Siheyuan: Reborn Silly Pillar, Taking Control of the Entire Courtyard

He Yuzhu followed the flow of people out of the train station. The early spring wind in Tianjin was still a bit chilly, and it felt cool on his face.

He subconsciously pulled his slightly worn coarse cloth short jacket tighter around his neck, but his eyes swept over the rickshaws and cars parked in front of the station like a hawk, not missing a single detail.

Just then, a car with its curtains half-drawn came into view. The gap in the car window was not large, and an ordinary person would only catch a glimpse of a corner of clothing at most. However, He Yuzhu's eyesight had been much sharper than that of ordinary people since childhood, and he saw the profile of the person inside the car at a glance.

The familiar face, the round-framed glasses perched on the bridge of his nose—who else could it be but Lao Yu?

He Yuzhu's lips curled into a playful yet knowing smile.

It seems Aunt Wang is truly determined, traveling all the way from Beijing to Tianjin just to stage a fake marriage with this man. How ridiculous the world is; people will do anything absurd for a little profit.

He didn't confront them; he just glanced at them briefly before turning and walking away.

Some things are better left unsaid; there's no need to go and cause trouble. Right now, he has more important matters to attend to—Huifanglou.

When he registered his information at the train station, he had already mentioned Chef Yuan of Huifanglou Restaurant. If he is late, people will follow the registration information to his home in Beijing, which would only cause trouble for him.

He Yuzhu hailed a rickshaw. The driver, a dark-skinned middle-aged man, immediately beamed with a smile as soon as he saw a customer: "Young master, where are you going?"

Huifanglou.

The driver's eyes lit up instantly, and he rubbed his hands together, beaming with delight: "Alright! Huifang Tower isn't close, young master, hold on tight!"

This trip would take him half a day, so he'd really hit the jackpot.

The wheels rolled forward, and the shops and pedestrians on both sides of the Jinmen Street rushed past. He Yuzhu sat in the car, closed his eyes to rest, and his mind went over the words his father, He Daqing, had told him over and over again.

After about half an incense stick's time, the rickshaw came to a steady stop in front of the imposing Huifanglou restaurant.

With its vermilion gate, gilded plaque, and two neatly dressed waiters standing at the entrance, this was clearly one of the top restaurants in Tianjin.

He Yuzhu paid the fare, picked up the old wooden box with its worn-out edges at his feet, and stepped inside.

Just as I stepped across the threshold, a sharp-eyed waiter reached out and stopped me.

The waiter looked him up and down, noticing that he was wearing coarse old clothes and carrying a shabby box. He immediately put on a polite but distant smile and spoke in a clearly perfunctory tone.

"Young master, I'm sorry, Huifang Restaurant is booked out by a distinguished guest today. If you'd like to eat, Qingfeng Restaurant is just two streets ahead, and the food there is just as good."

He Yuzhu frowned instantly and glanced around the lobby.

Inside the lobby, the tables and chairs were neatly arranged, and many well-dressed diners were seated, some drinking tea and others ordering food. It didn't look like the place had been reserved at all. It was obvious that they were deliberately using his ordinary attire as an excuse to refuse him a customer!

A wave of displeasure washed over him, and He Yuzhu's tone grew heavier: "I'm not here for dinner, I'm here to find someone."

The waiter was taken aback, clearly not expecting this answer. He looked him up and down again, his eyes still filled with suspicion: "Looking for someone? Who are you looking for? We have dozens of people working in the kitchen and the front of house."

"Excuse me, I'm looking for Chef Yuan."

"Chef Yuan?" The waiter scoffed and waved his hand. "We have at least eight or ten chefs with the surname Yuan around here. Which one are you talking about?"

"Yuan Taihong, Yuan Touzhao."

The moment He Yuzhu finished speaking, the rag the waiter was holding almost fell to the ground with a "thud".

His hand holding the rag trembled violently, and his previously disdainful gaze instantly shifted from He Yuzhu's coarse clothes to the inconspicuous old wooden box in his hand. His Adam's apple bobbed uncontrollably.

Yuan Taihong is the head chef of Huifanglou Restaurant, the king of the kitchen! This seemingly unremarkable young man is actually addressing Head Chef Yuan by his full name?

