Chef Hua
Chapter 471: Episode 257: Heart-piercing_2

Chapter 471: Episode 257: Heart-piercing_2

Meng’s mother was right—if Tang Maolin had the habit of beating his wife, he could do so at his old home without anyone meddling. But now, they were living at a relative’s place, beating someone in front of relatives—who was that performance for?

She had only been delayed at Sauce Garden for about an hour, and what exactly had happened during this time?

Just then, Ding, who was sitting on the ground crying with only exhalations and no inhalations, suddenly spoke up.

Clutching her chest as if overwhelmed with grief, she wailed, "Didn’t I just ask an extra question? If I shouldn’t ask, you could have just told me properly, why did you have to hit me? At home, my father and mother wouldn’t even bear to lay a finger on me. After marrying you for so many years, in the end, I’m met with a bang on the head with a stool, wuu wuu wuu..."

Before she could finish, she burst into tears again.

"Why are you wailing like it’s a funeral in my house?" Meng’s mother, feeling extremely irritated, wished she could kick her, berating her before turning to Hua Xiaomai, "Don’t bother with her, hurry up and eat then go into town. For now, you’ll stay with Yuhuai at the Escort Agency. Although he’s a man, he’s not careless, and he knows how to look after you."

Hua Xiaomai shook her head.

How could she leave under these circumstances and just leave Meng’s mother alone at home?

"Mother, I won’t interfere, and if they lay hands again, I won’t step forward, you can be at ease. But I must know what’s going on," she said with a smile to her frowning mother-in-law before turning to Tang Dongyan, who was silent with a downturned gaze, "Dongyan, you tell me, what exactly happened?"

Meng’s mother murmured under her breath without stopping her. On the other side, Tang Dongyan moved her lips, wiped her tears, and in a voice faint as a mosquito’s, said, "Actually, it’s nothing much..."

When it comes down to it, the whole issue was inextricably linked to the little restaurant to the east of the village, and the scuffle had erupted over nothing more than four words—"couldn’t restrain themselves."

The family was running a restaurant, which was currently being renovated and expanded. It was clearly a profitable venture, which Tang Maolin and his two family members knew full well, but they had never brought it to the fore for discussion.

Perhaps they were hoping that Meng’s mother or Hua Xiaomai would take the initiative to offer them a job there?

However, for over ten days, neither mother-in-law nor daughter-in-law had shown any intentions. Even after Tang Maolin had repaired all the wooden items in the house, Hua Xiaomai only repeatedly expressed her gratitude verbally without ever suggesting he work at the restaurant. Even the most patient person would inevitably run out of patience.

Just now, when Master Tan arrived and Xiaohaozi summoned Hua Xiaomai out, Ding, with a smile, coaxed Meng’s mother and subtly inquired about what Yuhuai’s wife was busy with and why she needed to hire a chef.

Meng’s mother was not one to give her face; she immediately ridiculed her sharply, saying nothing more than "What’s it got to do with you, why ask so much, are you harboring crooked ideas?" and so on.

If it had been any regular day, Mrs. Ding, her face publicly pricked by such barbs, would probably not have continued to speak. However, after listening to Tang Dongyan detail the current situation of the small restaurant, her envy couldn’t be contained. Without holding back, she chuckled and said, "I also just heard that Yuhuai’s daughter-in-law has a little restaurant that’s quite famous, and it’s currently being renovated. Actually, our Maolin — you have seen his carpentry skills, big sister. He hasn’t found work yet. If he could find something to do at that little restaurant, it would be convenient for both our families."

It was exactly this remark that stirred up trouble.

Matriarch Meng was clear about what their motives were. With things having escalated to this point, how could she hold back? She immediately put on a stern face and icily said, "Oh, I see. Maolin has been idly wandering around for half a month, couldn’t find a single job, and here you are waiting for an opportunity! Have you all lived so long just to behave like dogs? Your hometown is facing a disaster, and instead of trying to earn a living, you expect others to take care of you. I want to ask you just one thing — why? Hua Xiaomai is someone who isn’t thick-skinned. If Maolin goes to work at the small restaurant and causes trouble because he’s an uncle, Xiaomai won’t be able to say anything. Yet, you’ll still have to get paid in full, your plans are indeed meticulous!"

Before Mrs. Ding could retort, Matriarch Meng went on, "Now, you only talk about letting Maolin work there, but once the small restaurant reopens, aren’t you and your daughter planning to go there and earn a few copper coins as well? Your family of three comes to my place to take shelter from the disaster, and out of kindness, I take you in. Looking at this situation, I might be expected to support your entire family for life. How can you have the face to utter such words!"

Having her thoughts so blatantly exposed and hung out under the daylight, anyone’s face would struggle to hang on to any dignity. Tang Maolin’s face immediately flushed red. As he tried to explain, he saw Mrs. Ding suddenly stand up, seemingly wanting to say something more.

For some reason, a rage ignited in him, uncontrollable and fiery, and he reached for a small stool and hurled it, hitting Mrs. Ding square on the forehead.

And then, there was no afterward.

Tang Dongyan recounted the incident in a choked voice, feebly saying, "Sister-in-law, we really had no designs on your small restaurant. It’s just because my father couldn’t find work and was getting anxious..."

But Matriarch Meng wasn’t interested in letting her continue. She raised her hand and said sarcastically to Hua Xiaomai, "Alright, now that you know the causes and effects, you should be leaving, right? Hurry up and go find Yuhuai at the Escort Agency! My brother, whom I haven’t seen for seven or eight years, has really learned something new, daring to beat his wife in my house, as if to threaten me! You’re carrying the seed of the Meng Family; should anything happen to you, how would I explain to Yuhuai’s father when I get to the netherworld!"

Hua Xiaomai gestured frantically with her hands.

She knew of Matriarch Meng’s strong temperament but given the circumstance, continuing with such words would only be adding fuel to the fire, wouldn’t it?

But in the end, it was still too late.

Tang Maolin, who had been silent and crouching at the root of the wall, finally couldn’t contain himself after hearing her words and abruptly stood up.

The earlier act of hitting his wife was purely out of desperation. With Matriarch Meng still unrelenting, he felt as if his head was bursting with fury and, throwing caution to the wind, loudly said, "Enough, big sister. Isn’t Yuhuai’s wife standing here in good shape? I didn’t knock or bump her! But you — you’re the real deal, you’ve managed to lose the seed of the Meng Family, and not just one, but two!"

Struck in a sore spot she had harbored for many years, Matriarch Meng’s face turned pale in a flash, her eyes reddened instantly, and she couldn’t utter a word.

Hua Xiaomai felt a chill run through her, as if her heart would leap out of her chest. She couldn’t care less about propriety as she quickly took a few steps to support Matriarch Meng’s arm. She clenched her fist, turned her head back with gritted teeth, and coldly said, "What did you just say?!" (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)