Chef Hua
Chapter 505: Episode 273: The Profit Issue_2

Chapter 505: Episode 273: The Profit Issue_2

"Eh?" Hua Xiaomai raised her eyebrows upon hearing this, "So you were planning to bring Tie Chui along? He’s still young, how can he be away from his mother?"

"That was my original plan, but she wouldn’t agree," said the second wife of Hua, pouting in the direction of the door, grumbled, "You asked me earlier why she looked so happy, let me tell you, it’s because of this matter! She insisted on badgering me and your brother-in-law to leave Tie Chui with her to take care of him. I was really reluctant to agree and even had a quarrel with her, but your brother-in-law persuaded me, fearing we’d be too busy to take proper care and I reluctantly agreed. Anyway, we are not in a hurry, after finding and decorating the shop slowly, going to the city after the new year isn’t too late."

Hua Xiaomai then let out a sigh of relief and nodded, "That is somewhat relieving."

"I won’t beat around the bush with you," the second Mrs. Hua waved her hand and continued, "You cook delicious food, when your brother-in-law and I move to the city, if you have time, please visit Tie Chui often and make some tender delicacies for him to enjoy. Hmph, I don’t count on my mother-in-law, her cooking skills can’t even please the old lady!"

Sister, where do you get the confidence to criticize your mother-in-law’s cooking skills?

Hua Xiaomai chuckled inwardly, promptly agreeing, "Why, that’s no trouble at all. Tie Chui is my dear nephew, even if you hadn’t asked, I’d still visit him often. Isn’t that the least I can do—actually, to speak frankly, you don’t need to be so worried, I see Jing Grandmother really loves that little grandson."

Although she said this, she still felt a bit uneasy.

It’s normal for a grandmother to be happy having her grandson around, but... what does it have to do with her? Why should she be so enthusiastic toward her?

"She loves him, of course, but..." the second Mrs. Hua was impatient to go round and round on this topic and waved her hand, "Enough, let’s stop talking about this, there’s another matter, I..."

Before she could finish, Grandmother Jing pushed the door open and came in, holding a big bowl and smiling at Hua Xiaomai, "Do you remember the candied bayberries you brought last summer? Weren’t you saying that they could be preserved? I saved some. Many pregnant women crave something sour, and I didn’t dare give you just anything to eat, consider this a little snack, alright?"

Hua Xiaomai hurriedly stood up to receive the bowl, thanking her. Meanwhile, the second Mrs. Hua looked displeased, "Could you please step out first? I have something to discuss with my sister."

Grandmother Jing resented her for not giving her face, glared at her bitterly, and stormed out.

Then, the second Mrs. Hua looked down and rubbed her hands, "Actually..."

She only uttered those words and began to hesitate again.

Hua Xiaomai really felt puzzled, frowned, and asked, "What is it, really? You’ve been hemming and hawing so much lately, since when did you become so indecisive?"

The second Mrs. Hua glanced at her quickly, "Actually, about this matter, your brother-in-law and I have been discussing it for a while now, I’ve been meaning to talk to you but worried you wouldn’t take it well. Let’s get this straight, you must not get mad, okay?"

"Speak up, stop beating around the bush!" Hua Xiaomai furrowed her brows even tighter.

"It’s not really a big deal," Hua Erniang finally began, with a set heart, "Ever since your little restaurant started expanding, I’ve been thinking about this, discussed it with your brother-in-law, and he agrees with my thoughts. I... think that in the future, once Daoxiang Garden makes money, you shouldn’t split it with me and your brother-in-law anymore, we two..."

"What are you talking about?" Hua Xiaomai’s eyes widened in shock.

What is this nonsense? After all this time, it was for this reason?!

"Listen to me!" Hua Erniang pleaded, unusually gentle, "Initially, when it was just that small restaurant, your brother-in-law and I did put in some money, but honestly, most of those copper coins were earned by you, weren’t they? Back then, splitting the profits was somewhat justifiable, especially since the restaurant had been started before you married Yuhuai. But now, the expansion of the restaurant was funded by you and Yuhuai alone. My brother-in-law and I didn’t even lift a finger to help, let alone contribute financially. How can I accept the profits now?"

"..." Hua Xiaomai was utterly speechless, not knowing what to say.

How could there be such an oddity in the world?! They were clearly looking out for her best interests out of concern, yet they seemed afraid she’d get angry. This was really...

No wonder Jing Taihe thought running a blacksmith shop in the village was not profitable and was planning to move to the city; they had long decided not to take the restaurant’s profits anymore! Without the security of that monthly income, wouldn’t they need to work even harder to support their son?

And Jing’s old mother, being so pleasant and agreeable, perhaps she was unaware of Hua Erniang and her husband’s plan and regarded her as a movable money jar, right?

"This won’t do." She didn’t know what she was feeling as she resolutely spoke, her voice unconsciously rising, "The expansion is one thing, but initially, when the restaurant opened, you and my brother-in-law genuinely contributed money. How could I... not to mention myself, Yuhuai wouldn’t agree either."

"See, I knew you would get upset." Hua Erniang cautiously observed her expression, "I know you’re considering me and your brother-in-law, but... that money, if brought to us again, would feel like a hot potato. Anyway, my brother-in-law is soon opening a blacksmith shop in the city, honestly, he’s quite skilled, you..."

"Enough, don’t say anymore."

Hua Xiaomai quickly thought of a solution, speaking deliberately: "We are sisters, so I won’t bother with formalities. This matter is also simple. Daoxiang Garden is planning to hire an Accountant; I’ll ask him to manage a separate account for the front restaurant. The profits earned from that, we will still split as usual. As for the backyard garden, no matter how much it earns, I won’t share it with you."

"But..." Hua Erniang wanted to speak, but Hua Xiaomai interrupted her with a raised hand.

"I don’t like being taken advantage of, but I absolutely cannot exploit my own sister. You mentioned that most of the money used for the initial restaurant came from me, which is true, but you must not forget, without you, I wouldn’t even know if I’d be alive or dead, let alone making money. So, this is settled, what’s yours is rightfully yours!" (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)