Chef Hua
Chapter 506: Episode 274 Comes in Handy

Chapter 506: Episode 274 Comes in Handy

Hua Erniang was left speechless by her torrent of words, unsure of how to react, and after thinking for a long while, she finally murmured, "Your brother-in-law will soon go to the city to open a smithy. As long as he works hard, we won’t lack money to spend in the future..."

"Opening a smithy is your family’s business, what does it have to do with me?" Hua Xiaomai stood up, her tone far from pleasant, "Just because your family can make money in the future, I should feel perfectly fine about embezzling the profits meant for you? Think about it, does that make any sense?"

Hua Erniang, usually quick-witted, became tongue-tied from the scolding, and only reached out to pull her, weakly whispering, "Don’t speak so loudly, please. Can’t we sit down and talk about it slowly?"

"I’m telling you, there’s nothing to discuss!" Hua Xiaomai turned to glance at Tie Chui, who was sleeping like a pig, and finally lowered her voice, "You all think that since the two gardens have been started from today, I should be making a big profit. Ha, let me tell you the truth, it’s been three days and not a single deal has been made, it might even incur losses! I don’t care, if my business can’t continue, I will come here asking for money. You might feel bad now, but then, I won’t be polite!"

"Tsh, what nonsense are you talking? Thinking I haven’t beat you up in a long time, right?" Hua Erniang got a little angry from those words, and smacked her head sharply, "Don’t tell me you have a capable husband like Meng Yuhuai, you absolutely wouldn’t fall into such a situation. And even if that day comes, you’re my sister, I’ll definitely help you."

"Same goes for you!" Hua Xiaomai rolled her eyes, what was meant to be comforting sounded like they were quarreling.

The sisters stared at each other for a while, struggling to keep serious, then burst out laughing.

"Alright." Hua Xiaomai sat back down in her chair, softening her tone, "Let’s not bring this up again, alright? It would be one thing if it were someone else, but we’re sisters; should we really be measuring everything so carefully?"

Knowing she couldn’t persuade her, Hua Erniang had no choice but to drop it, pondered for a moment, then sighed, "Alright, I won’t waste any more words. You have the final say. But I advise you, don’t be too anxious if there’s no business in the garden for the time being, it’s only been a few days, right?"

"I’m not anxious." Hua Xiaomai smiled and shook her head, "At the moment, I’m still making money every day. It’s just... after the garden was built, I simply took such a liking to it, I really hope it can be put to use soon."

...

That day at the Jing Family’s old house, Hua Xiaomai finally understood what had been troubling Hua Erniang all this time. After going home, she mentioned it to Meng Yuhuai, who also couldn’t help but sigh.

"Your elder sister truly cares about you, but perhaps she’s being too reserved. That money is rightfully theirs. What’s the point in overthinking it? Not to mention you two are siblings, but even just out of respect for the many years of brotherhood I have with Taihe, they shouldn’t even bring it up."

Hua Xiaomai always knew he was sensible, but hearing him say these words made her feel especially comforted, and she lavished praise on him without reservation.

With that issue neatly resolved, she could finally breathe a sigh of relief, yet the next day when she returned to Daoxiang Garden and saw the empty garden behind, she couldn’t help but feel a bit disheartened.

Although she repeatedly assured Hua Erniang that she wasn’t in a hurry and told herself to maintain a sense of normalcy, how could she really not care at all about a garden she had put so much effort into building, which remained unvisited?

Suddenly, more than ten days had passed, and as September arrived, the weather gradually cooled down.

At Lianshun Escort Agency, Han Hu and others responsible for escorting the shipments of silver for Ruijin Silk Store had left a few days ago. It would take them about a month to reach Shu. After seeing them off and being busy for a while, Meng Yuhuai finally could get some proper rest.

However, he could no longer rest every few days at home as he used to. Ke Zhenwu left his duties, declaring his intent to focus on his retirement, which meant all matters of the Escort Agency had to be managed by him. Even on quieter days, he was still required to be present daily, with the most he could hope for being an early return in the afternoon.

Chef Tan and Wang Zhanrui managed the kitchen excellently. Hua Xiaomai, who rarely cooked, had also rehired a reliable accountant, Mr. Su, at the shop. With little to do, she spent most of her time idle, either ambling in the garden or, occasionally, calling Zhou Yunyun to her side for guidance, living quite leisurely.