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

Cheng Shujun and Cheng Shufei looked in the direction their older brother was pointing.

"Brother, this...this is your home?"

Cheng Shujun asked somewhat haltingly, his eyes full of envy.

"Hmm." Cheng Shuhai nodded, took out his key from his pocket, and opened the door.

He had given the house a quick clean after the Jia family moved out, but he hadn't lived there much.

Now is a good time to provide accommodation for my younger cousins.

"Cousin, you two will have to make do here for the night."

Cheng Shuhai led them into the house. The room was simply furnished, but the bed and tables and chairs were still there.

"Brother, you call this unfair? This is so much better than our home!"

Cheng Shufei looked around and said softly.

"This is only temporary. Tomorrow I'll take you to rent a place near the restaurant."

"There are too many people and too much gossip in the courtyard. It'll be quieter for you to live alone outside."

Cheng Shuhai smiled and continued.

This was something Cheng Shuhai had planned long ago.

He didn't want his younger cousins ​​to live in his house.

It's not that I don't trust them, but rather that I want to be on the safe side.

Even between brothers, accounts should be kept clear.

Living together for a long time inevitably leads to some unnecessary thoughts.

If they later feel that since they live in the house, they should have a share, then they won't be able to remain relatives and will directly become enemies.

He would rather spend more money to rent a house for them outside, clearly separating ownership and usage rights, so as to maintain this family relationship in the long term.

He didn't want to turn his well-meaning relatives into enemies over a small amount of property.

Cheng Shujun and Cheng Shufei naturally did not understand the profound considerations in their cousin's mind.

They just felt that their eldest brother was very thoughtful and that everything he did was for their own good.

"Big brother, I'll do whatever you say!" Cheng Shujun nodded immediately.

"Yes, big brother, we'll listen to you," Cheng Shufei replied obediently.

"Okay, you guys get ready first, I'll go get you some hot water to wash up."

We'll just have a simple dinner at home. The restaurant opens tomorrow, so I'll cook something delicious for you then.

After settling his younger cousins ​​in, Cheng Shuhai gave them a few more instructions and then took his younger sister, Cheng Ling'er, back to his home.

……

The front yard, Yan Bugui's house.

Yan Bugui returned home with a dark expression, plopped down in a chair, and sulked.

His wife, Yang Xiulian, came out of the kitchen carrying a bowl. Seeing his expression, she asked curiously, "Husband, what's wrong? Who upset you?"

"Who else could it be! That brat Cheng Shuhai!"

Yan Bugui recounted what had just happened in a rather annoyed manner.

Yang Xiulian was also somewhat disappointed after hearing this.

She also thought that cooking was a good skill, and if her son could learn it, he would never have to worry about food and drink for the rest of his life.

"Did he really say that? That he's a self-taught practitioner?"

"That's right! Excuses! All excuses! He just doesn't want to teach, afraid our son will take his job! Stingy!" Yan Bugui said indignantly.

"Alright, alright, if he doesn't want to, you can't force him," Yang Xiulian said, more open-minded than him. "Besides, what he said makes sense. Jiecheng is still young; it's always good to study for a few more years. What if he really passes the exam and becomes a cadre?"

"Take the civil service exam? With his blockhead like him?"

Yan Bugui snorted, but didn't say anything more.

He knew that this couldn't be forced, and could only regret missing a good opportunity for his son to learn a "golden rice bowl" skill.

……

The next morning, Cheng Shuhai got up very early.

After settling his younger sister Cheng Ling'er to have breakfast, he took Cheng Shujun and Cheng Shufei out the door.

The first thing to do is to rent a place.

The restaurant was in Nanluoguxiang, and Cheng Shuhai looked for it nearby.

Renting a house in this era was not as convenient as it is in later times. There were no real estate agents; it all depended on asking around and luck.

Fortunately, Cheng Shuhai was lucky and found a family with a spare room for rent in a small alley not far from the restaurant.

The landlord was a kind old man whose son worked in another city, so the two north-facing rooms were vacant.

The house wasn't big, but it was clean and tidy, and it was only a five or six-minute walk from the restaurant, which was very convenient.

Cheng Shuhai immediately made the decision, paid three months' rent, and reserved the house.

After moving his luggage into the newly rented house with his younger cousins ​​and settling in, Cheng Shuhai led everyone to a restaurant.

"Let's go, let's get to work!"

When Cheng Shuhai brought Cheng Shujun and Cheng Shufei to the entrance of the small restaurant and opened the familiar wooden door, the two siblings were both a little nervous and excited.

This is where they will work in the future.

The restaurant was small, with five or six square tables and a long stove, all kept spotless.

"Shufei, you'll follow me today. Do whatever I tell you to do. The main thing is to get familiar with chopping and washing vegetables. You're skillful, this won't be difficult for you."

"Yes! Big brother, I understand!" Cheng Shufei nodded vigorously.

"Shujun, you're in charge of the front of house. When guests arrive, you're responsible for greeting them, taking their orders, and serving them."

"After the guests leave, you're in charge of clearing the table and cleaning. It's not hard work, just that you need to be quick and have a sweet tongue."

Cheng Shuhai looked at Cheng Shujun and said.

"Don't worry, brother, I have plenty of strength!" Cheng Shujun patted his chest and assured him.

Cheng Shuhai smiled and began to explain the store's various rules and procedures to them in detail.

Both of them listened very attentively, afraid of missing a single word.

After assigning tasks, Cheng Shuhai began preparations for the opening.

Cheng Shuhai had his sister stay with them while he went out to buy groceries, actually to take supplies out of his spatial storage.

He went out and found a secluded spot, then returned with a few chickens and some vegetables.

They were arranged in categories on the shelves.

Cheng Shujun and Cheng Shufei stared wide-eyed at the fresh green vegetables and plump chickens.

"Big brother, your vegetables and chicken... look really good!" Cheng Shufei couldn't help but exclaim.

"That's right. For us in the catering business, ingredients are fundamental, and we can't be careless," Cheng Shuhai replied casually.

He knew in his heart that this was no ordinary ingredient, but a top-quality product nurtured by the blessed space.

With everything ready, the restaurant officially opened for business.

Before long, guests arrived.

They were all regular customers, and they greeted Cheng Shuhai warmly as soon as they entered.

"Oh! Comrade Cheng, you're finally back! We've been eating like crazy these past few days!"

"That's right! Comrade Cheng, if you don't come back soon, we're all going to bang on your door!"

"Quick, quick, give me a serving of spicy chicken!"

Cheng Shuhai greeted everyone with a smile, then pointed to Cheng Shujun: "Everyone, this is my cousin who came from my hometown to help out. From now on, please ask him to order food."

It was Cheng Shujun's first time facing so many city people, and he was a little nervous, but he still followed his older brother's instructions, grinning and showing off his big white teeth, and warmly greeting them: "Gentlemen, sirs and gentlemen, what would you like to eat?"

Although he looked a bit rustic, the guests saw that he was honest and had a good attitude, so they all smiled kindly.