The waiter's expression instantly changed 180 degrees, his arrogance turning into obsequiousness perfectly executed. He quickly bowed and smiled apologetically, "Oh! You mean Yuan Touzhao! You should have said so sooner! I was blind to your greatness, please forgive me! Please come in, please come in!"

He quickly stepped aside to lead He Yuzhu to a clean dining table by the window, deftly poured a cup of hot tea, and handed it to him with both hands, his posture extremely respectful: "Please have some tea and rest your feet. What is your surname? I'll go to the kitchen to inform them right away!"

"My surname is He." He Yuzhu picked up his teacup, gently blew away the foam, and said in a calm tone, "Go tell Chef Yuan that I am He Daqing from Beijing. He will know me."

"Okay! Please wait a moment, I'll be right back!" The waiter, Feng Xiaowu, nodded and bowed in response, then turned and ran to the kitchen, afraid of offending someone if he was a step too slow.

But he had only taken two steps when the shopkeeper, who was doing the accounting behind the counter, called him back.

Manager Bai was in his forties, dressed in a silk robe and wearing a melon-shaped hat. His eyes were as shrewd as a monkey's, and he had clearly seen the change in the waiter's attitude.

There are plenty of people who try to build connections and seek out acquaintances on a daily basis, and he didn't usually care. But the waiter actually invited the person in and served tea, which meant that the person definitely had some influence.

"Feng Xiaowu! Stop right there!" Manager Bai put down his abacus, looked up and scolded, "Who's that? Why are you rushing to the kitchen in such a panic?"

Feng Xiaowu quickly stopped and bowed, replying, "Shopkeeper, that young master is here to see someone."

"Looking for someone? If you're looking for someone, why don't you have him wait at the back door? Why bring him into the lobby?" Manager Bai frowned.

"He's looking for Chef Yuan!"

"Which Chef Yuan?" Manager Bai's heart skipped a beat. "Yuan Taihong?"

"Yes, yes, yes! It's Yuan Touzhao!" Feng Xiaowu nodded repeatedly.

Manager Bai's eyes narrowed, and he pressed, "Where did they come from? Did they give their names?"

"They said they were from Beijing, and they mentioned a name, something like... He Daqing."

"He Daqing?" Manager Bai was startled and subconsciously lowered his voice.

"That's not right! I've heard of He Daqing; he's Chef Yuan's junior apprentice! But that kid just now looked to be only in his early twenties. How could he be He Daqing?"

Feng Xiaowu was also in a dilemma, rubbing his hands and saying, "Manager, should I... should I go and call him or not? We can't afford to offend Yuan Touzhao."

Manager Bai pondered for a moment, then waved his hand: "Go and call them! What if they're some relative or junior? If we neglect Head Chef Yuan, our restaurant will be out of business. Go and come back quickly!"

"Okay!" Feng Xiaowu, having received confirmation, immediately rushed to the kitchen.

The two spoke in hushed tones, and He Yuzhu couldn't hear the specifics, but he took in the changes in their expressions.

He casually picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and slowly surveyed Huifanglou with his gaze.

The entire restaurant was antique and elegant, with carved beams and painted rafters. The main hall was spacious and bright, the floor was spotless, and the tables and chairs were neatly arranged. The diners were well-dressed and spoke politely, truly befitting the reputation of a grand restaurant in Tianjin. No wonder the waiter wanted to turn him away because of his ordinary clothes.

Before long, footsteps came from the direction of the kitchen.

A middle-aged man wearing a white apron and a white chef's hat strode out. He was slightly overweight, with a round face and wide ears. His face had a certain oily sheen typical of chefs, but his eyes were very sharp—it was Yuan Taihong.

Yuan Taihong strode to the table, and He Yuzhu immediately stood up, neither humble nor arrogant.

Yuan Taihong sized him up and asked, "Young man, did you come looking for me? Who is He Daqing to you?"

He Yuzhu grinned, revealing a set of white teeth, and said in a clear voice, "You must be Uncle-Master Yuan Taihong? My father is He Daqing!"

"Your father is He Daqing?" Yuan Taihong's eyes widened instantly, his face filled with disbelief. "That's not right! I remember my junior brother's son is only twelve or thirteen years old, still a kid. You..."

