Courtyard House: My max-level medical skills specialize in treating beasts.

Grandpa Guan didn't rush to pour out the wine. He turned around and went back into the inner room. After a while, he slowly strolled out, holding three cups in his hand.

The cup was entirely emerald green, glistening like jade, yet its texture also exuded a woody feel.

Three cups were placed on the table. A pour of the golden monkey wine made the liquid even more translucent, its brilliance contrasting beautifully with the emerald green of the cups—clearly no ordinary wine. He Yudong and Han Chunming exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with surprise.

"Hehe, kid, didn't you flip through my book? Come on, let me test you. Do you recognize this thing?" Grandpa Guan grinned mischievously.

He Yudong chuckled, glancing at it before saying, "This should be an ancient vine cup. It's made from a century-old vine, cut into sections and carved through a hundred processes. Although it's wood, it looks like jade. This thing is the perfect match for Baicao wine, am I right?"

"Good lad!" Grandpa Guan slapped his thigh. "The book only mentions it briefly, yet you remember it so clearly? Besides, the book doesn't say what kind of wine goes with this cup."

He Yudong smiled faintly: "Alright, you don't know this, old man. The wine culture of our China is profound and extensive. You've been drinking wine all your life, but when it comes to the intricacies, you probably don't know as much as I do."

"Wow, quite the boast! Well then, tell me your reasoning, and if it makes sense, you can have as much wine as you want tonight." Old Man Guan was intrigued.

"Alright, then I'll show off a bit." He Yudong cleared his throat. "Take the most famous Fenjiu for example. As the ancients said, 'Amber shines when served in a jade bowl.' Fenjiu must be drunk in a jade cup or bowl to enhance its flavor. If it's a strong white liquor from beyond the Great Wall, it must be served in a rhinoceros horn cup to enhance its aroma. Jade cups enhance the flavor, rhinoceros horn enhances the aroma—that's quite particular."

Grandpa Guan nodded repeatedly, "That's interesting. What about rice wine and sorghum wine?"

"Rice wine is delicious but a bit bland; it needs to be drunk in large gulps to show its grandeur," He Yudong said eloquently. "As for sorghum wine, it's the oldest wine. People only know about Yu the Great controlling the floods, but they don't know about Yu the Great making wine. To drink this wine, you need to use a bronze jue (a type of ancient wine vessel) to truly appreciate its antiquity."

"And what about the wine?" Grandpa Guan pressed.

"Grape wine in a moonlight cup, the pipa urges me to drink on horseback." He Yudong casually recited, "This wine is a bright red, not quite bold enough for us men. But once poured into a moonlight cup, the wine's color is like fresh blood, and drinking it is like drinking blood. As Yue Fei wrote: 'With lofty ambition, I'll feast on the flesh of the barbarians when hungry, and laughingly drink their blood when thirsty.' That's what true heroism is!"

"Good! Well said!" Grandpa Guan couldn't help but slap the table in approval. He looked at He Yudong with a different gaze, feeling that he had been drinking for most of his life and was simply a fool.

Han Chunming, who was standing to the side, was dumbfounded. He secretly gave a thumbs up in his heart: This guy's act was so cultured, amazing!

"Hey, it's just something I do when I'm bored, flipping through random books and chatting with friends to put on a show," He Yudong said modestly. Then, he changed the subject, "As for this monkey wine, although it's brewed by monkeys, the ingredients are all kinds of fruits, which is similar to herbal wine. It's best served in this ancient vine cup."

"Hahaha, you're something else! I thought you only knew how to treat illnesses, but I never expected you to be so cunning." Grandpa Guan was in high spirits. "Come on, let's have a drink! Don't leave tonight, keep this old man company and have a good drink."

"Alright, Uncle Guan, I'll drink the wine, but I'll skip the meal." He Yudong took a sip and politely declined, "I have important business tonight, I need to go back and get some advice from my brother."

