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

Tian Zhenyue thought for a moment and echoed, "The higher-ups have arranged a job for you. It certainly saves you a lot of trouble. When the time comes, those bastards in your compound will have to think twice before trying to bully you and your brother."

"On the way to Baocheng, I already figured it out. Before, with my dad protecting me, even if I was a brat, I was still just a kid. Now that my dad's gone, and I have a younger sister to support, I can't be as reckless as before. As the saying goes, 'A good start is better than a bad one.' I've already thrown two punches; now it's up to them to decide what to do." With that, He Yuzhu picked up a sesame seed cake and took a big bite.

Tian Zhenyue laughed and said, "I really didn't realize you could be so eloquent now. I'm relieved that you think that way!"

Time quickly passed to 10:00 AM, and guests began to arrive one after another. At 10:45 AM, eight cold dishes were served first. Those attending He Yuzhu's apprenticeship banquet today were all prominent figures in Beijing's culinary world. Including his own guests, three tables were set up. After seeing the presentation of the cold dishes, everyone had an appreciation for He Yuzhu's knife skills. Everyone praised his solid fundamentals. At 11:18 AM, Tian Zhenyue led the guests to their seats. Tian Zhenyue made a few opening remarks, and then the hot dishes began to be served.

"Old Tian, ​​I never would have guessed. He Daqing's son's cooking skills are really good!"

"Yes! Old Tian, ​​you've really mastered the art of teaching!"...

Hearing his colleagues' praise, Tian Zhenyue smiled broadly and said, "Without a talented apprentice, even the best teacher is useless. I'm not just saying this apprentice is good, but this kid isn't academically inclined. However, his talent for cooking is absolutely undeniable. I hope you all will take good care of him in the future."

The colleagues present unanimously echoed, "Of course! Of course!"

More than an hour later, the last dessert was served. He Yuzhu changed his clothes, held a wine bottle in one hand and a wine glass in the other, and began to toast with Tian Zhenyue.

A little after 3 p.m., the banquet ended. He Yuzhu followed Tian Zhenyue to see off the last guest and began clearing the tables. They finished around 4 p.m. Just as He Yuzhu was about to leave with He Yushui, Tian Zhenyue stopped him, saying, "Zhuzi, I, as your teacher, am at ease with your current temper. Come visit whenever you have time. Don't forget your teacher if you encounter any problems."

"Yes!" He Yuzhu responded respectfully, "Master, don't worry! Even if I forget my father, I could never forget you and your wife."

Xi Juan handed a cloth bag containing a lunchbox to He Yuzhu and said, "Zhuzi, take good care of Yushui. You also need to take care of yourself."

"Hey! Master's wife, don't worry!" After saying that, He Yuzhu left his master's house with He Yushui.

On their way home, He Yushui kept glancing at He Yuzhu. He Yuzhu, completely bewildered by her stares, couldn't help but ask, "Yushui, what are you looking at?!"

He Yushui asked, "Are you my brother?!"

He Yuzhu retorted, "How am I not your brother?!"

He Yushui continued, "Brother, you've become smarter."

"Pfft!" He Yuzhu couldn't help but laugh and said, "Your brother isn't stupid to begin with."

Meanwhile, as He Yuzhu was toasting with his master, Jia Dongxu dragged his weary body back to courtyard number 95. Yi Zhonghai, seeing Jia Dongxu return, hurriedly asked, "Dongxu, have you eaten?!"

"Master!" Jia Dongxu responded, "Not yet!"

"Come to my house for a meal! Your teacher's wife saved some for you!" With that, Yi Zhonghai turned and went back into the house. Jia Dongxu immediately followed him in, calling out to Zhao Shufen, "Teacher's wife!" before walking to Yi Zhonghai's side.

Yi Zhonghai gestured for Jia Dongxu to sit down and asked, "Did you see your mother?!"

"I saw it!" Jia Dongxu replied honestly, then complained, "Master, how could that bastard Sha Zhu be so ruthless?! Why did he have to send my mother to jail?! Couldn't he be a little more magnanimous?!"

Yi Zhonghai sighed and said, "You should know what kind of temper Sha Zhu has. He's a complete scoundrel. Plus, his father's gone, and there's no one to keep him in check. He's become even more reckless."

Jia Dongxu continued, "On my way back, I ran into Matchmaker Gu. We had arranged a blind date, but the girl's family found out my mother was in jail. That ruined everything."

Yi Zhonghai said, "Dongxu! What's there to worry about in a man not having a wife? Even if there's no matchmaker Gu, are there no matchmakers Li or Wang?! I'll have your teacher's wife find another matchmaker for you later."

Jia Dongxu continued, "Master, even if I have a girlfriend, my house isn't big enough for me right now. Once my mother gets out of there and has a child, it won't be big enough."

Yi Zhonghai understood Jia Dongxu's meaning, but he knew in his heart that benefits couldn't be given all at once; they had to be accumulated gradually. Yi Zhonghai said, "Dongxu, let's not rush the house issue. Let's take care of the immediate matters first."

After thinking it over carefully, Jia Dongxu realized that Yi Zhonghai's words made sense, so he stopped worrying about the house. Zhao Shufen came in with the food that had been warming on the stove and placed it on the table. Yi Zhonghai called out, "Dongxu, are you hungry? Eat up!"

"Hey!" Jia Dongxu responded, grabbed a steamed bun, and wolfed it down.

After dinner, Jia Dongxu chatted with Yi Zhonghai and his wife for a while before going home to catch up on his sleep.

After Jia Dongxu left, Zhao Shufen looked worried and asked, "Old Yi, do you really think Dongxu can be relied on?!"

Yi Zhonghai said, "Dongxu is someone we've watched grow up. Don't you know what he's like?!" To be honest, Yi Zhonghai wasn't sure himself when he said that. He Yuzhu's sudden change had been a slap in the face, completely disrupting his original plans. The only good news for Yi Zhonghai now was that Jia Zhangshi was in jail, giving him five years to brainwash Jia Dongxu.

A little after four o'clock in the afternoon, He Yuzhu and his sister arrived at the gate of courtyard number 95. Just as they entered the courtyard, Yan Bugui appeared silently beside them like a ghost. Yan Bugui twitched his nose like a dog, smelling the faint fragrance wafting in the air, and couldn't help but ask, "Zhuzi, you two didn't come back yesterday, where did you go?!"

He Yuzhu glanced at Yan Bugui and said, "Teacher Yan, what business is it of yours where my sister and I go?!"

"I'm just worried about you. I'm afraid you might encounter danger. After all, things aren't very peaceful outside right now." After saying that, Yan Bugui looked at the cloth bag in He Yuzhu's hand.