Chef Hua
Chapter 406: Episode 225: Conflicts Between Mother and Child

Chapter 406: Episode 225: Conflicts Between Mother and Child

"Warehouse Guard? So he’s the person guarding the County Government’s Money Vault?" Hua Xiaomai scratched her temple in confusion, "You mean to say that Magistrate Tao wants your Escort Agency to protect him? It’s just a minor role, why make such a big fuss about it? What’s so significant about this task? Meng, you’re really making a mountain out of a molehill!"

As she spoke, she puckered her lips and shook her head emphatically.

Meng Yuhuai glanced at her and smiled, "Anything involving the Government is a big deal, especially the Money Vault, which is of utmost importance. How can it be taken lightly? You seem energetic after bustling about at Fangzheng Pavilion all day, still got the energy to talk? If you’re really interested, I’ll explain more later. For now, let’s hurry home, I’m hungry."

As soon as he finished speaking, he casually took the basket from Hua Xiaomai’s hands, and effortlessly carried his petite wife back home.

At the dinner table, naturally, the freshly picked thorny dragon’s tooth was not missed.

For a family dinner, there was no need for extravagance; the tender shoots were chopped up, thoroughly mixed with beaten eggs, and quickly sautéed with just a bit of oil and salt before being served. Although it couldn’t compare with exquisite delicacies of the land and sea, it tasted refreshingly smooth and tender, embodying a unique country flair, particularly enjoyable in the early summer weather.

Cooking a pot of thick Corn Porridge, serving a plate of cured fish from the winter months, and stir-frying some seasonal vegetables, everything was cleanly and neatly arranged on the table in the courtyard. Simple yet incredibly appetizing, even Meng’s mother, who normally preferred strong flavors, couldn’t help but eat two additional bowls of rice. Contentedly pointing at the nearly finished plate of thorny dragon’s tooth, she said, "This is actually quite good, I really like it. Now that we’ve got such nice stuff, why only bring it home today? Get more tomorrow, and try making it in different ways for me to taste."

Before Hua Xiaomai could respond, Meng Yuhuai frowned and said, "Thorny dragon’s tooth grows in the north, and even with money, we can’t buy it locally. Xiaomai only got a little, and it was given by Magistrate Tao just for us to try something new. Where do you expect her to get more?"

His voice was not loud, but his tone was decidedly stern.

Upon hearing this, Meng’s mother exploded, standing up abruptly and shouting, "I didn’t even know what it was called, how could I know where it came from? I merely made a casual remark, didn’t curse her or hit her, yet you find it necessary to yell at me like this? Now that you’re married, does your wife rule over our household? Can’t I even make a simple request?"

With that, she stormed off and slammed the door to her room.

What was an enjoyable meal turned into a drama, leaving Hua Xiaomai with a headache. She touched Meng Yuhuai’s hand and whispered, "I know you’re protecting me, but mom really didn’t recognize the thorny dragon’s tooth, couldn’t you have just explained it to her? Why did you have to..."

"If I don’t speak up quickly, by the time you explain, no matter how much you say, she won’t believe you," Meng Yuhuai stated grimly.

It made sense, but why could they not discuss it calmly? Hua Xiaomai scratched her head, feeling distressed, not wanting him to be upset all evening. Eager to change the subject, she smiled and said, "We had dinner early today, and there’s a bit of a breeze now. I’ll go wash the dishes, and then we can sit in the courtyard to enjoy the evening air. Meanwhile, you can tell me more about what Magistrate Tao asked of you."

Meng Yuhuai looked up at her, a slight smile finally appearing on his face, and nodded, "Let me first feed Old Black."

Hua Xiaomai breathed a sigh of relief and swiftly gathered the dishes, carrying them into the kitchen.

...

It had been a couple of days without rain; the ground was dry, though the air was still somewhat damp. The occasional chirp of insects from the grass came with the breeze, not irritating but rather pleasantly soothing.

Hua Xiaomai and Meng Yuhuai took two stools out to the courtyard, a small table by their side held two cups of brine vegetable tea, along with a plate of salted plums and a plate of licorice melon seeds, chatting leisurely—a rare moment of relaxation.

"Speaking of which, a Warehouse Guard is indeed just a minor role, but don’t forget, guarding the Money Vault is seen by the common folk as a job with plenty of opportunities to make extra money, and from ancient times to now, cases of embezzlement have never been rare," Meng Yuhuai explained, seeing that Hua Xiaomai seemed genuinely interested. "In our small village alone, there’s no shortage of ruffians, not to mention in the towns. Those people don’t engage in honest work, and seeing the Warehouse Guard entering and exiting the Money Vault daily makes them envious. Despite the vault being heavily guarded, making it difficult for outsiders to gain access, they can only think of ways to manage from the outside."