Chef Hua
Chapter 421: Episode 232 Construction Begins_2

Chapter 421: Episode 232 Construction Begins_2

At first, old Mrs. Meng was totally against buying the shop and forest land, calling it a "waste of money" and nagging for days on end. Finally, she was silenced when Hua Xiaomai retorted, "Even Yuhuai says it’s a good thing; surely, Mother, you don’t want to persist in opposing him?" She quieted down but was still somewhat reluctant.

However, over the past few days, everyone in the village has been chattering about it, some expressing how fortunate she was, and others cloaking their jealousy with backhanded comments. This eventually made her quite smug, and from dawn till dusk, she wore a look of self-satisfaction. She would invariably grab anyone she knew to talk about it, and at times, she would stand at her doorstep and shout towards the Guan Family’s yard next door.

"My child has grown up and makes their own decisions; I can’t stop them!" Her tone couldn’t hide her laughter as she boomed, "Xiaomai says that we will earn even more in the future, telling me to just wait to enjoy the good life. Who knows? For now, I’m just listening! Regardless, I must acknowledge my child’s kindness. It shows that you can’t be careless in choosing a daughter-in-law. If you choose poorly and get stuck with poverty and sickness, won’t you regret it until your guts turn green?"

Her shouting was so loud that even those on the main road could hear her clearly, let alone the neighbors just a wall apart. Hua Xiaomai, knowing that aside from showing off, her mother wanted to vex the Guan Family, was secretly delighted and had no intention of stopping her. She simply took even greater care of her mother’s diet. In less than half a month, Mrs. Meng’s cheeks had plumped, her wrinkles stretched out, making her seem years younger.

Zheng Yakuai quickly took care of purchasing the shop and forest, exchanging the white deeds for red at the Government office, and delivering everything properly to the Meng Family. He also brought craftsmen and helpers along. Hua Xiaomai made several trips to the County, discussing the details with Meng Yuhuai meticulously, unwilling to delay any longer, and promptly started preparations.

On May 28, an auspicious day for breaking ground, the little restaurant officially began its expansion construction.

Digging the fish pond and managing the bamboo grove would take a month or two. The shop up front continued business as usual, planning to close for renovations later. But in the forest at the back, there was a bustle of feverish activity.

Meng Yuhuai found some free time and came back specially for a visit. Hua Xiaomai, beaming with joy, dragged him to the construction site for a look around.

The fish pond was dug on the west side of the forest, covering over an acre, with a small path made of crushed stones leading right to it. Besides the open-air stone tables and chairs, an independent kitchen and several wooden huts were being built. Once completed, they would overlook a beautiful lotus pond view from the windows—a very intriguing thought.

The bamboo grove, on the other hand, was in the northeast corner, adjacent to another kitchen. In the future, one or two thatched cottages would be nestled within the grove, lending an air of quaint elegance and tranquility. It was indeed an excellent spot for guests who preferred peace and quiet.

According to Hua Xiaomai’s plan, a low wall should be built around the perimeter, which would not only deter thieves but also mark their territory. Fixing up this place would cost a fair amount of money, but because the restaurant backed onto a forest with lush trees, they could use the wood on-site, which saved a significant amount of silver taels.

All this land belonged to them; even if they wanted to show off a bit, they had every reason to, didn’t they?

"Do you think it’s good?" She asked, barely able to contain her excitement, clinging tightly to the man’s arm beside her, her voice full of eagerness.

Meng Yuhuai refused to give a perfunctory response, sizing her up intently before lowering his head with a smile, "I find it excellent. This matter has been handled most appropriately. My Xiaomai is becoming more capable by the day."

It was those words "my Xiaomai" that invigorated the young wife like a shot of chicken’s blood. That night, she pulled out all the stops, preparing a table full of exquisite dishes to comfort her husband, who was getting better at sweet-talking by the day. She didn’t rest at night either, satisfying him profusely until the next day when she finally sent Meng Yuhuai off to the County and had the chance to visit their chili field near the threshing ground. She still had a grin that she couldn’t hide.

As Meng Yuhuai had said, the chili plants had shed their flowers and bore green fruits that were as small as a segment of a pinkie, hiding beneath the leaves in a tender green color, glistening with a translucent gloss. When she leaned in to sniff, she could even smell a faint spicy scent. They looked truly adorable.

In their two acres of chili field, there was not a single mistake. Everything was heading towards a smooth harvest. Hua Xiaomai squatted in the field under the scorching sun, looking here and there, unable to leave for a long while. As she began to tear off one or two yellowing leaves, suddenly, an elderly calling voice emerged from not far behind her.

"Yuhuai’s wife, Yuhuai’s wife!"

At the call, Hua Xiaomai turned around to see the local elder of Fire Knife Village, Old Man Liu, shuffling toward her, using his cane for support.

What was he doing, tramping out to the fields in this sweltering heat instead of staying comfortably at home, and specifically making his way to the threshing ground side...

She really didn’t care much for Old Man Liu but didn’t know what he wanted by calling her over. She managed a forced smile, "Old Man, with the sun this fierce, why aren’t you resting at home... Be careful not to stagger from the heat!"

Old Man Liu paid no heed to what she was saying, approaching quickly and wiping sweat from his brow: "Your Yuhuai, hasn’t he been around the village lately, gone to work as an Escort Master?"

"He hasn’t gone far, just took on some business and has been quite busy recently. So he’s simply been staying at the Escort Agency to avoid the trouble of going back and forth." Hua Xiaomai looked up at him somewhat puzzled, "Are you perhaps looking for him on some matter?"

"Ah, it’s nothing important," Old Man Liu waved his hand, "It’s just that I haven’t seen him for a while and was just asking. Your Yuhuai is a good young man, and I get along quite well with him!"

"Oh." Hua Xiaomai nodded and seeing that he had nothing significant to say, turned to leave.

"Wait a moment, I still have something to say! Your Yuhuai has always been polite, and you, his wife, how can you..." Old Man Liu hastily called out to her, his face showing a hint of displeasure, "With Yuhuai not around, it’s the same asking you— I’ve overheard the villagers saying that you’ve bought the woods by the main road and are now building a garden there?"

(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you’re welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation ticket and monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)