Chef Hua
Chapter 512 - 277th Episode: A Foot of Silver in the Plate

Chapter 512: 277th Episode: A Foot of Silver in the Plate

Hua Xiaomai felt inexplicably confused, having found herself in an argument with Old Lady Meng in a daze, and when she returned to the main hall, she still felt somewhat indignant, sitting beside the table in a daze for a long while.

However, not much later, it was time for dinner. One by one, customers began to enter the shop, leaving her no room to ponder at length. She had to clear space for the patrons, bustled around the kitchen for a bit, and then went to stand at the takeout stall by the door. Though she didn’t cook, she wasn’t idle either.

Even though Old Lady Meng had thrown a fit, she didn’t storm off home but stayed in the shop. The reason Hua Xiaomai was moving about was, fundamentally, because she didn’t want to be in the same place as her.

It’s not that she was holding a grudge; it’s just that, at the moment, both of them were stewing with anger. If neither of them could hold it in, and they started arguing in front of all the patrons, that would really be a spectacle!

That evening, Meng Yuhuai didn’t come over to Daoxiang Garden. When the shop closed, Old Lady Meng stormed off towards the village alone, and Hua Xiaomai didn’t call out to her. Walking with Chun Xi and La Mei, she slowly made her way back to the Meng family home.

Old Lady Meng probably went straight to her room, leaving only Meng Yuhuai in the courtyard. Seeing her come in, he smiled and said, "You’re back? I wasn’t busy today, so I looked at a few shops in town for Taihe. There’s one that’s quite suitable. I’ll talk to him about it tomorrow, see when he’s free, and then take him to have a look."

Hua Xiaomai felt a bit drained and waved her hand, "You’re thorough with your work. Just take care of it. I’m tired and want to go to sleep early."

With that, she pushed the door and entered the room.

Meng Yuhuai frowned behind her and hurriedly followed inside, his lips curving up slightly, "What’s wrong? Who has upset you?"

"...I’m asking you."

After lighting the lamp and staying silent for a moment, Hua Xiaomai turned and walked up to him, gently tugging at the garment at his chest, "I’m asking you, lately, have you been dissatisfied with me in any way?"

"Dissatisfied?" Meng was puzzled, "Where did you get that idea? Why would I be dissatisfied with you?"

"Really?"

"Of course, it’s true. Do you think I have nothing better to do? You’ve been quite well behaved recently, without causing any troubles for me to clean up. That’s already very good!"

"Stop joking!" Hua Xiaomai glared at him, "I’m being serious with you! Since you say there’s nothing, then I’ll believe you. But if ever you find something disagreeable about me, or if I do something that you think is inappropriate, you must tell me immediately. As I’ve said before, whatever the matter, we can lay it all out and discuss it slowly, understand?"

"Did my mother say something to you?"

Meng Yuhuai, who was quick-witted, immediately realized something after her few words, "No wonder I thought she looked a bit unhappy when she came back— what did she say to upset you?"

"Just a small misunderstanding," Hua Xiaomai shook her head, "Ah, don’t bother about it. It’s a woman’s affair. Why meddle in it needlessly? Anyway, she and I are together every day; it’s not a big problem and can be settled by talking it out. I’m warning you, do not go and ask her, got it?"

Then she tugged on his garment again, "Promise me!"

"I won’t ask, all right?" Meng Yuhuai, resigned, could only nod in agreement.

"The Leader of the Meng Family always keeps his word, you can’t deceive your wife." Hua Xiaomai finally felt relieved and yawned, "I’m so sleepy I must go to bed soon. As for the business of your brother-in-law... since he’s your brother, you take good care of it."

Saying this, she opened the door and went to the kitchen to boil water for washing.

...

Qiao Xiong, that brother-in-law, had decided to hold his father’s birthday banquet at Daoxiang Garden, and in the following days, he would visit Fire Knife Village time and again. He changed the menu over and over and after much bargaining with Hua Xiaomai, managed to repeatedly drive down the price per table, spending much time on this matter. Finally satisfied with everything, he merrily returned to the city.

Seeing him so frequently, Chun Xi and La Mei gradually found themselves speechless, privately complaining to Hua Xiaomai that since the opening of their small restaurant, they had never engaged in business with such meager profits, remarking that only today did they truly understand how hard it is to make money.

Yet Hua Xiaomai remained very calm inside.

Her attitude was the same as always; hosting this birthday banquet was like seeking a lucky sign, after all, who makes a fortune from the outset in business? At least she wasn’t losing money, and that was fairly good.

On a more optimistic note, wasn’t Qiao Xiong’s father-in-law’s family thriving? If they were satisfied after the meal, they might brag a word or two to the neighbors. In that case, wouldn’t their reputation spread? As long as people remembered Daoxiang Garden when planning their next events, she would consider it a gain.