"Alright, business is more important." Grandpa Guan didn't insist, picked up his cup and drank it all in one gulp.

As the wine entered his stomach, a warm current instantly flowed through his limbs and bones, like soaking in a hot spring, so comfortable that Grandpa Guan squinted his eyes. This monkey wine was absolutely the best he had ever tasted in his life, no doubt about it!

"Master, could you pour me some more?" Han Chunming licked his lips, staring longingly at the wine gourd. This was his first time drinking wine, and he hadn't expected it to taste so good, like water, with no spiciness at all.

"Go away, little brat, just have a taste. Too much will make you drunk." Grandpa Guan grabbed the wine gourd and protected it. "I'll keep this little treasure for myself and savor it slowly. It's a rare find that money can't buy."

"Alright, Chunming, I'll get you a pot later. That old man's so stingy." He Yudong stood up with a smile. "Uncle Guan, I'll take my leave now. I'll come back to listen to your bragging when I have time."

"Hey? You still have this wine in your hand?" Grandpa Guan's ears perked up instantly.

"That's right, I've kept a little for myself to save, so please don't worry about it." He Yudong chuckled and turned to leave.

"You brat..." Grandpa Guan watched his retreating figure, his mind clear as day: This kid definitely wasn't telling the truth, he definitely still has some in stock!

……

Night was falling in the courtyard.

Yi Zhonghai strolled over to Sha Zhu's door with his hands behind his back and knocked: "Zhu Zi, taking a break?"

"Grandpa? What's up so late?" Sha Zhu pushed open the door and his heart skipped a beat when he saw Yi Zhonghai. He Yudong's words from last night were still ringing in his ears. Could this old man be here to persuade him to marry Qin Huairu?

Yi Zhonghai didn't stand on ceremony and stepped into the house with a kind face: "Well, I have something to discuss with you."

"What's wrong?" Sha Zhu asked warily.

Meanwhile, behind the window next door, Qin Huairu was secretly lifting a corner of the curtain, staring intently at them. She knew perfectly well that although Yi Zhonghai was cunning, as long as he could persuade Sha Zhu to marry her, even if he took advantage of her, it wouldn't be a big deal.

Qin Huairu knew exactly what she was doing. It wasn't like she hadn't been taken advantage of before; Xu Damao and Guo Dapizi had all had their shady "gentleman's friendships" behind her back. Otherwise, how could she live such a carefree life on her meager monthly salary of twenty-seven yuan and fifty cents?

If we can just get rid of Sha Zhu, that tough nut, then our future will be bright. Sha Zhu earns over seventy silver dollars a month, and if we keep that old, childless Yi Zhonghai hanging on, won't all of his hundred-plus dollars salary end up in our own pockets?

"It's like this, Zhu Zi, I think you're not getting any younger, it's time for you to settle down and start a family." Yi Zhonghai said with his hands behind his back, adopting the earnest tone typical of an elder.

"Uncle, you don't need to trouble yourself with my affairs," Sha Zhu replied without any politeness.

"Look at what you're saying, this old man is just concerned about you." Yi Zhonghai wasn't annoyed and continued, "Well, didn't you break up with Teacher Ran? In my opinion, Teacher Ran and you weren't a good match. She's an intellectual, with high standards, she might not be interested in a cook like us."

"Hey, old man, what's wrong with me being a cook?" Upon hearing this, Sha Zhu's eyebrows immediately shot up. "I only make seventy-odd yuan a month, what's wrong with marrying an intellectual? This is a new society, why are you still judging people with such old-fashioned views?"

"Uncle, that's not what I meant. I meant that when looking for a wife, you need to know her background and character." Yi Zhonghai quickly changed the subject, revealing his true intentions. "I think Huai Ru is quite suitable for you. That girl is honest and caring. You're already this age, why don't you two just live together? Wouldn't that be great?"

Yi Zhonghai's benevolent "it's for your own good" expression was incredibly realistic.

