CHAPTER 618: EPISODE 329: AWKWARD

Hua Xiaomai silently considered for a moment, then carefully placed the small walnut from her arms on the couch and casually pulled over a small blanket to cover him.

She understood very well why Meng Yuhuai would have such thoughts.

Her first trip to the Provincial City was precisely to help Song Jingxi with the Eight Treasures Conference issues, and it was also due to the ensuing quarrel, which arose because Song Jingxi had pulled some tricks at the Eight Treasures Conference. The way Song Jingxi handled it afterward made her heart grow cold. From being close to no contact at all, the words "Eight Treasures Conference" always loomed between them, an undeniable presence.

As for what exactly happened in the Provincial City, she had never spoken to anyone about it. While her silence was certainly meant to protect Song Jingxi’s reputation, in the end, the most important reason was to avoid trouble for herself. However... with Meng Yuhuai’s calm and meticulous character, he probably guessed most of it, right?

The letter before her clearly carried an underlying sense of obligation, so what exactly was Song Jingxi’s intention?

After mulling over it in her mind for a moment, she looked up and said, "I just find it strange, you know, the Eight Treasures Conference is a major event for Tong’an City’s culinary world, where outside restaurants can’t participate; what does it have to do with our Daoxiang Garden? Besides, it’s been a long time since I’ve had dealings with that proprietor Song. Does she still expect me to go and help her?"

Meng Yuhuai had had too much to drink in the afternoon, and now the effects were hitting him, causing his head to ache. He let out a long sigh and rubbed his temples haphazardly.

"Let’s not worry about what she really wants to do for now, are you planning to reply to the letter?"

"That’s why I’m saying, she really did present me with a dilemma."

Hua Xiaomai pursed her lips and smiled, "No matter how you look at it, she is a renowned female chef of the entire Tong’an Prefecture, and she took the initiative to write a letter to me. It wouldn’t be right to ignore it, would it? To not reply would seem rude, but if I were to really send a reply... Heh, I honestly wouldn’t know what to write. Should I also ramble about daily matters like her? Sigh, the last thing I want to do is to get involved with her again through such back-and-forths..."

She stopped talking at this point and turned around to check on Meng Yuhuai, only to find him resting his head on his arm, his eyes slightly closed, as if he was extremely tired.

That will teach you to drink, that will teach you!

Hua Xiaomai was genuinely annoyed at him for drinking without moderation, itchy to poke a finger vigorously on his forehead. Yet, remembering the many chores he usually had to handle, and how rare it was for him to enjoy himself with his brothers, she couldn’t bring herself to truly nag him. So she sighed, laboriously moved his arm over the couch to remove his coat, and pulled over another blanket to cover him properly.

"What did I say? You were even complaining about my nagging! Wine is not anything good, after drinking too much it just makes you feel worse, doesn’t it?"

In the end, she just muttered that under her breath, leaned in close, shifted his head onto her lap, and soothingly pressed his temples with her fingers, not too lightly nor too heavily.

"All right, don’t you worry about this matter, I’ll find Scholar Wen tomorrow to help me write a reply. You rest for now. Tonight, you better not touch those strong-flavored dishes, I’ll cook some congee for you. Have that and go to bed early, okay?"

In the front yard’s kitchen, Meng’s mother was busy preparing dinner, from where every now and then came the smell of scorching flatbread, seemingly brushed with a layer of chili sauce in the filling, a faint hint of spice lingering in the air.

Meng Yuhuai curved his lips into a smile, closed his eyes and fumbled, touching her hand, and muttered vaguely, "No need to press any longer, care not to make your hands sore."

Hua Xiaomai also couldn’t resist smiling slightly, "Rest then, I’ll go help Mother with cooking. Keep an eye on the little walnut, don’t press down on him."

Having said that, she got up and left the room, making sure to close the door behind her.

...

Meng Yuhuai, concerned about the matter of the chilies at Madame Feng’s home, went into the city the next morning. He first paid a visit to Master Zhao’s residence to discuss the issue. Master Zhao did give face, immediately sending gardener Old Liu to look into what the problem could be with the chilies.

With many things to attend to at the Escort Agency, and also needing to hire new staff, Meng Yuhuai could not get away, so he sent Han Hu with Old Liu to Fire Knife Village, naturally stopping by Daoxiang Garden to say hello first.

At that time, Hua Xiaomai was at the counter with Scholar Wen, having him help write the reply.

"Just write that I have been preoccupied with numerous household chores lately, and I’m afraid I won’t have the leisure to visit her in the Provincial City. Thank her for taking the time out of her busy schedule to remember me. The countryside scenery is splendid in the spring, should she feel like it, she is welcome to visit Daoxiang Garden for a walk. It would give me a chance to properly fulfill the duties of a host."