He looked He Yuzhu up and down. The boy in front of him was nearly seven feet tall, with broad shoulders and a thick back. He was tall and strong, and looked more robust than a sixteen or seventeen-year-old boy. He didn't look twelve at all.

He Yuzhu smiled and explained, "Uncle-Master, my real name is He Yuzhu. I just turned twelve this year, but I'm a bit stronger than other kids my age. This is a letter my father wrote to you."

As he spoke, he took out a neatly folded letter from his pocket and handed it over with both hands.

Yuan Taihong took the letter with some skepticism, opened it, and quickly browsed through it. As he read, his surprise deepened. After finishing the letter, he carefully examined He Yuzhu again, marveling at his work.

"Wow! You really are twelve! Your physique is incredible!"

He Yuzhu touched his nose and laughed, "I ate a lot when I was little, so I was strong and grew quickly."

Suppressing his shock, Yuan Taihong cut to the chase: "Your father said in his letter that you came here to learn cooking?"

"Yes, I came all the way from Beijing to become your disciple, Master Uncle."

Yuan Taihong nodded, then asked, "Your father didn't elaborate. What did you learn from him? Basic knife skills and wok tossing, did you master those?"

He Yuzhu knew in his heart that his father definitely hadn't praised him in the letter. If he directly said that his cooking skills were superb, it would seem arrogant. He pretended to be humble and said sincerely, "The basics are passable, but I wouldn't dare say I'm an expert."

"Alright." Yuan Taihong waved his hand. "You wait here. I'll go and say hello to the manager. I'll take you to the kitchen to try your hand at cooking in a bit."

"Thank you for your trouble, Master."

Yuan Taihong took the letter to Manager Bai. The two exchanged a few words in hushed tones, and Manager Bai's gaze toward He Yuzhu immediately changed, and he nodded repeatedly.

Soon, Yuan Taihong returned and said to He Yuzhu, "Let's go to the kitchen. I want to see just how capable my junior brother's son really is."

"Okay." He Yuzhu picked up the wooden box from the ground.

"Give the box to Xiao Wu first, and have him put it in the storeroom for you. You can pick it up later. The kitchen is small, and it's inconvenient to carry the box around," Yuan Taihong instructed.

"Yes." He Yuzhu handed the box to Feng Xiaowu, who was waiting nearby, and followed Yuan Taihong through the corridor into the steaming kitchen.

Inside the kitchen, pots and pans clattered and flames roared as a dozen cooks and apprentices performed their duties. The aromas and fumes mingled together, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.

Yuan Taihong led He Yuzhu to an empty chopping block and pointed to the potatoes, carrots, white radishes, cabbages, and green peppers piled on it: "Don't think about stir-frying yet. Go and chop something for me. Knife skills are the foundation of a chef. If your knife skills are not good, everything else is useless."

"Understood." He Yuzhu nodded and walked to the chopping block.

He first glanced at the various kitchen knives on the knife rack, then casually pulled out a household wide-bladed knife, weighed it in his hand, and found it to be just the right weight.

He then picked up a potato, and the peeler spun rapidly, peeling off pieces to reveal smooth, delicate flesh. He cut a flat surface on the cutting board, placed the potato face down, and it held firmly in place.

The next second, "Snap snap snap—"

The crisp, clean sound of chopping vegetables rang out. He Yuzhu's wrist was as steady as a mountain, and the blade moved with the precision of a machine. In the blink of an eye, a whole potato was cut into evenly sliced ​​potato pieces.

He arranged the potato slices neatly, and the blade fell again, "thump thump thump—"

The dense, rhythmic sounds echoed through the kitchen, causing the busy chefs to instinctively stop what they were doing and look in this direction.

After He Yuzhu stopped cutting, he gently scooped up the shredded potatoes with the blade and poured them into a basin of water.

The potato shreds in the bowl were all the same thickness and length, and were perfectly straight, looking like a bowl of neat matchsticks, with not a single one connected and not a single one of uneven thickness.

Yuan Taihong stood aside, observing silently from beginning to end. When he saw the shredded potatoes in the basin of water, he nodded unconsciously, already having figured it out in his mind—this child's knife skills were far beyond what a beginner could achieve, and he didn't need to practice chopping and cutting at all!

