Siheyuan, Shazhu: I have both parents in this life

Chapter 206 Brother, I will catch up with you.

He Daqing wanted to make a name for himself in front of his father-in-law, so he put in all his effort during the meal, and He Yuzhu, the kitchen helper, was completely under his command.

He Daqing was quite satisfied because He Yuzhu's knife skills were much better than those in the restaurant, and he knew how to handle many things without even being told.

There were a few dishes that He Daqing hadn't cooked in a long time, and He Yuzhu helped his father cook them.

"Dad, you've redeemed six-tenths of your skill," He Yuzhu commented as he helped He Daqing taste the food.

"It's only a 6 out of 10, but my family says it tastes much better than before!"

"Well, it's still not as good as when you were at Fengzeyuan. Back then, they said it was delicious as long as there was meat and oil in the food they ate every day."

"Hey, I didn't expect you to still remember the taste from back then. You've been cooking communal meals for so many years, it's really a waste of your skills. Luckily, I found a job at a restaurant a few months ago, otherwise I wouldn't be able to make it this good!"

"Once things calm down outside, you can go back to work. You'll be able to get back into the swing of things."

“That’s what I’m thinking. I can’t say much about Hong Kong, but it’s a great place for us chefs. You’re not doing anything here anyway, so why don’t you go work in a restaurant? They pay pretty well. I know you got some gold in China, and you probably used it all to buy a house.”

He Yuzhu rolled his eyes. The restaurant belonged to him, so why did he go and become a head chef? But he wasn't planning to tell his father yet; he'd wait until the time was right.

"Dad, you don't need to worry about my affairs. You can work at the restaurant if you want, or stay at home if you don't. I can support you."

"Let's talk about it when I can't do it anymore."

"Aren't you planning to take on an apprentice here? Your Tan family cuisine has no successor."

"Let's wait and see, we haven't found any good prospects yet."

"Okay, you can see for yourself."

We ate at two separate tables, one for adults and one for children.

He Yushui wanted to join the adults at their table, but Chen Lanxiang immediately sent her off to help Xiaoman take care of the younger children.

He Daqing made a total of twelve dishes, two of which were Tan family dishes, and the rest were Shandong dishes. He made everything that was available.

"Daqing, you've gone to a lot of trouble, preparing so many dishes," said Old Master Chen.

"I'm just a cook; I can't cook anything else."

"Father, isn't it normal for him to show his respect to you, since this is the first time we've met in decades?"

"Yes, yes!" He Daqing said with a forced smile.

"Brother" Chen Lanxiang refused to accept it.

"Alright, Jikai, raise your glass first. Today is a joyous day, we're reunited. Say a few words."

"Why don't you come, eldest sister?" Chen Jikai said.

"You do it, it's not appropriate for me to do it." The old lady shook her head.

"Alright, I'm so happy today. I thought I'd never see him again in my life, but Zhu Zi gave me such a big surprise. This first toast is to celebrate the reunion of the Chen and He families."

"This second cup is to wish you good health, elder sister."

"For the third cup, I hope the children will get better and better."

Grandpa Chen was also happy and raised his glass three times. Chen Lanxiang quickly served him some food to help him calm down.

After eating a few bites of food, the old lady said.

"Daqing, Lanxiang, your father, have a drink."

"Yes, madam." He Daqing pulled Chen Lanxiang up, took a wine glass, and walked to Old Master Chen, about to kneel down.

"No need to kneel, no need to kneel. What era are we living in? This is outdated. Just bow." Old Master Chen helped the two of them up.

Chen Haokun was about to say something when he was glared at fiercely by Old Master Chen.

The traditional ceremony for becoming an apprentice at a martial arts school still involves kneeling.

The old lady was very satisfied with her brother's attitude. Chen Lanxiang and her husband hadn't been filial all these years, but they hadn't taken care of Chen Lanxiang when she was little either.

Now, except when He Yuzhu's son and grandmother make him kneel and kowtow during Chinese New Year greetings, they are no longer allowed to kneel.

