Siheyuan: I am different He Yuzhu

Cai Quanwu looked at the old almanac and found that the weekend was a good day for getting married, traveling, getting a haircut, trading, opening a business, installing a bed, opening a temple, and plugging acupuncture points, so he scheduled his wedding with Su Xiulian on the weekend. Considering that the tavern would be open at night, the wedding banquet was scheduled for noon, and the two held a simple wedding ceremony on the weekend morning. He Yuzhu was busy in the kitchen. Today was the day of his cousin's wedding, and He Yuzhu decided to cook a table of delicious dishes to celebrate. He Yuzhu prepared a total of 8 dishes this time, namely stewed fish, first-class tofu, Zhaoyuan steamed meatballs, Yimengshan fried chicken, crab, crucian carp in milk soup, pearl tofu meatballs, and cold beef.

When Cai Quanwu and Su Sulian arrived at the kitchen and saw the dishes on the plates, Cai Quanwu couldn't help but say, "Zhu Zi, today's dishes are too rich."

"Uncle, today is your big day. We'll keep the ceremony simple, but today's meal can't be simple. Don't worry about the money for the food at today's wedding banquet. Just consider it a red envelope from me to wish you and aunt a happy wedding. Don't complain about it being too little. It just so happens that you guys are here. There's only one crucian carp in milk soup left. Take the dishes out and we'll get ready to eat."

When He Yuzhu brought the crucian carp in milk soup to the table, everyone was seated, but no one started eating. They were all waiting for him to finish the last dish.

"The crucian carp in milk soup is here. I guess everyone is waiting anxiously."

"Brother, you are too slow. I am drooling just watching you." He Yushui complained to his brother.

"Okay, big brother, do it faster next time." He Yuzhu touched He Yushui's head.

"Today is my and Xiulian's wedding day, I want to thank you, Zhuzi. If it weren't for you, I would still be working as a prostitute on the street, and I would never have met Xiulian and married such a good girl like her. Xiulian, let's toast to Zhuzi."

Cai Quanwu picked up his glass, and Su Xiulian also hurriedly picked up her glass when she heard what Cai Quanwu said.

"Zhu Zi, I thank you too. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have met Brother Cai. My brother Shao An and I are still wandering the streets. Shao An, come on, give Zhu Zi a glass of wine."

"Uncle, we are all family, and it is our duty to help each other. The fact that you and my uncle can be a couple shows that you are destined to be together, and I am just introducing you to each other. You and aunt don't have to toast me, I am the younger generation, and we can just clink glasses to show our respect. Today is a good day for you and aunt, and I wish you a happy marriage, a long-lasting happiness, and a son soon." He Yuzhu raised his glass and clinked it with Cai Quanwu and Su Xiulian's glasses.

"I want one too. I want one too. I hope my uncle and aunt say the same thing as my brother."

Seeing this, He Yushui also raised his teacup and wanted to clink glasses with Cai Quanwu and Su Xiulian.

"Okay, come on, Yu Shui, let me clink glasses with you. Thank you." Cai Quanwu raised his glass and clinked it with He Yu Shui. A group of people looked at He Yu Shui and laughed.

"Uncle, let's eat."

"Come on, come on, eat everything."

"Aunt, try my cooking and eat more. Aunt, I want to discuss something with you."

"What's wrong, Pillar?"

"I am so much older than your brother. According to seniority, I should call him cousin, but I can't bring myself to call him that. But it's not appropriate not to call him that, so I'll just call him uncle."

"Okay, just call him uncle. What a big deal it was. It was just a small matter. By the way, Zhuzi, you are so tall. How old are you?"

"Don't be fooled by his height, but he is not very old. He is only 16 years old."

"He's only 16 years old and he's already this tall."

"Stop talking to each other, eat your food. It won't taste good if it gets cold."

"Yes, Xiulian, you haven't eaten Zhuzi's cooking yet. You should eat more. Shaoan, too. You two may not know that Zhuzi learned cooking at Fengze Garden, one of the eight famous restaurants in Beijing. His cooking skills are among the best in Beijing."

