Chef Hua
Chapter 395: Episode 219 Convergence_2

Chapter 395: Episode 219 Convergence_2

There was something Hua Xiaomai really didn’t want to say, but if she didn’t say it now, it would seem improper. After much consideration, she reluctantly said, "According to you, should we go back once?"

Go back? Regarding that so-called "maternal home," she was completely in the dark. The place was full of acquaintances; if she really went, not getting caught and having others notice something amiss would be strange!

Fortunately, Hua Erniang immediately shook her head, "I have discussed it with your brother-in-law. Firstly, going back now wouldn’t be of any use, and secondly, I am still in confinement. The baby is so small, how can I leave him behind? Besides, Hua Dashan has both sons and daughters, he doesn’t necessarily need us two sisters who married far away. Do not worry about it; after a year or so, I’ll have your brother-in-law accompany me on a visit."

Hua Xiaomai breathed a sigh of relief and patted her back, "Don’t think too much about it for now, just focus on taking good care of my little nephew."

She dared not handle the baby boy who was soft like a dough, so she gently touched his cheek and said with pursed lips, "Both you and my brother-in-law are good-looking, this little guy will certainly be very handsome—has he been named yet? What is it?"

Hua Erniang gathered her emotions, talking about this son she had waited over two years for, a smile appeared on her face, "Don’t mention it, I’m just... His grandpa thought of a nickname, called Tie Chui; can you believe how awful that sounds!"

"Tie..." Hua Xiaomai almost burst out, turning her head to cough fiercely twice, "Tie Chui? That’s... pretty good, a nickname that’s easy to live up to, and isn’t my brother-in-law in that line of work? Perfect match? When you and my brother-in-law have some free time, you can carefully pick a nice name for him, no rush, no rush."

Then she added, "By the way, how have you been eating recently?"

It would have been better had she not asked. Upon mentioning it, Hua Erniang’s face immediately crumbled, "Do you even need to ask? My mother-in-law is indeed willing to spend money, but I know it’s all for her little grandson. Every day it’s all greasy, and often bland and tasteless, it makes me nauseous. But for that little Buddha, I grit my teeth and swallow it down."

Hua Xiaomai had expected as much, and, after thinking a bit, she laughingly said, "I can’t come here every day; I’m afraid uncle Jing and Aunt Jing will find me annoying. How about this: starting tomorrow, I will cook two dishes each day and send them to the smithy so that your brother-in-law can bring them back for you. However, it seems that you indeed shouldn’t eat foods that are too salty now, I’ll make the flavors milder, which is good for both you and... Tie Chui."

Hua Erniang nodded in agreement, glanced at her, and pursed her lips, "Now that I have given birth to Tie Chui, I feel like I’ve settled a matter, and I can stand a bit taller. But you, why don’t we hear any news from you? The old fortune-teller had checked your pulse and said there was nothing wrong with you, you..."

"My mother-in-law just nagged me about this yesterday, and now you too?" Hua Xiaomai pouted, "I haven’t been lazy, but there’s just no sign of anything, what can I do?"

"Pfft!" Hua Erniang finally burst out laughing, poking her forehead, "Anyway, you need to try a bit harder. You’re not old, but Yuhuai isn’t young anymore. He might not say much, but who knows how eagerly he’s hoping. Back then, you were so determined to marry him, and now..."

Hua Xiaomai considered herself thick-skinned, yet being nagged like this still made it difficult to maintain her composure; she waved her hands impatiently, "Alright, alright, I know. You’re here worrying about unnecessary things, better look after yourself and my nephew instead! I’m going home now, I’m not doing business today, but I still need to prepare a meal for my mother-in-law, or else she will nag if I’m late."

Saying this, she tucked her back into bed and exited the room.

...

Meng Yuhuai came home in the evening and was a bit startled upon hearing of Hua Dashan’s death. Knowing how poorly Hua Xiaomai had been treated at home, he wasn’t suspicious of her lack of severe grief and simply soothed her a bit, then quickly moved past the matter.

Importantly, he also came back today with news—the contract for the Scholar’s Banquet had finally been awarded to Hua Xiaomai.

"It’s said that Magistrate Tao really enjoyed that ’Mountain and Sea Pouch’ you cooked and felt it was very fitting for the Scholar’s Banquet. After making some inquiries and hearing that your small restaurant always does honest business, and that it has some reputation on the roads near our village and even in neighboring counties, he was so pleased that he decided on the spot."

He smiled and said, "Now you can let go of a big stone from your heart, right? Taking this job, your restaurant in Fuzhe County’s food industry will definitely make a name for itself; you won’t have to worry about business anymore."

"Don’t talk as if it has nothing to do with you." Hua Xiaomai gave him a half-serious, half-joking glare, "I remember you said, having the Scholar’s Banquet fall to me benefits the Lianshun Escort Agency too. You guys deal a lot with the government. Now, by managing this well, I’m also helping you a lot; you should be thanking me."

Interestingly, she wasn’t as excited as she imagined she would be, maybe because the selection process had been so prolonged that it had exhausted all her nervous and excited feelings, instead making her feel calm. The following days were nothing extraordinary. She went to the county a few times, met the reputedly very honest Magistrate Tao, discussed the matter thoroughly with his staff, finalized the menu, and then just waited for the fifth of May to come.

In the meantime, five days after Hua Xiaomai returned from Provincial City, Master Zhao from Chunfeng Restaurant, dusty and weary, found Zhenwei Garden to formally propose signing a one-year sauce supply contract. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast a recommendation ticket or a monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)