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

He Yuzhu replied with a smile, "Uncle Kong, you flatter me! My cooking skills are a family tradition. It's fine for our own family, but it can't compare to those professional chefs. After all, they earn their living through their skills!"

Song Ran chuckled and chimed in, "Uncle Kong, don't listen to his nonsense. His father, He Daqing, was a head chef at the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill canteen, but before Liberation, he was the head chef at Fengzeyuan Restaurant. In particular, his dish 'Zao Liu San Bai' (a type of stir-fried white meat) defeated all the other chefs at Fengzeyuan back then."

"Oh my?! I really didn't know! Your family has a long tradition of scholarship!" Kong Dezhi said, looking at Song Shinian, "Old Song, it seems your family is in for a treat!"

"Come! Come! Come! Don't stand there, sit down!" Song Shinian invited Kong Dezhi and his family to sit down and said, "Old Kong, you've really hit the jackpot by coming today. Zhuzi brought us some roe deer meat."

Upon hearing the word "roe deer meat," Kong Dezhi's eyes lit up instantly. "I haven't had this in years! This is perfect!" he exclaimed. Then, he suddenly noticed his daughter secretly chatting with Song Zhaohong. "Old Song," Kong Dezhi asked, "when is your daughter getting married?!"

Song Shinian said, "Next Sunday, I'll meet with Zhuzi's father to finalize the matter between the two children. Don't worry! You can't escape this wedding banquet."

Kong Dezhi said, "My Lianqing is getting on in years. I think she gets along quite well with your third son. Why don't we settle things between them too?"

Kong Lianqing and Song Zhaohong, who were chatting, were both stunned when they heard this. Kong Lianqing's face quickly turned red, and she thought to herself, "That was way too fast!!"

Song Zhaohong was taken aback for a moment, then came to his senses and said, "Uncle Kong, there's no rush for Lianqing and me. Let's wait until Xiaoran's matter is settled before talking about it!"

Liu Xiangmei glared at her husband with a hint of reproach and said, "Zhaohong just got back, and he hasn't adjusted to many things yet. Let the two children get to know each other first, and we can talk about this later. What?! Are you complaining that our daughter is eating your food at home?!"

Kong Dezhi hurriedly said, "She's my own daughter, I love her so much! How could I possibly dislike her?!"

Taking advantage of the opportunity, He Yuzhu unscrewed the bottle cap and deftly poured wine for Song Shinian and Kong Dezhi. Then, he took out a bottle of wine and poured it for Xu Wenya and Liu Xiangmei. Afterward, he took out four bottles of Beibingyang soda. Xu Wenya asked curiously, "Zhuzi, where did this soda come from?!"

He Yuzhu replied, "I noticed that Xiao Ran really likes this stuff, so I bought a few bottles when I passed by the supply and marketing cooperative on my way here today. I've been keeping them in my bag and haven't taken them out yet."

Liu Xiangmei said, "Old Xu! Your son-in-law is quite thoughtful!"

Xu Wenya said with a smile, "It's all because my Xiao Ran has good taste."

Liu Xiangmei then asked, "How did they meet?!"

Xu Wenya replied, "Xiao Ran is Zhu Zi's sister's homeroom teacher. Zhu Zi met her when he went to the school to attend a parent-teacher conference for his sister. Also, last time Xiao Ran was kidnapped by human traffickers, it was Zhu Zi who rescued her. At that time, Zhu Zi was temporarily transferred to the street office to be in charge of the production team's work."

When Liu Xiangmei heard that He Yuzhu had managed a production team, her eyes lit up immediately, and she asked, "Zhuzi, which subdistrict office did you work for?!"

He Yuzhu replied, "Nanluoguxiang Subdistrict Office."

Liu Xiangmei exclaimed in surprise, "Oh my?! I really didn't expect it to be you, kid?!"

Kong Dezhi and Song Shinian both looked at Liu Xiangmei. Kong Dezhi asked, "Old Liu?! What's going on?!"

Liu Xiangmei said sourly, "Old Song! Old Xu! You've really found a good son-in-law! Zhu Zi is a man of both literary and martial talents! Our city has dozens of sub-district offices, and many production teams have been established. But the production team in Nanluoguxiang Sub-district Office is the most successful. The biggest contributor is Zhu Zi. A couple of days ago, I went to Nanluoguxiang Sub-district Office to ask Wang Xia for advice. She was keeping it a secret from me. Later, I asked Old Hu, the deputy director of the sub-district office who was just transferred there, and that's how I found out. This guy is in high demand now. Many people want to transfer him there. Unfortunately, he's from the Public Security Bureau. We're from different families." Then Liu Xiangmei looked at He Yuzhu and said, "Zhu Zi, you have to give your Aunt Liu some advice!"

He Yuzhu looked at Xu Wenya with a bewildered expression. Xu Wenya smiled and said, "Old Liu! There's no rush! Let's eat first!"

"Right! Right! Right! They can't run away here. Let's talk after dinner!" With that, Kong Dezhi picked up his wine glass and secretly winked at Song Shinian. Song Shinian understood and smiled, saying, "Today is a day of triple celebration for our family. Let's all have a toast!" With that, Song Shinian picked up his wine glass, clinked glasses with everyone present, and downed the wine in his glass.

He Yuzhu put down his wine glass, picked up a piece of braised roe deer meat, and put it into Song Ran's bowl.

Song Zhaohong glanced at Kong Lianqing, hesitated for a moment, and then, imitating He Yuzhu, picked up a piece of roe deer meat and placed it in the bowl in front of Kong Lianqing. Kong Lianqing was slightly taken aback when she saw the roe deer meat suddenly appear in her bowl, then looked at Song Zhaohong and gave him a faint smile.

In a friendly and cheerful atmosphere, the meal quickly came to an end. They were probably too happy; Kong Dezhi and Song Shinian were both quite drunk. Liu Xiangmei had originally wanted to chat with He Yuzhu, but seeing her husband so drunk, she felt embarrassed to stay any longer. After saying goodbye to Xu Wenya, Liu Xiangmei left with Kong Dezhi. He Yuzhu said goodbye to Xu Wenya, then took Song Ran, Song Zhaohong, and Kong Lianqing and headed out. Halfway there, He Yuzhu rode off on his bicycle with Song Ran on the back, leaving Song Zhaohong and Kong Lianqing standing on the roadside, staring at each other.

After a while, Song Zhaohong was the first to react, saying, "Since they're not taking us, let's explore on our own! I just got back and don't know the area well. I'll go with you!"

"Okay! Come with me!" After saying that, Kong Lianqing led Song Zhaohong toward the park not far away.

Sitting on the back of He Yuzhu's bicycle, Song Ran, thinking about Song Zhaohong and Kong Lianqing, asked, "Yuzhu, do you think my brother and Lianqing's relationship will work out?!"

He Yuzhu said, "Be confident! Drop that 'ma'! Didn't you notice the look in your third brother's eyes and Kong Lianqing's eyes?! They're like a perfect match, they've hit it off. I reckon after we two settle things, it'll be your third brother's turn."

Song Ran nodded in agreement and asked, "Where are we going now?!"

He Yuzhu replied, "Go to my house and tell my dad about meeting your parents next Sunday. Then I'll take you to my master's place. No matter what, when a disciple brings his girlfriend to his home, my master and his wife can't skimp on the red envelopes."