Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

Others who want to work in the cafeteria have to undergo at least a few days of assessment to observe their character. But this kid? Forget about it.

Who is Ma Hua? A die-hard loyalist. Once he's made up his mind about someone, nothing can sway him. He must have followed Ma Hua for over a decade in his past life, from the kitchen to the workshop, never leaving his side—a true disciple in the making.

Since He Yuzhu was promoted to canteen director, there has been no deputy director for logistics. It's not that they didn't want to, but there's simply no need—He manages things too well and keeps everything in perfect order, so Li Huaide is happy to have some free time and simply doesn't want to send anyone else in to cause trouble.

But He Yuzhu knew very well that he spent all his time traveling between the canteen and the greenhouse every day. If he had a trustworthy person to keep an eye on things, it would save him a lot of trouble.

Upon arriving at the canteen, nine newcomers were already standing in a row. The oldest was nearly fifty, and the youngest was Ma Hua, who was only sixteen.

Temporary workers are recruited by the factory through the local street office, specifically targeting people from disadvantaged backgrounds. There are lenient age restrictions, and it's not uncommon for someone as young as sixteen to start working.

Ma Hua's family of eight squeezed into one room. His parents had a meager income, and his job was the only thing that allowed them to barely make ends meet. Seeing his dire situation, the neighborhood committee gave him priority in getting a job at the factory.

He Yuzhu stood in front of the crowd, his gaze falling on that thin figure, a slight smile playing on his lips.

The chess piece has finally been placed.

As soon as He Yuzhu stepped into the canteen, he glanced around and said directly, "Everyone, my name is He Yuzhu, the canteen manager of the Third Steel Rolling Mill. Now that you're here, we're all family. The work arrangement is simple—start as a general laborer."

The job requirements were explained in a few words, and everyone understood what they were going to do next.

He paused, then suddenly changed the subject: "By the way, I haven't taken on any apprentices yet. Ma Hua, would you be willing to become my apprentice? You can learn to cook from me."

These words caused an uproar. Even MCA himself was stunned, his eyes almost popping out of their sockets.

Who is He Yuzhu? Everyone in the steel rolling mill knows him. He's a legendary chef, his skills are divine, and some have called him "the God of Cookery descended to earth." Countless people have tried desperately to become his apprentices, but haven't even gotten close enough to get close.

But today, this unexpected opportunity fell upon a temporary worker who had just started working in the cafeteria.

"Director He, I...I..."

"What are you dawdling for? Get to the point, do you want to learn?"

He Yuzhu's eyes narrowed, and his tone was crisp and decisive. He knew that Ma Hua was a bit simple-minded, like a block of wood, but it was precisely because of this honesty that people could trust him.

"Yes! I want to! I'm willing, Director He!"

Ma Hua blurted it out almost without thinking, nodding his head like a pestle being pounded. The next second, he knelt down and kowtowed three times.

"Director He... Master, your disciple Ma Hua pays his respects!"

"Get up, get up!" He Yuzhu quickly helped him up. "This is a new society, we don't do this kind of thing anymore." He then turned around and assigned tasks, "Ma Hua, Luo Qisheng, Cao Shengxiang, the three of you stay in the first canteen. The rest of you, two go to the second canteen, and three go to the third canteen."

After assigning the personnel, he nodded to Master Luo and Master Zhang: "The people have been assigned to you. Take them over to familiarize themselves with the process. This will make things easier for both sides later."

"Thanks, Yuzhu! At least we have enough manpower now."

As they responded, the two men didn't forget to turn back and give Ma Hua a fierce glare before leaving, their eyes full of envy—what incredible luck this kid had! He actually got personally selected by He Yuzhu to be his apprentice!

In the past, so many people would eagerly beg to become his apprentices, but he wouldn't even lift a finger. Now, however, he's taking the initiative to ask, which is so rare it could be written into the factory's history.

Once everyone left, only one group remained in the canteen. He Yuzhu waved and called Ma Hua, Qian Shih-hu, and Mu Changzheng over.

"Ma Hua, although I've accepted you as my apprentice, I'm too busy to teach you personally. The basics will be taught by your two senior brothers—Qian Shih-hu and Mu Chang-zheng. They are my senior brother's apprentices, and they will guide you through the basics. I'll check on you every few days."

He then turned to the two men: "Shih-hu, Chang-zheng, keep a close eye on him for me. Teach him how to chop vegetables first, and once he's mastered it, then he can cook large batches of vegetables on the stove."

"Understood, Uncle-Master! We will definitely take good care of our junior brother."

The two men agreed in unison, their voices firm. In the steel mill's back kitchen, He Yuzhu was the pillar of the operation; who would dare disobey his orders?

It was only then that MCA truly realized how lucky he was. Others who came in to do odd jobs and wash dishes would have to endure at least six months before they could even touch a knife and spatula; but he was lucky, he was assigned to chop vegetables on his very first day, and even had a personal instructor, which meant he had stepped into the inner circle in one step.

This treatment is like a new worker entering the factory being directly assigned two senior technicians by the chief engineer to provide close training. Who wouldn't be envious?

He Yuzhu gave a few more instructions, "Study hard and don't embarrass your master," and then turned and left.

As soon as he left, Qian Shih-hu immediately put his arm around Ma Hua's shoulder, his eyes shining: "Oh my, junior brother, you've been hiding this well! You became your master's personal disciple on your very first day? Do you know that back when your master was just a second-level cook, there were hardly any chefs in Beijing who dared to compete with him! Even the clerk said he was number one!"

