Chef Hua
Chapter 397 - 220 Misfortune and Blessing Go Hand in Hand_2

Chapter 397: Chapter 220 Misfortune and Blessing Go Hand in Hand_2

Hua Xiaomai didn’t intend to discuss this topic too much with him. After exchanging pleasantries, she led him to see the assortment of sauces produced by Zhenwei Garden and let him choose a few types he commonly used. Master Lei carefully took note of them, and they solemnly signed a contract before she escorted him out.

Just as Zhao Laoye had said, those restaurants and taverns in the city that used to buy their sauces from Wanji were indeed trickling into Fire Knife Village two by two. Upon discovering the finely made and flavorful sauces of Zhenwei Garden, they treated them like treasures, hastily signing contracts in fear of falling behind others.

Truth be told, this was indeed a good thing for Zhenwei Garden. However, in her heart, Hua Xiaomai always felt some unease.

She had only met that plump woman from Wanji in West City twice, yet each time she could profoundly sense how difficult the woman was to deal with. With this incident, given that woman’s character, she was likely to blame everyone but herself for her mistake. Instead, she’d probably be full of resentment towards Zhenwei Garden for stealing her business. If that woman came knocking on their door... tsk tsk, with her aggressive style, not all the men in this garden would be able to handle her!

With this thought, Hua Xiaomai noticeably increased her visits to Zhenwei Garden over the next few days. Whenever she saw Master Lei and Sun Dasha, she didn’t forget to repeatedly urge them to stay alert and keep an eye out for any trouble that might arise.

On the last day of April, the rainy season arrived again in Fire Knife Village.

Every year at this time, the heavens seemed to cry non-stop, day and night, over some sorrowful matter, washing over the village repeatedly. Although it made everything look clear and clean, and the weather cooled down, it was not a good thing for the farmers who had their fields planted with grains and various crops.

The common people were forced to stay at home, restless. At the slightest easing of the rain, they rushed to their fields to drain water and straighten seedlings, with mud wrapped around their trouser legs, and legs as heavy as if filled with lead, they couldn’t care less about cleaning themselves up. Neighbors with good relations shouted for each other’s help, making the fields unexpectedly busier than on sunny days.

In the heavy rain, the business of the small restaurant suffered greatly, but there was nothing that could be done about it, and worrying was futile. With some spare time on her hands, Hua Xiaomai simply joined Meng Yuhuai at the threshing ground to tend to the two acres of chili. Sun Dasha, who had grown up in Fire Knife Village, was accustomed to this weather and very experienced. He had helped Master Lei and his wife move all the sauce jars into the storeroom ahead of time, so they didn’t suffer any damage.

That afternoon, as the rain seemed about to stop, Hua Xiaomai and Meng Yuhuai went out to the fields again. They had just finished a round when a little rascal ran towards them full tilt.

"Boss, you’d better go... go to Sauce Garden quickly. A bunch of people have come from the County, looking fierce as devils. They’re quite frightening. Master Lei sent me to fetch you!"

The youngster was panting heavily, bent over gasping for breath, and spoke urgently.

"Is it the people from Wanji in West City?" Hua Xiaomai’s heart sank.

She hadn’t offended anyone. Who else would come to seek trouble in such heavy rain if not from Wanji? The more business she took from the County, the worse Wanji’s predicament became. Most likely, that plump woman couldn’t swallow her pride and had come to stir up trouble.

Just what she feared was coming true. Why couldn’t she enjoy just a few peaceful days?

"Yes, it seems so." The youngster nodded repeatedly, "Boss, will you follow me there now? They don’t seem like the sort to fool around..."

Hua Xiaomai sighed, but then Meng Yuhuai tapped her on the head from behind. Turning around, she saw him frowning habitually: "What’s the matter?"

"Isn’t it just what I told you about the other day? I had a bad feeling then, and now what happens? Someone has come knocking at our door! I need to go immediately to check out the situation, and you..."

"I’ll come with you, in case you can’t handle it on your own." Meng Yuhuai insisted, dropping his farm tools and stepping onto the ridge.

"We’ve just got a break from the rain; maybe you should finish up these two fields first, and I’ll head over." Hua Xiaomai lowered her head and pondered for a moment, "After all, we have Great Saint and Master Lei, as well as a few other strong workers there, we don’t have to be afraid of him. But once you’re done, come over quickly, I’m a bit..."

Scared...

"Alright then, be careful and don’t start a fight with him. Let’s discuss everything when I get there." Meng Yuhuai thought for a moment, then agreed. He stood on the field ridge, looking at Hua Xiaomai with unease as she hurriedly followed Xiao Haozi into the distance.

At this very moment, Zhenwei Garden was like a place that had been ransacked.

With that fat woman leading, there were a good seven or eight burly men standing in the courtyard. Their faces looked especially brutal; their arms as thick as a young girl’s thighs. They had their arms crossed, staring down the workers in the garden with a menacing glare.

Hua Xiaomai ran in flustered, and upon seeing the scene, she froze for a moment, then began to curse her luck inwardly.

If only she had known... she really shouldn’t have tried to be brave just now. How could she deal with this situation without Meng Yuhuai?

Though she felt hollow inside, she couldn’t show weakness. She clenched her teeth, took a step forward, and tried to make her voice sound more composed as she shouted sternly, "What do you think you’re doing?!"

"There’s the culprit!" As soon as she heard Hua Xiaomai’s voice, the fat woman instantly turned around and charged toward her, grabbing her arm. Her palm opened wide like a fan, and though she squeezed tightly, it seemed as effortless as if she were using iron pincers, and she held onto Hua Xiaomai’s bones without any trouble.

"Don’t you know the rules, or did you not bother to ask around? You dare to compete with my business? Not just in this small Fuzhe County, but in the whole Tong’an Prefecture, when I eat, you can only have porridge! It looks like you’re sick of living; without giving you a lesson, you won’t know how many eyes Ma Wangye has!"

No sooner had Hua Xiaomai stepped through the door, still dazed, was her wrist seized, causing her excruciating pain.

Does it have to be this aggressive? Straight to being hands-on... Ouch, ouch, ouch, can somebody hand her a stick, please!

"Let’s talk this over without violence, don’t get physical!" Sun Great Saint got a shock and stepped forward in a flash, wanting to pry the woman’s hand away.

But the woman was not someone to be trifled with; she thrust out her chest and forcefully moved her hand toward his, shouting repeatedly, "You dare to touch me? Try touching me and see what happens! Oh, you’ll be in trouble then!"

(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to support us with your recommendation tickets and monthly tickets at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to continue reading.)