"Uncle, my cooking skills are only slightly better than those of ordinary chefs. I am not as good as you say. There are many people who are better than me. Aunt, don't listen to my uncle. By the way, aunt, do you eat rice or noodles in your hometown? Are you used to the rice in the old city?"

"We are from Huainan, where we eat both rice and flour. Besides, we are ordinary people, so it is enough to have enough food. There is no need to be so particular."

"Huainan, is it the Huainan of the King Huainan who invented tofu?"

"It's the Huainan you mentioned. My family is a tofu-grinding family. It's a pity that my father and mother were both flogged..." Su Xiulian couldn't help but think of her parents as she spoke, and her eyes instantly turned red.

"It's all over, Xiulian. Good days are still ahead." Cai Quanwu comforted Su Xiulian when he saw that she remembered her parents.

"I'm sorry, Brother Cai, I shouldn't have mentioned this on our wedding day."

"It's okay. We are all family. Your parents in heaven will be happy to see you and Shaoan safe and sound."

"Aunt, you said your family grinds tofu, so can you make fermented tofu?" He Yuzhu saw that Su Xiulian became depressed when she thought of her parents, so he wanted to change the subject.

"I know how to make fermented tofu. What we usually eat there is hairy tofu. Put the hairy tofu into a jar and marinate it to make fermented tofu. You ask me what this is for? I remember that the fermented tofu in Sijiucheng is very famous."

"Aunt, this is the case. Some people in our city like to use fermented bean curd as a snack to go with alcohol. Our family doesn't run a tavern. My uncle and I didn't know how to make it before, so we didn't sell it in the tavern. Since you can make it, you can ask your uncle to buy you a stone mill, and we can grind the tofu and make fermented bean curd ourselves. Wouldn't that make better business in the future? Fermented bean curd doesn't go bad anyway, so we can sell it slowly after it's made."

"Is what Zhuzi said true? Brother Cai, Zhuzi didn't say that just to comfort me, did he?"

"What Zhuzi said is definitely true. Most people in Beijing love to eat fermented bean curd. Didn't the famous Wang Zhihe start his business by making stinky tofu and fermented bean curd? Even Empress Dowager Cixi liked his stinky tofu."

"That's fine. I'll grind some tofu and make some fermented tofu later. I just don't know if the people in the city like our taste."

"You'll know after you try it. If it doesn't sell well, we can keep it for ourselves. I'll take you to find tools to grind tofu. We just happen to have a big iron pot in the backyard that can be used."

"Aunt, when you grind tofu, you will get tofu pudding, can I eat some of that?" He Yushui asked curiously.

"Yes, come when the time comes and I'll let you eat as much as you want."

"Brother, remember to send me here when the time comes. I want to eat tofu pudding. I want to eat sweet tofu pudding."

What He Yuzhu didn't expect was that his unintentional remark would add another signature dish to the tavern. From then on, the fermented tofu made by Su Xiu Lian and the tavern's pickles became the tavern's two major signature dishes.

In the end, all the dishes on the table made by He Yuzhu were eaten up. After all, for a big eater like He Yuzhu, there would be no leftovers. Except for He Yushui, everyone was conquered by He Yuzhu's cooking skills.

"Uncle, I didn't lie to you. The food my elder brother cooked is delicious. My elder brother is a great cook."

The wedding banquet ended in laughter and joy. After the meal, He Yushui said to Su Shaoan in a serious tone, and Su Shaoan nodded seriously while touching his round belly.

"Your big brother, this is the first time I've eaten such a delicious meal in my life."

Less than a week after Cai Quanwu's wedding, He Yushui had summer vacation. After dinner, He Yuzhu decided to make some egg rolls as a gift. When sending He Yushui to his master Wu Baotian's house, He Yuzhu took out the egg roll mold that he had ordered from a blacksmith in advance, took out the bamboo charcoal from the utility room, put it in the furnace in the middle of the mold, and let the bamboo charcoal burn slowly to heat the mold.

