Chef Hua
Chapter 94: Episode 71 What’s Different?

Chapter 94: Episode 71 What’s Different?

"Ah!"

As Hua Xiaomai was speaking, she was about to pick up an empty bowl from the table when she suddenly saw Guan Rong actually reaching her hand into the basin of water. Her eyebrows slightly knitted, she quickly darted over to grab Guan Rong’s wrist and hoisted it up.

Guan Rong, who looked frail and weak, moved surprisingly fast. Her hand had already been immersed in the basin, and now it dangled mid-air, dripping water. Hua Xiaomai hastily fetched a towel to wipe her hand, looked up at her, and pursed her lips, "What are you doing?!" The urgency made her tone sound less friendly.

Seeing her reaction, Guan Rong gave an embarrassed smile as she withdrew her hand, lowered her eyelids, bit her lip innocently, and said timidly, "I just wanted to help you..."

"You are my friend; you came her to support me today," Hua Xiaomai frowned, "how could I let you do the work? Besides, that water is bone-chilling cold. You’ve just recovered from your illness, and if you catch a cold again, Uncle Guan and Aunt Guan would definitely rip me to shreds! It’s just a few bowls; I’ll have them cleaned up in no time. Just sit down comfortably."

After saying this, she pushed Guan Rong toward an empty table and took over the luffa sponge to wash dishes.

Guan Rong had no choice but to sit down at the tableside, appearing a bit uncomfortable. After a short silence, she smiled again and said, "Am I that delicate? I’m recovered now, truly, and I feel quite relaxed. Doing some work, moving the muscles, might actually feel more comfortable. Seeing you, a young lady, running a stall and having to take care of everything on your own, I think..."

"I know you mean well and sympathize with me, but that’s not quite right," Hua Xiaomai replied while wiping a bowl and looking up at her, "I chose to set up this stall, so naturally, I should take care of it myself. How can I rely on others for help?"

"You’re worrying too much..." Guan Rong seemed to think there was no need for her to be so serious, laughing behind her hand, her eyes wandering around. She then stood up suddenly, ran to the stove to grab a rag, and said softly, "If you won’t let me wash the dishes, then let me wipe the stove and table for you. That should be fine, right?"

Without waiting for her agreement, she immediately began to bustle about efficiently.

Hua Xiaomai intended to stop her again, but in her haste, she nearly smashed a pile of bowls and had to quickly secure them. By the time she stood up, Guan Rong had already cleaned both the stove and table, smiling contentedly at her.

Is there really a need to be so deft? Hua Xiaomai grumbled inwardly, reluctantly returned the smile, packed up her stall, said goodbye, and they each went their separate ways without further discussion.

Since that day, Guan Rong would almost come every evening to wander around the riverside, and because of this, Hua Xiaomai gained new worry.

In the evening, around the time of the Dog watch, was when her stall did the best business, with people filling up to three tables to eat noodles. Just cooking the noodles kept her so busy she was over the moon, leaving her no spare moment for anything else.

It was usually at this time that Guan Rong would come, standing by the stall without eating noodles, either making casual conversation with Hua Xiaomai or helping to serve noodles and wipe tables, cheerfully greeting people. She was attractive and had a pleasant voice. People who came to eat noodles, whether they were young men or uncles, even married women and young daughters-in-law, all liked to exchange a few words with her, which made the stall seem even livelier.

With such enthusiastic help, anyone else would have felt grateful, but somehow, Hua Xiaomai didn’t feel right about it.

If it were just one or two days, that would have been fine, but coming every day, what did that imply?

This was the third time she had this uncomfortable feeling. Although she couldn’t find anything wrong with what Guan Rong was doing, she just felt uneasy, and as time passed, this unease grew deeper and deeper within her heart.

This couldn’t go on; she needed to find a time to clarify things with Guan Rong, to avoid any misunderstandings between them.

...

Several days had passed, and in the evening around the time of the Dog watch, many people were scattered about by the river.

The stall had become more popular recently, and business was better; the number of customers had noticeably increased, with the occasional situation of not having enough tables for everyone.

Setting up a stall by the river had its advantages. Because the riverbank was just an overgrown grassy area, and the villagers weren’t fussy, if there were no empty seats at the tables, they simply sat on the ground, holding their bowls of noodles and enjoying their meal just as much.

Seeing that business was improving made Hua Xiaomai very happy. She worked with even more vigor, cooking noodles while smiling and glancing at the crowd now and then.