Chef Hua
Chapter 444 - 244: Let’s Go Home

Chapter 444: Chapter 244: Let’s Go Home

"You see, you..."

Zuo Jinxiang hurriedly snatched the noodle bowl away, tore off the apron tied around her waist, and used it to wipe Hua Xiaomai’s hands, all the while muttering non-stop, "Did you burn yourself? I was really fooled at first, thinking you were so calm, but what happened—If you were truly calm, you wouldn’t have run over here without a second thought! Have you even looked at yourself, to speak of ill omen, what if something went wrong, how distressed would Meng Yuhuai be when he comes back?"

"It’s nothing." Hua Xiaomai rubbed the apron on herself carelessly, still smiling as she spoke, "I have a sense of it. If I felt unwell, even if I were anxious at home, I wouldn’t have come here, but look at me, I’m perfectly fine—My thought was, coming to the county, if he returns, I would be able to get the news right away and feel more at ease in my heart."

"Ah..." Zuo Jinxiang nodded her head and then sighed, "I’m telling you, sister, there’s no need to put on a brave face and still smile. Who knows how panicked you are inside! We’re not strangers after all, do you think I would laugh at you?"

"Sister-in-law Zuo, if you think my smile really is objectionable, I could start crying for you right now, but the thing is, do you want to see that, does anyone? My lips are drawn tight. I’m really quite alright, so don’t worry about me. I know you must have been extremely busy these past two days. Look, I didn’t come here alone, why should you be anxious?"

She turned and pulled Zhou Yunyun over, her smile broadening by two degrees: "Look, this is my apprentice. I’ve taken on an apprentice, impressive, right? I shouldn’t stand by the stove for long, so if you need a hand when you’re cooking later, just call out, and I’ll have her help you. Don’t let her young age fool you; she’s very clever."

Zuo Jinxiang responded with a word, exchanged a few more pleasantries with her, all amounting to nothing more than telling her to relax and suggesting that if she felt weary, she might as well go to the room where Meng Yuhuai usually stayed to rest for a while. Then she went back to the kitchen.

Only then did Hua Xiaomai turn to Zhou Yunyun and say, "Following me to the county, your mother must be worried. I haven’t even spoken to you yet, and here I am, selling you off to help someone cook. You aren’t secretly cursing me, are you?"

"What are you saying, Master?" Zhou Yunyun lowered her head and bit her lip, "I am your apprentice. Given the current circumstances, it’s only right for me to stay by your side. Besides, I’m always happy to have the chance to hold the spatula and help with the cooking."

After a pause, she added softly, "As for my mother, she surely is worried about me, but aside from me, there are three younger sisters at home, and my father is... Even if she wanted to, she can’t always be watching over me. Staying at home all day is stifling, so following you, Master, I feel more at ease."

Hua Xiaomai smiled, merely patted her on the shoulder twice, but said nothing.

...

Dusk fell, and lights flickered to life around the area, but the noise from the Lianshun Escort Agency didn’t bring any sense of liveliness; instead, it sent chills down the spine.

If there was still no news by tonight, it would be a full two days and nights. The longer the wait dragged on, the words "more likely bad than good" became clearer in the mind, infiltrating every thought, coldly springing forth unbidden and making the heart sink down harshly.

Hua Xiaomai had sat in a corner all afternoon and, inevitably, felt a sore back and aching waist. She stood up and strolled around, exchanging a couple of words with Ke Zhenwu, but they were irrelevant chatter, both avoiding the distressing subject.

From time to time, people from the County Government came by, yet they didn’t have any useful news, just inquiring and leaving after lingering briefly. Hua Xiaomai was initially filled with hope but soon realized they were of no help. When they came again, she couldn’t even be bothered to look up, just continued to walk aimlessly around the courtyard.

Zhou Yunyun really did help Zuo Jinxiang prepare the dinner, which was quite sumptuous, but with everyone preoccupied with their thoughts, nobody felt like savoring the meal, hastily gobbling a few bites before leaving the table.

Jing Taihe, although not having helped much all afternoon, had not been idle. After dinner, finally having a moment to herself, she spotted Hua Xiaomai with her head down, standing under a tree, and approached quietly from behind, "Little sister, why don’t you go rest in the back yard for a while, it’s too tiring to keep standing like this."

"I just got up because I was tired of sitting, brother-in-law, you needn’t worry about me." Hua Xiaomai didn’t even turn around, her voice a bit buzzy.

"But..." Jing Taihe was about to persuade her further when suddenly, there was a commotion outside the gate.

Blazing torchlights, the neighing of horses, the clattering sound of hooves on the cobblestone paths grew closer until they stopped outside the Lianshun Escort Agency. Then, a person stumbled in, tripped over nothing, fell, but immediately got up and shouted at the top of his lungs, "We’ve found him!"