While the mold was preheating, He Yuzhu first poured an appropriate amount of camellia oil into the basin, then beat 12 eggs into the basin, and then added half a bowl of honey. After all these were ready, He Yuzhu took out chopsticks and stirred them quickly. After the egg liquid was fully stirred, He Yuzhu poured the flour into the basin, added an appropriate amount of water and continued to stir. After the batter was stirred evenly, He Yuzhu put his hand on the egg roll mold to feel the temperature. After confirming that the temperature was OK, He Yuzhu scooped a spoonful of batter on the mold, then covered it with a lid and locked it, then turned the mold over and continued to pour the batter.

The mold He Yuzhu made has six sides, which can bake six egg rolls at the same time. When the sixth egg roll is made, the first one is almost done. As the egg rolls are baked, a sweet smell begins to drift in the yard. He Yushui has been standing in front of the mold since He Yuzhu started making them. When the first one is done, He Yuzhu rolls it up with chopsticks and puts it in a frame beside.

"Brother, is this ready? Can we eat it?" He Yushui asked immediately.

"Little greedy cat, it's too hot now. It will be delicious after it cools down. Don't be in a hurry, just wait a while." He Yuzhu said with a smile as he looked at He Yushui who was eagerly waiting for the food.

When He Yushui heard that it was too hot, he immediately ran into the house, ran out with a fan, and fanned the egg rolls. He Yuzhu saw He Yushui's anxious look and laughed immediately, but he didn't stop working. After the first batch of egg rolls were all baked, He Yuzhu took the first egg roll, broke off a small piece and put it in his mouth. Hmm, it was crispy and melted in the mouth, and it tasted better than the ones sold in later generations. Then He Yuzhu handed the egg roll to He Yushui who had been looking at him eagerly.

"Here, you can eat now, little greedy cat."

He Yushui immediately took the egg roll and put it in his mouth, then took a small bite. After eating the egg roll, He Yushui's eyes narrowed with happiness.

"Brother, you are amazing, it's so delicious, what is this called?"

"This is called an omelette. It's delicious but you can't eat too much. You can only eat two tonight. The rest must be taken to Master's house tomorrow."

Just as He Yuzhu continued to make egg rolls, Xu Damao and Liu Guangqi in the backyard and Yan Jiecheng in the front yard smelled the smell and ran to the small courtyard in front of He Yuzhu's kitchen. Xu Damao looked at He Yuzhu making something he had never seen before and asked shamelessly.

"Brother Zhu, what delicious food are you making? Is this a new dish you have researched? I know it is delicious just by smelling it."

"My brother said this is called an egg roll, and it's delicious. Have you ever tried it?" He Yushui said while eating an egg roll in small bites.

"Here, two for each of you. You'll drool if you keep looking at them for a while." He Yuzhu took out six from the basket and gave two to each of the three people.

"Brother Zhu is very generous. He is worthy of being our good brother. Jie Cheng and Guang Qi, don't you two agree?" Xu Damao licked his cheeks as he took the egg roll.

Yan Jiecheng and Liu Guangqi nodded quickly and frequently, as if pounding garlic. After the three of them got the egg rolls, they immediately began to eat them voraciously.

"Let's make it clear first that each person can only have two. Take your time to eat. There will be no more after you finish them. I need to use the rest to visit relatives tomorrow." Seeing that the three people were eating like Zhu Bajie eating ginseng fruit, He Yuzhu kindly reminded the three people while making egg rolls.

After hearing what He Yuzhu said, the three people immediately became more elegant in their eating manners, and began to eat slowly, one bite at a time, just like He Yushui. When He Yuzhu finished making all the egg rolls, He Yuzhu roughly counted them and there were about 200 of them. He Yuzhu saw that the three people were still staring at the egg rolls in the big basket after they finished eating, so he had an idea, and He Yuzhu went back to the kitchen to bring out another basket, took out some of the egg rolls in the big basket and put them in his own small basket, and then said to the three people.

"Now you three should go home. I will deliver some to every household in the yard in a while. You three should wait for me at home."

The three of them ran home immediately after hearing this. He Yuzhu held the basket and said to He Yushui, "Yushui, you have already eaten the two today. You can't eat anymore. Eating too much sweet food at night will damage your teeth. Eat tomorrow."

