Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

For them, getting this job permanent is not just a means of livelihood, it's their lifeline.

Both of them had excellent knife skills; otherwise, their senior apprentice Zhang Deliang and master Li Yuanguo wouldn't have specifically recommended them.

Following the recipe given by He Yuzhu, he started stir-frying, and the big pot of vegetables was immediately filled to the brim, bubbling with aroma and glistening with oil. The taste even surpassed that of Chef Zhang and Chef Luo.

After all, they are from a proper academic background and have a solid foundation, unlike some self-taught amateurs who rely entirely on improvisation.

As soon as the first batch came out, He Yuzhu took a bite, raised an eyebrow slightly, didn't say anything, and turned to leave.

He doesn't need to worry about the skills; his biggest headache right now is manpower—the canteen is so empty you could run a horse there. He has to go find Li Huaide and urge him to hurry up.

Come quickly if you can! Even if it's just to carry a few bags of potatoes or sweep the floor, it's better than leaving your post unattended.

Otherwise, by the end of the day, the four people in the canteen would be exhausted, as if they had been run over by a car.

A few days ago, it was thanks to He Yuzhu's physical strength that he managed to cook twelve batches in one go, preventing the two handymen from collapsing on the spot.

That afternoon, as soon as he entered the office, he started complaining to Li Huaide. The latter, upon hearing this, couldn't sit still any longer and immediately made a decision: "The person must be in place within five days!"

He had also heard that the deputy director of the canteen was spending all his time washing dishes and cleaning floors. What a mess that must be! Besides, the greenhouse project still depended on He Yuzhu to take charge, and he also had to contact the senior experts.

Such an important person shouldn't be used as a laborer.

The foundation for the greenhouse has been laid long ago, and it's just waiting for everyone to be ready to start planting.

Summer is almost over, and He Yushui is about to enter junior high school. If she doesn't hurry up, she'll be starving this winter.

Before leaving get off work, He Yuzhu took a walk around the cafeteria.

With the arrival of the two new people, the burden on my shoulders was immediately lightened.

He then strolled over to the second and third canteens, but they were still deserted, with few people eating there.

Strangely enough, many people who had been transferred to the new workshop, which was far away from the canteen, would rush over with their lunchboxes at mealtimes just to have a bite of the big pot of food cooked by He Yuzhu.

The aroma of the food during those two days was so engraved in the stomachs of the factory workers.

To solve the congestion problem, the factory leaders simply reduced the number of meal tickets printed for the first canteen and printed more for the second and third canteens, forcing everyone to eat at the nearest canteen.

Otherwise, not only would the food servers be unable to stand it, but even the pots would be overturned.

However, during this period, He Yuzhu made a name for himself in the steel rolling mill.

During the time when the cafeteria was most short-staffed, there were only three of them, including him, yet they managed to provide meals all day long.

He cooked twelve batches of food by himself, swinging the iron wok with a whooshing sound, his sweat soaking through three layers of work clothes, but he didn't stop.

The logistics team privately called him "Iron Man Director".

Furthermore, with the greenhouse project being postponed, if it weren't for his official position, he would have been a shoo-in for the annual advanced worker award without a doubt.

By the time he walked out of the factory gate, it was completely dark, more than half an hour later than usual.

Fortunately, He Yushui could cook. She originally wanted to use her food coupons to buy a bowl of wontons outside, but He Yuzhu retorted with one sentence: "Do you want people to talk behind my back? The sister of a deputy director of the canteen eats out every day? Do you think my money comes from thin air?"

These days, keeping a low profile is the best way to stay safe.

Two weeks after graduating from elementary school, He Yuzhu taught her how to start a fire and cut vegetables step by step, and even prepared the seasonings in advance, clearly labeling them into bottles and jars.

Unless you're completely out of your mind, following this recipe won't result in a bad taste.

As you push open the door and enter the house, the aroma of food wafts out.

The lights were on in the room. He Yushui had finished eating and was lounging on his bed, his ear pressed against the radio, listening intently.

A crosstalk performance was playing on the radio, and she smiled from time to time.

Hearing the noise, she turned her head and looked back: "Brother, you're back? I left the food for you on the table."

After saying that, he turned his attention back to the radio, looking completely absorbed.

He Yuzhu took off his coat and walked over. When he saw the table, his brows immediately furrowed. The three dishes were almost empty, the plates looked like they had been scratched by a dog, with only a few strands of cold potato salad, some spicy pickled cabbage, and a half-eaten steamed bun left.

He could manage to eat this meal by himself, but the problem is... when did He Yushui's appetite become so big?

For the past two years, he has treated her like his own younger sister. He may be strict with her, but he is paving the way for her future with every step he takes – she must get into university, otherwise she won't be able to finish high school and will have to go to the countryside sooner or later, and once she goes there, she will be gone for life and never be able to come back.

He has ensured that the family is well-fed and clothed, even more so than he promised He Daqing.

Even if He Daqing were alive, he would never wash his daughter's clothes again.

But the sight before him made him feel suffocated, and he didn't even want to eat.

At this moment, He Yushui finally got out of bed, went to the table, and was stunned: "Oh dear, how come there's so little left?"

He paused for a moment, then suddenly remembered something: "Oh right, brother, Sister Qin came by earlier, so I just picked out some vegetables for her to take back with her."

He Yuzhu's eyes narrowed, and his voice suddenly turned cold: "Sister Qin? Qin Huairu? Why are you sending her vegetables?"

