Chef Hua
Chapter 65: Episode 56 Evict_2

Chapter 65: Episode 56 Evict_2

The slow-paced Jing Taihe only just snapped back to reality, striking up conversation as he too took a sip of tea, the topic suddenly changed, he said with a smile, "Brother Huosheng, you’ve really been working hard these past few days. I know you have your own ten or twenty acres of land to tend to right now, right when you should be busy preparing for the farming season, yet here you are, tending to that small plot of vegetables for me. I do feel quite guilty, really."

Chen Huosheng seemed a bit nervous, licked his lips, and lowered his head, saying, "It’s no trouble, my family has many hands, missing one won’t delay the work. My aunt said, Sister Jing has the intention to grow some vegetables and fruit at home, but Brother Taihe, you’re busy at the smithy every day with no time to spare for tilling the land... I have plenty of strength, so I came to lend a hand, one more day and this land will be all tilled up."

"But your home isn’t in Fire Knife Village, going back and forth every day must be so tiring!" Hua Ermu, who was quick-tempered, hastily interjected, only to be glared at by Jing Taihe and quickly pursed her lips, slipping away to one side.

"It’s fine, if it gets late, I’ll just stay at my aunt’s place," said Chen Huosheng, apparently noticing nothing amiss, even raising his head to smile at Hua Ermu.

Hua Xiaomai watched the scene from within the western room, sighing heavily at what she saw.

To the people of Fire Knife Village and the surrounding area, Chen Huosheng should be considered quite a good match, right? With a fair appearance, industrious and down-to-earth, and as for his temperament... though a bit shy, at least he’s honest. What’s most important is, his family is well-off, one’s own daughter marrying into his family wouldn’t have to count every copper coin to make ends meet.

But... in the eyes of Hua Xiaomai, just casually marrying some stranger was utterly ludicrous!

Speaking of which, once Meng Yuhuai returned from Shengzhou, he might find that he was about to marry a stranger, a girl he had never met...

Hua Xiaomai’s thoughts drifted far away for a moment, and she quickly shook her head to gather her wits, stealthily and quietly continued to peer outside.

"Right, right, right, although our families aren’t close, you’ve been so willing to help, this favor, both your sister-in-law and I keep it in mind. It’s just that, Brother Huosheng..." Jing Taihe carefully weighed his words, still speaking pleasantly, "during the day when I’m not at home, there’s only my wife and her sister left in the house, two women. You as a man, coming and going all day, it might not look good to others—I of course understand your intentions, but, you know how the neighbors like to talk, if by chance..."

He did not voice the rest, but Chen Huosheng finally seemed to fathom the implication from his few words, subconsciously staring at his own feet, took quite a while to mutter, "Brother Taihe, I understand what you mean, but, that shouldn’t be a problem, right? My aunt said, she had already talked it over with Sister Jing, that... um..."

His voice grew lower and lower, until in the end, it was utterly inaudible, just that he lifted his head and glancing in the direction of the western room.

"Hm? What do you mean by that?" Jing Taihe appeared to be completely baffled and turned to look at Hua Ermu, "If I’m not mistaken, Aunt Geng only mentioned the matter to your sister-in-law who didn’t agree at all! There’s been neither agreement nor formal betrothal, not even the exchange of betrothal gifts, how can it be... settled?"

"But, my aunt said..." Chen Huosheng finally started to panic and abruptly stood up, "My aunt said that it’s almost a done deal, and my mother is still planning to find a time to come over and meet with Jing Taihe’s wife!"

"Your aunt said, your aunt said, your aunt also said that I’m as beautiful as Hua Erniang, but the question is, do you dare to believe that?"

Hua Xiaomai almost slapped a palm on the window lattice.

The two outside, I’m asking if you two are capable or not, if you can’t settle this, I’ll have to step in myself!

She resolved in her heart that if this kept dragging on, she would simply burst out and drive Chen Huosheng away with a few scolding words. Fortunately, just at that time, Hua Erniang finally jumped out, frowning and akimbo, her face red from urgency, and shouted, "Hey, Aunt Geng, how can you just spread nonsense? It’s true I bumped into her by chance in the village, and she mentioned this matter to me casually, and later she even made a trip to my house, but from beginning to end, we hardly said a few words and I definitely didn’t agree to anything! Brother Huosheng, when you came by yesterday, I meant to have a proper talk with you, I just didn’t know how to begin. Now that your brother Taihe is here, let’s just clear this up once and for all."

She unleashed her aura entirely, nudged Jing Taihe aside, and strode directly to Chen Huosheng, looking at his face which was somewhat bewildered from the shock, "Aunt Geng initially brought this matter up to me, and indeed I was somewhat tempted, but upon further thought, I realized it won’t work. It’s not that you have any shortcomings, but rather my family is not currently living comfortably, and cannot provide a decent dowry for my sister."

"That... my family doesn’t mind that." Chen Huosheng quickly gestured with his hands.

"Let me finish!" Hua Erniang pressed down on his shoulder, forcing him back into the chair, "Your family not minding is your family’s business, but I don’t want to wrong my sister, nor do I want to wrong you. Moreover, my sister is still young, there’s no need to rush. So, let’s just drop it, later, I will explain things to Aunt Geng myself..."

Chen Huosheng was completely dumbfounded, looking back and forth between Hua Erniang and Jing Taihe, his face turning beet red. After a moment, he abruptly stood up, blurted out, "Big brother, sister-in-law, I’ll take my leave first," and hurriedly ran out, as if heading straight to Aunt Geng’s house.

Hua Xiaomai hiding in the west room finally took a deep breath.

In the end, it was still Hua Erniang who had to step in to solve the problem. But then, why did she bother to fetch Jing Taihe from the blacksmith shop earlier? He was utterly useless!

As for what Chen Huosheng said to Aunt Geng today, Hua Xiaomai had no way of knowing, only hearing occasional whispers between Hua Erniang and Jing Taihe, saying that now, whenever Aunt Geng sees her, it’s like encountering an archenemy, with a gaze that could swallow her whole.

Hua Xiaomai felt somewhat remorseful, yet it wasn’t up to her to put too much effort into this matter. Because several days later, Pan Ping’an made his return from Provincial City once again. (To be continued. If you like this work, we welcome you 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.)