Ma Hua was still dazed, scratching his head with a silly grin: "Senior brother, I'm confused too... My ancestors must have been incredibly lucky to get this temporary job, I've never even seen Master before..."

Mu Changzheng smiled and said in a steady tone, "Uncle-Master has his reasons for doing things. But Junior Brother, since he's entrusted us with his training, you have to be prepared for the hardship."

Ma Hua immediately puffed out his chest: "Don't worry, senior! I'm ecstatic to be learning a trade, I wouldn't complain about being tired!"

If MCA complains about being tired when he has the opportunity to learn a trade, he'll be laughed at. If his elders found out, they'd beat him with a broom.

At noon, He Yuzhu prepared another table of hearty dishes, which left Li Huaide and several other factory leaders with greasy faces, almost as if they were eating a state banquet in the Great Hall of the People.

This skill is absolutely amazing. Now, all the decent receptions in the factory are arranged by Li Huaide, and his network of connections is expanding. The factory directors of other factories all call him brother.

Factory Director Yang saw it all and was furious, but he couldn't do anything about it.

Firstly, all the ingredients used for the hospitality were obtained by Li Huaide through the purchasing department via "unplanned" channels, bypassing official accounts and keeping things clean and efficient. If Director Yang wanted to treat someone to a meal, he either had to pay out of his own pocket or get the ingredients from the warehouse, keeping a clear record of everything. How could he dare to touch anything casually?

Want to get some extra supplies? The purchasing department is Li Huaide's territory, so he can't interfere and can only watch helplessly.

Secondly, He Yuzhu was originally one of Li Huaide's men. When Engineer Bai Xiong was around, no one said much about him getting special treatment, but now that he's gone, this special treatment is being offered more and more frequently—specifically for entertaining leaders who come to inspect the steel rolling mill.

What happened afterward? They conveniently allocated some unplanned materials to the steel rolling mill and distributed them to the workers as welfare.

As time went on, Li Huaide's prestige in the factory soared, overshadowing Director Yang, and even Director Yang himself sensed the subtle threat emanating from him.

The problem is, he can't find any fault with the factory or outmaneuver them, so Director Yang can only grit his teeth and wait for an opportunity.

That day, Xu Damao swaggered out of the alley, humming a self-composed tune, his face full of pride.

Chunhua's cries just now made his bones melt, and he thoroughly experienced what it means to be a real man.

"Chunhua~ Her skin is as smooth as jade~ Master Mao is resting today, let's fight another three hundred rounds another day~"

He was singing and swaying his head when he suddenly heard a voice: "Xu Damao?"

Startled, I turned around and saw Jia Dongxu from the courtyard, carrying a kettle in his hand.

What are you doing here in broad daylight, carrying a water bottle?

On second thought, I understood—he probably went to buy cheap liquor.

There's a small workshop nearby that sells bulk liquor. It's cheap, but one sip makes your eyes roll back from the spiciness; it's just for getting drunk.

For the first half of the month, Xu Damao looked down on this stuff and preferred to endure it. In the second half of the month, his pockets were empty and his cravings became overwhelming, so he reluctantly bought some to satisfy his craving.

But Jia Dongxu is different; he relies on this stuff to stay alive every day. He can't even afford decent Erguotou, let alone Xifeng or Moutai.

Xu Damao sneered inwardly: What's the use of marrying such a pretty wife as Qin Huairu? In the end, we're still dirt poor and can't even afford a decent bottle of wine.

But he needed to maintain appearances and not give himself away. He quickly put on a smile and greeted, "Hey, Dongxu! What are you doing here? Went to get some wine?"

"Okay, get some drinks." Jia Dongxu replied, but his eyes swept towards the depths of the alley, his brows furrowing slightly. "You... how did you get out of there?"

"Me?" Xu Damao feigned nonchalance. "A friend is staying here, we chatted for a bit. But you, Dongxu, you drink this kind of liquor?"

He deliberately frowned, looking as if he felt sorry for you.

He's now a certified level nine projectionist, separated from his parents, and lives a carefree life on his own with a salary of just over thirty yuan.

Unlike Jia Dongxu, whose entire family depends on his meager salary, his only source of amusement is drinking cheap liquor to calm his temper.

Upon hearing this, Jia Dongxu's face flushed red, his throat tightened, and he forced out a sentence: "This liquor is strong enough, I like strong liquor."

Xu Damao sneered inwardly, but immediately put on an expression of admiration: "No wonder you're Brother Dongxu! You've got character! How about this, it's my treat today, let's have a good drink together, brother? I'll show you around later?"

"...You're treating?"

"Why would I lie to you! Just you wait and see!" Xu Damao patted out the remaining ten-odd yuan on his body, which was a small fraction of his salary for the month—he had only been paid for about ten days and it was almost gone. It was obvious where the money had gone.

Jia Dongxu stared at the few bills, his eyes flickering slightly.

He was initially too lazy to bother with this disrespectful scoundrel, but upon hearing "treating guests," his heart suddenly stirred.

Since their master, Bai Xiong, left, the Jia family's life has returned to what it used to be—they eat coarse grains every meal and rarely have meat more than twice a month.

He couldn't bring himself to ask the old woman for money, but the old woman herself was also struggling financially, living with a deaf old lady. Even Jia Zhangshi couldn't help her, let alone him.

After hesitating for a moment, Jia Dongxu finally nodded: "Okay, let's go."