The Courtyard House: The story begins with He Yuzhu beating up the White Widow.

It's said that no one knows a husband better than his wife. Xi Juan looked at her husband and asked, "You want Zhu Zi to graduate early?!"

Tian Zhenyue nodded silently and said, "Zhu Zi had already met the standards for graduation. I just wanted to keep him around a little longer so he could learn more. But now it seems I can't keep him any longer. If his skills are up to par today, I plan to arrange for him to graduate this Sunday. Then I'll find someone to get him a job at another restaurant."

No sooner had Tian Zhenyue finished speaking than a powerful aroma of Sichuan cuisine wafted in from outside. His eyes lit up at the smell, and he thought to himself, "It's been over a month since I last saw him, and this kid's cooking skills have really improved!"

"The food's here!" About half an hour later, He Yuzhu ran in from outside carrying the dishes. After three trips back and forth, He Yuzhu placed all four dishes and a soup on the table. Tian Zhenyue looked at the dishes on the table, nodded in satisfaction, and said, "The color, aroma, taste, and presentation are all excellent. The color, aroma, and presentation are all very good. Now I'll taste them and see how they are!"

He Yuzhu respectfully handed the chopsticks to Tian Zhenyue. Tian Zhenyue took the chopsticks, first picking up a piece of shredded potato and putting it in his mouth. After chewing twice, Tian Zhenyue nodded in satisfaction, swallowed the food in his mouth, and then picked up a spoon and scooped up a spoonful of Mapo Tofu and put it in his mouth. After chewing twice, Tian Zhenyue's brows suddenly furrowed, and he looked at He Yuzhu.

He Yuzhu said, "Master, the top layer of Mapo Tofu is made with minced beef. But we didn't have any in the kitchen. I happened to see some soybeans. So I steamed the soybeans, crushed them with the back of a knife, removed the fishy smell, and seasoned them. I used the soybeans instead of minced beef."

Tian Zhenyue laughed and said, "Your quick thinking is pretty good, kid." Then he tasted the other two dishes and called out, "Old woman, you should try some too!"

"Hey!" Xi Juan picked up her chopsticks, tasted all the dishes on the table, and asked, "What does the master say?!"

Tian Zhenyue looked at He Yuzhu with a look of great satisfaction and said, "Zhuzi, you've finally graduated. Next Sunday, I'll invite some people over to celebrate your graduation."

He Yuzhu was stunned for a moment, then asked, "Master, can I really graduate?!"

Tian Zhenyue nodded and said, "You're ready to graduate!" Then he said, "Don't just stand there, you and Yushui sit down, let's have a drink together."

"Yes!" He Yuzhu responded, sat down with He Yushui, picked up the wine bottle on the table, poured wine into the glasses in front of his master and mistress, and then poured wine into his own glass, saying, "Master, thank you for your teachings over the years. I'd like to toast you!" After saying that, He Yuzhu picked up his glass and drank the wine in one gulp.

Tian Zhenyue asked, "Zhu Zi, what are your plans after you graduate?"

He Yuzhu replied, "Master, I'll go to the Military Control Commission tomorrow to complete the house transfer procedures. Then I'll go see my uncle."

"Looking for your uncle?!" Tian Zhenyue and Xi Juan exchanged a glance unconsciously. Xi Juan asked, "Zhuzi, why haven't I heard your father mention your uncle before?!"

He Yuzhu replied, "I only found out who my uncle was after asking my father this time. When I came back from Baocheng, I happened to meet a soldier. That man knew my uncle. He told me to go back to Beijing and find a man named Zhao Gang, who knew where my uncle was. I heard that my uncle is now a division commander."

Tian Zhenyue and Xi Juan both gasped in unison. Tian Zhenyue said, "Zhuzi, whether you can find your uncle or not, you and Yushui still need to make a living. I plan to use my connections to get you a job at another restaurant after you've completed your apprenticeship. What do you think?!"

He Yuzhu considered it for a moment and said, "You don't need to trouble yourself with the work. I'll figure something out myself."

"Alright, we'll do it your way. If it really doesn't work, I'll think of something else for you." Tian Zhenyue knew his apprentice had a strong sense of pride and was embarrassed to ask him to help find a job. So Tian Zhenyue readily agreed to He Yuzhu's suggestion. However, Tian Zhenyue had no intention of giving up on helping He Yuzhu find a job.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, and having eaten their fill, Tian Zhenyue began discussing the dishes for his graduation banquet with He Yuzhu. After some discussion, the master and apprentice decided to adopt the "Eight-Eight Banquet" format: eight cold dishes, eight hot dishes, four main dishes, four desserts, and four dried fruits.

Around 7:45 PM, He Yuzhu and He Yushui took their leave. After the siblings left, Xi Juan said, "Honey, He Daqing's departure has really been tough on these two children. Especially Zhuzi, who now has to face the people in their courtyard who want to kill off their family line. Just thinking about it sends chills down my spine."

Tian Zhenyue said, "Once Zhuzi completes his apprenticeship, I'll find an opportunity to take his fellow apprentices to show him what's what. We'll also let those evil spirits know that He Yuzhu isn't someone to be trifled with in Beijing."

After leaving their master's house, He Yuzhu held He Yushui's little hand and slowly walked home. As they walked, He Yushui couldn't help but ask, "Brother, should we tell Dad about you completing your apprenticeship?!"

He Yuzhu replied, "I'll send a telegram to our father later and ask him if he's coming."

In truth, He Yuzhu already knew in his heart whether He Daqing would return for the graduation banquet. But for some reason, a sliver of hope still lingered within him. After walking for a while, He Yushui said coquettishly, "Brother, I can't walk anymore!"

He Yuzhu walked forward with a smile, squatted down, and said, "Come on! I'll carry you home!"

"Hey!" He Yushui quickly climbed onto He Yuzhu's back, and He Yuzhu carried her slowly towards the courtyard house. It was nearing the Spring Festival, and the cold wind howled against He Yuzhu. The slightly drunk He Yuzhu was instantly sobered by the cold wind. As He Yuzhu carried He Yushui into the alley where his house was located, he suddenly saw someone walking ahead. By the figure and gait, He Yuzhu realized that the person in front was none other than the old deaf matriarch of the courtyard house. He Yuzhu thought to himself, "It's so cold, and so late at night. Why isn't this old woman at home? What is she doing outside?! Could there really be something wrong with her?!" He Yuzhu carefully followed her. Not long after, He Yuzhu saw the deaf matriarch enter courtyard number 95. He Yuzhu immediately spread his divine sense. Soon, the entire courtyard house was enveloped by He Yuzhu's divine sense. The situation in the courtyard appeared very clearly in He Yuzhu's mind, like a three-dimensional map.

The deaf old woman returned home, locked the door, lit a candle, and took out a small glass bottle and a cotton swab from a hidden compartment in the table. Then she took a piece of paper from her pocket, dipped the cotton swab in the liquid from the glass bottle, and wiped the paper. Soon, several lines of writing appeared on the paper. Although He Yuzhu couldn't make out what was written, the handwriting still caught his attention: "The Japanese writing?! Who is this old woman?!"