Chef Hua-Chapter 570: Episode 305: Once It Sticks, You Can’t Shake It Off

Wen Huaren buried his head and refused to speak, merely pinching his sleeve and haphazardly wiping his face. freēnovelkiss.com

Zhou Yunyun timidly tugged on Hua Xiaomai’s sleeve, "Master, you’ve just walked a long way, don’t just stand there, please sit..."

Hua Xiaomai did not refuse her kindness, and also feeling somewhat tired, actually sat down opposite Wen Huaren as if with infinite patience, not hurrying him, just intently watching him.

"I..." After a while, Scholar Wen finally spoke in a troubled low voice, "I passed the imperial examination as a child at the age of thirteen or fourteen, who knew things would come to this? When my father passed away, he repeatedly entrusted me to achieve something through my studies... Moreover, apart from reading, I am capable of nothing else..."

"Hmm." Hua Xiaomai nodded, "You mean, you still plan to follow this path to the end, right? Then, there are three years until the next imperial examinations. You have already been living from hand to mouth, have you thought about how you will sustain yourself during this period?"

Wen Huaren, distressed, supported his head and muttered, "How can I even think about that now?"

... What do you mean you can’t think about it, isn’t it more like you can’t think of anything?

Hua Xiaomai inwardly shook her head, "I still say the same thing, since you’ve come to my Daoxiang Garden, don’t expect us to coax you like a child, telling you ’just try harder next time’ and other such nonsense. Whether you like it or not, this matter of livelihood must be carefully considered. Do you still want to live as before, making do as you go? Underneath the earth, seeing you live so destitute, could your parents be happy?"

"But..." Scholar Wen quickly glanced at her, but did not finish his sentence.

"There’s something, I’ve actually thought about for a long time, but because I feared that you scholars pride yourselves on high standards and would look down upon it, feeling it an insult, I’ve never mentioned it."

Hua Xiaomai continued, "You see my current situation. Next year in February or March, I inevitably need to stay home for a while and can’t manage the shop, so, my shop is lacking a manager to take care of all sorts of miscellaneous affairs in Daoxiang Garden. You are literate and mild-mannered, and I think you’re quite suitable. If the shop isn’t busy, and you want to read, pick any spot you like behind the bamboo grove or by the fish pond, just don’t neglect the business."

Chun Xi and La Mei stood outside the door, and upon hearing this, couldn’t help but exchange glances.

Who hires a manager, especially one totally inexperienced in the food and beverage industry? By hiring him, what help could he possibly be?

Scholar Wen too was startled, reflexively waving his hands vigorously, "How could I manage? Those who are managers, almost all have spent many years honing their skills in the business, sharp and seasoned. I know nothing about conducting a business..."

"Whether you can or not, you think about it yourself, I’m not forcing you." Hua Xiaomai coolly glanced at his face and said, "Our Daoxiang Garden includes two meals a day, so that solves the problem of food and warmth. If you agree to come, I will pay you a monthly wage. If you still don’t wish to, then it’s the same as before, you can come to the shop to eat anytime, and no one will drive you away. Whichever you choose, after you have thought it over, just give me the word."

Wen Huaren was so stirred by her words that he was momentarily lost, forgetting even his grief over the failed examinations, and continued to stare blankly for a long while, "I know you mean well. Allow me to go back and think about it, I..."

As he spoke, he somewhat disorientedly stood up, turned, and walked directly out.

On this side, Hua Xiaomai looked at the almost untouched mutton stove on the table and sighed, "It’s all left over, isn’t this wasting things?"

"You still have the mind for this?" Chun Xi couldn’t help raising her voice, "I say you’re confused! Even if you intend to help him, this isn’t the way to help! He knows nothing but reading; if he comes to our shop, he’ll mostly add to the chaos. What if he causes some trouble..."

"There won’t be any chaos." Hua Xiaomai looked up and smiled at the two women, "For minor things, let him discuss them with you two sisters-in-law, and for major matters, of course, he must come and consult me. In the beginning, we inevitably need to spend a bit more effort to guide him, but if he is clever, it’s quite possible that he could become a valuable assistant. Our shop indeed needs someone who can read and count, doesn’t it? Don’t worry, although I intend to help, I won’t neglect everything else. If after three or five months, we find that he’s really not cut out for it, then I will speak to him then."

Chun Xi and La Mei helplessly furrowed their brows, wishing they could poke her forehead and said, "Go ahead and be kind-hearted then. When you regret it later, we won’t care, let you cry it out!"

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