Chef Hua

Meng Yuhuai and Chun Xi, La Mei, and a few others, knowing that Hua Xiaomai was testing Zhou Yunyun’s culinary skills, didn’t want to make her too nervous, so they stayed back, lingering near the doorway to chat leisurely.

When they heard Hua Xiaomai mention the "thank-you feast," they had an idea that Zhou Yunyun had most likely passed the test. They immediately gathered around, clamoring relentlessly. One said, "We can’t miss out on the thank-you feast," while another remarked, "Zhou Family’s sister, I’ve been helping you a lot lately," and for a moment, the hall was bustling with uproar.

𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Zhou Yunyun was both startled and delighted, her mind as messy as a paste, responding with repetitive "Okay, okay," and "Sure, sure," to those asking her for drinks and food. Hua Xiaomai stood by, letting everyone discuss until they had enough, then suddenly pulled Zhou Yunyun to her side and whispered, "Think about it, you’ve just started earning a monthly wage, how much can it be? If you spend it all on treating others, you won’t save a penny for yourself, how would that work?"

Although the words were intended for her ears only, the voice was quite loud, and everyone in the hall heard it and thought she was covering for her apprentice, so they kindly shut their mouths, and Zhou Yunyun gave her a grateful look.

But unexpectedly, she changed her tone and leisurely continued, "In my view, you should just treat Yuhuai and me to a good meal, why bother with anyone else?"

These words set off a commotion in the hall immediately, with some laughing and some cursing. Chun Xi, unyieldingly, stepped forward and grabbed Hua Xiaomai’s arm, pointing at her half-seriously, half-jokingly, "Little Sister Xiaomai, your heart is too wicked! It’s just a thank-you feast, and you want us to bask in your light; would it cost you two pieces of meat? The owner of the Daoxiang Garden sees us from head to toe every day, yet you intend to hog Yuhuai all for yourself, if word spreads, it will invite ridicule!"

While saying this, she made a gesture as if she was going to twist her.

Zhou Yunyun, stuck in the middle of it all, laughed along with everyone else, but gradually, her eyes began to redden. Standing up, she struggled to step forward, and stood in front of Hua Xiaomai, her lips quivering, "Master, let me bow to you..."

As she spoke, her knees began to buckle as she attempted to kneel.

Hua Xiaomai, completely focused on jesting with Chun Xi, was genuinely startled by these words. With so many people around, she had no place to hide, so she could only forcefully turn her body aside and wave her hands vigorously, "Don’t cause a fuss, this won’t do, I don’t favor this, you mustn’t..."

𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