Upon hearing this, Sha Zhu's heart skipped a beat. What had his younger brother said last night? It was absolutely incredible! This old man really was here to persuade Qin Huairu. Thinking of this, Sha Zhu's face instantly darkened, as quickly as turning the pages of a book.

Seeing that Sha Zhu remained silent with a cold face, Yi Zhonghai urged again, "Why don't you say something and give Huai Ru a definite answer?"

"What definite news?" Sha Zhu glanced at him sideways. "Uncle, if you think Qin Huairu is good, go back and divorce your wife, and go with Qin Huairu yourself. Don't come looking for me with this."

"Zhu Zi!" Yi Zhonghai's face hardened, and he scolded, "What nonsense are you spouting! I'm doing this for your own good!"

"Hey, old man, why are you so angry?"

No sooner had Yi Zhonghai finished speaking than a cold laugh came from behind him. Turning around, he saw He Yudong pushing his bicycle towards him. Yi Zhonghai felt a surge of disgust; it was that little brat again. Ever since he came back, Sha Zhu had become increasingly difficult to manage.

But he still suppressed his anger and forced a stiff smile: "Yu Dong is back? I was just talking to your brother about some family matters."

"What family matters are you talking about? Making my brother marry Qin Huairu?" He Yudong parked the car and looked at him with a half-smile.

Yi Zhonghai paused for a moment, then chuckled dryly, "Huai Ru is indeed a good person. She's honest and caring, and she's a good match for your brother."

"Oh? I see." He Yudong nodded, then changed the subject, "Since you think Qin Huairu is so good, why don't you just divorce your wife and marry Qin Huairu? Maybe she can even give you a big, healthy son to take care of you in your old age."

"Yu Dong, you... what nonsense are you spouting!" Yi Zhonghai was hit where it hurt, and immediately became somewhat embarrassed and angry. How did this kid know what I was thinking? Impossible!

"Sir, what you're saying is utter nonsense," He Yudong sneered. "You always look so respectable, how come you do such inhuman things?"

"You...you're completely unreasonable! I'm doing this for your brother's own good!" Yi Zhonghai was so angry that his beard trembled.

"For my brother's own good? You want him to marry a widow with three children?" He Yudong scoffed. "With my brother's looks and qualities, what kind of beautiful young woman couldn't he find? Why are you pushing him into a fire pit? What are you up to?"

"What's wrong with Huai Ru? Even though she has three children, she can still make those children treat Zhu Zi like their own father in the future," Yi Zhonghai was still trying to argue.

"Don't be like that. Those kids don't even have the surname He. Why should my brother be the one to suffer?" He Yudong retorted without any politeness. "If you really like Qin Huairu, you can have those three kids call you 'Dad.' Anyway, you don't have any children, so isn't this perfect? ​​You'll have someone to take care of you in your old age, right?"

"You...you're being unreasonable!" Yi Zhonghai choked, his face turning red with anger. He turned to look at Sha Zhu, "Zhu Zi, don't you care about your brother? You have no respect for elders or care for the young!"

"Uncle, my brother is absolutely right." Sha Zhu spread his hands. "There's no way I'll marry Qin Huairu. You should give up on that idea now."

"You...you're really infuriating!" Yi Zhonghai knew that today's plan was doomed. With He Yudong around, Sha Zhu was determined not to take the bait, so he could only angrily turn away.

"Ding! Your plan to thwart the villains has been foiled. You have been awarded 100 merit points."

Upon hearing the notification sound in his mind, He Yudong couldn't help but curse inwardly, "Holy shit!"

The system always has rules for awarding merit points: the bigger the matter and the more important the people involved, the more points you get. Last night, Qin Huairu's little scheme only earned 40 points, but today Yi Zhonghai's casual marriage advice actually earned 100 points?

It seems this matter isn't so simple. This old bastard is definitely plotting something even more sinister behind the scenes, otherwise the system wouldn't have given him such a heavy penalty.

