Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

He will have a grand wedding in the future, and Yushui will have a respectable marriage. No one will be able to laugh at the siblings.

"Do you even need to tell me?" He Yuzhu scoffed. "I still want to support Yushui's university education!"

I finally caught my breath.

If He Daqing hadn't agreed, he really wouldn't have had a chance—he couldn't very well beat up his own father, could he? But now it was different; all four conditions had been met, so he had more confidence and a stronger stance.

From now on, He Yuzhu will not only live, but live with dignity.

In this courtyard surrounded by wolves, protect your younger sister, gain a foothold, and completely escape the fate of freezing to death under a bridge and becoming a lonely ghost in your previous life.

As long as he can avoid these vampire neighbors, he can start a family, get married, have children, and forge a new path.

"Alright then." He Daqing waved his hand, his tone complicated. "I'll take some time to accompany you to get the paperwork done soon."

To be honest, you've really lost your mind to insist on going to Baoding.

"You have friends everywhere in Beijing. You're a master craftsman at the steel mill. You could find a place to live, get married, anything is possible. Why did you have to run off so far with a widow..."

"Get lost!" He Yuzhu interrupted directly, "Mind your own business!"

He Daqing turned over and lay down with his head down.

He talked too much tonight, and the impact was too great. He needs to get a good night's sleep to process this sudden "coming-of-age ceremony."

The next morning, He Yuzhu got up before dawn.

Reheat the leftovers, make the egg drop soup, and steam the cornbread and steamed buns made from a mixture of corn and water until they are piping hot.

He didn't cook for He Daqing—he knew his father was used to going to the canteen to freeload and save on food.

From today onwards, he will no longer be the same hothead who used to be so sarcastic and ruthless, always ready to roll up his sleeves.

He wants to change.

Talk less, do more.

Do not engage in verbal sparring, nor resort to unnecessary physical violence.

Learn to cook, learn to do laundry, learn to take care of people.

In his past life, he was bound hand and foot by Qin Huairu with the phrase "You owe my family for food money," forced to do her laundry, cook for her, and do all sorts of chores, ultimately ruining his reputation and becoming universally hated.

In this life, he will never again let anyone use "gratitude" as a shackle.

He can do housework, but only for rainwater, not for anyone else.

He picked up the bowl, took a bite of the scalding hot steamed bun, his eyes reflecting the morning light, and burning with an unprecedented fierceness.

This time, he's going to live for himself.

This time, he was determined to take care of the housework himself. How could someone who had lived two lives not even know how to sweep and do laundry? Wouldn't that make him a useless piece of trash?

……

"Master, I'm here! The tea hasn't been brewed yet! Let me help!"

As He Yuzhu stepped into the kitchen of Fengzeyuan, he saw his master, Li Yuanguo, leisurely fiddling with a teacup. He immediately rushed forward, took the cup, and said, "Today, your apprentice is serving you tea, hoping you'll share in my good fortune."

Li Yuanguo smiled, his eyes narrowing. "Oh ho, has the sun risen in the west? This is the first time you've offered to pour tea. Tell me, what's your motive?"

"Master, you have such keen eyes! You saw right through me." He Yuzhu chuckled, deftly picked up the thermos, poured in boiling water, and the tea leaves tumbled like waves, steaming upwards.

He handed over the tea with both hands, stood up straight, and his tone immediately became honest: "Master, I would like to ask for leave to go to the city with my father to take care of some business."

He plans to buy me a bicycle—you know, my home is almost ten miles away from here, and I have to rush to and from school every day, which makes me late every day, which is really unacceptable.

Having a car makes walking faster and keeps you looking presentable.

He kept quiet about the house; there was no need to broadcast such a private matter to the world.

But buying a car is perfectly legitimate and has all the right reasons.

Besides, all the chefs at Fengzeyuan are riding "iron horses" at breakneck speed. He's a bit younger, but he's grown taller, with broad shoulders and long legs, so he can already hold the handlebars firmly.

Upon hearing this, Li Yuanguo nodded immediately: "Okay, no problem. Just let me know when the time comes."

It's really far; having a car would save you a lot of trouble.

But her dad's factory is very close to the school; he can easily pick her up on his way to and from get off work. Why are you worrying about it?

He Yuzhu glanced around to make sure no one was in the corner, then lowered his voice and said, "I don't tell anyone else about this, I only dare to tell you—my father wants to remarry, and the other woman is from Baoding. He insists that he move there."

With him gone, only my two kids, Yushui and I, are left at home. If I don't step up, who will?

"That damned bastard!"

Li Yuanguo slammed his hand on the table, causing the tea mug to jump up and spill boiling tea all over the table, splashing water droplets everywhere.

Several workers chopping vegetables in the distance heard the commotion and looked up, thinking that He Yuzhu had caused trouble.

"It's alright, it's alright!" He Yuzhu quickly waved his hand to comfort everyone, while grabbing a rag to wipe the table clean. He then turned to his master and advised, "Don't get angry. Even if he really leaves, I can still support this family."

He only dared to leave because he saw that I was learning from you and that my skills were quite good.

Besides, he even taught me Tan family cuisine—but to be honest, my skills are nothing compared to the Sichuan cuisine you taught me.

"It's all thanks to your kindness in promoting me to the position of Second Stove Manager that I've been able to uphold the family's reputation."

