Chef Hua
Chapter 58: Episode 50 Savior

Chapter 58: Episode 50 Savior

The sky was just beginning to brighten when the few chicks in the yard started making noise, apparently hungry, chirping cheerfully.

These chicks were bought by Hua Xiaomai after receiving the five hundred copper coins from Pan Ping’an, and she had always been taking care of them herself. Although her cooking skills were a mess, she was quite good at doing household chores. After the chicks arrived, she quickly set up a nest in a corner of the wall and took care of feeding, watering, and cleaning up after them without needing anyone else to worry about it, keeping the air in the yard fresh without any odd smells.

Lying in bed, Hua Xiaomai turned and waited for a while. Hearing no sound from the eastern room, she knew that her aunt must be sulking and had simply left her own chickens unattended.

The chicks were crying pitifully. Helpless, Hua Xiaomai got up, put on her clothes, washed up briefly, went to the kitchen, and grabbed two handfuls of ground wheat bran. Thinking further, she added some dried fermented black beans, all in a small broken basin. Imitating her aunt’s manner, she first let the chicks out, then made "clucking" sounds, slowly scattering the food on the ground.

Hungry, the chicks rushed up and devoured the food joyously. Hua Xiaomai thought about getting them some water to drink. Just as she was about to turn around, she heard the door from the eastern room open, and her aunt, her hair disheveled, with an angry expression, walked out.

Hua Xiaomai immediately felt a headache coming on. Whether in verbal skills or physical strength, she was no match for her aunt. Under these circumstances, she had no way to deal with her. Her aunt was angry, and quite furiously so. Now, should she speak softly to calm her down, or should she avoid her wrath for the time being?

Before she could sort things out, her aunt charged at her, snatched the basin from her hands, and shouted angrily, "Are you trying to kill my chickens!" Then with a twist of her waist, she bumped Hua Xiaomai away quite a distance.

Well, it seemed better to hide for now. Hua Xiaomai felt proud of her instincts. She tiptoed back into the kitchen to make a fire, boil water, picked out a few leftover buns, and chose a couple of small side dishes, preparing to take them to Jing Taihe at the blacksmith’s shop.

Busy all morning, her aunt had not spoken a single word to Hua Xiaomai. As the sun was about to reach its zenith, the legendary Aunt Geng finally arrived.

At that time, Hua Xiaomai was just taking well water and washing a sieve full of green peas in the courtyard; her aunt was tinkering with something in the main house. Aunt Geng, with her long and stern face, immediately came in with a big smile, went over to Hua Xiaomai, patted her on the back, and exclaimed, "Oh my, look at this girl, busy again? Such a diligent girl. Tell me, what are you using these green peas for?"

"To make dried fermented black beans," Hua Xiaomai said, forcing a smile, her expression far from pleasant.

"Oh, you know how to make dried fermented black beans? Quickly tell your aunt, how do you make it?" Aunt Geng became even more enthusiastic, promptly sitting down next to Hua Xiaomai and warmly resting an arm on her shoulder.

"It’s not hard, just boil the green peas and mix them with flour, almonds, perilla, and star anise..." Hua Xiaomai explained reluctantly. Just then, her aunt walked out from the main house, glanced at her, and greeted Aunt Geng with a smile, "Aunt, you’ve arrived?"

Aunt Geng immediately shifted her attention, stood up to greet her, then looked back at Hua Xiaomai with a smirk, and whispered, "It’s been nonstop all morning. Only now did I get a moment to spare; am I interrupting anything? About that thing I mentioned yesterday, you..."

Her aunt was very worried.

Regarding this arranged marriage, she naturally thought it was good, but her younger sister blatantly showed an attitude of complete unwillingness. Now what should she do? Even if she decisively agreed to this matter on her sister’s behalf, in the future, she couldn’t possibly whip Hua Xiaomai into the bridal sedan or forcefully press her onto the matrimonial bed, could she?

"This matter..." she turned her head to glance at Hua Xiaomai and forced a smile, "I haven’t discussed it with my sister yet, I don’t even know what she thinks."

"Oh my, you are her elder sister. You’ve been bustling about arranging this, all for her benefit. Could it be that she won’t appreciate your kindness and listen to you? That would be taking your good intentions for granted! You’ve seen my nephew too: his family background and character are both impeccable. In the future..." Aunt Geng’s tongue was as sharp as a lotus flower, she murmured non-stop and glanced at Hua Xiaomai, saying with a faint smile, "She will only have blessings to enjoy!"

Hua Xiaomai was sitting in the courtyard, feeling as if she was being pricked by needles all over her body, uncomfortable in every way. She wanted to say something, but she knew that by doing so in front of outsiders, not only would it embarrass Jing Taihe, but it could also chill her heart.

Therefore, she simply picked up the dustpan, smiled at Aunt Geng, and twisted her body into the kitchen.

In the courtyard, Aunt Geng’s voice continued to fluctuate as it carried inside.

"...What else is there to discuss? Your younger sister has eyebrows like yours, naturally charming and pleasing to anyone who sees her. What’s rare is that she’s also capable and has exceptional cooking skills—go out and ask anybody in the village who mentions her, don’t they all praise her? I won’t lie to you, my distant cousin is the most gentle, and my nephew is a very honest man. If this marriage can be arranged, your sister won’t suffer any grievances!"

Jing Taihe was used to shouting loudly, so speaking calmly and gently made her uncomfortable. She lowered her head and said with difficulty, "My parents passed away early, so technically I should decide on this matter. It seems there’s nothing wrong with that. But my younger sister has a stubborn temperament, and if I don’t properly discuss this with her and she gets angry, I can’t even hold her back. Aunt Geng, this matter can’t be rushed. Perhaps I should probe her thoughts a bit more, then..."

At this point, Aunt Geng finally caught on to something and her eyebrows immediately furrowed, "What? Are you saying your sister is unwilling?"

Jing Taihe fumbled, raising her hand but unable to speak a word.

Drenched in sweat from the strain, Hua Xiaomai in the kitchen was also very anxious. She almost wished she could go out and clarify things in a few words. Just then, as if a savior had descended from the heavens, Zuo Jinxiang and a loyal member of Lianshun Escort Agency walked in through the door.

"Mrs. Hua!"

As soon as Zuo Jinxiang entered, she warmly walked up and took Jing Taihe’s hand, smiling, "Our boss at the Escort Agency said that in a few days, he wants to invite Miss Xiaomai to help at the Spring Wine event. I know my cooking skills are no match for hers, so I’ll assist her. This time, the Spring Wine at the Escort Agency will be a big event. The boss asked me and Miss Xiaomai to carefully plan it together. I thought, instead of sending someone to notify her to go to the County, which would take a lot of effort, I might as well come myself. Is Miss Xiaomai at home—ah, you have guests?"

This truly was a case of the heavens showing mercy due to her good deeds! Hua Xiaomai was so moved she almost cried. No longer caring about the circumstances, she dropped the green peas and ran out in a few steps, joyfully calling out, "Sister-in-law Zuo!"