Chef Hua
Chapter 442: Episode 243: Fragility and Strength

Chapter 442: Episode 243: Fragility and Strength

The village was unusually quiet, not a sound to be heard, which made the footsteps outside particularly loud. Perhaps because of the uneasiness in her heart, Hua Xiaomai couldn’t help but think that there was a hint of panic in those sounds.

Hua Xiaomai craned her neck to look toward the doorway, Zhou Yunyun, not knowing whether to prevent her from falling or some other reason, held tightly onto her clothes, daring not to let go even for a moment.

Mrs. Meng also stood up, her eyes fixed on the doorway, while she did not forget to instruct Zhou Yunyun, "Hold onto Xiaomai well, watch her steps, she is rather careless, stumbling and bumbling about..."

Before she could finish speaking, a shadow flashed outside the courtyard door, and sure enough, it was the Great Saint.

"What’s going on here?"

All three women in the courtyard stared straight at him, which quite startled him, and he took a step back, "Are you welcoming me? This is so grand; how can I deserve such attention?"

While speaking, he scratched the back of his head and chuckled, "I guessed Grandma and the young lady here must be waiting for some news, so as soon as I got back to the village, I rushed over here, lest you get anxious. That... I went to the County today to shop and stopped by the Lianshun Escort Agency to inquire. Those thieves had shown traces and were indeed hiding in the woods just outside the town, goodness, hiding there so long despite the sweltering heat! The low mountains are vast, and we haven’t caught them yet, but just knowing where they are makes things easier. Yuhuai has already led men up the mountain. Although I didn’t meet him face to face, I think, in a day or two, this matter should be resolved properly—Grandma, young lady, you can rest easy now, right?"

Zhou Yunyun urgently tugged at Hua Xiaomai’s clothes, repeatedly saying, "Master, this is such great news," even Mrs. Meng, who never believed in gods or Buddha, murmured a Buddhist chant, full-mouthed, "Knowing where those thieves are is great. Catch them quickly, so Yuhuai can come back sooner—those villains handle knives and guns without blinking and dare to kill people. These past few days, my heart has been hanging in my throat!"

Only Hua Xiaomai’s expression remained unchanged, calmly looking at the Great Saint for a long time before turning back and saying, "Yun’er, help me pour a bowl of tea for Brother Great Saint."

She then quirked the corner of her mouth at the Great Saint, "With such hot weather, and you running back and forth to the town, it must be tough on you, have a seat and rest."

Zhou Yunyun responded with a yes and turned toward the kitchen, Mrs. Meng also brought over a small stool and offered it to the Great Saint. Yet, he appeared uneasy, chuckling, "Tea... I’d rather not, I bought quite a few things back from the County, and they’re still stopped up on the dirt road. If I leave them there too long, something might go missing... Not that we lack for much at the Sauce Garden, but still, it doesn’t feel right, does it?"

Before Hua Xiaomai could speak, Mrs. Meng waved her hand, "What’s there to fear? There aren’t many carts in our village, parked by the side of the dirt road, everyone knows it’s from my house, who would dare to steal it? They must be tired of living! You’ve run all this way; not having tea doesn’t make sense, just sit down and don’t worry!"

"I really don’t need it." The Great Saint still shook his head insistently, and chuckled, "I have to deliver the items back to the Sauce Garden first, then I need to find Taihe brother to discuss something!"

"What matter?" Hua Xiaomai raised her eyebrows, seeing her inquiry momentarily stun him, she slightly pursed her lips, "Can’t I ask?"

The Great Saint was very frustrated internally, with a sneaky glance noticing Hua Xiaomai still fixated on him, her gaze unwavering, a smile curling her lips but her eyes devoid of any mirth.

He only came to deliver a message, never expecting it to be this difficult to extricate himself.

"Oh dear!" he exclaimed, squatting on the ground and fiercely slapping his thigh, "Isn’t it enough that I spoke? I didn’t lie, indeed, we discovered the traces of those bandits, and Yuhuai leading men into the mountains is also true, except... it’s said that he got separated from his group, and now no one knows where he is..."

Surely... Hua Xiaomai tried her best not to behave dramatically like shaking violently or leaning over to faint, tightly gripping the edge of the table to support herself.

The Great Saint had seemed very cheerful upon entering, but his eyes couldn’t deceive anyone. He was clearly nervous but still tried to appear joyous. What could be the reason? There must have been a mishap!

"Great Saint, what are you saying!" Mrs. Meng was initially a bit slow to react, "My Yuhuai... is missing? Do you mean now nobody knows where Yuhuai is?"

"I went to ask at the Lianshun Escort Agency." The Great Saint hung his head, feebly saying, "Yuhuai led five or six men up the mountain, after entering the woods they split into pairs to operate separately. It was agreed earlier that they must return to town before dark, and meet at the foot of the mountain. Yet... after the others searched the mountains for a long time, when they got to the foot of the mountain, they waited and waited but Yuhuai and the man with him didn’t return. Before I left town, there was still no word of him..."