His words were impeccable, full of praise and affection, and concealing filial piety within his resentment.

Li Yuanguo, who was originally furious, slowly relaxed his brows after hearing this, gave a cold snort, and his eyes softened.

He really cares about this child.

In his previous life, He Yuzhu entered a steel rolling mill and gradually drifted away from his master. Looking back now, he feels a little regretful.

He didn't cherish it back then, missing out on so much support and protection. In this life, he will never let this relationship cool down again.

Li Yuanguo stared at him for a long time before finally speaking: "Zhuzi, I won't say anything more."

If you encounter any difficulties in the future, just come to your master.

With your talent, it's not impossible that you could become a top-level chef—cooking at state banquets—in the future.

He Yuzhu felt a surge of warmth in his heart and grinned, saying, "Then Master, you must give me a hand and give me some pointers so I can avoid taking the wrong path."

"Go away, go away! Haven't I taught you enough?" Li Yuanguo waved his hand, feigning anger. "Aren't you going to get ready? You're in charge of the second stove again today!"

He Yuzhu retreated with a grin.

Li Yuanguo watched his retreating figure, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.

At first, I chose him because he was honest yet resilient and willing to work hard to learn a craft; but now I've discovered that not only has he become more intelligent and his skills have improved by leaps and bounds, but he has also become much more tactful in his dealings with others.

They've changed, and they've grown up.

-

Before long, Fengzeyuan became extremely popular.

Before the era of ration coupons, as long as you had money in your pocket, you could buy rice, noodles, oil, and meat.

Next year, when grain coupons and cloth coupons started appearing one after another, eating out became a rare occurrence.

Back then, restaurants weren't having an easy time either.

Moreover, Fengzeyuan will be a joint public-private enterprise next year, and wages will have to be paid according to regulations, instead of being distributed flexibly as they are now.

Fortunately, he was promoted to a permanent position this year.

If it were delayed until after the joint venture, no matter how skilled you were, you would have to start from the level of a first-class cook and work your way up. If you wanted to become a full-time employee, you would have to pass the exam to at least level ten.

At noon, customers flocked in, and 80% of them ordered Sichuan dishes.

He Yuzhu stood in front of the stove, the spatula flying, flames licking the pot, and the aroma bursting out.

Kung Pao Chicken is fried until crispy and tender, with peanuts crunching; Fish-flavored Shredded Pork is intensely sour and spicy, irresistible; Twice-cooked Pork is fatty but not greasy, with a glossy red skin; Mapo Tofu is served tremblingly, with Sichuan peppercorns making your tongue tingle.

One dish after another, all signature dishes that are known to the core.

He has a precise grasp of the heat and can season the food at will, as if every taste bud is under his command.

Li Yuanguo was also busy, personally tasting every dish he made.

The dishes made by his senior apprentice Zhang Deliang sometimes had to be redone; but when he tasted He Yuzhu's cooking, the old man would just nod slightly, his eyes and brows full of approval.

Whether it's color, aroma, or taste, it's flawless.

If Li Yuanguo hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he would have suspected that these dishes were personally prepared by a veteran craftsman who had been immersed in Sichuan cuisine for decades.

After finishing their meal, the diners outside all gave a thumbs up, and several tables in a row praised it.

The Sichuan cuisine used to be quite authentic, but today's meal felt like the numbing spiciness and fresh aroma had been ingrained in the very bones of the people of Beijing—it tasted even better and was even more addictive.

By the time the store closed, He Yuzhu was so tired that his arms ached and his elbows were trembling slightly.

He's only sixteen years old. If he were a chef in his thirties or forties, he could have endured a whole day of this, but today he cooked at least a hundred dishes, never letting go of the spatula. Anyone would have had to do that.

The positive reviews they received were genuine.

As soon as the last table of guests left, the owner of Fengzeyuan Restaurant personally strolled into the kitchen.

"Master Li, you really put in a lot of effort today! Everyone who eats Sichuan food outside says it's excellent, you've really worked hard."

Li Yuanguo was taking a sip of tea when he heard this, his face twitched, and he almost choked.

He put down his cup, stood up, and waved his hand with a smile: "Manager, you've wronged me—today's dishes were all cooked by my two apprentices."

The one you're talking about is most likely my young apprentice, He Yuzhu.

"Pillar, come out and greet the shopkeeper."

He Yuzhu quickly threw down the rag in his hand, took a few steps forward, and grinned: "Hello, shopkeeper. I am He Yuzhu, the youngest apprentice of my master. I am still an apprentice."

The shopkeeper was taken aback, his brows furrowed, and his eyes were full of disbelief: "Apprentice? Master Li, I tasted it myself. You controlled the heat of those Kung Pao Chicken and Boiled Pork Slices better than you do."

You're saying this young man did it?

Li Yuanguo didn't explain much, and simply pointed: "Hearing is believing, seeing is believing - shopkeeper, you can order a dish and have him make it for you right here."

After a moment's hesitation, the shopkeeper said decisively, "Then I'll have one serving of Kung Pao Chicken."

"Okay, just a moment!"

Without saying a word, He Yuzhu turned around and buried himself in the desk.

With a flash of the knife, chicken, peanuts, and dried chili peppers were neatly arranged into uniformly sized cubes, the technique clean and efficient, without the slightest hesitation.