Courtyard House: Inheriting the Restaurant, the Jia Family Wants to Get It for Free

Cheng Ling'er, who was serving pickled vegetables to a table of guests, looked up and saw that familiar, bitter and resentful old face.

The little girl's eyes widened, she slammed the plate on the table, turned and shouted towards the kitchen in a clear, loud, and penetrating voice:

"Big brother! That annoying Yi Zhonghai is here!"

That shout was like a thunderclap from a clear sky.

The once noisy little restaurant fell silent for a second.

Immediately afterwards, several "pfft" sounds were heard, and several diners who were drinking soup almost spat it out.

All eyes immediately turned to Yi Zhonghai.

Those gazes contained surprise, mockery, and, most of all, undisguised sarcasm.

"Hey, isn't this Master Yi? What's wrong? Even the kids are annoyed with you?"

A workshop worker who didn't get along with Yi Zhonghai made a sarcastic remark.

"Children speak without thinking, children speak without thinking! But kids never lie, it seems you're quite popular in the courtyard, Lao Yi..."

Yi Zhonghai's face, which was already green, instantly turned a deep liver color.

He felt as if he had been stripped naked and thrown into the street; he was utterly ashamed.

He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his flesh.

He thought to himself: Damn Cheng Ling'er!!!

In the kitchen, Cheng Shuhai was chopping scallions. Hearing his sister's shout, he paused, a playful smile creeping onto his lips.

That girl did a great job!

By this time, the workers who had come with Yi Zhonghai had finally come to their senses.

No wonder Lao Yi acted like his father had died the whole way, making excuses and not wanting to come.

So it turns out they have a grudge against the boss!

Moreover, judging from the looks of it, the grudge is quite deep, as even his five-year-old sister treats him this way.

However, everyone was there for the food, and no one had time to care about Yi Zhonghai's messy affairs.

"Boss! Let's order! Five large portions of spicy chicken for our table!"

"We want some too! Hurry up, I'm so hungry!"

The workers waved the banknotes in their hands, as if they would miss out on food if they were a second late.

At this time, many more people arrived, many of whom were workers from the steel rolling mill. They came to the small restaurant specifically to try just how delicious the spicy chicken was, which even the experts from the Ministry of Industry praised highly!

In the kitchen, Cheng Shuhai looked at the thick stack of orders in his hand and was in a great mood.

Fortunately, he had the foresight.

During his free time in the afternoon, he made a special trip to the Chaoyang vegetable market and pretended to bring back two large cages of live chickens.

Although the chicken from Fudi Space is of better quality, it's not appropriate to use it all the time in public.

Now those "prop chickens" in the back come in handy, but whether they're the ones that end up in the pot is anyone's guess.

The stove roared, and the spoons flew.

Soon after, an even richer and more intense spicy and savory aroma swept through the small restaurant once again, even drifting out of the doors and windows and onto the street.

Pedestrians hurry along the streets of Nanluoguxiang.

A young woman is walking gracefully on the bluestone road.

She looked to be about seventeen or eighteen years old, but possessed a maturity and charm far beyond her years.

Her skin was as white as snow, her red lips were as fiery as flames, and her peach blossom eyes sparkled with intelligence and arrogance.

This is Chen Xueru, the owner of Xueru Silk Shop in Qianmen Dashilan.

She had come here today to collect a debt, and was about to leave when she suddenly felt a twitch in her nose.

"Hmm? What's that smell?"

Chen Xueru stopped in her tracks, her delicate eyebrows slightly raised.

Having grown up in Beijing, what good food hadn't she eaten? Duck from Quanjude and hot pot from Donglaishun were just everyday meals for her.

But this smell...

Domineering! Passionate!

It's like a fire that burns directly into a person's stomach, arousing the most primal appetite.

"That's interesting."

Chen Xueru smiled with interest and followed the aroma to the entrance of Cheng Shuhai's small restaurant.

This is the busiest time for the restaurant.

Cheng Shuhai was so busy in the kitchen that he couldn't stop moving. He had to chop, cook, and serve the dishes.

In the front hall, five-year-old Cheng Ling'er, with her short legs, was laboriously tidying up the table, her little face flushed from exhaustion.

"Boss! More rice!"

"Boss!!"

Urging voices rose and fell.

A middle-aged worker who was eating spicy chicken couldn't stand it any longer and shouted to the kitchen, "Master Cheng! Your business is so good, why don't you hire two people? Look how tired your sister is, it breaks our hearts to see her like this! Besides, you can't handle it all by yourself!"

"Exactly! Hiring two or three people would make things easier for you!"

Others echoed this sentiment.

While tossing the wok, Cheng Shuhai loudly replied, "You're all right! I've been thinking about this. I'll put up a job posting tomorrow!"

He did indeed feel that he had reached his limit.

Although the blessed space can provide ingredients, cooking still requires personal effort. If this continues, this transmigrator will either become the richest man or die of exhaustion at the stove.

Just then, a beautiful figure stepped into the store.

As soon as Chen Xueru entered the room, her powerful aura instantly attracted the attention of many people.

She looked around, her gaze finally settling on the semi-open kitchen.

In front of the stove, a young man in his early twenties was intently cooking.

In the firelight, his profile was strong and resolute, his eyes focused, and his movements fluid and graceful, with a unique sense of rhythm.

"So young?"

A hint of surprise flashed in Chen Xueru's eyes.

She originally thought that someone who could make this taste must be a master chef who had been immersed in culinary arts for decades.

Unexpectedly, he turned out to be a handsome guy not much older than himself?

This instantly shook her little scheme to poach talent.

This person doesn't look like the type to work for someone else.

"Pretty lady, are you here for dinner?"

A soft, sweet voice interrupted Chen Xueru's thoughts.

She looked down and saw Cheng Ling'er looking up at her with her big, bright eyes.

Although the little girl was simply dressed, she was very clean and tidy, and her eyes were as clear as two pools of spring water.

Chen Xueru's heart softened, and her fierce, strong-willed demeanor instantly vanished. She squatted down and asked with a smile:

"Yes, I came following the aroma. Little sister, tell me, what's the best dish your older brother makes?"

Without hesitation, Cheng Ling'er proudly puffed out her little chest: "Of course it's spicy chicken! Big Brother's spicy chicken is the best in the whole world!"

"Oh? The best in the world?" Chen Xueru was amused. "Then I have to try it. But how do you know your older brother's spicy chicken is the best in the world?"

Cheng Ling'er tilted her head and said seriously, "It's because Ling'er has only ever eaten Big Brother's spicy chicken; she hasn't eaten anything else!"