"Sister Qin just gave birth, she's so pitiful, all alone at home and can't even get a hot meal, her baby is crying from hunger, what's wrong with me giving her some food? Is it wrong to be a decent human being?"

He Yushui paused, her tone softening slightly: "Brother, our family isn't short of that kind of thing."

If you feel it's not enough, I'll go cut another sausage—oh right, I already gave the other half to Sister Qin.

"How about... I get you a bowl of spicy and sour pickled cabbage? It's really appetizing."

He Yuzhu frowned, his voice turning cold: "Didn't I tell you already? Don't get involved with the Jia family, the Yi family, or those people. Why won't you listen?"

"Brother, it's just some food!" He Yushui looked up, her eyes filled with a hint of grievance. "Besides, Sister Qin has really had a hard time. She said she would help me with my laundry so I could focus on my studies..."

Before he could finish speaking, He Yuzhu slammed his hand on the table and stood up abruptly, making the bowls and chopsticks jump around: "I'll say it one last time—you're not allowed to associate with the Jia or Yi families! Wash your own clothes, and don't give away even a single scallion from my family!"

"Why are you yelling!" He Yushui suddenly stood up, her eyes instantly reddening.

She had almost never been disciplined like this before, growing up.

He Yuzhu owed her too much in his past life, so in this life he cherishes her and raises her with utmost care, granting her almost every request.

But today's shout was like a bucket of ice water poured over her head, completely stunning her.

She bit her lip, her voice trembling, "What's wrong with Sister Qin? What's wrong with her? She's willing to help me with my laundry because she doesn't want it to interfere with my studies! Why should you care what I do? If Dad were still alive... he would never treat me like this!"

As she finished speaking, she turned her head away, tears welling up in her eyes, but she held them back tightly.

"Fine." He Yuzhu sneered, his eyes as cold as iron. "You've got an idea now, haven't you? I, He Yuzhu, can't afford to support you anymore."

Pack your things. I'll take tomorrow off and personally take you to see He Daqing.

He paused, then said firmly, "If I find out you're getting involved with Qin Huairu again, I won't just kick you out—I'll make sure she can't stay here either!"

He stared at her and said, word by word, "Put the key down and don't come into my house again."

From now on, don't come to me for help.

After saying that, he picked up a cold steamed bun from the table, took a bite, and didn't look at her again.

He Yushui's face turned deathly pale instantly, and her heart felt as if it had been squeezed tightly.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but her stubbornness kicked in, and she swallowed her tears back.

With a bang, she slammed the main house key on the table, turned and rushed out.

But as soon as she stepped out the door, a suppressed cry erupted in the yard. She covered her face, stumbled back to her room, and sobbed uncontrollably.

Behind the window of the Jia family next door, a pair of eyes had been watching for a long time.

Qin Huairu huddled by the window, watching He Yushui run back into the house crying. Her heart clenched: "Dongxu, Mom... what are we going to do now? Shazhu must be angry because I looked for Yushui. He's probably given her a really bad scolding."

"Let him curse," Jia Zhangshi said with a sneer as she cracked sunflower seeds. "The food's already in our stomachs, does he expect us to throw it up?"

She glanced sideways at the He family's three interconnected main houses and curled her lip: "The two of them occupy three rooms, while the four of us are crammed into two small rooms. It's even difficult to turn over."

Why should I?

"Besides, she brought it over herself, it was free. Even if the King of Heaven himself came, he couldn't say anything!"

Qin Huairu's expression stiffened slightly.

The words "money-losing girl" stung her ears like needles—clearly a sarcastic jab at her for only having a daughter.

But she couldn't care less about that; she was so anxious she kept rubbing her hands together: "Mom, I'm not arguing about that! I'm afraid... Sha Zhu will take revenge on Dong Xu at the factory! Last time he tampered with the canteen, and Dong Xu didn't eat a drop of oil in his food for a whole month, only getting half a spoonful of vegetables, and he lost a lot of weight..."

Upon hearing this, Jia Dongxu felt a chill run down his spine.

He still shudders at that experience—every meal was bland and watery, and the ladle used to serve the food was more precise than a weight, deliberately shaking twice when he couldn't see it.

If we mess with Sha Zhu again this time, we'll really be starving in the cafeteria.

Jia Zhangshi immediately exploded: "He wouldn't dare?! Dongxu, listen to me, if he dares to pull any more tricks, you go straight to the factory administration! If that doesn't work, I'll dress in mourning clothes and make a scene at your factory gate. I don't believe socialism can allow him to cover up everything!"

"Mom!" Jia Dongxu exclaimed in fright.

When Qin Huairu put on that pitiful look, with tears in her eyes saying that her family hadn't had a proper meal in ages, He Yushui's heart immediately softened. Without saying a word, she stuffed a whole box of stir-fried vegetables into her hands, along with half a greasy sausage.

Well, the Jia family has really had a feast tonight.

The food on the plate was so shiny it reflected light. He Yushui didn't hold back at all when cooking; she would pour a spoonful of lard into the pot, and oil splattered everywhere.

If others saw this, they would definitely call her a "wasteful brat," but she doesn't care.

After He Yuzhu chased He Yushui away, he felt like he had a burning coal pressing on his chest, and the more he thought about it, the more frustrated he became.

The Jia family is like a stubborn plaster stuck to you—you can't shake them off! He gritted his teeth and pondered for a moment, then decided to go all out and take leave tomorrow to go to Baoding.

While the greenhouse is still not fully operational and the canteen can hold on, he needs to take advantage of the lull to clean up the mess completely.