Chef Hua
Chapter 98: Episode 73 Locust Leaf Cold Noodles

Chapter 98: Episode 73 Locust Leaf Cold Noodles

The villagers of Fire Knife Village attached great importance to the annual Cold Food Festival, although it lasted only one day and came at a busy time during spring planting, which was nothing like the bustling Lunar New Year. However, the level of importance they placed on it was by no means inferior.

On this day every year, farmers would still go out to their fields to work as usual, but they would always return home early to pay tribute to their ancestors. If the weather was good, they would also take their families out to the mountains for a stroll, considering it a way to mark the occasion by enjoying the fresh greenery of spring. Young ladies and newlyweds would also come out in droves, playing on swings under the trees, their bright spring dresses dancing in the wind and their laughter unceasing, adding more splendor to the spring day.

Because only cold dishes were eaten on the day of the Cold Food Festival, Hua Xiaomai had prepared a big pot of cold noodles in the kitchen the day before. She mixed them with cool fried vegetable oil, which, even if left for two days, would not stick together and lose their al dente texture. Afterwards, she steamed several plates of "cold swallow," which were made from flour for decoration at home; she also gave some to neighbor Grandpa Pan.

Hua Ermu and Jing Taihe were naturally obliged to return to the old house that day for the ancestral rites. Despite their unwillingness, there was no getting around it on such a holiday. Starting from the day before, Hua Ermu had been pouting and grumbling to Jing Taihe.

"Leaving my little sister alone at home again, she works from dawn to dusk every day, and when she finally gets a holiday, I, as her sister, am not even at home to keep her company. How can I be at peace with that?"

Jing Taihe was not annoyed. Instead, he smiled generously. When nobody was looking, he would touch her face and say in a gentle voice, "If it were up to me, I’d let Little Sister come with us to celebrate the festival. My parents probably wouldn’t object much."

"Forget it, forget it!" Hua Ermu stomped her feet and rolled her eyes sweepingly across his face, but ultimately she couldn’t bear to push his hand away, "I’ve said it before, if Little Sister goes to your house, she’ll most likely end up toiling all day in the kitchen. Why bother? I know I can’t avoid it, but after we have dinner at the old house, let’s hurry back, so she won’t have to wait at home for us too long."

Jing Taihe agreed with a smile. The next morning, he was ready to take his wife out. Hua Xiaomai packed a food box of her homemade cold noodles for them to bring back, including a full complement of sauces and side dishes, and sent the couple off with hearty laughter. Hua Ermu, worried, had already stepped out of the house but turned back.

"I’m saying, don’t go to the stall today." Her eyes lifted to Hua Xiaomai’s face as she instructed non-stop, "Every household is busy celebrating the festival. There won’t be many people coming out to eat. You’ll just be blowing in the cold wind by the river all night and won’t make much money. Besides, today you can’t use fire. Just rest well at home, and if we are not back by evening, lock the door and go to bed early. If something happens, just talk to Grandpa Pan next door; he will take care of you."

Hua Xiaomai knew she was concerned about her, so she obediently agreed to everything. After thinking for a moment, she added with a smile, "But I was thinking, I should keep the stall open tonight as usual. The stall has only been up for about twenty days; if I don’t do business today, people might think I’m unreliable. Even though we can’t use fire on the Cold Food Festival, we still have plenty of cold noodles at home. I’ll just bring the noodles without moving the stove, which is more convenient. I’ll come back earlier."

Upon hearing this, Hua Ermu clicked her tongue and said, "I won’t be able to accompany you tonight. What will you do if Guan Rong comes again when you are alone?"

"Oh, she won’t come today!" Hua Xiaomai laughed and pushed her out the door, "Every household is celebrating the festival; she must have been held up and couldn’t make it to the riverbank. You just go back to your in-laws with peace of mind; I know what I’m doing!"

Unable to persuade her, Hua Ermu nodded haphazardly, said "then do as you please," and left with Jing Taihe, looking every bit the dutiful wife.

With the couple away and nothing to do during the day, Hua Xiaomai spent a long time by the chili plants growing robustly in the backyard. She chatted to them, saying silly things like, "You have to grow up fast and not let down all my efforts," and as the evening approached, she gathered her things and left.

The riverbank was indeed much quieter than usual that day. On a normal day at this hour, there would be many farmers passing by on the path, carrying hoes, a steady stream of them. But now there were very few pedestrians, and those who did pass by were in a hurry, clearly rushing back to reunite with their families.

Most of the cold noodles on the table were vegetarian, and even if no one showed any interest all night, Hua Xiaomai wouldn’t lose money. Therefore, she was not in a hurry and looked around with interest.