Siheyuan: A journey of mountains and rivers

He felt a warm feeling in his heart and said with a smile: "Xiao Zhu, you draw really well! Mom and Dad are proud of you."

When Xiao Zhu heard this, a hint of confidence flashed in his eyes: "Thank you, Dad! The teacher also said that he would let me participate in the next art competition!"

He Yuzhu nodded, feeling relieved: "Then you should prepare well, your parents will definitely support you."

That night, He Yuzhu lay in bed, thinking back to Xiaozhu's happy smile, and felt a sense of relief. He knew that even though he still had some difficult emotions in his heart, seeing Xiaozhu's growth and progress, he felt that everything was worth it.

On the weekend, He Yuzhu decided to take Xiaozhu to participate in an art competition. At the competition site, the children showed their works one by one, and Xiaozhu was no exception. He watched his son standing on the stage confidently, and his heart was filled with pride and joy. Although Xiaozhu did not win the first place, he still smiled happily because he felt the support and encouragement of his parents.

On the way home, Xiao Zhu said happily: "Dad, although I didn't get first place, I am very happy because I tried my best."

He Yuzhu looked at Xiaozhu with a smile, feeling extremely warm in his heart: "Xiaozhu, Dad is proud of you. As long as you work hard, you will be the best."

Lou Xiao'e is a smart and independent woman with the tenacity and tenderness of a modern woman. She works in the finance department of the factory and is very thrifty and highly valued by the leaders. At a party held by the factory, she was chosen as the host, and He Yuzhu was the chef of the party. That night, He Yuzhu prepared a table of exquisite dishes, which attracted everyone's attention, especially Lou Xiao'e. When she tasted the braised pork made by He Yuzhu, she showed a satisfied smile on her face.

At that time, He Yuzhu was just an ordinary chef, but he had an infinite love for food. He made every dish with his heart, just like expressing his love for life. Lou Xiao'e noticed the light in He Yuzhu's eyes, and she was attracted by this passionate attitude towards life. After the party, Lou Xiao'e found He Yuzhu, thanked him and praised his cooking skills. The two began their first conversation, relaxed and pleasant.

As time went by, the relationship between He Yuzhu and Lou Xiaoe gradually warmed up. They often met for a walk after get off work, walking on the path near the factory, chatting about the trivialities of life and their visions for the future. He Yuzhu always brought his special snacks, while Lou Xiaoe brought a few books she was reading. Under the shade of the trees, they shared food and thoughts, and their hearts became closer and closer.

In that conservative era, the love between He Yuzhu and Lou Xiao'e was not favored by everyone. Lou Xiao'e's parents hoped that she could find a "proper" worker, not a cook who dealt with pots and pans all day. Although He Yuzhu was very popular in the courtyard, he understood his position in the eyes of the world. In order to prove himself, he worked harder, hoping to give Lou Xiao'e a stable life one day.

However, fate always plays tricks on him. In a cooking competition organized by the factory, He Yuzhu made a mistake due to his excessive pursuit of perfection and lost the opportunity for promotion. Lou Xiaoe comforted him and said, "It doesn't matter. Failure is the mother of success. With such skills, you will definitely have better opportunities." He Yuzhu was moved by Lou Xiaoe's understanding and support, and became more determined to be with her.

Soon after, Lou Xiao'e was transferred to a branch factory in another city because of her excellent work performance. This meant that she and He Yuzhu would face the test of a long-distance relationship. On the night before their departure, they spent an unforgettable time in the courtyard of the quadrangle. He Yuzhu prepared a sumptuous dinner for Lou Xiao'e, and the two sat at the small table, quietly enjoying the last sweet time.

"Yuzhui, I believe we will have a future." Lou Xiao'e held He Yuzhui's hand and said firmly.

"Xiao'e, I will wait for you, no matter how long it takes." He Yuzhu solemnly promised, his eyes full of determination and reluctance.

After the separation, He Yuzhu put all his energy into work, hoping to reunite with Lou Xiaoe one day. He wrote to Lou Xiaoe every day, full of longing for the future and longing for each other. Although they were far apart, their feelings did not fade, but deepened.

However, life is always full of unpredictable variables. As time went by, Lou Xiao'e's replies gradually decreased, and He Yuzhu began to feel a little uneasy. He knew that Lou Xiao'e was under a lot of pressure in the new environment, but he was helpless because they were far apart and he could not personally comfort and support her.

Until one day, He Yuzhu received a letter from Lou Xiao'e, which revealed that she had other plans and hoped that He Yuzhu could understand and let go. The moment He Yuzhu saw the letter, his heart was torn apart. He couldn't believe that the promises and expectations he had always made had turned into nothing in an instant.

He Yuzhu silently folded the letter and put it deep in the drawer. That night, he sat in the kitchen, facing a table of untouched food, feeling lost and helpless. Despite this, He Yuzhu did not blame Lou Xiaoe. He knew that she had her choice, and he had to continue on his own path.

As the days passed, He Yuzhu buried the pain of losing love in his heart and continued to work in the courtyard. He poured all his emotions into cooking, and every dish was a dialogue between him and the past. He learned to love in another way - that is, love for life and care for everyone who tasted his dishes.

Although the love between He Yuzhu and Lou Xiao'e did not have a happy ending, this experience deeply affected him. He learned to cherish the people and things around him, and also understood that the meaning of life is to strive for what you love, no matter what the result is. He still believes that love is worth living, and in this small courtyard full of fireworks, He Yuzhu is still the chef who lives attentively and continues to write his own chapter of life.

Since He Yuzhu separated from Lou Xiao'e, his life has been normal, but he always feels that there is something missing in his life. In the small kitchen of the courtyard, he still cooks every dish carefully and faces every detail of life. He often leans against the small window of the kitchen late at night, looking at the starry sky and thinking about his life.

One night, He Yuzhu was preparing dinner for his neighbors in the yard. As the sky gradually darkened, everyone gathered in the yard to chat and laugh. Just as he was busy, Xu Damao came back from the factory and walked into the courtyard with an unhappy look on his face. Xu Damao was an engineer in the factory. He always liked to argue with He Yuzhu on weekdays. The two often quarreled over trivial matters.