Chef Hua
Chapter 461: Episode 252 Is this tailing?_2

Chapter 461: Episode 252 Is this tailing?_2

The smell near this "special" stable is actually quite nice.

...

Just like that, another couple of days passed.

In the morning, Luo Yuejiao came to visit.

Knowing there were guests at home, she didn’t barge in directly as usual, but stood by the gate and mysteriously waved at Hua Xiaomai.

"Xiaomai, come over here, I’ve got something to tell you."

With many people in the house, it wasn’t as laid-back as usual, and Hua Xiaomai, having stayed inside for a long time, was inevitably feeling a bit restless, desperately looking for something to do. Suddenly seeing her appear, she felt as though she’d found a savior and immediately dashed over, grabbing her enthusiastically by the arm, "Why are you here? Come on, it’s too hot outside, let’s talk inside..."

"Don’t pull, I’m not going in," Luo Yuejiao said with a giggling voice, "My sister-in-law sent me to tell you that the fish pond is finished. She said you should come have a look, and if there’s no issue, then it’s time to pay the craftsmen their silver. After that, we still need to move a few trees over."

"So soon?" Hua Xiaomai raised an eyebrow in surprise, "I thought it would take at least a month or two, but I didn’t expect..."

"It’s just digging a fish pond, how much time did you think it would take? Those rows of wooden houses you want, those are the real time and labor-intensive tasks!" Luo Yuejiao laughed with her teeth barely visible, "Since I know your bamboo grove is cool, I often go there to play with my sister-in-law recently. I saw the restaurant upfront is starting to get renovated. If you’re free, why don’t we go have a look together, I’ll keep you company?"

"Sure," Hua Xiaomai agreed without a second thought, "Wait here for me. I’ll change my clothes and tell my mother-in-law, then I’ll go with you. There are some green crispy plums I made a few days ago on the table in the yard, help yourself, don’t be shy."

After speaking, she eagerly turned around to find Old Mother Meng to let her know, then quickly went back to her room to get ready. She soon pulled Luo Yuejiao out the door with her.

The fish pond behind the small restaurant to the east of the city was indeed well done.

The surrounding embankments were made of fine stones, although not particularly exquisite, they were very neat and tidy. The fish pond was deliberately dug with a bit of slope, creating a deep-water area for the fish to escape the heat in summer and the cold in winter.

Regarding the drain, Hua Xiaomai had paid special attention to it too. It wasn’t directed towards any nearby fields, so even if it was time to change the water, it shouldn’t flood the surrounding crops.

Although the fish pond was bare at the moment, the thought of raising lotuses and fish in it before long really brought it to life. She was genuinely content and happy, so she called over the foreman among the craftsmen to praise their work heartily and settled their dues generously, throwing in an extra tael or two, simply as a thank you for their efforts and to buy themselves some drinks.

Afterwards, she went to take a look at the small restaurant in front. Although the interior had just begun being decorated and the final look wasn’t apparent yet, the workers inside seemed honest and hardworking. They were measuring dimensions, knocking on walls, busily meticulous, and very serious about their work.

With such smooth progress, she was naturally joyful and said to Luo Yuejiao, "Now I feel relieved. I haven’t dealt with anything recently, truly putting all the work on your sister-in-law and Sister La Mei."

"That’s for sure," Luo Yuejiao nodded without hesitation. "My sister-in-law is so dedicated; every night when she comes home, she has to ramble on about how things are progressing! Since she’s so responsible, you should give her a raise!"

"You’re about to get married, how would you benefit from her earning more?" Hua Xiaomai teased her.

Luo Yuejiao, however, was deadly serious. "My sister-in-law has been good to me since she married into our family. She treats me well, and naturally, I treat her well in return, not because I want her to spend money on me!"

"I was just joking, why took it so seriously..." Hua Xiaomai was speaking when she suddenly saw a lilac-colored shadow flicker behind a tree not far to her left. She instantly grew suspicious and thought, with so many strong men in the little diner, there was nothing to fear for her, so she called out loudly, "Who’s there!"

She waited a while but there was no response; her brows knitted tighter. "Come out!"

From behind the tree, someone emerged hesitantly and called her "cousin-in-law"; it was Tang Dongyan again.

Indeed.

Hua Xiaomai smirked slightly.

Wasn’t Tang Dongyan wearing a lilac summer shirt today?

"What are you doing there?" She fixed her eyes on the girl, smiling but her tone was not very pleasant.

Tang Dongyan approached slowly, squeezing out a smile. "My mother saw cousin-in-law going out, and she was worried about you, being pregnant and all. If you were unaccompanied and something might happen..."

"What kind of talk is that? Can’t you say something auspicious?" Luo Yuejiao glared at her unhappily. "Besides, am I not a person?"

"Yuejiao, don’t be like that, my aunt meant well." Hua Xiaomai spoke lightly, then glanced at Tang Dongyan. "If that’s the case, why didn’t you leave with me instead of hiding behind that tree?"

"I was afraid cousin-in-law would be unhappy..." Tang Dongyan lowered her head, her voice as fine as a mosquito.

So you knew that would make me unhappy? Hua Xiaomai sneered inwardly.

Whether it was Mrs. Ding’s order, or Tang Dongyan took it upon herself, this behavior was no different from tailing someone.

She had been wondering; these past days, Zhou Yunyun came to learn cooking every day, calling her "Master" non-stop, yet she had never seen Mrs. Ding and her daughter show any suspicion, not even asking a single question. Now it seemed they must have had their own understanding all along, hadn’t they?

The feeling was truly unpleasant, and she had become very unhappy, but because she didn’t want to show it too readily and make things difficult for Old Mrs. Meng and Meng Yuhuai, she suppressed her irritation and still spoke with a smile. "Aunt is thinking too much. You’re all doing this out of concern for me, and if I were still unhappy, wouldn’t I be mistaking kindness for malice? But in the future, really, there’s no need for such a fuss. Every time I go out, I will make sure to have someone with me; I’m afraid of any mishaps, too! It’s quite sunny here, you should head back now. Please thank aunt for me for her concern."(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to cast your recommendation ticket, monthly ticket, at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)