However, Huifang Restaurant specializes in halal cuisine, with a focus on beef and mutton. The techniques and strength used for cutting vegetables and meat are completely different. Yuan Taihong thought for a moment and then pointed to a piece of fresh beef or mutton on the cutting board: "Try cutting another piece of meat. Cut it into cubes, strips, slices, and shreds, all at once."

"Yes."

Without saying a word, He Yuzhu picked up the meat and started cutting it.

The knife cut into the meat effortlessly, and the marbled beef and mutton seemed to become obedient objects in his hands. They were cut into cubes, strips, slices, and shreds, each cut perfectly and neatly, without the slightest flaw.

The apprentices around them stared in disbelief and began to whisper among themselves.

"Who's this kid? His knife skills are amazing!"

"He's stronger than those of us who've been training for two or three years!"

Yuan Taihong was even more surprised. This level of skill was definitely the result of training from a young age; his junior brother He Daqing couldn't have only taught him the basics. His curiosity piqued, he couldn't help but ask, "Besides knife skills, have you ever cooked in a kitchen?"

He Yuzhu replied truthfully, "Uncle-Master, I know some Shandong cuisine dishes, but I've never been exposed to halal cuisine; my father didn't teach me."

"Okay." Yuan Taihong glanced at the ingredients in front of him and said, "Since we have limited ingredients, you can make two dishes—Premium Tofu and Stir-fried Shredded Potatoes with Vinegar. Let me taste your cooking."

"Yes, ma'am."

He Yuzhu immediately began preparing the ingredients, his movements fluid and efficient. He washed the vegetables, prepared the ingredients, and mixed them all in one go, without any unnecessary actions.

Once ready, he reached out and grabbed the large iron pot that weighed about ten kilograms.

The iron pot, which was incredibly heavy in other people's hands, felt as light as a feather in He Yuzhu's.

He held the pot handle with one hand, and with a slight flick of his wrist, the iron pot flipped up and down, flames leaping along the edge of the pot, and the food was heated evenly inside, emitting an enticing sound.

The entire set of movements was fluid and graceful, with extremely precise control of force, which made Yuan Taihong's pupils shrink and he was stunned on the spot!

The apprentices, general helpers, and even the cooks from other stoves all stopped what they were doing and looked over in unison, their eyes filled with shock and admiration.

Yuan Taihong had only one thought in his mind: He Daqing, you've turned your son into a culinary god! This isn't someone who came to learn cooking, he's clearly here to cause trouble!

Within minutes, the two dishes were ready.

The stir-fried shredded potatoes with vinegar are bright in color and have a fragrant aroma; the premium tofu is as white and tender as jade, with a rich broth and an exquisite and beautiful presentation.

He Yuzhu served the dish, presented it to Yuan Taihong with both hands, and said respectfully, "Uncle-Master, please try it."

Yuan Taihong then came to his senses and quickly picked up his chopsticks.

I first picked up a piece of shredded potato and put it in my mouth. It was sour, crisp, and refreshing, with a perfect balance of saltiness. The cooking time was just right, preserving the crispness of the potato while fully infusing it with flavor.

He then took a bite of the premium tofu. The tofu was delicate and smooth, melting in his mouth. The broth was rich and flavorful, with multiple layers of taste. It was truly exceptional!

Yuan Taihong's eyes lit up instantly, and he shouted to the chefs around him, "Come over here, all of you, have a taste!"

Everyone crowded around, and after each person tasted it with their chopsticks, they all showed expressions of amazement.

Yuan Taihong pulled He Yuzhu to a corner, lowered his voice, and said excitedly and incredulously, "Zhuzi, tell your master the truth, are you really here to learn cooking? With your skill level, you could be ranked among the best in the Shandong cuisine circle in Beijing!"

He Yuzhu smiled and said sincerely, "Uncle-Master, I really came here to learn. This is just a family tradition, I have no formal teacher, and I can't be considered a proper school."

"Don't try to fool me." Yuan Taihong stared at him. "How much of your father's cooking skills have you actually learned?"

"As for Shandong cuisine, I'd say about 70-80%," He Yuzhu said frankly. "I haven't tried Tan family cuisine, mainly because my family in Beijing doesn't have enough seafood, so I can't make it."

Yuan Taihong suddenly realized, slapping his thigh: "No wonder! Your father sent you to Tianjin so you could practice Tan Family Cuisine here, right? Tianjin is by the sea, so it has the best seafood!"