Your one-stop haven for novel reading.

I've now accumulated 380 merit points. Besides dealing with these monsters and demons, I can also accumulate some by treating and saving people in the infirmary. Although it's not much, it's better than nothing.

However, we must investigate Yi Zhonghai. It's not the theft itself that's worrisome, but the fact that someone has designs on us. We should tear off this old man's hypocritical mask so he won't keep waving around in front of us and disgusting us every day.

"Brother, was I right last night? Qin Huairu definitely sent Yi Zhonghai as an intermediary."

"Don't worry, your brother's name is Sha Zhu, but I'm not really stupid." Sha Zhu grinned. Ever since his younger brother came back, it was as if he had gained supernatural insight. Things he couldn't understand before, he could see clearly now.

"Just be wary of Qin Huairu. That old bastard Yi Zhonghai is also full of bad intentions." He Yudong patted the car seat. "Don't be fooled by his saintly appearance. He might be plotting something against you."

"No way? I know that old man's temper. He might meddle in other people's business, but he shouldn't do something like this." Sha Zhu shook his head, looking unconvinced.

"Hehe, you don't know that people's hearts are hidden behind their bellies. I've never misjudged anyone, so just wait and see. In short, you can't go wrong by listening to me." He Yudong patted his brother's shoulder meaningfully.

"Okay, you're a god, I believe you." Sha Zhu grinned and didn't ask any more questions. No matter what others said, He Yudong was his own brother. In this world, besides rain, this brother was the closest person to him. Others might try to cheat him, but his brother would never do that.

"You went to the old lady's place to cook again tonight?" He Yudong changed the subject.

Sha Zhu's eyes darted around, and seeing that no one was around, he lowered his voice and said, "Little brother, I have something to tell you."

"You mean Lou Xiao'e, right?" He Yudong's lips curled up, his face bearing the expression of 'I saw through it all along'.

"Hey, how come nothing gets hidden from your eyes?" Sha Zhu scratched his head, a little embarrassed, but his tone was serious. "After spending these past few days with her, I think she's a really good person. It's just that she was unlucky in love before and married the wrong person."

"Alright, I know what you're trying to say. I don't object, but if you're determined, you'd better act quickly and get the marriage certificate as soon as possible, lest things get complicated." He Yudong stated the obvious directly.

"Okay, I'll do as you say. I won't eat at home tonight, I'll go to Grandma's. You and Yushui will eat at home. If anyone looks for me, just say I went to cook for the big boss," Shazhu instructed.

He Yudong couldn't help but laugh. Being a shrew like Sha Zhu must be exhausting. Dating is like being a thief, and you have to cover it up.

"Don't worry, no one can bother you. I'll bring the old lady over for dinner tonight, and you two can have the other side of the table." He Yudong winked at him.

"Oh right, do you still have that snowflake beef from before?" Sha Zhu rubbed his hands together, looking expectant.

"It's already prepared for you."

He Yudong turned and went back into the house. When he came out, he was carrying a basket. He handed it to Sha Zhu and said, "Here. Snowflake beef, pork belly, and a big fish. The rest is up to you."

"Hehe, my younger brother still loves me the most, thanks!" Sha Zhu took the basket, looking very pleased with himself, and happily went out the door.

After leaving the front door, this guy circled around again, sneaked back through the backyard, and disappeared into the old lady's room in a flash.

No sooner had Sha Zhu left than He Yushui poked her head out from the inner room, looking at He Yudong expectantly: "Brother, what are we having for dinner tonight?"

"What do you want to eat? I'll make it for you. Order whatever you like."

"Great! I want to eat braised pork!" He Yushui perked up as soon as she heard that. She had eaten He Yudong's braised pork before, and the taste made her mouth water just thinking about it.

"You're always thinking about braised pork. Be careful you don't get fat and never get married," He Yudong said with a smile, playfully flicking her nose.

