Chef Hua
Chapter 525: Episode 283: Treat a Guest

Chapter 525: Episode 283: Treat a Guest

The oil lamp on the windowsill suddenly burst into a flame with a faint "pssst" sound.

Hua Xiaomai couldn’t help it and burst out laughing.

"Who else should I kick if not you?" she said, curving her mouth, "Who let you drink yourself into a stupor, making trouble in the middle of the night? You see, this child is sensible, very understanding. Still in the belly, he already knows to take revenge for his mom!"

Meng Yuhuai didn’t immediately respond to her.

Of course, he was well aware that in a few months, their first child would arrive, but it wasn’t until that moment, having solidly felt that kick on his face, that he truly realized he was about to become a father.

A fleshy bundle that initially only knows how to cry, and yet, before long, would be chasing after him, calling out "Daddy, daddy" incessantly. And then, if it’s a boy, he’d inevitably have to follow him and learn martial arts. At the very least when he steps out, he cannot be someone others can bully. If it’s a girl well...

Learning cooking from her mother is too hard; better to embroider and tend to the garden at home, just growing up safe and sound—that would be good enough.

His thoughts drifted far for a moment, even considering the children’s futures and marrying them off.

Planning weddings and matchmaking would cost a fair amount of money. Now there’s only one, which is still manageable, but if there were a second, a third...

For the first time, Meng Yuhuai felt a heavy burden on his shoulders, and his expression couldn’t help but turn solemn.

"What are you daydreaming about?" Hua Xiaomai saw him lost in thought and pushed his shoulder, "Did the kick confuse you?"

But Meng Yuhuai suddenly stood up, fluffed the bedding, and hurriedly tucked Hua Xiaomai in.

"Go to sleep now. I originally thought after getting drunk tonight, resting tomorrow morning wouldn’t be a big deal. Now, I think it’s better to go to the Escort Agency early to work. The money earned from the Escort Agency, after paying the brothers and miscellaneous expenses, is split between Uncle Ke and me. The more we earn, the more our family gets, so being diligent doesn’t hurt."

Hua Xiaomai roughly guessed he might be thinking about the long term and couldn’t help but find it amusing, yet she didn’t plan to expose his thoughts and simply nodded in agreement, "With you working so hard, I can’t fall behind. When you have time tomorrow, visit Magistrate Tao and tell him that the autumn countryside scenery is just right, and invite him and the Lady to enjoy it when they are free. I reckon he, being a busy man, might not be able to come, but his Lady should come no matter what. I’ll handle it when the time comes."

She had initially planned to wait until the business at Daoxiang Garden was more stable before extending such an invitation. Now it seemed pointless to delay any further.

Instead of daily lackluster business, it was better to first make a loud name for herself, making future paths smoother!

Meng Yuhuai had different things on his mind. Upon hearing Hua Xiaomai’s words, he nodded and went to tidy up the brazier, then blew out the lamp.

...

The following afternoon, Meng Yuhuai really found time to visit Magistrate Tao and relayed the invitation.

As Hua Xiaomai predicted, Magistrate Tao said he had been wanting to visit the garden but was too busy with official duties to make it. However, Lady Yang was delighted to send word to Hua Xiaomai, expressing her eagerness to stroll around Daoxiang Garden and to taste the food prepared by Hua Xiaomai’s own hands.

Unsurprisingly, it was still that steward Jiang who came to relay the message and survey the garden.

"This looks indeed much better than before, now it’s a proper restaurant!"

He was led by Qing You on a walk through the garden, then seated himself in the main hall of the restaurant, sipping tea while he casually said to Hua Xiaomai, "Madam Tao said she has been all around Fuzhe County in the past two years and, now that the weather is nice and cool, she wants to invite some friends for a view and tea tasting but was worried there was nowhere to go. Your garden being completed is timely, she is interested in coming to see, though she fears it may interrupt your business."

"It won’t be an interruption," Hua Xiaomai replied with a smile, "The garden at the back is separate from the front restaurant. If Lady Tao wants to bring friends, they can just sit in the garden. With the walls and trees for privacy, nothing can be seen from the outside, and we won’t let others in casually. The lotus flowers are still blooming well now, and the weather is cool. It’s nice to enjoy the scenery and fish by the pond... "

"I’ve seen the blooming flowers, no need to tell me!" Steward Jiang typically had to vent his temper, glancing sideways at her, "Anyway, once Madam Tao decides when to come, I’ll send someone to notify you. Be prepared. Remember this, I know your restaurant has other chefs now, but Madam Tao has specified she wants to taste your cooking, so don’t you dare slack off and try to deceive!"