Chef Hua
Chapter 488: Episode 266: The Grand Opening

Chapter 488: Episode 266: The Grand Opening

Meng’s mother suddenly jumped out with such a ferocious aura, causing Guan Rong to feel afraid; the hand she had extended toward Hua Xiaomai quickly retracted, as she forced a smile and repeatedly said, "Auntie, you misunderstood, I didn’t mean to raise my hand, it was..."

"Don’t try to talk your way out of this!" Meng’s mother glared at her with a raised palm, threatening to slap her, and roared fiercely, "Does your whole family think I’m clueless about what kind of people you are? If your mangy paw so much as grazes one of ours and something goes amiss, even if you expend every cent, you won’t be able to compensate for it! So you want to fight, is that it? I’ll have a go with you right now; let’s see just how capable you really are!"

With that, she truly looked as if she was about to deliver a slap.

Her loud voice had called Guan Rong’s mother out from where she was hiding in the house. Catching sight of the situation, and despite being scared out of her wits, she had no choice but to harden her resolve and step forward, shouting with a facade of boldness, "What is the meaning of this, Auntie? My daughter isn’t as tough as you; she can’t withstand your beating! I know you’ve been holding back your anger for over half a year now, but if you must hit someone, hit me instead!"

The situation seemed to be escalating quickly, but Hua Xiaomai, supported by Zhou Yun, stood firmly and hurriedly reached out to pull at Meng’s mother, forcing her raised hand back down.

"Mother, she hasn’t hurt me; calm down, let’s go inside, I..."

"What, you want to stop the fight?" Meng’s mother, filled with rage and with a buzzing in her ears, could hardly make out what she was saying. Knowing only that she was being firmly held back, her fury surged even higher. She yelled back, "Are you silly, do you even know how to stop a fight? We’re on the same side; why are you holding me back? Help me grab that wretched girl so I can give her a few kicks first!"

Hua Xiaomai was both amused and exasperated, patiently patting her back and, in front of the mother and daughter, said with a smile, "Mother, you always say she’s like a paper tiger, and if you really did slap her, what if she takes us to task later? It’s not the first time this has happened. Haven’t we seen the ghoul; aren’t we unafraid of the dark?"

"What exactly do you mean by that, Xiaomai girl?" snapped Guan Rong’s mother, unable to contain herself, "Are you bringing up old grievances?"

"The account book is in my hands; if I truly intended to open it and discuss each and every issue, could you, Auntie, even stop me?" Hua Xiaomai said unruffled, giving her a smile, "Let me give you a piece of advice: if you’re looking for peace, better keep your daughter in check. Her wedding day is drawing near, and if any blunders occur at this juncture, I’m afraid you won’t even have a place to cry."

The message was quite clear.

Your family has found a city-bred son-in-law who knows very little about what your daughter has done in the past; he might even consider her a treasure. But imagine if one day, that Mr. Huang learns of your daughter’s misdeeds—like, for instance, undressing and hiding in a bath barrel in an attempt to seduce a man—what do you think would happen then?

Guan Rong’s mother choked, unable to utter another word, while Hua Xiaomai turned her head to Guan Rong, speaking placidly, "And as for you, you’ve given many apologies before; I’m not sick of hearing them, but my ears have grown calluses. I’ve trusted you once and been taken for a fool each time; do you really think I’m that easy to manipulate?"

"I truly realize my wrongs..." Guan Rong said, her eyes welling with tears, barely holding back sobs.

Hua Xiaomai internally cursed the phrase "dying white lotus" three hundred times and gritted her teeth, "Whether you know your wrongs or not, it doesn’t concern me; let’s pretend we don’t know each other. Better not to show your face before me anymore and spare me the disgust; consider it a good deed on your part."

At this moment, the sound of horseshoes came from the dirt road, and everyone unconsciously looked up, just in time to see Meng Yuhuai leading a horse at a leisurely pace towards them.

Guan Rong’s spine involuntarily stiffened, her mouth opened, but no sound came out.

"What are you doing standing around?" Meng Yuhuai walked straight up to Hua Xiaomai and Meng’s mother, "It’s still sunny; aren’t you worried you’ll get too much of it? Hurry inside." While speaking, he stretched out his hand to shield Hua Xiaomai’s forehead, then pulled Meng’s mother toward the courtyard.

"Mother, why don’t you start preparing dinner? I was busy this morning and didn’t even eat, I’m starving."

From the beginning to the end, he didn’t glance at the two women even once.

Seeing Meng Yuhuai return, Zhou Yunyun felt it was inappropriate to stay any longer in the Meng family’s courtyard. She hurriedly said goodbye to Hua Xiaomai, then scurried out.

The courtyard gate closed with a heavy "bang."