"No way! I can eat whatever I want and I never get fat!" He Yushui huffed indignantly.

"Alright, alright, then we'll have braised pork, steamed fish, and a tomato and egg soup to cut through the richness. I'll go pick up Grandma first, and the three of us will eat together tonight."

"Where's your older brother? I just saw him. Isn't he home for dinner?"

"Just left, went to cook for the big boss."

"Oh, big brother's been coming home really late lately." He Yushui didn't think much of it and turned to prepare the fish on the cutting board. "Brother, I'll clean the fish."

"Okay, you go ahead and do your work, I'll go pick up the old lady."

He Yudong strolled to the backyard and knocked on the door. When the door opened, the old lady's face lit up with a wide smile when she saw him.

He Yudong peeked inside and saw Sha Zhu and Lou Xiao'e sitting upright. He immediately stepped in, magically produced a flask of wine, and slammed it on the table: "Brother, I brought you a flask of good wine. This is aged monkey wine. You two can enjoy it tonight. The old lady is mine. I'll take her back to have dinner with me and Yushui."

"Hehe, you little rascal, you're like a mind reader, aren't you? I just realized I forgot to bring the wine, and you brought it!" Sha Zhu snatched the wine jug, his eyes shining. Ever since he drank the monkey wine that He Yudong gave him, other wines were no different from dishwater in his mouth. He was like someone who had tasted the ocean and found no water to compare.

"Silly Zhu, you and Xiao'e have a good chat. I'll be leaving now." The old lady stood up with a smile and winked at He Yudong.

The two left the house, and the old lady immediately locked the door and bolted it shut. She then shouted into the house, "Silly Zhu, I've locked the door! You two stay put tonight and don't come out. Try to give me a big, healthy son as soon as possible!"

The two people inside were stunned on the spot. Lou Xiao'e's pretty face turned red to the roots of her ears in an instant. Why is this old lady not playing by the rules?

Back at their home in the courtyard, the old lady lowered her voice, a smug look on her face: "How was it? Did I handle this matter well?"

He Yudong gave a thumbs up: "You are absolutely a role model for us. I, your grandson, must learn from your methods."

"You little rascal, don't flatter me. Tell me honestly, was there any poison in that wine just now?" The old lady was shrewd and saw through her immediately.

He Yudong was taken aback for a moment, then laughed heartily and gave a thumbs up: "Old ginger is spicier! Your insight is amazing! It's mainly because my brother is such a blockhead, so slow to understand. If I don't give him a push, he'll probably be a bachelor for life. I'm really worried about that."

"You little rascal, but this time I'm rooting for you, well done!" The old lady was beaming from ear to ear.

"If Sha Zhu were half as clever as you, this old woman wouldn't have to worry about him every day," He Yudong's grandmother said slowly, sitting at the table, holding a piece of jujube cake in her hand.

"Grandma, what are you saying? What happened to my brother?" He Yushui asked as she came in from the yard.

"It's nothing, it's nothing." He Yudong put the vegetable basket on the stove and smiled as he smoothed things over. "My older brother went to cook for the big boss. We'll eat with Grandma today. Please have a seat, I'll go cook."

"Alright, alright, then I'll have to try your cooking." Grandma smiled, squinting her eyes, and patted the stool next to her.

"Rain, cook some rice, use the fragrant rice I brought back, I'll take care of the rest." He Yudong tied on his apron.

"Okay, brother!" He Yushui's eyes lit up. She loved the rice cooked with this fragrant rice. It was sticky and had a sweet taste. It was ten times more fragrant than the brown rice from the grain station. It was so delicious that she would swallow her saliva just eating it.

Little did she know, this fragrant rice was a prize from He Yudong's storage space—ten tons, enough to last for several years. Even if a famine struck in two years, their family wouldn't go hungry. He Yudong remembered the original owner's memories: in those turbulent times, supplies were more precious than money, and only by holding onto food and cloth coupons could one feel secure.

