Chef Hua
Chapter 493: Episode 268: Purpose_2

Chapter 493: Episode 268: Purpose_2

"How could we possibly complain? We’re thrilled!" Dong Deyou waved his hands repeatedly, then turned to check the sky, "Oh my, although it’s not mealtime yet, Lv Bin and I had a mere morsel at noon and I am starving now. The garden in the back seems like a pleasant spot. If it wouldn’t be too much trouble for Lady Hua, could we sit there for a while? And you’ll need to arrange some food for us. We’re not fussy at all, Lady Hua can just prepare whatever she likes to make, just two dishes will be fine."

"It’s no trouble at all," Hua Xiaomai shook her head and agreed. She called over Qing You and instructed him to take them to the garden, while she went to the kitchen with Wang Zhanrui, who had been sitting idly in the backyard.

...

Dong Deyou, who preferred tranquility, chose a place to sit in the bamboo grove. Now that the weather was agreeably cool and warm, and with no need to move indoors, Qing You led the two to a particularly lush part of the bamboo grove and soon returned with freshly made tea.

Both Hua Xiaomai and Wang Zhanrui were accustomed to working at the stove, and preparing a meal for two didn’t take much effort. About the time it takes an incense stick to burn, the dishes were ready and another lad named Ji Xiang brought them over.

The crisp and tender "Phoenix Liver Rolls" were Hua Xiaomai’s creation, with shelled small green shrimp, chicken liver, mushrooms, and rose wine-marinated fatty pork strips wrapped in pig’s caul fat and fried in a batter of clear flour; dipped in five-spice salt, they were a perfect complement to both liquor and rice.

Aside from using tea as an ingredient in his dishes, Wang Zhanrui could indeed cook other varieties. Today, however, he was determined to showcase his skills on the opening day in front of others, and thus specially prepared smoked pigeon with Chrysanthemum Pu’er Tea. The rich flavor of Pu’er tea and the sweet aroma of brown sugar infused into the pigeon meat provided a luscious sweetness, pleasing to taste and gentle on the stomach; eating this dish in autumn was most fitting.

Besides, there were several vegetarian dishes and two small plates of refined pickles. As for the soup, it was a nourishing concoction of silver ear mushrooms, almonds, and pork lung.

All the dishes, served in plain porcelain bowls and dishes, were arrayed on a bamboo table, complementing the bamboo grove; clean, refreshing, and unpretentiously elegant.

Since Dong Deyou and Lv Bin had repeatedly said they had come to congratulate and eat, Hua Xiaomai felt no need to accompany them further. After bustling about in the kitchen, she washed her hands and sat down in the hall, chatting with Chun Xi and La Mei about various topics. Occasionally, she would also engage with Zhou Yunyun, discussing what to be mindful of when cooking the Phoenix Liver Rolls. In the midst of the laughter, Qing You ran in from the courtyard like a gust of wind.

"Owner, that Mr. Lv says if you’re not too busy, he would like you to come over again," he said with an earnest and simple smile on his face.

Hua Xiaomai had an idea of what this could be about, and asked routinely, "You saw their expressions; it doesn’t seem like there was a problem with the food, does it?" Seeing Qing You shake his head repeatedly, she furrowed her brows, stood up, and walked down the pebbled path, turning into the bamboo grove.

At that time, Dong Deyou and Lv Bin had already consumed most of the dishes on the table. Hearing footsteps, Lv Bin immediately tilted his head with a smile and said, "Sister-in-law, it’s been a long while since I’ve come here, but your cooking has become even more extraordinary! Those Phoenix Liver Rolls are crispy and fragrant on the outside, and the chicken liver inside is exceptionally smooth and tender, one bite leaves a lingering fragrance in the mouth! And that Pu’er Tea smoked pigeon is delicious too, the meat suffused with the flavor of the tea leaves—tch tch, after this meal, I really don’t feel like leaving!"

"That’s the truth," Dong Deyou also agreed with a laugh, "I’ve eaten at all the major and minor eateries in the Provincial City, but tasting these dishes, I still feel immensely satisfied. Lady, today’s visit was truly worthwhile!"

"You two flatter me too much," Hua Xiaomai pursed her lips indifferently, "When I heard the waiter say you were looking for me, I thought perhaps you found something wrong with the food. Now that you speak this way, I can finally relax."

Upon hearing this, Lv Bin immediately turned to glance at Dong Deyou, saw him nod slightly, then put down his chopsticks, his smile fading to be replaced with a pained expression: "Sister-in-law, I won’t take up much of your time, let me just speak frankly. The thing is, ever since I’ve been at the Shenglong Escort Agency in the Provincial City, I come back once or twice a month, because I have the old brothers on my mind, and often wish to invite them to sit together, have a drink, but..."

He paused there, suddenly stopping and heaving a deep sigh.

"I know I left without giving Uncle Ke a proper explanation, just walked away, and it wasn’t the right thing to do. Everyone’s been holding a grudge about it, I understand that very well, but... after all, we are brothers who’ve been through a lot together! Now they refuse to see me, even if we cross paths in the city, they treat me as if I were an invisible ghost! I’ve tried visiting Brother Yuhuai several times, and he’s willing to see me, but it only results in some cold small talk, his tone and expression full of aloofness, my heart really hurts! Earlier, when I learned that Brother Da Zhong had passed away, I..."

Once he started, he seemed to go on endlessly, but Hua Xiaomai quietly listened for a while, then suddenly smiled: "I don’t understand the matters of the Escort Agency, and Yuhuai rarely mentions them to me when he’s back, so I really don’t know what has happened between you. Just like what you said just now, that you work at the Shenglong Escort Agency in the Provincial City, I had no idea until now. If you want to meet with Yuhuai, it might be better to wait here a bit longer; he should be coming over to check in after he’s back in the village later this afternoon."

That was just it, wasn’t it? What use was there in blathering to her, a woman, about these things? Expecting her to help persuade? What a joke, she was Meng Yuhuai’s wife, of course she would stand by her own husband. How could she possibly help you outsiders?

"Even if I saw him, it’d be pointless!" Lv Bin stamped his feet and exclaimed, "He just refuses to listen to my advice, I really have no other means!"

Advice? Advice on what?

Hua Xiaomai frowned secretly, remaining silent.

Dong Deyou hadn’t said a word the whole time, just letting Lv Bin do all the talking.

"Sister-in-law, we’re old acquaintances, and I’m not going to beat around the bush with you. Today, apart from congratulating you, my boss and I came for another matter. We’d like to ask you... to put in a good word or two for us with Brother Yuhuai."(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to go 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.)