Chef Hua-Chapter 569: Episode 304: Return with Disappointment_2

This made sense, Hua Xiaomai actually also wanted to rest at home, but she inevitably had some concerns.

Firstly, with Zhou Yunyun still an apprentice, relying solely on Wang Zhanrui and Master Tan in the kitchen would undoubtedly be overwhelming; she felt it her duty to lend a helping hand.

Secondly, she was completely considering for her own and her child’s well-being.

Aside from swollen feet and feeling easily fatigued, she did not experience any other discomforts. She always felt it better to stay active. After all, her baby would soon be born, and maintaining a proper amount of physical activity each day might make childbirth a bit easier. Otherwise, if complications arose...

Not to mention whether cesarean section was available in this era, even if it were, she truly did not trust it. The mere thought of it scared her; it was more reliable to depend on herself.

For this reason, not only did she continue her daily trips to Daoxiang Garden, but whenever she got the chance, she would drag Meng Yuhuai out for a walk, taking a few extra steps. As long as it wasn’t too exhausting, it was generally more beneficial than not.

With the winter solstice approaching, Daoxiang Garden had purchased several sheep. The aroma of lamb often wafted from the kitchen.

Sitting amidst the bamboo, they gathered around a small brazier to cook slices of lamb in broth. The hot soup warmed the body; if in the mood, one could also try the authentically charcoal-grilled lamb on the open ground near the fish pond. Sprinkled with cumin, the scent was overflowing; flames licked over the fatty pieces of lamb, and drops of oil hissing into the fire created a sound—without even waiting for the meat to be eaten, just hearing the noise and warming up by the fire was already a treat.

In winter, when people were reluctant to venture out, businesses that thrived on scenic views generally slowed. However, the lamb at Daoxiang Garden was exceptionally authentic, and with Wang Zhanrui and Master Tan both being experts, the number of customers coming from the city actually increased. Admiring the scenery became secondary; what mattered most was the satisfaction of enjoying a delicious and aromatic lamb dish that warmed both the stomach and heart in the cold weather.

That afternoon, after seeing off the guests in the garden, Hua Xiaomai, as usual, went back to the Meng Family’s home for a short break. After a nap, upon her return, she discovered both Chun Xi and La Mei fidgeting at the entrance. On seeing her, they immediately signaled frantically with their hands and made faces, constantly glancing towards the hall.

"What’s wrong?" Their expressions were really amusing, and Hua Xiaomai couldn’t help but chuckle. She had barely begun to speak when Chun Xi hurried over and covered her mouth.

"Don’t shout..." She shook her head vigorously and mysteriously pointed towards the hall, "Look who’s in there? Ah, tears streaming down, one after the other, so pitiful to watch. We didn’t dare go any nearer!"

Crying?

Hua Xiaomai raised her eyebrows and followed the direction of her finger into the room.

At the table by the window sat a young man; in front of him was a pot of lamb stew, chopsticks in hand, yet he hadn’t eaten any meat for quite a while, simply busy wiping tears with his sleeve. Zhou Yunyun stood beside him helplessly, mouth opening and closing as if wanting to offer comfort but unable to utter a single word. fгeewebnovёl.com

Isn’t that... Scholar Wen? Hua Xiaomai was somewhat surprised and immediately widened her eyes.

In July and August, Wen Huaren left Fire Knife Village to take the imperial examinations. Since he had no family left at home, there was no news from him afterward. Hua Xiaomai would occasionally recall such a person, and she used to guess that he probably passed the exams this time. To prepare for the spring exams in April next year, he didn’t rush back to Fire Knife Village so as not to waste time on the road.

... Now it seems that she had guessed wrong!

"Brother Wen, don’t..."

Zhou Yunyun was a bit tongue-tied and managed to get out only half a sentence before she ran out of words. Her face turned bright red, scratching her temples frantically: "Isn’t there another chance?"

Scholar Wen did not respond to her, or perhaps, he simply had no mood to speak and buried his head in the crook of his arm, sobbing out loud.

Hua Xiaomai had always known that Wen Huaren’s life was not easy. Times were tough; he had to spend money on books, and in the most difficult times, he barely survived by pawning his bedding and clothing. He was the only one left in his family; aside from studying, he knew nothing else. After three years of hard study, he returned home in disappointment again—let alone for such a frustrated scholar, anyone would cry in his situation!

She knew that no amount of comforting words would be of use at the moment, yet she couldn’t just stand by and do nothing. Sighing, she carefully stepped in and patted Scholar Wen on the shoulder.

Wen Huaren was startled, swiftly lifting his head. Upon seeing her, he couldn’t hold back his tears.

"I’ve been busy for nothing..." he sobbed, "Next time... next time I’ll have to wait another three years. In my lifetime, it seems I’ll never make it. People say ’all a scholar is good for is nothing’, I..."

"Have some soup, at least warm yourself up." Hua Xiaomai signaled to Zhou Yunyun with her eyes, prompting her to serve a bowl of soup in front of Wen Huaren, "Let’s not talk about anything else for now. How did you get back? Why were you delayed until now?"

Wen Huaren picked up the soup bowl, staring blankly at the steaming liquid for a while before he set it down again, sniffled, and squeezed out a phrase with difficulty: "I ran out of travel funds..."

There, with that said, no need to ask more. It was very likely that he suffered plenty on his journey; he might have even been destitute and slept on the streets. Such a weak and ineffectual scholar, already struck with a great blow, had to endure being displaced and did not have a single consoling person upon returning home...

"I told you to drink the soup." Hua Xiaomai frowned slightly, "Either you shouldn’t have come to my Daoxiang Garden, but since you’re here, there’s no reason for you not to eat anything at all."

Her words carried a stern tone, and the timid Wen Huaren was intimidated. He dared not resist her any further, picked up the soup bowl again, and reluctantly took a couple of sips. With the heat from the soup, his face finally got a bit of color.

Hua Xiaomai glanced at him: "I bet you’ve cried enough along the way. Now that you’re back in the village, instead of sitting here moping, it’d be better to think about what to do in the future."

(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it on Qidian (qidian.com) with a recommendation ticket or a monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)

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