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

Upon entering the kitchen, He Yuzhu saw a blackfish in the basket. His eyes lit up immediately, and he exclaimed, "Master, this fish looks quite fresh!"

Tian Zhenyue said, "Your second senior brother brought it over early this morning."

He Yuzhu said, "Master, shall I make you a boiled fish dish to try?"

"Boiled fish?!" Tian Zhenyue racked his brains, but he couldn't recall ever hearing of this dish before.

Seeing Tian Zhenyue's reaction, He Yuzhu said, "I modified it from boiled pork slices."

Tian Zhenyue said, "Fine! You make it and let me taste it! If I'm not satisfied, see how I deal with you!"

Without saying a word, He Yuzhu put on an apron and sleeves and began cleaning the fish.

After about forty minutes of work, the boiled fish was ready. He Yuzhu poured hot oil over it to release its aroma, then handed a pair of chopsticks to Tian Zhenyue. Tian Zhenyue took the chopsticks, picked up a piece of fish, examined it, and then put it in his mouth. After chewing carefully for a couple of times, a satisfied smile appeared on Tian Zhenyue's face, and he said, "Yuzhu, this dish is a good improvement!"

He Yuzhu said with a forced smile, "It's all thanks to your excellent teaching, Master!"

"You sly one!" Tian Zhenyue glared at He Yuzhu, annoyed, and said, "Of all my apprentices, you're the only one with real talent. But what a pity!"

He Yuzhu said, "Master, there are still some shortcomings in this dish. Please help me improve it."

Tian Zhenyue said, "You're getting more and more cunning. You're full of tricks. But that's good, it means you won't get taken advantage of. I can finally relax."

The dishes were tried, and the conversation went on. A little after 10:30 in the morning, He Yuzhu said goodbye and left. After seeing He Yuzhu off, Xi Juan said to Tian Zhenyue, "I thought that with He Daqing back, He Yuzhu and his sister could finally live a more comfortable life."

Tian Zhenyue said, "Everyone has their own ambitions. It's just bad luck for Zhuzi to have such a father. We, as his master and mistress, should take good care of him in the future."

He Yuzhu left his master's house, unconsciously speeding up his bicycle. Soon after, he turned into the alley where Wang Xia lived. Reaching the gate of Wang Xia's courtyard house, He Yuzhu knocked. The gate opened shortly after. Wang Xia saw He Yuzhu and said with a smile, "You're really late, kid!!"

He Yuzhu smiled ingratiatingly and said, "Aunt Wang, you can't blame me for this. I went to see my mother and uncle early this morning. I was planning to leave early, but I didn't expect Uncle Xing Zhiguo to come with Li Yunlong and Zhao Gang. I stayed with them a little longer."

"You pass! Go on in!" Wang Xia said, stepping aside. He Yuzhu pushed his bicycle through the gate and said, "Aunt Wang, your yard is nice!"

"We're busy with work and don't have time to deal with it, so it's fine!" Wang Xia said, leading He Yuzhu into the living room. After inviting He Yuzhu to sit down, Wang Xia said, "Your Uncle Hu isn't coming home for lunch today. It'll just be the two of us. I just made a couple of simple dishes."

He Yuzhu asked, "Aunt Wang, Uncle Hu isn't here, where's the child?!"

Wang Xia said, "The two siblings were taken away by their grandparents."

"Oh!" He Yuzhu responded, taking the steamed bun made from two kinds of flour that Wang Xia handed him, and said, "Aunt Wang, our military control committee will be dissolved after the New Year and replaced by a street office. Will there be any changes to our canteen?!"

Wang Xia replied, "Nothing has changed for now. But who knows what will happen in the long run?" Then she asked, "What?! You want to change jobs?!"

He Yuzhu shook his head and said, "I'm doing pretty well now. But I heard from Grandpa Xu that he's finding it harder to keep up. So I'm asking him today."

Wang Xia said, "Your Uncle Xu can work for at least another three or four years. When he can't work anymore, you can take over his job."

He Yuzhu said, "Aunt Wang, aren't you setting a trap for me?!"

Wang Xia chuckled and teased, "You're good at everything, except you're too lazy! Just because no one's saying anything now doesn't mean no one will in the future. If you feel restricted in the Military Control Commission, then you should switch units sooner rather than later."

He Yuzhu asked, "Aunt Wang, why do you all want me to change jobs?!"

Wang Xia said, "As the saying goes, a small temple has a lot of evil winds. The Military Control Commission has a small territory, but it governs a lot. No one is gossiping now, but that can't be guaranteed in the future."

They say a loud drum doesn't need a heavy hammer. He Yuzhu understood Wang Xia's meaning at this moment and said, "Aunt Wang, is Director Zhang still short-staffed?"

Wang Xia smiled! She picked up a piece of meat and put it in He Yuzhu's bowl, saying, "I'm on duty tomorrow. I'll tell Zhang Qiang while I'm at it. After the New Year, you can go report to his place!"

"Yes!" He Yuzhu responded, picked up a piece of meat and put it in Wang Xia's bowl, saying, "Aunt Wang, you should eat more too. If there's no more meat, I'll get some more. Don't feel bad about it."

After lunch, He Yuzhu cleaned the table, washed the dishes, chatted with Wang Xia for a while, and then said goodbye and left. After He Yuzhu left, Wang Xia noticed a cloth bag behind the living room door. She picked it up and opened it. Seeing what was inside, Wang Xia chuckled and muttered, "This kid, why did he bring so much stuff?!" Though she said this, her heart was filled with warmth.

A little after 2 p.m., He Yuzhu returned home. He had just parked his bicycle when He Yushui rushed in, exclaiming, "Brother, you're back?!"

He Yuzhu took a bag of Mickey Mouse milk candies from his bag and handed it to He Yushui, asking, "What did you and Aunt Liang have for lunch?!"

He Yushui said, "The dumplings we made this morning, Aunt Liang and I fried them at noon."

"Eat less! Be careful with your teeth!" He Yuzhu cautioned, then asked, "Are you hungry right now?!"

He Yushui replied, "I'm not hungry! But I can still eat."

"You little rascal!" He Yuzhu chuckled and scolded, "Come on! I'll make you something delicious!"

At the same time, Jia Dongxu returned from outside. Qin Huairu immediately poured some hot water into the basin, put a towel in it, and said, "Dongxu, are you tired?! Go wash up!"

Jia Dongxu wrung out a towel, wiped his face, and said, "I talked to my mentor about your job today. He'll go to the factory after the New Year to inquire. I don't think it'll be difficult." Then he asked, "What about Bang Geng now that you're at work?!"

Qin Huairu said, "I plan to give Teacher Yan some money so that his wife can help take care of him."

Jia Dongxu thought for a moment and said, "Your idea is good. Once you've settled your job situation, I'll talk to Teacher Yan. Just grit your teeth, and in a little over a year, my mom will be out of jail. Then we can let her take care of the child."

Qin Huairu was extremely unwilling to let Jia Zhangshi take care of the child. But she had no choice. She could only take it one step at a time.