Chef Hua
Chapter 485: Episode 264: Joyful Event_2

Chapter 485: Episode 264: Joyful Event_2

"You were always quite imposing, right?" Hua Xiaomai snickered, "That’s good, we live close to each other, so we can hang out more when we’re free."

"Right?" Hua Erniang nodded in agreement, and then took another glance at the room where Old Lady Meng lived, "As for you, how does your mother-in-law treat you usually? Not to brag, but in the whole Fire Knife Village, I’m likely the only one who can stand up to her. If she gives you a hard time, just tell me—I am your own sister. I might not have any other skills, but standing up for you is certainly not a problem."

This really is... bias could kill!

The corner of Hua Xiaomai’s mouth curved into a smile as she said cheerfully, "Actually, my mother-in-law is not bad. At home, she does often argue with me, but after many rounds of bickering, it somehow becomes fun. In front of outsiders, she always protects me."

While talking, she nodded toward the courtyard wall: "Look, I don’t know why, but their family made a fuss all night. My mother-in-law, fearing it would scare me, even yelled at them a couple of times!"

When Hua Erniang first heard that Old Lady Meng would actually protect her own sister, she couldn’t help but show a face of surprise. However, as soon as Hua Xiaomai mentioned the neighbors from the Guan Family, her face instantly revealed a hint of scorn: "Tsk!"

The expression was odd, and Hua Xiaomai’s brow furrowed slightly as she involuntarily moved closer: "What’s up?"

"You have Chun Xi as a nosy parker right beside you, and you don’t know about this?" Hua Erniang said with a cold laugh, "Isn’t it just Guan Rong? Her mother arranged a marriage for her, and they’re in such a hurry to marry her off in August. This is a happy occasion!"

"Ah?" Hua Xiaomai’s mouth fell open in surprise, not expecting things to be like this. It took her a moment to find her voice again, "Isn’t she sick? I’ve never seen her step outside..."

Hua Erniang waved her hand dismissively, her expression exaggerated as she laughed, "Don’t let the age of that old lady in our house fool you, her ears are very sharp! I heard this from her! In fact, Guan Rong’s illness has long been cured. While it hasn’t been completely eradicated, it certainly isn’t so severe that she can’t leave her bed. The reason she doesn’t go out is because she feels ashamed, isn’t it? After the shameless things she did last year, she ended up empty-handed. Despite that, you’re living peacefully with Yuhuai, and now you even have a child, while she has become the laughing stock of the village—if I were her, I’d want to crawl into a hole and never come out, let alone show my face!"

Hua Xiaomai was silent, not saying a word.

Guan Rong was two years older than her, and it was high time she married, but her frail health had delayed it until now. Finally, someone was willing to marry her, yet she was resisting so fiercely... could it be...

"She couldn’t still be pining for my Yuhuai, could she?" Hua Xiaomai pursed her lips and said coldly.

"Pfft!" Hua Erniang sprayed out a mouthful of tea, "Take a look in that water vat and see for yourself! I know you treasure your man like a gem, and it’s fine to show off like this in front of me, but if outsiders see you, they’ll laugh at you for sure!"

Hua Xiaomai, thick-skinned, didn’t feel embarrassed at all as she haughtily replied, "That’s right! Usually I don’t even remember such a person exists, but now that she’s been mentioned, I immediately think of all the things she’s done, so infuriating that my teeth itch! If she’s still not over it by now, then she’s simply asking to be humiliated. I won’t say anything else, but at least I’ll certainly outlive her, all her efforts are in vain!"

"Ay, yo!" Hua Ermu couldn’t straighten up from laughing, her hands flailing about comically, "It’s not because of that, she just doesn’t fancy the guy!"

"..." Hua Xiaomai felt a little better and glared at her sharply, "Stop laughing, just tell me already!"

Hua Ermu wiped away the tears of laughter and took a couple of breaths, "According to our granny, the man’s family name is Huang, and he’s from the city. They run a sundries shop. While not wealthy, they’re quite well-to-do. It’s said that he’s honest and without ill-intent, only that he’s quite a bit older than she is, already 27 or 28. You know, Guan Rong has her whims, but she’s quite the looker, with a nice figure to boot. People like her looks and don’t mind her frail health..."

Reluctantly, Hua Xiaomai managed to squeeze out a sentence through gritted teeth, "Isn’t that pretty good? What’s she being picky for?"

"The thing is, the man has trouble with his legs," Hua Ermu said as she took a sip of tea.

A... cripple? No wonder then!

Hua Xiaomai understood and didn’t follow up on it.

In this world, nothing is feared more than "comparison." Guan Rong had always been hung up on Meng Yuhuai, who was handsome and tall. Now, out of the blue, they wanted her to marry a cripple; how could she possibly be willing?

Though it made sense that she was upset, her parents were wringing their hands over her, probably dying to marry her off quickly. This matter... she most likely had no say in it.

"Enough about her, why do we keep talking about her? It’s not like it has anything to do with us," Hua Ermu wasn’t interested in lingering on the subject and changed the topic, "Speaking of which, how’s the expansion of your little eatery going? When can you open up again?"

"Hmm..." Hua Xiaomai also put that matter aside and pondered for a moment, "In another three to five days, the construction should be complete. But if we’re talking about opening, it can’t happen until after the Mid-Autumn Festival. There’s no need to rush the business. With ample time, we can prepare thoroughly and avoid a last-minute scramble."

Upon hearing this, Hua Ermu laughed and heaved a sigh, "That’s perfect. By then, your belly will be steady, and Yuhuai should be able to relax a bit. Oh, and your brother-in-law asked me to check with you guys if you’re free around Mid-Autumn Festival. He wants to set up a feast in the city and invites you both."

"Invite us to a feast?" Hua Xiaomai was puzzled, "All of a sudden, what for?"

"We can talk about it when the time comes," Hua Ermu obviously didn’t plan to answer the question and stood up, holding Tie Chui, "I’ve been delayed quite a while; I need to go feed Tie Chui. I’ll let you know when the date is set, alright?"

"Huh?" Hua Xiaomai stood up, ready to ask more, but the graceful figure had already vanished like a gust of wind through the courtyard gate, disappearing in a blink. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation ticket, monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)