"Yes, my senior uncle understands best." He Yuzhu did not deny it.

Looking at the exceptionally talented young man before him, Yuan Taihong felt both delighted and worried: "But you need to think this through. My specialty is halal cuisine; I'm not even as good as your father at Shandong cuisine. Don't you think you're losing out by becoming my disciple?"

He Yuzhu's eyes were firm, and his tone was serious: "I sincerely want to become your disciple. Otherwise, why would I have come all the way to Tianjin? What, does my master look down on me and not want to accept me?"

"Take him in! We absolutely must!" Yuan Taihong immediately declared, but then frowned. "However, I still need to discuss with the manager about you going directly to the kitchen. Letting you do odd jobs and chopping is a waste of talent, but going directly to the kitchen would break the rules of the trade..."

"There's no need to discuss it anymore, I've already made up my mind."

A steady voice came from behind the two of them.

Yuan Taihong turned around and saw it was Manager Bai. He had been watching from the kitchen doorway the whole time, observing He Yuzhu's knife skills, wok tossing, and stir-frying. After tasting the dishes, he was even more determined to keep the young man at Huifanglou.

Yuan Taihong quickly stepped forward: "Manager Bai, is this appropriate? Zhu Zi is new here and doesn't know anything yet..."

"There's nothing inappropriate about it." Manager Bai waved his hand, his gaze falling on He Yuzhu with appreciation. "I saw his skills just now; chopping and shredding is a waste of his talent. He'd be more than capable of working in the second kitchen, let alone the second kitchen. However..."

He changed the subject abruptly: "Young man, you don't know how to cook halal food yet. Our Huifang Restaurant relies on halal cuisine to survive. So for now, we can only put you in the third kitchen. What do you think?"

He Yuzhu clasped his hands in a fist and said, "I will follow the manager's arrangements."

"Hurry up and thank Manager Bai!" Yuan Taihong quickly gave him a push.

"Thank you, Manager Bai!" He Yuzhu bowed respectfully.

Manager Bai smiled and looked at Yuan Taihong: "Chef Yuan, when do you plan to hold the apprenticeship ceremony? Such a good apprentice should be secured as soon as possible, lest he be poached by other restaurants."

Yuan Taihong coughed somewhat awkwardly: "Zhuzi has just arrived. We need to let him settle in and get familiar with the environment first. The apprenticeship ceremony is a big event, there's no need to rush it."

Actually, he still had some concerns. First, they hadn't known each other long enough to properly assess He Yuzhu's character; second, the Qinxing gang had strict rules, and it was unacceptable for an apprentice to be assigned to the third kitchen immediately—it would inevitably cause gossip if word got out. He wanted to observe further and also ask He Yuzhu for his own thoughts.

Manager Bai was a shrewd man; he saw through his thoughts at a glance and smiled, "Alright, you two decide for yourselves. I'll go get back to work."

"Please take care." The two bowed simultaneously.

After Manager Bai left, Yuan Taihong said to He Yuzhu, "Zhuzi, come with me, I have something to ask you."

"it is good."

The two arrived at Yuan Taihong's private lounge, closed the door, and the room instantly fell silent.

Yuan Taihong sat down, poured himself a cup of tea, and then asked, "Zhuzi, how long did you learn Shandong cuisine from your father?"

He Yuzhu sat down and answered truthfully, "It'll only be a few months."

"A few months?!" Yuan Taihong nearly spat out his tea, jumped to his feet, and exclaimed in shock, "Say that again? Only a few months?"

"Really." He Yuzhu nodded. "I used to go to school, and I only graduated last July. From graduation to the Lunar New Year, it was only a little over five months."

"Five months..." Yuan Taihong murmured to himself, his eyes filled with disbelief. "Then how did you develop such solid basic skills in knife work and wok tossing?"

"My dad is usually busy with work, so I cook all three meals a day at home. I've been doing it since I was little, and I've gradually gotten the hang of it. You could say it's a matter of practice makes perfect," He Yuzhu said casually.

Yuan Taihong looked at him and the more he looked, the more he felt that this child was a born culinary genius, with an astonishingly high talent. He composed himself and continued to ask, "So what are your plans for going to Tianjin? Tell your master the truth."

