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

Cheng's Little Restaurant in Nanluoguxiang.

The restaurant was packed with people, filled with delicious aromas, and bustling with activity.

Cheng Shuhai was wielding a spatula in the kitchen, Cheng Shujun was running around in the front hall, and Cheng Shufei and Cheng Ling'er were helping to pick vegetables and pass bowls. The whole family was busy and having a great time.

"Brother, another order of spicy chicken!"

"Comrade Cheng, is my noodle dish ready yet?"

"Young man, check please!"

Cheng Shujun moved between tables and chairs, taking notes and collecting money, working up a sweat, but his smile was incredibly bright.

Just then, a jeep pulled up in front of the restaurant.

The car door opened, and Li Weimin, the logistics director, jumped out of the car and strode into the restaurant.

"Master Cheng! Master Cheng!" Li Weimin shouted as soon as he entered the door.

Cheng Shuhai, who was busy in the kitchen, heard the noise and poked his head out.

"Director Li? What brings you here?"

"Master Cheng, help is needed!" Li Weimin rushed to the kitchen door, looking anxious.

"What's wrong? What happened?"

When Cheng Shuhai saw his expression, his heart skipped a beat.

"Old Shi! Old Shi fell ill in the workshop yesterday!" Li Weimin lowered his voice and quickly recounted what had happened yesterday.

Cheng Shuhai frowned after hearing this.

Has Elder Shi fallen ill?

"Director Li, what about Old Shi...?"

Cheng Shuhai was worried that the other person had a serious health problem.

"Don't worry, Master Cheng!" Li Weimin noticed his worry and quickly waved his hand, saying, "Old Shi said it himself, it's just his old ailment, nothing serious. He's rested well today and just wanted to eat your cooking!"

Hearing this, Cheng Shuhai finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"I've been talking about your spicy chicken since early this morning," Li Weimin said with a smile. "So I came here specifically to ask you, Chef Cheng, to make another batch for Old Master Shi."

"No problem," Cheng Shuhai readily agreed. "It's nothing. Just wait a moment, I'll get right on it."

Cheng Shuhai felt quite accomplished that someone like Elder Shi still remembered him even while he was ill.

He immediately picked up a top-grade fat chicken that he had taken out of the blessed space and processed from the shelf next to him, and started busily working on it.

Standing at the kitchen door, Li Weimin watched Cheng Shuhai's smooth and skillful operation, and smelled the domineering aroma gradually rising from the pot. He couldn't help but swallow.

He thought to himself with admiration, no wonder Old Master Shi couldn't forget it, this craftsmanship is truly amazing.

Before long, a plate of spicy chicken with a bright red color and a fragrant aroma was ready.

Cheng Shuhai filled a large lunchbox to the brim and handed it to Li Weimin.

"Director Li, here you go."

"Okay, thank you so much, Master Cheng!"

Li Weimin accepted the lunchbox as if it were a treasure, and took out money from his pocket to pay the bill.

Cheng Shuhai waved his hand and said, "Let's forget about it this time. Elder Shi isn't feeling well. This is just a small token of my appreciation, so let's not talk about money."

"How can we do that!" Li Weimin insisted on pressing the money into his hand. "Let's keep things separate. We can't take advantage of you."

"Really, there's no need." Cheng Shuhai's attitude was also firm. "If you really want to thank me, just patronize my business in the future."

After much back and forth, Li Weimin finally gave in and had to take the money back.

"Alright! Young Master Cheng, I, Li Weimin, am determined to be your friend!"

"From now on, in Beijing, if you ever need my help or the steel mill's assistance, just let me know!"

Li Weimin patted his chest and said solemnly.

He knew that Cheng Shuhai was doing him a favor, a favor to the steel rolling mill.

He had to accept this favor.

"Director Li, you're too kind."

Cheng Shuhai smiled.

After seeing Li Weimin off, Cheng Shuhai returned to the kitchen to continue his work.

But he was thinking about Old Master Shi's illness.

Stomach problems?

Would a common stomach ailment cause someone to writhe in pain on the floor?

Although Cheng Shuhai was not a doctor in his previous life, he still knew some basic medical knowledge.

Mr. Shi's symptoms don't sound like a simple stomach ailment.

He had a vague sense of unease.

However, this is not something he needs to worry about.

All he can do now is cook his dishes well so that the respectable old expert can have a satisfying meal.

……

Steel rolling mill, expert guesthouse.

Li Weimin, carrying a lunchbox, returned excitedly to Old Shi's room.

"Old Shi! The spicy chicken is back!"

Deputy Factory Director Yang and Old Shi were talking when they smelled the aroma and both perked up.

Li Weimin opened the lunchbox, and the familiar spicy and savory aroma instantly filled the entire room.

"It smells so good! It smells amazing!"

Old Shi took a deep breath and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

Deputy Factory Director Yang quickly served Old Shi a bowl of food and brought him two steamed buns.

Old Shi didn't stand on ceremony and started eating heartily with his chopsticks.

He ate quickly, but his movements were very refined; he ate a piece of chicken and a bite of steamed bun with great relish.

Deputy Factory Director Yang and Li Weimin watched from the sidelines, both of them very happy.

If you can eat, it means your body is fine.

Old Shi ate a whole lunchbox of spicy chicken with two large steamed buns, finishing it all in no time. He even picked out and ate a lot of the chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns inside.

After finishing his meal, he put down his chopsticks and let out a long sigh of relief.

"Feels great! I feel so much more energetic after this meal!"

"Mr. Shi, if you like it, I'll buy it for you every day!"

Li Weimin quickly said.

"No need for that, just have it once in a while." Old Shi waved his hand, then looked at Deputy Factory Director Yang and said seriously, "Deputy Factory Director Yang, I'll be going back to the workshop this afternoon. Work can't be delayed any longer."

"Mr. Shi, your health..."

Deputy Factory Director Yang was still somewhat uneasy.

"I'm fine now." Old Shi stood up, stretched his limbs, and said, "After eating Master Cheng's meal, I feel half cured. Let's go to the workshop!"

Seeing that Old Shi had regained his former spirit, Deputy Factory Director Yang didn't dare to persuade him any further.

He could only sigh in his heart once again, "That Master Cheng's skills are truly amazing!"