Chef Hua-Chapter 679: Episode 359: Back to the Village_2

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Meng Yuhuai hadn’t visited the Lianshun Escort Agency for several days, and although he knew there wouldn’t be any issues, he couldn’t help but be concerned, so he led his old horse Blackie into the city early the next morning.

Hua Xiaomai had fed Little Walnut and helped Meng’s mother tidy up the house inside and out, and then she also went to Daoxiang Garden.

It was still early, but the restaurant was already bustling with activity. Everyone seemed to be full of energy, busy sweeping around, checking and organizing the vegetables and meat that had been delivered that morning, and continuously transporting them to the kitchen.

Chun Xi was watering the trumpet vines at the entrance when she turned around and saw Hua Xiaomai. She immediately smiled broadly, tossed aside the watering can, and cheerfully greeted her, teasing, "Wow, look who’s back! You brought back the top prize for Daoxiang Garden at the Eight Treasures Conference; we’ve all basked in your glory!"

Hua Xiaomai hadn’t seen her for a few days and missed her. She responded with a beaming smile, "Sister-in-law, you’ve worked hard these past few days."

"Oh, what’s this about hard work?"

The others in the hall emerged and each were smiling like blossoms, "This time, our Daoxiang Garden has really made a name for itself! In the past two or three days, many customers have come all the way from the Provincial City. Even with such a large garden, it’s gotten a bit hard to manage! Look, not to mention other things, just the orders for hosting banquets are lined up for several days. We’ll be busy for quite a while! Business is booming and even though we may be tired, we’re happy, aren’t we?"

This reminded Hua Xiaomai of something important. She quickly looked at Wen Huaren, who stood by the door, "That’s right, on the twentieth day of July, we’ll only do business at noon. After that, you all can go home and rest. Leave the garden to me; I have plans for it."

Wen Huaren agreed and, afraid of forgetting, he ran back behind the counter to jot down a note, while the others joyfully surrounded Hua Xiaomai and ushered her to sit down in the hall.

Hua Xiaomai set down the box of sweets she was carrying on the table, and said cheerily, "Winning first place at the Eight Treasures Conference is definitely beneficial for our business, but after all, it’s thanks to everyone’s diligent work and refusal to slack off that we have such a good reputation. I’ve said before that if our business does well, I won’t let everyone down. I keep my word; after the new year, I will definitely give everyone a raise!"

The crowd cheered so loudly they almost lifted the roof.

"Alright, this year wasn’t spent in vain, nothing beats a salary raise for sure!"

Chun Xi, unable to stop smiling, clapped her hands and said, "These past few days, many villagers have come to our shop to offer their congratulations! Your second sister’s husband came by once, and someone from the Lianshun Escort Agency visited too... Oh right, even Zheng Yakuai dropped by the shop!"

"Zheng Yakuai?" Hua Xiaomai raised an eyebrow at these words, "Although my family has bought land from him a few times, we don’t have much of a relationship; he must have... more than just congratulations in mind, right?"

"Exactly," Chun Xi nodded vigorously, "Lots of families in the village have grown chili and after harvesting this crop in a couple of days, they’ll enter the slack farming season. Every year around this time, there are many who sell land. It seems that Zheng Yakuai has probably saved up quite a bit and came to ask if your family was interested in buying. He also knows that the Meng family is affluent; he’s likely hoping to make a big profit off of you!" 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Something stirred in Hua Xiaomai’s heart.

No matter the time, land was fundamental, especially in this era where most people depended on farming to sustain their families. Having a few more plots of land was the only way to truly settle one’s mind.

Previously, she hadn’t had the time to consider these matters and bought land primarily to grow chili peppers. But now, she thought it seemed like a good idea to expand her landholdings, even though she intended to continue running the Daoxiang Garden.

Chun Xi kept on talking incessantly, "While Zheng Yakuai wants to make money, buying more land could also benefit you. Not to mention anything else, when Little Walnut grows up, having that land will mean he won’t have to worry about his livelihood!"

"Hmm, I think you’re right," Hua Xiaomai looked at her and smiled, "I’ll discuss it with Yuhuai tonight."

As she spoke, she took a deep breath, smiling, "I haven’t really looked after the kitchen’s affairs recently. Now that Little Walnut can eat other foods and doesn’t need me to watch over him all day, I should focus more on the shop. With fewer hands these past few days, Master Tan in the kitchen has had to handle everything on his own, which must have been really tiring. As far as I’m concerned, you should take the day off to rest—everyone else, you should also take turns taking a break over the next few days, to recharge your energy."

Master Tan had indeed been exhausted these past few days, busy from dawn till dusk. Hearing her say this, he didn’t decline the offer and happily nodded his agreement.

After everyone dispersed, Hua Xiaomai prepared to go to the kitchen but was just getting to her feet when a shadow suddenly flickered beside her. She looked up to find Zhou Yunyun nervously approaching.

Since she had entered the Daoxiang Garden that day, her apprentice had been silent, standing far away at the kitchen door with her head down as if heavy with thoughts. Now, although she came closer, her eyes occasionally darted toward Scholar Wen, timid like a young wife who had been wronged, yet her brows and eyes seemed to harbor a secret joy.

What’s going on now?

With a sigh, Hua Xiaomai was puzzled by how these two overdramatic people had fallen for each other. She pulled Zhou Yunyun to the back courtyard and stood under a tree with crossed arms, frowning, "What’s wrong? Has that sour scholar picked on you again?"

"Not that..."

Zhou Yunyun quickly shook her head, biting her lip and stuttering, "Han... Han Big Brother from the Shun Escort Agency came by again yesterday. Master, could you help me tell him to not come... to find me anymore?"

(To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation ticket, monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)