Chef Hua-Chapter 693: Extra One Picky Kid_2

"Are you shirking responsibility now? The son isn’t yours?"

Hua Xiaomai suddenly sat up and glared at him with a stern face, "Leader Meng, can you please take this seriously? Have you even looked at your son’s body? He’s all height with no flesh, nothing like a walnut—more like a bean sprout! Chengzi and Youzi are both chubby and plump, looking so likable, but he is not, and outsiders might think that we favor the younger ones!"

Meng Yuhuai really wanted to say, ’Little Walnut is skinny mostly because of you,’ but if he actually said that, his wife would definitely blow a fuse. Therefore, he swallowed the words he was about to say and instead said, "Actually, it’s not like we’ve starved him. You love to cook, and whenever you have the time, you’re making all kinds of foods and various snacks at home, which have never run out. If he wants to eat, he can reach for them anytime, naturally unwilling to eat his meals properly."

"So it’s my fault?"

Hua Xiaomai rolled her eyes at him and sighed deeply, "You didn’t see it today at noon. Just to get him to eat half a bowl of rice, Mom had to chase him around for an hour! He’s almost six years old, whose child at six still needs to be fed like this?... I couldn’t say this in front of Mom, otherwise, she would be up in arms, it’s really worrying me..."

"I do have a solution, but I don’t know if you’re willing."

Meng Yuhuai thought for a while, and without holding back, he reached out and touched her tender face, "Let Little Walnut stay with me at the Escort Agency for a few days, training daily with Han Hu and the others. The Escort Agency doesn’t have all kinds of snacks; there’s absolutely nothing to eat until mealtime. Martial training is exhausting, just one morning would ensure he’s hungry enough to feel his stomach sticking to his back. After a few days of this, we could definitely correct this habit of his."

Hua Xiaomai looked a bit hesitant, glanced up at him, "This... might indeed be a solution, but, Leader Meng, why do I feel like you actually want to train your son to take over your duties one day?"

Meng Yuhuai leaned in and touched her lips with his, murmuring, "Haven’t we already agreed? There’s no worry about food and clothing at home, so there’s no need to force the child into doing something he dislikes. Don’t you still trust me? Little Walnut is a boy, after all. I don’t expect him to achieve any fame, but strengthening his body is always beneficial."

...

Thus, the next morning at the breakfast table, Meng Yuhuai announced a piece of news that made the children jump with joy.

"In a few days, it will be Chinese New Year’s Eve. Last night, I discussed with your mother, and this year, we will all go to Provincial City to celebrate."

Daoxiang Garden and Zhenwei Garden had opened branches in Tong’an City. Hua Xiaomai occasionally needed to visit them, and Meng Yuhuai, because of his duties at the Escort Agency, often had to travel between Provincial City and Fire Knife Village. Constantly staying in inns wasn’t feasible, so a year ago, the family had purchased a property in Xingshu Alley of Tong’an City.

In summer, the provincial city was hotter than the village, and nobody wished to endure the scorcher, but in winter, staying in the city was quite pleasant.

The three children had grown up in Fire Knife Village and seldom visited the city, so when they heard about it, they were all very excited, especially Youzi, who actually jumped off his chair and circled the dining table three times before climbing up on Meng Yuhuai, refusing to let go and hugging his neck repeatedly saying, "Daddy is the best."

Meng Yuhuai, treated with such affection by his little daughter, felt his heart soften like dough as he hugged her and joked for a bit before smoothly changing the subject.

"However, before that, Walnut, you need to stay with daddy at the Escort Agency for three days. The Provincial City is much busier than our village, especially during the Chinese New Year, and the streets are incredibly crowded. If we all go out, daddy will have to look after grandma and mom, as well as your two sisters, so it will be up to you to protect them. That’s why you need to go with your Uncle Han to properly train your body first; are you willing?"

Walnut, not yet six years old, was sharp and bright. Though the thought of "playing in the Provincial City" dominated his mind, he wasn’t easy to fool. He pondered for a while, looking earnestly at Meng Yuhuai’s face, "Dad always says that martial arts can’t be mastered in a day or two, it needs years of continuous effort. If I only stay at the Escort Agency for three days, what could I possibly learn?"

If it weren’t for Hua Xiaomai’s watchful eyes, Meng Yuhuai would have almost laughed out loud. Still, he managed to keep a straight face and responded seriously, "I naturally don’t expect you to learn everything in three days. It’s just an opportunity to learn a simple set of boxing techniques from your Uncle Han before the agency closes for the holiday, so later you can continue to practice diligently. Dad is usually too busy with the Escort Agency’s work to spare time. What, you don’t want Uncle Han to teach you?"

Walnut felt something was amiss, but being young, he couldn’t completely figure it out. Still, his heart was set on visiting the Provincial City, and after much hesitation, he finally nodded.

Meng Yuhuai, achieving his goal, didn’t insist on Walnut finishing his breakfast. After gulping down his porridge, he immediately led him away from home.

With Chinese New Year approaching, the Escort Agency was actually not very busy, and everyone was relatively idle. When they suddenly saw Walnut arrive, they all eagerly gathered around him.

Han Hu had been specifically instructed by Meng Yuhuai, and for the whole morning, he truly did not slack off. He led Walnut in practicing boxing in the front yard while the others applauded and cheered from the sidelines.

Walnut, who at home usually just learned a few characters occasionally under Wen Huaren and spent most of his time playing, had never seen such a spectacle. In just an hour, he became out of breath, sitting on the ground unable to move, and gesturing persistently for Han Hu to stop.

"My mom said that things must progress in sequential steps, and one shouldn’t expect to become plump with a single bite. Uncle Hu, I am just a kid, and now I am tired, I need to rest."

Han Hu wouldn’t relent, standing with his hands on his hips in front of him, his face stern, "How can that be possible? Perseverance is crucial in martial arts training. You’re already worn out after just an hour? Until which year do you expect to train? Walnut, don’t tell me you lack even this bit of perseverance?"

Walnut looked up towards the front hall where Meng Yuhuai was, pondered for a long while, and then suddenly jumped up.

"Uncle Hu, what exactly is the plan you and dad have in mind?" (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets, monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)