The couple paid their respects to the old man, and also to Chen Haokun and his wife, for taking care of the old man over the years.

Chen Haokun accepted it without hesitation, then told Chen Lanxiang to go back and sit down, and pulled He Daqing to start drinking.

He Daqing knew he couldn't avoid it today, so they drank until their glasses were empty. The two men were about the same size when they were about six or seven tenths drunk, when He Yuzhu came over and stopped them.

"Second Uncle, my father put a lot of effort into this meal. You've really drunk too much. It won't be so easy for you to eat here again in the future."

"Daqing, will I be able to eat here in the future?" Chen Haokun asked He Daqing instead of answering He Yuzhu.

"Yes, Second Brother, I'll make it for you anytime you come."

"Did you hear that, Pillar?"

"You two really intend for me to carry you both off the table?"

"Alright, Haokun, you're already in your forties, why are you still acting like a child?" the old man said.

He Daqing was already sweating profusely. This brother-in-law was really difficult to deal with, but there was nothing he could do about it. After all, he was the brother-in-law.

He Daqing only drank like this because he didn't have any relatives to visit before. Even if Lao Zhao and the others came, they wouldn't drink like this. He understood what Chen Haokun meant; it was just a way to give him a warning. But He Daqing was a good husband to his wife.

"It hasn't been easy for Columbia University these past few years!"

"Alright, let's stop drinking here for today, Da Qing. Can I ask you to drink sometime in the future?"

"Okay, of course."

"Okay, then let's drink together next time, just the two of us."

"Row."

Neither of them intended to get He Yuzhu to drink; they simply couldn't outdrink him.

That evening, He Yuzhu escorted his second uncle and aunt back to the martial arts school, while the old man stayed behind, saying he would stay for a while.

Judging from the situation, he wouldn't be going back anytime soon. When they arrived at the martial arts school, his second uncle asked He Yuzhu to wait for a while. He then asked his second aunt to help the old man pack some more clothes and daily necessities, such as teapots, books, and chessboards.

“Zhu Zi, if your grandpa doesn’t like living here, send him back.”

"I know."

"I'll bring your uncle and the others to visit you again in a few days."

"it is good."

Grandpa He is very happy living here. He is happy every day when he sees that group of children, and he also has his older sister and daughter to chat with. How could he not be happy?

He also asked if the children in the family had learned martial arts. Currently, only He Yuxin and He Yuyao have learned, while He Yuyan has not started learning yet, and is learning Tongbei Quan.

After watching them fight, the old man asked, "Who did you train with?"

"Grandpa, it was my eldest brother who taught us, but he hasn't led us in training for a long time."

"Would you like to learn Tai Chi?"

"That soft, yielding Tai Chi?" He Yuyao asked.

“How dare you talk to your grandpa like that, you little brat?” Chen Lanxiang said.

“Mom, I’m not wrong. I’ve seen people fighting in the park in Beijing, and they were all old men.”

"Lanxiang, it's alright. They've never seen it before and don't know what our family's Tai Chi is like. It's normal."

"father."

"You haven't practiced in years, have you?"

"Yes, people are starving, how can they have the strength to practice martial arts? Zhu Zi's wife has learned a few moves, but she probably hasn't practiced in a while."

"Oh, my granddaughter-in-law studied it?"

"Yes, she is very talented, but what I learned was not the true teaching."

"What's so difficult about that? If you want to learn, I can teach you."

"Father, isn't it supposed to be passed down only to sons and not daughters?"

"That's all ancient history. I even gave the boxing manual to Zhu Zi. I wonder how that kid is doing with his training. By the way, what did that kid go about?"

"Who knows? He's never been idle; he's been like this all these years."

"If he really stays at home, my daughter and I probably won't see him again in this lifetime."

"That's true."

Then, Grandpa Chen demonstrated Tai Chi to his two grandsons and even sparred with them a couple of times. The two boys then realized that this was not just for show; it was a deadly technique.

So they immediately expressed their desire to learn, since their older brother didn't have time to teach them anyway, and the old man was overjoyed.

