Chef Hua
Chapter 391: Episode 218 Joy and Sorrow

Chapter 391: Episode 218 Joy and Sorrow

After spending a few days in Provincial City, Hua Xiaomai finally figured out why Ke Zhenwu, after being ill for so long, had become increasingly indolent.

When a person focuses all their attention on leisure and pleasure, their mood is indeed exceptionally delightful, even if the "important matters" that have been temporarily neglected are what they have cherished all along; this undeniable reality cannot be overlooked.

There was no need to rush out of bed with sleepy eyes in the early morning, nor to return home only after the hour of the Pig at night; the only thought left in one’s mind was to play, to play to their heart’s content. This feeling was truly...

Shameful, quite shameful.

Therefore, on the morning when they were finally set to start their journey back to Fire Knife Village after touring the entirety of Tong’an City, Hua Xiaomai thought she should at least pretend to be eager to return home. However, before she could voice her thoughts, she was easily read by someone who mocked her mercilessly, "So, after letting loose for a few days, your heart is scattered, isn’t it? You don’t want to go back? Don’t worry, you can tell me directly. I won’t laugh at you."

In response, Hua Xiaomai could only forcefully display a dismissive attitude, turning her head and huffily climbing into the carriage with their bags.

Meng Yuhuai came to Provincial City alone, riding the old black horse with ease. But on his return, he had Hua Xiaomai by his side—as well as a pile of various new purchases from Provincial City—so they had no choice but to hire a carriage and slowly make their way back. Hua Xiaomai was jostled so much along the way that she lost half her soul. By evening, as they entered Fire Knife Village, every household had already started cooking dinner, and the assorted aromas of food mixed in the air, emanating a familiar and warm scent.

It was only upon entering the village that Madame Hua finally came back to life, lifting the carriage curtain and saying to Meng Yuhuai, who was only a few steps away from the carriage, "There is too much stuff in here; can we first stop at the small restaurant? We can unload the things that need to stay there, so we don’t have to carry everything home and get scolded by mother."

Meng Yuhuai was indifferent and urged the horses to move forward, directing the coachman towards the east side of the village. Before the carriage even came to a stop, Hua Xiaomai couldn’t wait to jump to the ground and ran a few steps before suddenly stopping in her tracks.

The small restaurant had not been open for business these last few days, and only Zhou Yunyun had been living there. Logically, it should have been closed. However, at that moment, the door was half-open, emitting a warm yellow light and the faint sound of voices could be heard from within.

Doubts immediately arose in her mind. She turned back to Meng Yuhuai very quickly, signaling with her hands for him to keep silent, and tiptoed over.

The main hall was empty, most of the chairs upturned on the tables, but in a corner, by a small table, two people were sitting and standing; upon closer look, it was Zhou Yunyun and...Scholar Wen?

"Brother Wen, please eat. Didn’t my master say you’re always welcome to eat at our small restaurant? The ingredients I used are leftovers from practicing knife skills these past few days, so it didn’t cost extra. It’s no trouble at all."

Zhou Yunyun stood facing the door, from this distance, one could almost see the blush on her face. She seemed somewhat uneasy as she rubbed her trouser leg and lowered her head, speaking softly.

Wen Huaren stared at the three dishes and two cups in front of him, unconsciously swallowing his saliva and chuckling foolishly, "This...shouldn’t I worry? Sister Meng did say that, but she hasn’t been here these days, so I..."

"It’s okay, my master is not a petty person." Zhou Yunyun quickly waved her hand, "If you really feel bad about it, I will explain it to her myself when she returns. I’ve been learning cooking from my master for half a year, and I know my skills are far inferior to hers. Besides delivering lunches to Sauce Garden, I rarely dare let others taste my cooking. It’s lucky that you don’t mind... Please, go ahead and eat, really, it’s fine. In another month or two, you’ll be leaving for the imperial examination, and then, even if I wanted to have someone test my cooking, it wouldn’t be so easy."

Hua Xiaomai almost laughed out loud, hastily covering her mouth. Behind her, Meng Yuhuai had moved closer and as he peered inside, he had just begun to frown when she quickly pulled him aside and silently mouthed, "Let’s just go home."

The coachman, who had driven the whole day, felt both tired and thirsty, and he was somewhat reluctant as he couldn’t help but complain softly, "Madame, can you make up your mind? This village isn’t big and running back and forth is quite exhausting for everyone, you..."