Episode 6 Taking over the Kitchen

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Her outcry was sharp and loud, also tinged with a thin edge of anger. Everyone at the table was startled and looked over at her in unison.

The moment Hua Xiaomai heard Meng Yuhuai mention that the Lianshun Escort Agency was hiring chefs, her heart surged with excitement. She had been fretting over her idleness for the past few days, and now a great opportunity had seemingly fallen into her lap, one she naturally wanted to seize. Cooking for the Escort Agency, taking care of three meals a day, was not an easy job, but since she had attended Chef School, she was determined to pursue this career. Her teachers had praised her for her talent. What did it matter if the job was busy or tiring?

Most importantly, she really wanted to earn more money on her own to improve the lives of Hua Erniang and Jing Taihe.

"Second sister..." Hua Xiaomai had long predicted that Hua Erniang would object, so she tugged on her sleeve, "I... I really want to do this..."

"You know nothing, and this is not your place to speak!" Hua Erniang spat back at her, then turned to Meng Yuhuai with furrowed brows, "Brother Meng, I know you mean well, and we appreciate your kindness. I am a woman of shallow experience, never having been to an Escort Agency, and unsure of what it's like there. But I imagine it's a place where big men come and go all day long. My sister is just a fifteen-year-old girl, not yet of marrying age. Do you think it is appropriate for her to spend her days in such an environment?"

Great Saint Sun was timid. Sensing the unsavory tone in Hua Erniang's voice, his shoulders shuddered as he shrank away and dared not say more. Meng Yuhuai remained very calm, his face expressionless. He looked up at Hua Erniang and replied indifferently, "Don't misunderstand. I just thought that Brother Taihe has been under a lot of pressure. I wanted to offer a suggestion that might ease his burden..."

"Hmph, yes, you all grew up with my Jing Taihe like brothers, so close that it goes without saying that you'll take his side in everything!" Hua Erniang snorted coldly, "Let me just speak plainly today. You all think that my little sister, being an outsider, has come to live off her sister and brother-in-law, taking advantage of Taihe, isn't that so? It's ridiculous! Not to mention that since my little sister came here over ten days ago, Taihe has been kind and gentle, never uttering a word of rejection, not publicly nor in private. Even if he had any complaints, that would be our family's own business. What does it have to do with you all?"

Saying this, she yanked Jing Taihe toward her, looking furious. "Taihe, you tell me, do you object to your little sister-in-law staying with us?"

Jing Taihe chuckled in his guileless way, "What objections could I have?"

"Really? None at all?" Hua Erniang glared.

"Absolutely none!" Jing Taihe started, hurriedly clenched his fist to show his firm resolve, afraid that his wife wouldn't believe him. He nodded vehemently for emphasis.

Sitting at the edge of the table, Hua Xiaomai broke out in a mental sweat thinking, with your tyrannical nature, what chance would he have to voice any objections without you flaying him alive? She carefully reached out to tug at Hua Erniang's sleeve, whispering softly, "Second sister, don't press brother-in-law..."

"When have I pressured him? Am I not speaking gently and tactfully?" Hua Erniang brushed off her hand fiercely, then turned to Jing Taihe again, "Did I pressure you?"

Jing Taihe shook his head with all his might. Meng Yuhuai, sitting beside, frowned even more and put down his chopsticks to say in a stern voice, "Brother Taihe and Sister-in-law Hua surely have their plans. It's not my place to add more words. It seems today it was my mistake to meddle, having bothered you for so long, I shall take my leave."

With that, he really stood up, gave Jing Taihe a smile, and walked towards the door.

Great Saint Sun glanced at his retreating back, then at Jing Taihe's expression, finally turning his gaze to Hua Erniang. Licking his lips, he too stood up, managing an awkward chuckle, "Well, I'll be going back too. Brother Taihe, my iron pot is still not fixed, I'll come by tomorrow then!" Before the words were fully out of his mouth, he sneakily grabbed another flatbread from the basket and scurried out like a bandit.

"Meddlesome as a mouse in a nosy dog's business, and carefree as one who talks without knowing the burden!" Hua Erniang hadn't finished venting. She spat towards the backs of the departing men, then served up a big chopstick full of braised meat with preserved vegetables into Jing Taihe's bowl, coaxingly saying, "Dear husband, come, don't mind them. Xiaomai's cooking is delicious; it shouldn't go to waste, eat more!"

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