Wang Siyu originally wanted to learn some martial arts, but her mother wouldn't teach her, and she also didn't want to develop the kind of broad shoulders and thick arms that some people do, so she didn't learn. Now that there are martial arts that look good and can be used for self-defense, she has started to learn them.

He Yuxin was also pulled in to build a foundation, but as for He Yushui, she had no interest and no talent for it.

He Yaozu followed his uncles and aunts around every day, making "hehe, haha" gestures, which added a lot of fun for everyone.

The brothers Chen Haoqian and Chen Haokun came twice more. The first time they brought their whole family with them, and the second time they came alone. They really couldn't bear to watch the behavior of their family members.

He Yuzhu has been quite busy these days, visiting all the stores before settling into the refrigerator factory. Xu Damao was overjoyed to see He Yuzhu and rushed over to give him a big hug.

"Brother Zhu, you've come to Hong Kong too. Where are Master and the others?"

"Here too."

"Is the situation in China that serious? Even you are?"

"Well, how's it going here?" He Yuzhu was unwilling to elaborate.

"It's alright. You have to be good at your job here. My commissions were pretty good in the first few months, but not so good these last two months. There's not much business."

"Is everything alright at home?"

“That’s great. My dad found a job, and Xiao’e got into university.”

"What about Xiaohui? Has the school contacted her?"

"found."

"That's good."

"Where are you staying now? I'm going to visit my master and mistress."

"When I leave, come with me and let me familiarize myself with the place."

"Okay, I'll ask for leave later."

"No rush, I have some things to take care of."

"Then you go ahead and get busy. Remember to call me when you leave. I miss my master and the others. Everyone here is new and we don't have much to talk about. Everyone is just thinking about how to make money."

"Okay, I won't forget it."

He Yuzhu then inquired about the international students who had been sent over, and even met with them along with the factory director. Of course, he met them as the factory director's assistant; he didn't show his face at the time, and no one recognized him.

After those people arrived, less than a third stayed in the factory. Some felt that the factory was not suitable for them and found their own way out, while others went to stay with relatives.

They knew the factory was built by the people who saved them, and those who stayed still had some complaints about those who left.

He Yuzhu didn't care too much about it. Saving people was just something he did on the spur of the moment, and he didn't want to do anything to take advantage of the situation.

Of course, he wouldn't be lenient if these people did anything bad in the future.

Another reason for saving these people was to cover up the disappearance of his family, since he was also part of this group.

After touring the factory and listening to the factory manager's work report, He Yuzhu felt fairly satisfied. The factory manager, whom he had personally interviewed, was indeed very responsible.

Factory manager Gu Yuanheng raised some issues, such as the current production line not being the best, the factory's insufficient R&D capabilities making upgrades difficult, and the funding problem of purchasing land and production lines, which used up most of the working capital. Then they encountered this situation, and if it continues for a few more months, they will not be able to pay wages.

He Yuzhu noted it all down, told him that everything would be resolved, and then called Xu Damao and went back to the He family home.

After meeting, there was naturally a lively atmosphere. He Yushui even asked Xu Damao to send Xu Xiaohui to live with her, since she wasn't in school anymore anyway.

Xu Damao said he would go home and ask, but he didn't agree immediately. After all, this was someone else's home, and it wasn't a courtyard house, but a villa. Although the person hadn't changed, he still felt a little bit of pressure.

On the way back to Xu Damao, He Yuzhu said to Xu Damao, "If you have any difficulties, tell me. Remember we are brothers."

"Brother Zhu, I want to build my own career."

"Then work hard, I believe you can do it."

"Yes, and there's also the money you borrowed from me, I can't pay you back right now."

"What are you thinking? That's either a loan or a gift for you. Consider it a settling-in allowance for you in Hong Kong."

“Brother Zhu, how can you do this? That’s a huge sum of money. You didn’t make any money when you helped my father-in-law exchange foreign currency before.”

"Come on, I do have it, and if I didn't, you can't deny it even if you want to," He Yuzhu joked.

