CHAPTER 625: 332

"Hmm," Hua Xiaomai responded lightly, "Do you understand what Boss Song meant by ’I had no choice back then,’ sister-in-law?"

"This... I really don’t know," Chun Xi shook her head sadly, "But Boss Song seems older than Master Wang, maybe she couldn’t wait back then and got married first, so she feels guilty?"

Hua Xiaomai smiled, "That’s possible." Feeling annoyed, she did not want to dwell on this matter and quickly changed the subject, "By the way, are Yun’er and Scholar Wen still the same?"

Caught off guard by the sudden shift in the topic, Chun Xi paused before replying, "Uh... they should be fine, I guess? This morning I saw Scholar Wen, with a beaming face, trying to talk to Yun’er, but she ignored him. However, knowing that girl’s temperament, she won’t hold out much longer. Just you watch, perhaps by tomorrow morning when you visit the shop, they might have already happily reconciled!"

"That would be good." Hua Xiaomai let out a long sigh, stood up, and stretched lazily, taking over the little walnut from Old Mother Meng.

"You go back to the shop and get busy, sister-in-law. I’m not going today, I feel like resting."

Chun Xi was about to ask more, but seeing her pale complexion, she decided not to press further, nodded in agreement, and advised her to take care if she felt unwell, then quickly stepped out of the courtyard.

Hua Xiaomai hugged the little walnut, lost in thought, and feeling weak all over. After a moment, she suddenly looked up at Old Mother Meng.

"Mother, I want to find Yuhuai."

It wasn’t to seek solutions or comfort, but at this moment, she simply wanted to see him.

Old Mother Meng, as if anticipating this move, scoffed with disdain, "What’s the matter, not feeling well? Tch, encountering a bit of trouble and you only know to run to your man for answers. That’s all the ambition you have! I won’t stop you, but first feed little walnut and come back early in the evening; if you let him go hungry, I’ll flay your skin!"

Hua Xiaomai, too tired to explain, hastily agreed and ran out the door.

Long ago, she had stated that she never thought Song Jingxi using small tricks in business was anything unforgivable. After all, probably no one in this world could guarantee to live a life so honorable that their actions couldn’t be criticized.

She was willing to consider things from Song Jingxi’s perspective, understanding the difficulties women faced in culinary businesses, but that didn’t mean Song Jingxi could bully her without repercussions.

Two years ago, with Hua Xiaomai’s help, that woman had triumphed at the Eight Treasures Conference and smoothly secured the hosting rights for the Moon Banquet; now she had come to Fire Knife Village, staying in Meng Family’s house, eating meals made by Hua Xiaomai, and then ungratefully undermining Daoxiang Garden. What did she make of this?

She might not repay kindness, but she absolutely should not repay kindness with enmity.

Chaotically minded, Hua Xiaomai didn’t even rest on her way and hurriedly reached Lianshun Escort Agency, stepping through the black lacquered gate.

At that moment, the Escort Agency seemed to be recruiting new members, with more than a dozen young men waiting in the front yard. Meng Yuhuai stood with his hands behind his back under the corridor, while Han Hu and others stood by his side, their eyes unanimously focused on a young man in the courtyard, swinging his Flower Disc Stick with a swooshing sound.

Hua Xiaomai didn’t want to interrupt their important activities, so she found a secluded and clean spot to sit and quietly wait, her eyes fixated on Meng Yuhuai and unable to look away.

Being tall had its advantages; even in a dense crowd, it was easy to spot him.

Perhaps it was because he had taken over the Escort Agency and had become a father, but he now seemed much more mature than two years earlier. He stood there calmly and composed, his face devoid of any smile, yet he did not appear overly stern, which instead made one feel immensely reassured.

It was not until then that Hua Xiaomai felt a bit more comfortable, took a deep breath, and exhaled a long breath of turbid air from her chest.

The youngster in the center of the courtyard finished performing a set of stick techniques, bowed, and stepped back, immediately followed by another person stepping forward. This went back and forth for half an hour, and then the yard gradually returned to quiet.

Meng Yuhuai discussed with Han Hu beside him, picked out a few who had performed well to have them reviewed and questioned further. When he turned his head unintentionally, he saw Hua Xiaomai, who was sitting far outside the crowd.

He almost immediately smiled, took several large steps over, and reached out to lift her up from the ground, "Why have you suddenly come here? Is there something at home?"

Hua Xiaomai also curved the corners of her mouth, spreading her hands, "Nothing. I missed you and wanted to see you. Is that not okay?"

"Since when have you become so thoughtful?" Meng Yuhuai subconsciously moved to pinch her face, raising his hand halfway when he suddenly heard a burst of laughter nearby. Turning his head, he saw Li Yingchun and a few others curiously peeking this way.

He had to clear his throat and retract his hand, whispering, "I still have some things to take care of. Why don’t you... go for a stroll in the town?" He was about to pull out his purse for her.

"It’s alright; just seeing you makes me happy." Hua Xiaomai waved her hand, "You do your work; I’ll go talk to Sister-in-law Zuo. Let’s head home together later." Before her words ended, she happily ran off to the kitchen.

This was true, not pretense.

Seeing him, the annoying issue brought by Song Jingxi suddenly seemed less significant. Because no matter what happened, he would always be here.

...

She spent the entire afternoon at Lianshun Escort Agency.

At the start of the evening, having dealt with all matters at hand, Meng Yuhuai led his wife towards Fire Knife Village.

Hua Xiaomai felt much better. As they left the gates of the Escort Agency, she cheerfully said, "By the way, the pastries I had Han Hu bring back a few days ago were said to be very good by Sister-in-law Zuo. I wonder if the others liked them too? You should at least tell me what they like so I can make more when I have some time. It’s much cleaner and tastier than what’s bought outside!"

Meng Yuhuai glanced at her with a smile that suddenly faded from his face, he solemnly said, "Tell me, what is really going on?"

Hua Xiaomai knew she couldn’t deceive him, and she hadn’t planned to anyway. Immediately, she told him everything exactly as it was.

"I don’t know what Master Wang currently thinks, but if he truly decides to leave, I have no intention of forcing him to stay. After all, a melon forced off its vine is not sweet."

She gritted her teeth and said lightly, "But at least I have the right to send him away, don’t I?" (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast a recommendation ticket or a monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)