"Brother, I want to eat one more, just one more, okay?" He Yushui pulled He Yuzhu's pants and started to act coquettishly.

"Then it's a deal. You can only eat one more. Let's make a pinky promise." He Yuzhu said as he held up his pinky finger. "You can only eat one more. Come on, let's make a pinky promise and never change for a hundred years!"

He Yushui also smiled and stretched out his hand, and made a pinky promise with He Yuzhu, saying, "Whoever changes will be the puppy!"

He Yuzhu held the egg rolls and knocked on the door of the uncle Yi Zhonghai. After Yi Zhonghai opened the door, He Yuzhu took two egg rolls and handed them to Yi Zhonghai.

"Uncle, these are the egg rolls I just made tonight. I brought some to you. You and Auntie can try them. I don't know if they suit your taste. Don't dislike them if they don't taste good."

Yi Zhonghai took the egg roll handed over by He Yuzhu. "Thank you, Zhuzi, you thought of me and your aunt. I can't thank you enough. You are such a good boy."

"Uncle, you're too kind. I still have to deliver to other residents in the yard. I won't talk to you any more. I'll go over first."

"Then you should go quickly." Upon hearing this, Yi Zhonghai immediately asked He Yuzhu to go quickly.

He Yuzhu carried the egg roll basket and walked towards Jia Dongxu's house. As soon as he reached the door of Jia Dongxu's house, he heard Jia Zhang's voice from inside the house, "Who the hell made such a delicious meal so late at night and didn't let me sleep?" He Yuzhu walked to the door and knocked, only to hear Jia Dongxu's voice from inside the house. "Who is it?"

"Brother Dongxu, it's me, Zhuzi."

Jia Dongxu opened the door and said, "What's wrong, Zhuzi? What's going on so late at night?"

"I made some egg rolls tonight, and was thinking of giving some to the neighbors in the yard to try. I just finished giving some to an old man and now I'm coming to your house." He Yuzhu then picked up three egg rolls and put them in Jia Dongxu's hands, and went straight to the backyard.

Jia Dongxu looked at the egg roll in his hand, and thought of what his mother Jia Zhang had just said in the room, and his face turned red. At this time, Jia Zhang in the room spoke, "Dongxu, who is knocking on our door so late at night?" Jia Dongxu immediately closed the door and said to the room. "It's He Yuzhu, coming to give us the egg rolls he made tonight."

"The fragrance in the yard tonight was caused by Shazhu. How many did Shazhu send to our house?"

"Zhu Zi, three were sent to our family in total, one for each of us three. Huai Ru, you can try one too." Jia Dongxu shared the egg rolls with Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huai Ru.

Jia Zhang took the egg roll and ate it immediately like Zhu Bajie eating ginseng fruit. She finished it in just a few bites. After eating, Jia Zhang immediately muttered: "This silly Zhu is so stingy. He doesn't know how to give more. One for each person, who will eat it?"

"Dongxu, did Zhuzi hear what mom just said in the room? I remember someone knocked on the door right after mom finished speaking." Qin Huairu was eating an egg roll, and couldn't help but think of the swearing that Jia Zhang had just said in the room, and asked worriedly.

"You probably didn't hear it, Mom, watch your mouth in the future, don't say anything out loud, or you'll offend someone and you won't know why."

"Okay, I understand." After hearing what Qin Huairu and Jia Dongxu said, Jia Zhang immediately replied in a low voice.

He Yuzhu went around and gave out 31 egg rolls. The old lady in the backyard was old, so He Yuzhu gave her 2 more. He Yuzhu returned home and looked at Yushui, who was carefully breaking the egg rolls with his hands and eating them. He couldn't help but feel funny, but when he thought of what Jia Zhang had just said to him, he could only sigh in his heart: "There are bad people in every era. Some people are born bad from the bottom of their hearts." He Yuzhu put all the remaining egg rolls in a plastic bag and tied the bag tightly, planning to give it to his master Wu Baotian when he took Yushui to his master's house tomorrow.