"Consider that money your investment when I have my own business in the future."

"It's up to you, you don't need to pay me back anyway."

“Brother Zhu, I feel like you’re different from how you were in the country.”

"What's the difference?"

"I can't quite put my finger on it, but you've become a bit more carefree. Yes, that's it. You seem very successful in China, but I can sense that you haven't really let loose and done your job."

"Hahaha, you've only been out here for a short time, but you've already developed a good eye!"

“I couldn’t see it back in China. I only understood it after I came here. The expansion of the refrigerator factory made me understand a lot of things.”

"Oh, it seems you've really adapted to life here."

"Yes, now that I'm here and have the opportunity, I want to live a better life."

"Keep it up, I believe in you, young man!" He Yuzhu patted Xu Damao on the shoulder.

“Brother Zhu, why do you sound just like my father-in-law?”

"Hahaha, I'm not like him at all. Just kidding. But you can definitely get a better life through your brain."

"Using your brain, I get it, Brother Zhu."

"I hope you truly understand."

"By the way, Brother Zhu, Xiao Hui won't be coming to your house. I'm afraid she'll become too ambitious after seeing this, after all..."

"I understand. You can handle this yourself. Also, don't let things get too tense with your father-in-law. If you really find something you want to do, he might be able to help you."

"I understand. Once things are settled outside, I will take Xiao'e back to see them."

"By the way, how's it going with your plan to have a child?"

"The doctor said it would be fine in a few months. I had a minor surgery, and then we didn't have sex for a while."

"Then I must congratulate you! You'll be a father next year if things go smoothly."

"Hehe, I thought you were just kidding me back in China, but I didn't expect it to actually work."

"It's nothing. After all, you've never been here before, so you wouldn't believe anything I said. If I had told you what Hong Kong is like before, would you have believed me?"

"No."

"That's it."

When they arrived at Xu Damao's apartment building, Xu Damao was about to get out of the car, but he sat back down. He had just remembered something.

"Look at my brain, I forgot. Brother Zhu, the person you found through the advertisement has been found."

"found it?"

"Yes, that's the 'Deep Sea,' now called Chen Zecheng, an editor at the ** newspaper. He got really excited when I mentioned Aunt Ping, could he be...?"

"Your brain has gotten a lot sharper since you got out, you guessed right."

"Then him?"

"Just like Uncle Zhao."

"I was wondering why he tried to run away when he saw me; it turns out he escaped from over there."

"Neither of you looks like a good person," He Yuzhu teased.

"I didn't realize it before, but it's true now that I'm here. Look, I've even stopped growing a beard."

"You should stay; you look even worse like this."

"Brother Zhu, can't we say something nice?"

"What do you want to hear? Praise your handsome and dashing appearance? Forget about it."

"I'm pretty good at getting things done, aren't I?"

“Well done, I’ll give you credit for this, but you don’t need me to thank you, let them do it themselves.”

"No, I did exactly what you said, it has little to do with me."

"No, this was done by you, it has nothing to do with me, understand?"

"This"

"Alright, hurry home. I need to go back and tell Aunt Ping the good news. She's been waiting for this for over ten years."

"Okay, Brother Zhu, be careful on the road."

"Don't worry, nothing that can hurt me on the street has been born yet."

"You still have to be careful, those guys don't have any sportsmanship."

"Okay, I'm leaving." After Xu Damao got out of the car, He Yuzhu stepped on the gas and drove off.

Xu Damao watched the car drive away, clenched his fists and muttered to himself, "Brother Zhu, I will try my best to keep up with you."

On his way home, He Yuzhu was thinking about how to tell Wang Cuiping about that matter. The code name was top secret, and Wang Cuiping had never told anyone her real name since she arrived in Beijing.

"How about a chance encounter?" He Yuzhu stroked his chin.

"Hmm, that's possible, but we'll have to wait a while. We've already waited so many years, a few more months won't make a difference. Also, is it really safe over with Lao Yu? We'll have to wait and see."

(End of this chapter)