxi.

It was early morning, and the north-south sundry shop was crowded with people, the air thick with the smell of fungi, spices, and seafood. Hua Xiaomai was hesitating in front of a basket of dried clams when she suddenly heard a familiar voice.

"See, this is squid, and this here is Sea Scallop, put it in the soup and it brings out a special freshness."

The voice was soft and glutinous, as if possessing unlimited patience. Turning her head, Hua Xiaomai saw Song Jingxi standing not far at a small table, pointing to the assorted goods on the table and gently explaining to a small boy by her side.

The way she looked, so different from usual, didn’t seem like the same person. But still...

What was this, grooming a successor already at such a young age? Hua Xiaomai was a bit puzzled, giving a few more glances. On the other side, Meng Yuhuai squeezed over, following her gaze curiously, and wondered, "What’s up, see someone you know?"

"Oh, the owner of Taoyuan House, Song Jingxi," Hua Xiaomai tipped her chin toward where Song Jingxi was.

Meng Yuhuai had heard of this person and knew that Hua Xiaomai had come to Provincial City the first time to help her out, so he just "Hmm" and said, "In that case, do you want to go over and greet her?"

"No need." Hua Xiaomai shook her head, pulling him towards another section, "I want to buy some more dried yellow croaker and squid. Help me pick some quickly, let’s get out of here soon, it’s too hot inside."

Meng Yuhuai, unaware of the previous events and not particularly concerned about Song Jingxi, complied, accompanying her as they bought lots of dry sundry seafood. Additionally, they picked out two baskets of spices brought in from Lingxiu Prefecture, then he pulled her out of the shop. (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to visit Qidian to cast your Monthly Ticket and recommendation ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)