Chef Hua-Chapter 695: Extra One: Picky Child_2

"Are you trying to shirk your responsibility? Isn’t he your son?"

Hua Xiaomai suddenly sat up, set her face into a stern expression, and glared at him: "Leader Meng, could you please take this more seriously? You should look at our son’s body; all he does is grow taller without putting on any weight. He’s not like a walnut at all; he’s entirely a bean sprout! Youzi and Chengzi are both plump and round, they look delightful at a glance, but he’s like this. If outsiders saw him, they’d think we favor the two younger ones!"

Meng Yuhuai really wanted to say that the reason Little Walnut was so thin was probably that he took after her, but if he actually said that out loud, his wife would undoubtedly flare up. So, he had to swallow the words he was about to say and instead offered, "Actually, to be honest, it’s not like he’s being starved. You love to cook and always whip up all sorts of dishes and pastries whenever you have time. We never run out of snacks at home, and he can reach for them whenever he pleases; naturally, he won’t bother with proper meals."

"So it’s my fault, huh?"

Hua Xiaomai rolled her eyes at him and then heaved a long sigh, "You didn’t see it today. Just to make him eat half a bowl of rice at lunch, mom had to chase him around the house for half an hour! He’s nearly six years old now, whose child still relies on being fed at six years old?... I can’t say this in front of mom either, or else she’ll jump on me, truly worrying me to death..."

"I actually have a method, but I’m not sure if you’d agree."

Meng Yuhuai pondered for a while and, unable to resist, he reached out to touch her soft cheek: "Let’s have Little Walnut stay at the Escort Agency for a few days and practice daily with Han Hu and the others. There are no snacks at the Escort Agency, nothing to eat until mealtimes. Martial arts consume a lot of energy. Just one morning would be enough for him to be so hungry his stomach is stuck to his back. A few days like this should be able to correct this problem."

Hua Xiaomai hesitated for a moment, then looked up at him, "This...might indeed be a method, but Leader Meng, why do I feel like you’re looking to train your son to take over for you one day?"

Meng Yuhuai moved closer and lightly touched her lips, speaking in a gravelly voice, "Haven’t we discussed this before? We have enough to live comfortably, so there’s no need to force our child to do things he doesn’t like. You don’t trust me? After all, Little Walnut is a boy, and while I don’t expect him to achieve anything significant, there’s no harm in keeping fit and healthy."

...

Thus, the next morning over breakfast, Meng Yuhuai announced news that made the children cheer excitedly.

"Chinese New Year’s Eve is just a few days away. After discussing with your mother last night, we decided that this year, we’re all going to Provincial City to celebrate the New Year."

Daoxiang Garden and Zhenwei Garden had opened branches in Tong’an City, and Hua Xiaomai would occasionally need to make a trip there. Because of his business with the Escort Agency, Meng Yuhuai also had to frequently travel between Provincial City and Fire Knife Village, and constantly staying at inns was not ideal, so a year ago, the family had bought a property in Xingshu Alley in Tong’an City.

In the summer, the Provincial City was hotter than the countryside, and nobody wanted to endure the scorching heat, but in winter, it was quite pleasant to spend some time living in the city.

The three children had grown up in Fire Knife Village, rarely venturing into town, so they were all very excited when they heard the news, especially little Youzi, who actually jumped off her chair and ran around the dining table three times before climbing onto Meng Yuhuai and refusing to let go, repeatedly saying, "Daddy is the best."

Meng Yuhuai’s heart softened like dough when treated with such affection by his little girl, and after joking with her for a bit, he smoothly changed the subject.

"However, before that, little Walnut will need to stay with dad at the Escort Agency for three days. The Provincial City is much more crowded than our village, especially during the New Year festivities. If our whole family is going out, your dad needs to look after grandma and mom, and your two sisters, so we’ll need you to help protect them. That’s why you need to go and practice your physique with your Uncle Hu. Are you willing?"

Little Walnut, not yet six, was quite clever and, although the thought of going to the Provincial City excited him, he wasn’t easily fooled. After pondering for a moment and studying Meng Yuhuai’s face, he said, "Daddy always says, practicing martial arts cannot be accomplished in a day or two, it requires persistent effort over years. Just staying at the Escort Agency for three days, what can I actually learn?"

If it weren’t for Hua Xiaomai watching him closely, Meng Yuhuai would have almost laughed out loud, but he had to force himself to keep a straight face and answer seriously, "Of course I don’t expect you to master it in three days. It’s just that I want Uncle Hu to teach you a simple set of boxing techniques before the Escort Agency closes for the holiday, so you can continue to practice on your own. Daddy is too busy with work at the Agency to find the time. So, you don’t want to be taught by Uncle Hu?"

Little Walnut felt something was amiss, but being young, he couldn’t fully understand what it was. With the prospect of going to the Provincial City filling his head, he hesitated for a long time but finally nodded.

With his purpose achieved, Meng Yuhuai didn’t press him to finish his breakfast properly and, after hurriedly downing his porridge, immediately took him away from home.

As Chinese New Year’s Eve was approaching, the Escort Agency was actually not busy at all, and everyone was idling about. When they suddenly saw Little Walnut arrive, they all crowded around him at once.

After being summoned and instructed by Meng Yuhuai, Han Hu really didn’t slack off for the entire morning, leading Little Walnut in boxing practice in the front courtyard while the others cheered them on from the side.

Little Walnut usually spent his days at home casually learning a few characters with Wen Huaren and mostly just played, so he had never seen such a sight. In just half an hour, he was already out of breath, sitting on the ground unable to move, and vigorously waved his hands at Han Hu.

"My mom says that everything should be done gradually and we shouldn’t expect to become fat in one gulp. Uncle Hu, I’m just a child, I’m tired now, I need to rest."

Han Hu was not willing to let it slide, standing over him with arms akimbo and a stern face, "How can that be acceptable? The key to practicing martial arts is persistence. If you can’t even endure for half an hour, how long will it take you to learn? Little Walnut, do you not even have that much determination?"

Little Walnut lifted his head and glanced towards the main hall where Meng Yuhuai was, pondered for a long while, and then suddenly sprang to his feet.

"Uncle Hu, what exactly are you and my dad up to?" (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to cast your recommendation ticket, monthly ticket at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)