Chef Hua
Chapter 507 - 274 Putting to Use_2

Chapter 507: Chapter 274 Putting to Use_2

Chun Xi and La Mei knew that it was a critical time for her and didn’t want her to worry too much. Yet seeing her wandering aimlessly around the house, as if she had all the time in the world, and then looking at the empty garden behind, they couldn’t help but grow anxious.

It was they who had initially advised Hua Xiaomai to take it easy, but now they were the ones losing their patience. After holding back for a couple of days, they eventually couldn’t resist dragging Hua Xiaomai over and chattered away: "Look here, Xiaomai, weren’t you talking about inviting the county magistrate’s Lady over again? If she could come, our business would surely step up to the next level instantly, and it’s not good to have the yard empty like this all the time!"

"I still stand by what I said before, we haven’t even completed a single deal yet and you’re already thinking about sending out invitations; isn’t that too obvious of an intention?" Hua Xiaomai shook her head and said, "I admit, I’m thick-skinned, but even that has its limits. Honestly, I’m embarrassed at the moment. How about you two go invite her?"

"What kind of talk is that?" La Mei was a bit displeased and shook her hand in dismissal, "If we could invite her just like that, do you think we would be here mumbling to you? I mean..."

Before she could finish her sentence, a figure flashed by outside the hall.

"Who’s there?" Hua Xiaomai’s keen eyes spotted it immediately and she quickly called out.

The noon market had just ended, and normally there wouldn’t be people coming in to dine, so the visitor was likely someone from the village.

Indeed, the figure stepped in at the sound and chuckled, "Xiaomai girl, it’s me."

"Uncle Qiao?" Hua Xiaomai quickly stood up and flashed him a smile, "Oh, how come you suddenly decided to come over here?"

The visitor was none other than Qiao Xiong, owner of the village’s paper shop.

Ever since she first arrived in Fire Knife Village and prepared the New Year’s Eve dinner, Hua Xiaomai had maintained a good relationship with Qiao Xiong. During the chili harvest in June and July, it was also Qiao Xiong who took the lead in buying a lot, helping her sell all the chili seeds without a hitch.

As a warm-hearted person with a straightforward nature, Qiao Xiong also got along well with Meng Yuhuai, which was why Hua Xiaomai was genuinely pleased to see him.

"I was bored, so I just came over for a walk." Qiao Xiong took a seat and accepted the cup of tea handed to him by Hua Xiaomai, smiling, "Last month when you opened for business, although I came to eat, I didn’t really have a chance to take a good look inside the garden. I only glanced from the outside and thought the scenery was pretty good, so I took the chance to come over today for a better look. Hehe, girl, you don’t mind if I look around for free, do you?"

"Uncle Qiao, can you not tease me like that?" Hua Xiaomai half-seriously, half-jokingly pouted, "The scenery is made for people to enjoy; why else would I go through all that trouble? The way you talk makes it sound like I’m usually stingy—how about I get a clerk to show you around? Feel free to wander, there’s no one else inside."

"Hahaha!" Qiao Xiong laughed heartily, "I was just kidding with you, and you took me seriously? Didn’t I tell you that I was just bored and joking? I actually have serious business today. It’s my father-in-law’s birthday on the twelfth this month; he will be turning fifty-nine, and it’s a big occasion. He usually celebrates in the city with his younger son, and the family is worried about where to arrange the birthday banquet. Your aunty and I thought Daoxiang Garden was very nice, so I came to ask if you have space on the twelfth."

Hua Xiaomai paused for a moment, then quickly realized he was giving special consideration to her business. She blinked and said, "Uncle Qiao, you’ve already helped me out so many times, I..."

"What help? I’m willing to let you make some money, but you need the skills to do so!" Qiao Xiong waved his hand dismissively, "Don’t forget, the first time I asked you to help with that New Year’s dinner, I approached you on my own initiative! I saw there’s a row of wooden houses by your fish pond that looked interesting. Setting up the tables there would be quite nice, just don’t know if it’s suitable on the day."

Did it mean... her garden, which had been empty for most of the month, was finally about to welcome its first piece of real business?

"No problem at all," she answered eagerly, "Each wooden house can fit two tables, and it’s quite spacious for over twenty people to sit inside... Uncle Qiao, how many guests are you planning to have for your father-in-law’s birthday feast?"

"Most of your aunt’s relatives and friends are in the city, so roughly calculating, we’ll need about four or five tables." Qiao Xiong counted on his fingers and chuckled again, "This time we’re really going all out. The old man is in good health, and the family wants to make the most of this birthday feast to make him very happy."

"Don’t worry about the price," Hua Xiaomai also smiled and said, "Uncle Qiao, you’ve often looked out for us. While I can’t promise the world and say I’ll do this banquet for free, I can at least give you a good discount. If your relatives feel satisfied afterwards, I hope they will help promote us in the city too."

Qiao Xiong nodded repeatedly saying, "Of course," then after a moment of thought added, "But this is just an idea between your aunt and me, we haven’t discussed it with her brother. I just came to ask today. Anyway, as long as you can arrange it, I’ll go into the city tomorrow. If it’s settled, I’ll come over and tell you in the afternoon, alright?"

"Sure," Hua Xiaomai agreed with a smile, calling over Qing You to take Qiao Xiong to take a look at the wooden houses by the fish pond. Once the two men had left, she turned around and let out a long sigh of relief to Chun Xi and La Mei.

"No matter what, if this deal can be made, our garden will finally be put to good use." She said, smiling brightly. (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 read at m.qidian.com.)