Chef Hua

Wang Tonghe had made up his mind to slip away, and early the next morning, Hua Xiaomai, along with Meng Yuhuai, sent him off to Fuzhe County. They hired a horse-drawn carriage and bought some local specialties for him to eat on the road.

As the old man boarded the carriage, Wang Zhanrui stood by the roadside, in silence, and then said after a long pause, "Father, I’m a bit worried about you traveling alone. Otherwise... maybe I should take you to Lingquan Prefecture and then..."

"Enough, enough, I’m not at death’s door, what do I need you to accompany me for?" Wang Tonghe was impatient, glancing at him and speaking, "Daoxiang Garden is doing well, and the girl has been cooking less recently. If you leave, won’t you throw the kitchen into chaos? Besides—"

He laughed, lowering his voice a notch: "If you weren’t planning to stay here long-term, you wouldn’t have eagerly run back home to stock up on so much tea. My guess is, you’re doing quite well here, right? That girl is good company, easy to get along with, and truly skilled. In three to five years, her Daoxiang Garden will likely make a name for itself. You stay diligent working for her, and when the benefits come, you’ll definitely get your share. Ha, I probably know what you’re thinking, but the culinary business can’t be rushed. If you keep changing places every few days like before, how can you succeed?"

Wang Zhanrui hung his head and responded sullenly, "Yes."

Wang Tonghe smiled and patted his shoulder, then turned to Hua Xiaomai.

Before he could speak, Hua Xiaomai already stepped forward and said with a smile, "Do you have any instructions for me?"

"What instructions? It’s just a farewell!" Wang Tonghe also smiled, "I came here on a whim, and during this time, I crashed at your Sauce Garden. I have to thank you for your hospitality. I’m getting on in years and don’t enjoy wandering around. After today, who knows if we will meet again. That Wang brother of yours..."

He nodded towards Wang Zhanrui’s direction: "That Wang brother of yours is stubborn, but not a bad person, and the culinary skills I personally taught him should come in handy in your place. If he annoys you, for my sake, please be a bit more tolerant, will you?"

"Do you need to ask?" Hua Xiaomai replied with a smile, "Wang Master is a good chef, and I’m not foolish—why would I easily let him go?"

Wang Tonghe nodded in satisfaction: "Alright, I won’t say much more. I’m off. Even though we’re not officially master and apprentice, you’ve learned a dish from me, so there is some connection between us. If we meet again in the future, you better show me your progress, you hear?"