The cleaver seemed to come alive in He Yudong's hands; with a few swift "swishes," he dissected the beef, his knife skills flowing smoothly and effortlessly. The braised pork's red sauce had just begun to caramelize when the steamed fish slid into the steamer. He meticulously removed all the bones and thorns, leaving the fish perfectly intact. His knife skills were at the level of a master chef in a restaurant. Before long, the aroma of meat mingled with the freshness of fish filled the entire house, and even wafted into the yard.

"Brother, it smells so good!" He Yushui sniffed, her saliva almost dripping onto her clothes.

Grandma clicked her tongue in amazement. Although Sha Zhu's cooking was delicious, it still paled in comparison to He Yudong's skills.

The Qin family next door were eating cornbread. The aroma of meat and fish wafted through the cracks in the wall, and Qin Huairu's hand, which was holding the cornbread, froze in mid-air, and his face immediately fell.

"Mom! Shazhu's family made delicious food again! Braised pork and fish! I want to eat!" Banggeng lay on the table, drool dripping down his chin.

"That stupid Zhu, he hides the good food from everyone and eats it all by himself! He's a real scoundrel!" Madam Jia slammed her chopsticks on the bowl and raised her voice high.

Qin Huai acted as if he hadn't heard anything, lowering his head to gnaw on his cornbread, his cheeks puffed out like a hamster's.

"Mom, I don't want cornbread anymore, I want braised pork!" Banggeng tugged at her sleeve.

"Did you hear that? My grandson is still growing, his leg injury hasn't fully healed yet, how can he eat cornbread every day?" Jia Zhangshi's eyes widened. "Why aren't you going to ask Sha Zhu for some? What are you standing there for!"

"What's all the noise about? The braised pork belongs to someone else. If you want some, go ask for it yourself!" Qin Huairu suddenly shouted, her eyes instantly reddening.

Banggeng shrank back in fright; his mother had never been so fierce before.

"What kind of attitude is that?" Madam Jia slammed her hand on the table. "What's wrong with my grandson wanting a decent meal? Weren't you so capable before? You had Sha Zhu completely under your thumb, and now you can't even get a lunchbox? If this continues, we can't live like this!"

"Then go out and earn money to buy meat!" Qin Huairu cried, feeling wronged. "I go to work early and come home late every day. My whole family depends on my meager salary. Do you know how hard it is for me?"

"Hmph, he used to be so fat and bloated, wasn't he fed by Sha Zhu's lunchboxes?" Jia Zhangshi slammed a cornbread on the table. "Now that Sha Zhu is getting married, he doesn't care about us anymore. He's living his own life, what does it have to do with us?"

"Him? He wants to get married? Didn't you ruin Teacher Ran's plans?"

"How would I know!" Qin Huairu wiped away her tears. "He's out early and back late now, how am I supposed to find out? If you're so capable, why don't you do it yourself!"

"No! We absolutely can't let Shazhu get married!" Jia Zhangshi wrung her hands anxiously. "If he gets married, our family's long-term meal ticket will be gone! How can you be so useless? You can't even find out a little bit of information!"

"If you're useless, shut up!" Qin Huai retorted. "After his brother He Yudong came back, Sha Zhu locked the door as soon as he walked in, treating me like a thief. There was nowhere to eavesdrop!"

"That damned He Yudong! He does nothing but despicable things!" Madam Jia gritted her teeth in hatred. "Why doesn't he just die outside? Is he trying to force our family to our deaths by coming back?"

If He Yudong hadn't come back, they would have already taken over the He family's house under the pretext of "lending it to Banggeng," and then they could have taken another one after Yushui got married. Now that He Yudong is here, their plans have all fallen through.

"No! We have to teach He Yudong a lesson!" Madam Jia clenched her fists. "We can't let him get away with this!"

"Grandma, Uncle Yudong is such a nice person..." Little Huaihua timidly tugged at Jia Zhangshi's clothes, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz.

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