Chef Hua-Chapter 691: Episode 364 Finale_4

"Little Walnut lowered his eyes in thought for a long time, then shook his head and snuck another peek at Hua Xiaomai.

"This is... does he have something he wants to say to his dad alone?"

Hua Xiaomai rolled her eyes inwardly and turned back into the house. On this side, Meng Yuhuai took Little Walnut’s chubby hand and spoke in a gentle voice, "If you meant well, why didn’t you explain yourself to your mom earlier?"

"Mom’s so fierce..."

Little Walnut lowered his head, feeling aggrieved, "She’s not like this with my two little sisters, always hugging and coaxing them... Mom doesn’t like me."

"Nonsense," Meng Yuhuai lightly tapped his forehead, "Don’t you know how your mom treats you on a daily basis? You say she dotes on your sisters more, let me ask you, do Youzi and Chengzi ever cause as much trouble as you do, all day long, and make a mess for your mom to clean up? Climbing trees to steal bird eggs, was that not you? The one who almost got bitten by a snake while trying to catch a wild rabbit in the shrubbery, was that also not you? With your dad often away from home, your mom has to manage the shop’s business, take care of your grandma, and your young sisters. As a boy, instead of helping, you constantly cause her trouble. If it were you, wouldn’t you be angry?"

He switched tones and spoke seriously, "As for today’s matter, had it happened to me, I would have made you kneel directly in the rain. And you still say your mom doesn’t care about you?"

Little Walnut turned to glance at the soft mats under the flower shed, nodding somewhat uncertainly.

"Go, find Aunt Qin to wipe your face, and then apologize to your mom." Meng Yuhuai gave him a pat on the behind, watched him run off into the distance, then stood up and returned to the house.

"Alright, stop being annoyed, Little Walnut meant well." He smiled at Hua Xiaomai who was sitting by the desk.

Hua Xiaomai truly didn’t know what to say.

People always say "strict father, kind mother", but when it came to her family, why was it completely reversed?

...

After pacifying his wife and son, and a fuming mother, Meng Yuhuai took quite some effort to persuade Mother Meng to come out and eat. By the time the whole family had eaten and the kids had lined up to wash up neatly, it was already in the evening.

Little Walnut had grown up and was used to sleeping alone at night, Youzi and Chengzi were cared for by Sister Qin, and with just the two of them left, Meng someone, not having seen his wife for more than twenty days, was already desperate, and in the blink of an eye, transformed from a steady and reliable good dad into a starving wolf, pinning down his wife and indulging in a fervent "honey stir-fried with oil."

Hua Xiaomai was bothered by him all night, getting up late the next day, until Sister Qin came knocking, saying that Shopkeeper Pan from Zhenwei Garden and Shopkeeper Wen from Daoxiang Garden had arrived. Only then did she realize that today was the annual account settlement day. In a hurry, she managed herself despite a sore back and, gritting her teeth, grabbed the energetic Meng Yuhuai, and hurried into the front yard.

In the past five years, Zhenwei Garden and Daoxiang Garden had both opened branches in Provincial City. Today saw four shopkeepers leading four accountants crowding the main room, with account books piling up into a mountain on the small table.

All four shops had earned quite a bit this past year. Settling accounts was a troublesome task, and Hua Xiaomai, who was naturally restless, found this period particularly unbearable. She pushed the task to Meng Yuhuai, who chatted with the men, while she sidled off to listen disinterestedly.

It had rained all night, and the sun had come out early this morning. It is said that the winter sun is the most nourishing, yet they could only huddle inside looking at account books...

"How about I make some snacks..."

She rubbed her nose thinking to escape, but before she could take a step, she was stopped by Meng Yuhuai, who knew her nature all too well.

"Sit there and stay put." Meng someone showed a meaningful smile on his lips, squinting his eyes threateningly.

Hua Xiaomai had no choice but to settle in her chair and endure. And endures she did, until the late afternoon.

Mother Meng was already busy in the kitchen preparing dinner, with Sister Qin assisting her. Pan Ping’an and the others had left one after another, and Wen Huaren had declined Meng Yuhuai’s offer to stay for dinner, saying that Zhou Yunyun’s belly was getting bigger, and she was increasingly less mobile, so he preferred to stay with her at home for peace of mind.

Meng Yuhuai sent Wen Huaren off, then suddenly stopped in his tracks with a moment of surprise.

His wife Hua Xiaomai, like a bird finally freed, dashed out of the main room and began chasing Youzi around the front yard; Chengzi sat quietly on a small stool, her gaze following the hem of Hua Xiaomai’s clothing, her plump face like a small flower, occasionally letting out "giggles" of clear laughter.

As for his son, Little Walnut, he stood to the side, impatiently stomping his feet, shouting, "Youzi, run to the left, you’re too slow, you’re about to get caught by mom!"

The last sliver of sunset had not yet disappeared, casting a heavy golden edge on the rooftop, smoke rose, and the aroma of food spread throughout the yard.

Meng someone couldn’t help but smile.

This was probably the best scene he could possess, no matter what he was offered, he would not trade it. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to cast your recommendation tickets and monthly tickets at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)