Chef Hua
Chapter 422: Episode 233 Shameless

Chapter 422: Episode 233 Shameless

Hua Xiaomai didn’t respond to Elder Liu directly, merely acknowledged with a faint sound, pondering his intentions deep inside.

As the village elder, this old man seldom meddled in affairs, asking for his help was tougher than ascending to the heavens, but inviting him for a meal and he’d run over faster than anyone. Now he brings up the ongoing construction of the garden, what is he up to?

After thinking it over, she couldn’t be bothered to beat around the bush and went straight to the point, "Elder Liu, is there something amiss?"

Perhaps because her response wasn’t enthusiastic enough, Elder Liu seemed even more dissatisfied. He tapped the ground with his walking stick, scowling with utter seriousness, "As you make big money, and I, as the village elder, naturally rejoice for you. I’d wish everyone could be as prosperous as you. But now that your humble eatery is expanding, I can’t help but remind you not to cause a big commotion, disturbing the neighbors. Should someone complain to me, even if it’s Yuhuai, I will show no sympathy!"

Are you confused, making an issue out of nothing? Hua Xiaomai muttered to herself, then with a smile she replied, "Elder Liu, have you forgotten? My humble eatery is located to the east of the village, close to the official road, with no residents within half a mile. Who could it possibly disturb? Moreover, the construction of the garden is all done during the day, and the craftsmen and workers all go home to rest in the evening. Even if there were nearby houses, who could it bother?"

Elder Liu knew his argument was weak. With an embarrassed expression, he coughed to the side, "It was just a casual reminder, no harm done if you are aware of the proper limits. Just don’t let it be like two years ago when you set up a stand by the river, causing complaints about the noise to reach me, and it was really difficult for me to intervene!"

Come on, we both know full well that matter from years ago was nonsense. You didn’t distinguish right from wrong back then, and now you have the nerve to bring it up again?

Out of patience to argue with him further, Hua Xiaomai pursed her lips with a smile, "Do you have anything else? If there’s no other instruction, I should be going. I need to check on the construction site from time to time and also get ready for the lunch rush, you..."

"Don’t rush off." Before she could finish, Elder Liu impatiently interrupted her, glancing toward the chili field and pointing with his chin, "Your chilis... they’re about ripe, aren’t they?"

"Yes, in no more than a month." Hua Xiaomai nodded, suspicion rising in her heart.

Could it be... after such a roundabout conversation, this was actually his aim?

"Hmm, very good, very good." Elder Liu nodded appreciatively, "It looks like you will have a good harvest of chilis this year, a full two acres. Your household surely can’t use them all, right?"

His words, broken into three parts, would normally make Hua Xiaomai impatient, and she would have retorted by now. But at this moment, first because Elder Liu was her elder, it wasn’t appropriate to disrespect him, and second, she really wanted to see how far this old man would go with his posturing, so she didn’t rush and followed up on his conversation, "Definitely more than we can use, but I also have a Sauce Garden. If we get to work, there won’t be much leftover. I still need to save some for seeds."

"Ah, haven’t you thought of selling some seeds to the villagers?" Finally unable to restrain himself, Elder Liu stomped his stick hard, "It was only when your little eatery opened last year that I realized how uniquely spicy the chili is. Many people don’t know its benefits and don’t use it in cooking. Once your garden is built and more people from the city come to eat, they will surely like it after trying it! It’s something that can’t be bought in our Fuzhe County even with silver these days. If the villagers all planted some, they could surely make money!"

So it was about this after all.

The corners of Hua Xiaomai’s mouth slightly curled up, as if troubled she furrowed her brow, "About this... to be honest with you, I really have considered it, but who knows whether the villagers would like to buy it or not..."

"I can’t speak for others, but I made up my mind early on to buy some from you!" Elder Liu hurriedly said, emphasizing his point earnestly, "Don’t worry about not being able to sell them. If you set the price reasonably, people will naturally be interested. Although you’re an outsider, having married Yuhuai, you’re one of our villagers now. Surely you don’t intend to profit from your own people? If everyone can earn a little extra from these chilis, you’d have done a great service!"