He Yuzhu said solemnly, "If you are willing to teach me halal cuisine, I will definitely learn it well and never tarnish your reputation in the future. However, I will definitely not do any odd jobs or errands. The length of my service will also depend on the situation. As you know, the world outside is not peaceful right now, and I cannot stay here indefinitely."

Yuan Taihong sighed: "Sigh, I knew you would say that. But by doing this, you've broken the old rules of Qinhang, and people will inevitably gossip about you behind your back. People's words are a fearsome thing."

"Uncle-Master, I don't plan to spend my whole life working in Tianjin, so I'm not afraid of gossip," He Yuzhu said calmly.

There was something else he didn't say: I might not even stay in the trade forever. But if he said it out loud, probably no one would be willing to genuinely teach him the craft.

Yuan Taihong said helplessly, "Beijing is not far from Tianjin, so gossip spreads quickly."

"That's settled then." He Yuzhu took the initiative to compromise. "I'll work in Sanzao for now, and you can take your time to observe me. If you think my character and skills are acceptable, then you can take me on as an apprentice; if you don't think it's suitable, I won't stay here, I'll leave immediately."

"Alright! That's settled then!" Yuan Taihong slammed his hand on the table, readily agreeing. "You're much more capable than your father was back then! By the way, do you have a place to stay? Are you staying at my place, or will you find somewhere else?"

According to the old rules of the apprenticeship, apprentices eat and live at their master's house without receiving wages. But He Yuzhu was different. He was assigned to the third kitchen right away, receiving wages and a share of the kitchen. Moreover, he was tall and large, and his family simply couldn't accommodate him.

He Yuzhu said, "If it's convenient for you at my uncle's house, I'll stay; if not, could you please introduce me to a reliable broker so I can rent a small courtyard myself? I don't like living in a crowded tenement; there are too many people and too much trouble."

"Okay." Yuan Taihong nodded. "After the lunch break, I'll take you to look for a house."

"Thank you, Senior Uncle."

Before becoming his apprentice, He Yuzhu always addressed him as his senior master, showing him great courtesy.

Soon, the lunch service ended, and everyone in the kitchen cleaned up. Yuan Taihong said goodbye to Manager Bai and then took He Yuzhu out to find a place to stay.

The two wandered around Huifanglou for about half an hour before He Yuzhu finally chose a secluded little courtyard. The courtyard was small, with a main house, a side room, and a small kitchen. It was secluded, quiet, and elegant.

He Yuzhu immediately took a liking to it: "This is the place. It's close to Huifanglou, so it's convenient to come and go."

The broker was an acquaintance of Yuan Taihong, and the rent was reasonable, two silver dollars a month. He Yuzhu signed the contract on the spot, paid the deposit, and saw the broker off.

Seeing him pay the rent so readily, Yuan Taihong couldn't help but remind him, "Zhuzi, you haven't even started working yet, and you're already renting such an expensive courtyard. You're spending money too recklessly. Do you have enough money on you? If not, your senior uncle has some here."

He Yuzhu smiled and comforted him, "Don't worry, Uncle-Master. My mother gave me a lot of money before I left, enough to stay for several months. Besides, I don't have to spend any money on meals at Huifang Restaurant, so it won't cost me much."

"You silly child," Yuan Taihong shook his head helplessly. "Then you should tidy up the house today and get some rest. I'll take you to my home another day so you can meet your teacher's wife."

"it is good."

"Do you remember the way back to Huifanglou? Don't be late tomorrow morning."

"I understand, don't worry, Uncle-Master."

"Then I'll head back to the restaurant first."

"Let me see you off."

He Yuzhu escorted Yuan Taihong to the street corner before turning back to the courtyard.

He closed the door and immediately began cleaning the house, sweeping the floor, wiping the tables, and cleaning the windows, making the small courtyard spotless. After finishing, he made sure no one was around, and with a thought, he reached out and grabbed a brand-new bedding roll from the still space, carrying it into the main room.

He then went out again and bought a washbasin, kettle, towels, and other daily necessities. He didn't buy pots and pans, since he lived alone and didn't plan to cook at home anyway; restaurants provided meals and lodging, which was much more convenient.

After finishing tidying up, He Yuzhu lay on the bed and let out a long sigh of relief.

From Beijing to Tianjin, all alone, I finally gained a foothold. Next, I focused on learning a trade, saving money, and paving the way for my future.

