Chef Hua
Chapter 423: Episode 233 Shameless_2

Chapter 423: Episode 233 Shameless_2

If it weren’t for the fact that he was an elder, Hua Xiaomai really wanted to scoff in his face.

The way he spoke was so sanctimonious, talking about seeking benefits for the villagers. But when you got right down to it, wasn’t he just trying to secure a deal for himself? Dare to ask, sir, were you wholeheartedly intent on buying these chili seeds and came running all the way here to haggle? How could you even bring yourself to say such things?

She really didn’t want to deal with the old man any longer and laughed lightly, "I really don’t know how to handle this matter. I’ll have to wait for Yuhuai to return and discuss it with him before we can set any terms. Besides, there’s still some time before the chili harvest, no rush—Elder, you should hurry back to the little eatery. If I’m any later, I won’t make it in time, and you shouldn’t be out here under the sun either. Go back early, so your family doesn’t worry."

Having said that, she didn’t wait to see the old man’s reaction; she simply turned and walked away, stepping down from the ridge in two or three strides.

It was too hot. After going there and back, she felt like she had been dredged out of water. Until Hua Xiaomai returned to the east side of the village, she still couldn’t quell the fire in her heart. When she stepped into the hall, her face looked rather upset. She kicked the bench that was in the way at the doorway and sat down at the table in a huff.

It wasn’t quite time for a meal yet, so there weren’t any customers in the shop. Chun Xi and La Mei had been chatting at the counter, and they were both somewhat surprised to see her like this. They exchanged a glance and quickly came over with a cup of tea for her, smiling, "What happened to you? You went to the fields and came back looking like someone has upset you. Could there be a problem with the chili?"

"The chili is just fine, too fine in fact. Someone has set their sights on it and is shameless!" Hua Xiaomai took the teacup and downed it in one go, then looked up and said angrily, "I never thought, with his age, and stature as the village head, that he could be so shameless. Doesn’t he blush when he says those things?"

"Who? Elder Liu?" La Mei was first startled, then let out a chuckle, "If it’s him, then you don’t need to be so angry. Who doesn’t know what kind of person he is in this village? Come on, tell us, what nonsense did he spout in front of you this time?"

Hua Xiaomai went through the whole story with them and slapped the table, grinding her teeth as she said, "Talking about how we shouldn’t ’make money off the villagers.’ As if my chili peppers are pie falling from the sky for free! That little bit that was originally planted behind my sister and brother-in-law’s house, those seeds were also asked for by my Yuhuai, just over a dozen, and that was asking for a favor! Those two packets that Mr. Wu from Qingping County gave me were also earned on my own merit, what do they have to do with him? I barely managed to grow two acres, and now he pops up wanting to cash in without any effort. Why should he?"

"Don’t be angry, don’t be angry," Chun Xi said with a smile, patting her back.

"How can I not be angry?" Hua Xiaomai looked up at her and La Mei, "Even you two sisters-in-law, with whom we get along so well, have never asked me for any favors. It’s because I wanted to give them to you—it’s my stuff, and I’m happy to! The harvest isn’t even here yet, and he has the gall to come forward... I blame myself too, why did I have to go to the fields today of all days!"

"You could go on complaining indefinitely; with that man, if you got angry about everything, you’d have died eight hundred times over by now." Chun Xi gently patted her on the shoulder, "In my opinion, just ignore him. If you really can’t stand it, you can always get Meng Damei to stand up for you. I don’t believe he wouldn’t be afraid then?"

It was as if a light bulb had gone off, and Hua Xiaomai clapped her hands, "Right, that’s exactly it. Once my mother-in-law comes over, I’ll complain to her and get her to make my case. If Elder Liu dares to come around bothering me again, then he can’t blame me—you would think, knowing that we have someone formidable in the family, he wouldn’t dare..."

Chun Xi burst out laughing, handing her a basket of fruit from the counter, "That’s enough, take a breath. It looks like your affection for Yuhuai is growing stronger by the day. You don’t get embarrassed calling him ’my Yuhuai’ in front of us. Does he know how much you grumble about him? Here, these are green plums sent from Sauce Garden to make Plum Sauce and Dried Plum. They had an excess, and they look pretty good, so I took some. You can use them for candying or cooking. Why don’t you eat one now to cool off a bit?"

While speaking, she actually placed one in Hua Xiaomai’s hand.

Hua Xiaomai took one look and immediately stepped back, quickly deflecting her hand, "That green and shiny thing, just looking at it makes my teeth feel sour. You want me to eat that and die of sourness? I’ll make it into Dried Plum this afternoon. In a few days, we can share it around. It’s good for beating the heat on a hot day." After saying that, she took a deep breath and expelled all the pent-up frustration, then turned and went to the kitchen to get busy, not mentioning it further.

...

The expansion of the little eatery was progressing smoothly. Apart from the noise during the day, which prompted a few complaints from the customers coming to eat, there were no further issues. The fish pond was beginning to take shape, the northeast corner was cleared out, and everything was orderly.

The chili peppers in the field were gradually showing hints of red, and Meng Yuhuai finally moved back home from the County, passing the duty of Warehouse Guard to someone else. He took a few days off and was either overseeing the construction site or walking in the fields. Naturally, seizing every opportunity to be intimate with his wife was of paramount importance, something he could not afford to neglect.

Elder Liu did not approach Hua Xiaomai about buying chili peppers again, but as the day of harvest drew nearer, villagers gradually started coming to her, hinting at their desire to buy seeds. Without exception, they all hoped for a "neighborly" discount.

Hua Xiaomai, overwhelmed by their persistence and truly unwilling to compromise, simply shouldered everything off onto Meng Yuhuai, holding onto his arm with a worried expression, "In your opinion, how should we handle this?" (To be continued. If you like this work, please head to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)