Chef Hua-Chapter 567: Episode 303 Here We Go Again_2

Cheng Yong, without any doubts, enthusiastically recounted to her who had been invited, and the current progress of construction, but Hua Xiaomai had already lost interest in listening. She responded perfunctorily before hurrying back to Daoxiang Garden.

...

This evening, Old Lady Meng said she was going to look for Aunt Feng and left earlier than usual. When Hua Xiaomai returned home after the shop was closed, Meng Yuhuai was in the bathhouse washing up. Old Lady Meng, unusually still awake, rushed out of her room and pulled Hua Xiaomai into the kitchen.

"Come and take a look," she said, taking a large packet of white fungus from the cupboard and presenting it directly in front of Hua Xiaomai, with a hint of pride and self-satisfaction. "Your Aunt Feng went to the city today, and I especially asked her to bring this back. Each piece is fat and thick, isn’t it great? And look at this color, so shiny and golden. Our family may not be as rich as those wealthy households, but you are pregnant now and should be nourishing your body. Delicacies like bird’s nest are too expensive, and it’s not worth spending so much money. However, white fungus is just as beneficial. I’ve already stewed a bowl for you, you’d better eat it all up honestly later, it’s not just for you, but for the baby in your belly, understand?"

Hua Xiaomai looked towards the stove and indeed, saw a bowl of simmering white fungus soup. The broth was thick and gooey, dotted with a few red dates and goji berries, and a white steam rose into the air, gradually growing faint and diffusing around.

As a mother-in-law, don’t expect Old Lady Meng to give you a kind face or sweet words. When her stubborn temper flares up, she could really make someone’s liver hurt with anger. But her care has always been tangible and genuine.

Remembering the figure she had seen in the afternoon, Hua Xiaomai’s heart felt somewhat uncomfortable. She gave a forced smile in response and waited for the white fungus soup to be ready, then carried it back to her room.

Meng Yuhuai quickly finished his bath and, wearing his clothes loosely, entered the room and glanced at the table, couldn’t help but laugh and said, "Is mother planning to give you an extra meal every night? Don’t be annoyed with what I’m about to say, but recently, I’ve noticed that you really seem to have gained quite a bit of weight. If this continues..."

Hua Xiaomai glared at him fiercely and pushed the bowl of white fungus soup towards him: "Then you drink it!"

"Oh no, how can I compete with you and the baby for food?" Meng Yuhuai laughed even more, sat down beside the table, and pulled her into his embrace, caressing her waist. "Besides, you look much better with a bit more flesh on you. You used to be so thin, all bones, and no fat, what good was that?"

Under normal circumstances, Hua Xiaomai would have been happy to banter with him, as the couple had nothing better to do when bored than to amuse each other to pass the time. But today, with worries in her heart, she didn’t want to get sidetracked by unimportant topics. She turned around and casually wrapped her arms around Meng Yuhuai’s neck: "Our house has been under construction for nearly half a month now, have you checked on it recently?"

"I’ve been there a couple of times," said Meng Yuhuai, handing her the bowl of white fungus soup, and added casually, "With Cheng Yong there to keep an eye on things for us, we can rest easy. I’ve visited a few times and found that the progress is quite fast. Most importantly, those craftsmen take great care with their work and don’t just rush it without regard for quality, so I think..."

"Have you met the carpenters on the construction site?" Hua Xiaomai interrupted him anxiously before he could finish, watching his eyes as she spoke.

Meng Yuhuai’s pair of dark eyes seemed to flash slightly, he paused, but did not directly answer her question, "Why do you suddenly ask about this?"

"Our family’s house has been under construction for quite some time. You said it’s dirty there, with lots of dust and wood chips, and you wouldn’t let me go, so I’ve never had a chance to take a look. Today, when Yuejiao came back for her visit, I went with Sister-in-law Chun Xi to see her in the afternoon. We happened to pass by the front of our new house and I saw someone."

Hua Xiaomai had no intention of hiding it from him and spoke slowly and clearly, word by word, "I saw Uncle."

The familiar silhouette working quietly under the tree that afternoon was indeed Tang Maolin.

Ever since Hua Xiaomai had driven their family of three away in July or August, they had heard nothing from them. At times when Hua Xiaomai had nothing to do, she had wondered if they had gone back to their hometown, moved elsewhere, or still remained in Fuzhe County to make a living.

Seeing Tang Maolin so unexpectedly today, she was indeed somewhat surprised. frёeωebɳovel.com

When she had driven their family away some days ago, the quarrel had been so fierce that it was as if they had torn each other’s faces apart. Tang Maolin must have felt deep resentment in his heart. Who could have thought that, after just two or three months, he would come to earn wages by building a house for the Meng Family?

Meng Yuhuai lowered his eyelids slightly and merely responded with a low grunt in his throat, saying nothing.

This made Hua Xiaomai completely understand and she couldn’t help but become a bit anxious, furrowing her brows, "So you’ve known about this all along? Why didn’t you tell me? You..."

"Don’t be anxious. I also happened to see Uncle at our new house, and that’s how I found out about this."

Meng Yuhuai gently patted her on the back, "After Uncle and his family left our house, they have been making a living in Fuzhe County. The team of craftsmen who were building our house originally consisted of four carpenters. Before they came to help us with the construction, one of them suddenly returned to his hometown. That was when Uncle got involved through various introductions and joined them, probably thinking it was better to earn money with someone looking out for him. I know you have grievances against him, but since he is already here, working every day without any mistakes, how could I, as his nephew, have the heart to drive him away? As long as you don’t go over there, if you don’t encounter him, he won’t be able to bother you."

"It’s not for myself that I’m worried," Hua Xiaomai shook her head repeatedly and sighed, "I truly don’t like him as a person, and we’ve had quarrels that caused quite a scene. But no matter what, he is an elder, could I really hold a grudge against him? I’m worried about Mother... she has such a strong character, and throughout our marriage, the only thing that I have witnessed that truly saddened her were those few words said by Uncle. If she finds out..." (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you’re welcome to cast your recommendation ticket and monthly ticket at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to continue reading.)

Foll𝑜w current novels on fre(e)w𝒆bnovel