Chef Hua
Chapter 87: Episode 67 Selling Noodles_2

Chapter 87: Episode 67 Selling Noodles_2

""Noodles?" Hua Ermu raised an eyebrow.

"That’s right!" Hua Xiaomai squeezed her eyes at her, very certain, "The noodles I make are numerous, whether hot or cold, clear broth or thick soup, savory, spicy, or even uniquely flavored... as long as you can think of it, I can make it for you on the spot. Noodles are versatile, suitable for a proper dinner or a late-night snack, both affordable and filling, the easiest food to be accepted by people! Once the stall starts doing well, it won’t be too late to consider serving other foods!"

"Makes sense." Jing Taihe nodded.

Seeing that her husband agreed, Hua Ermu could hardly sit still, grabbing Hua Xiaomai’s wrist with a flurry, "If that’s the case, why don’t we set up the stall tomorrow evening? Yes, first thing tomorrow morning, I will go with you to buy more vegetables, and then..."

"Second sister, you really jump from one idea to the next." Hua Xiaomai could hardly contain her laughter, curving her lips, "How can this be done in such haste? Preparation is critical. If we were to become flustered when the time comes, that would be truly embarrassing! Since we’re selling noodles, I have to prepare the sauce in advance, and the broth must be stewed properly, mustn’t it? Moreover, right now we have neither pots nor stove, and we haven’t even bought tables and stools!"

Hua Ermu thus fell silent, simply sitting on the side and pouting. Jing Taihe thought for a while, then turned to Hua Xiaomai: "Little sister, you take care of preparing the sauce and stewing the broth for the next few days. I’ll go and find out about the pots, stove, tables, and chairs. After all, I know more people in the village, and maybe I can find some cheap and good items."

"Alright." Hua Xiaomai’s eyes crinkled with a smile, and she quickly thanked him, feeling like a long-pressing issue in her heart was finally settled.

...

In the following days, Hua Xiaomai and Hua Ermu were busy with various preparations.

Every day, various delicious scents drifted from the Jing family’s small courtyard, whether rich or fresh and sweet, causing passersby to stop and search for the source of the fragrance, only to leave in great disappointment moments later.

Old Man Pan from next door was made so restless by these aromas that whenever he had a chance, he would climb up the wall to take a peek, incessantly murmuring to Grandma Pan.

"What delicious food is Xiaomai cooking again, from morning till night, so fragrant that it steals one’s soul away! Taihe is indeed a lucky man!"

However, in truth, not to mention eating it, Jing Taihe hardly knew what Hua Xiaomai was preparing.

Those days, his work at the blacksmith shop seemed even busier. Each morning he would leave an hour earlier, and often by the time evening came, it would already be fully dark when he would hurriedly return. After dinner, he would immediately go to bed, looking exhausted.

Hua Ermu, caring for her husband, asked Hua Xiaomai to add a couple of dishes at the dinner table, hoping Jing Taihe would eat better to regain his strength. In bed at night, she would repeatedly nag, advising Jing Taihe that if he really was too busy, he shouldn’t take on all the work, urging him to look after his health.

Jing Taihe agreed with everything, but the next day, he still left early and returned late. After four or five days of this routine, one morning, as Hua Xiaomai was checking on the chili peppers behind the house, contemplating visiting Guan Rong, Jing Taihe called out to her.

"Little sister, if you have some free time today, could you come with me to the blacksmith shop?" He stood at the entrance of the courtyard with a basket of food in his hand, a smile on his face, and spoke in a very ordinary tone.

"Huh?" Hua Xiaomai was surprised, looking up at him, "To the blacksmith shop? Brother-in-law, do you have something you need?"

"Just need a bit of help." Jing Taihe’s smile was as broad and kind as ever, "If you’re busy, tomorrow would be fine too..."

"No need, no need, I’m free." Hua Xiaomai quickly nodded, "I was planning to visit Sister Rong as well. Brother-in-law, just wait a moment for me, I’ll be ready shortly."

Jing Taihe agreed with a smile, and Hua Xiaomai immediately ran to the backyard, picked some old loquat leaves, quickly boiled them with rock sugar, poured the mixture into a bowl, packed it in a food container and, after saying goodbye to Hua Ermu, left with Jing Taihe.

The walls of the blacksmith shop were now much sturdier after being mended by Meng Yuhuai and Sun Great Saint. Business had been good lately, and various farming tools waiting to be repaired were scattered all over the entrance, which one could easily trip over.

Following Jing Taihe cautiously into the shop, Hua Xiaomai placed the food container on a table and took a look around. Seeing Jing Taihe starting a fire, she walked up behind him and said, "Brother-in-law, what do you need help with? Anything I can manage, I’ll definitely not hesitate."

Jing Taihe looked back at her, his tone gentle as he said, "Don’t rush," as he steadily built the fire. He brought in the tools from outside and placed them beside the stove, then turned back to her, "Little sister, come with me to the back of the room."

Hua Xiaomai, puzzled, scratched her head and followed him. When she reached the back, she saw a pile of bulging items under the eaves, covered with a tarp, concealing their nature.

Jing Taihe stood two steps away from her, not moving closer, but nodded his chin towards the pile and said, "Lift it up and have a look?" His smile seemed a bit wider.

Hua Xiaomai, even more bewildered, walked over, bit her lip, grabbed the tarp, and pulled it up to reveal a whole set of brand new cooking utensils: a wok, a steaming pot... and even ladles were all there, each item solid and well-crafted with rounded edges, looking very durable, likely to last a decade or two.

Caught by surprise, Hua Xiaomai was at a loss for words. After a while, she finally looked up, her eyes wide, "Brother-in-law, this is... did you make these especially for me?" (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)