He slept exceptionally well that night.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, He Yuzhu got up, washed up, and arrived at Huifanglou on time.

Yuan Taihong had already arrived. He took him to the counter to complete the onboarding procedures, then led him to the back kitchen and introduced him to everyone: "Everyone, this is He Yuzhu. He will be working in our third kitchen from now on. Let's all look out for each other."

They then assigned him a special stove: "This is your stove. First, familiarize yourself with the restaurant's menu and see which dishes you can cook."

"Yes, Senior Uncle."

He Yuzhu was completely unpretentious. He walked to his own stove, carefully read through the entire menu, silently memorized the dishes he knew how to make, and then greeted the waiter who was delivering the food: "Waiter, when the orders come down, don't send them to the wrong stove and delay the customers' meals."

After giving instructions, he took the initiative to prepare the ingredients, chop and cut the food, busying himself with everything without the arrogance of a new cook.

Yuan Taihong quietly came over to check and saw that he did everything himself, without ordering the apprentices around or slacking off. He nodded in approval and felt even more appreciative of his character.

As soon as lunchtime arrives, the dining hall is instantly filled with diners, and the kitchen immediately goes into a state of intense operation.

Strangely, at first, He Yuzhu's stove was deserted, with not a single order. While the cooks in the other three stoves were busy and sweating profusely, he stood idly to the side.

He Yuzhu wasn't in a hurry. He waited quietly and helped the cook next to him chop some vegetables.

Not long after, some guests tried the vegetarian dishes from the other three kitchens and found them to be just average. Hearing that the new chef was skilled, they specifically ordered his dishes.

As soon as the first order came in, He Yuzhu immediately got to work.

Flames rose, the iron wok tumbled, and the knife blades moved with lightning speed. He prepared each dish quickly and perfectly, with an excellent taste.

The guests who tasted his cooking praised it highly, and word spread quickly, with everyone specifically requesting to eat He Yuzhu's dishes.

Instantly, his stove was piled high with orders, and he was so busy that he didn't even have time to chop vegetables. Seeing this, Yuan Taihong immediately sent two apprentices who specialized in chopping vegetables to help him.

He Yuzhu gripped the wok, tossing it so vigorously that sparks flew, his entire body focused, not even having time to drink water. Sweat streamed down his forehead, soaking his clothes, but he was completely unaware.

Of all the kitchens, his stove was the busiest, had the strongest fire, and smelled the most delicious.

When the lunch break ended, even though He Yuzhu had superhuman stamina, he was so tired that he leaned against the wall, panting heavily, and his arms were slightly sore.

Just then, Manager Bai walked into the kitchen, his face beaming with joy.

"Zhu Zi, you're amazing!" Manager Bai patted him on the shoulder and exclaimed, "Today, the number of customers ordering vegetarian dishes in the main hall is more than double the usual number, all because of your cooking!"

He had just checked the menu, and almost all the vegetarian dishes were cooked in He Yuzhu's kitchen.

Manager Bai was overjoyed. Luckily, he had decisively kept him yesterday. Otherwise, if such a good chef had been poached by another restaurant, Huifanglou would have suffered a great loss.

"You flatter me, shopkeeper. I'm just making some of my specialty dishes," He Yuzhu said modestly.

Manager Bai immediately approved the plan: "Starting this month, you'll get extra cooking time! This is a treatment the new cook has never received before!"

Then he lowered his voice and reminded him, "But Zhu Zi, you should tone it down a bit in the future. You're so capable that you've taken all the orders, leaving the other chefs in the other three kitchens with nothing to do. If this continues, conflicts are likely to break out in the kitchen."

He Yuzhu was taken aback, and then he noticed that the cooks from the other three kitchens not far away were looking at him with resentful eyes.

He then realized that he had been too prominent today and had stolen someone else's job.

He Yuzhu nodded quickly: "Thank you for reminding me, shopkeeper. I didn't think it through. I'll remember that. From now on, I'll only cook my best vegetarian dishes. I won't take on other dishes unless everyone is too busy."

Manager Bai nodded in satisfaction: "That's right, harmony brings wealth."

The cooks in the other three kitchens also breathed a sigh of relief, and their gazes toward He Yuzhu held less resentment and more approval.