Chef Hua

Hua Xiaomai was just threading half a fish onto a bamboo skewer when she suddenly heard these words, paused in her motion, and asked incredulously, "What do you mean? Isn’t the Eight Treasures Conference always only open to eateries from the Provincial City?"

"Ha!" Old Xu slapped his palm and shook his head, "The Eight Treasures Conference has been held for a good fifteen years. At first, some small eateries were willing to join in the fun. But you know, just the cost of purchasing all sorts of rare ingredients takes a lot of money. People couldn’t afford it, and secondly, the skills of cooks in small diners can hardly compare with those of master chefs in big restaurants. Gradually, they simply stopped participating in this thankless task. Especially in these last four or five years, it has been the same old faces, coming and going. Eventually, doesn’t it get tedious?"

As he spoke, he picked a piece of grilled tofu and tossed it into his mouth, chuckling, "The Eight Treasures Conference is indeed famous, but frankly, it’s just the restaurants in the Provincial City closing their doors and playing among themselves, ultimately lacking any real interest. Thus, not long ago, when everyone gathered and discussed it, they all felt that we should bring in something fresh and invite well-known eateries from all over Tong’an Prefecture to make it really lively. It would be a real treat for us judges, wouldn’t it? Your Daoxiang Garden has been quite the trendsetter, how can we leave you out? It all depends on whether you are willing or not!"

Hua Xiaomai did not answer immediately, first turning to look at Meng Yuhuai.

Honestly, Old Xu’s words did stir her heart a bit.

The Eight Treasures Conference was indeed a grand event in the Tong’an Prefecture. Not only those participating restaurants and eateries looked forward to it, but even ordinary people were extremely excited about it. Even if they couldn’t enter the venue, they would crowd outside, craning their necks to see and using various means to find out what the theme of the year was, what exquisite dishes were prepared, and which restaurant was the most outstanding. Every year in early July, this was the talk of everyone, attracting much attention.

In previous years, she had witnessed the grandeur of the Eight Treasures Conference and was immensely impressed. If this year they truly planned to invite all the diners from Tong’an Prefecture, what kind of spectacle would it be? Such a rare opportunity, if she couldn’t participate, she would undoubtedly regret deeply!

But...

Two years ago, she was still an unmarried girl, setting up a small stall by the river to make a living. Back then, she could easily run off to the Provincial City as long as she convinced Old Lady Hua. But now, she was not only married and had a child, she was also running a large Daoxiang Garden; it wouldn’t be so easy anymore.

The Eight Treasures Conference might only last one day, but it still required some effort in preparation, likely needing one or two days in Provincial City beforehand. Everything else was negotiable, but what about Little Walnut? By that time, he would be just five months old, exactly when he couldn’t be without his mother. Could she just carelessly leave him behind?