Siheyuan: Happy Life of Jia Zhang Family

"Eat the new dish chrysanthemum fish first, then the boiled fish. Remember to taste the sticky rice. Tell Dongxu about it and let's eat." When everyone was gathered, Zhang Dabao said, and everyone stretched out their chopsticks for the chrysanthemum fish.

"Brother Damao, sister-in-law, have you ever tried this dish? How does it taste?" Zhang Dabao asked the two.

"It's so authentic. If you take the exam, Dabiao, you will at least be a level five chef," Xu Damao praised.

"Zhuzi's cooking skills are better than mine, so why is he still a level eight chef?" Zhang Dabao has never understood this question.

"He has such a sharp tongue. The canteen director didn't even sign him up. How could he take the exam? Besides, the highest level of chefs in our factory is level six. Even a level one chef is paid the price of a level six chef. This is determined by the nature of the factory," Xu Damao explained the reason.

"It will be better this time. He married Sister Lianhua and became a relative of Deputy Director Li. The canteen director will definitely not stop him this time. He should be able to reach Level 7," Xu Damao said to everyone after taking a sip of wine.

"Brother Damao is right. If you want to get a high salary, you have to get promoted. Once you become a deputy director, you are a deputy section-level cadre and can earn 87.5 yuan a month. My brother is at the section-level, so his salary should be 103 yuan," said Huang Xinsheng.

"Isn't Zhuzi the squad leader?" Qin Huairu asked.

"The squad leader is not a regular cadre and is paid two yuan a month for leading the squad," said Xu Damao.

"Brother Damao, I heard that Deputy Director Liu who is in charge of the small canteen is going to retire? Did you know about this?" Huang Xinsheng asked Xu Damao.

"I haven't noticed, but Liu Chengcai is almost sixty years old this year. If he retires, can the pillar still be put up?" Xu Damao asked again.

Huang Xinsheng and Xu Damao then analyzed the situation and felt that He Yuzhu had a chance to become deputy director, but it was not very likely, as there were several people ahead of him in line. In terms of qualifications, business, and relationships, they were all better than He Yuzhu.

"Everything depends on human efforts," Zhang Dabao said at last, smiled at everyone and changed the subject.

"Banggeng, how is your meal?" Xu Damao also likes to tease Banggeng now.

"I'm full. Now I'm trying to recall what the chrysanthemum fish tastes like. I'll tell my dad when he comes," said Bang Geng.

"Be sure to describe it in more detail, such as the color, pattern, sweetness and sourness. It would be a shame if your father didn't get to eat such delicious food. I'm afraid he wouldn't be happy about it." Xu Damao gave Banggeng some hints.

"I remember it all. I'll go talk to Aunt Si Ni and Xiao Zheng and the others and practice it first." Bang Geng thought for a while and ran to the front yard.

"Are you unhappy that Dongxu doesn't spank you?" Zhang Dabao said to Xu Damao with a smile.

"With Aunt Jia protecting me, I won't be beaten." Xu Damao also laughed.

Xu Damao feels that his current life is the real life. He used to live in the courtyard for more than 20 years, and there was basically no communication between neighbors. There was only Yi Zhonghai nagging about helping this and that, and there was no atmosphere of everyone being together like now.

Since he became friends with Dabiao, he learned how to hunt, catch fish, and do everything. The most important thing is that he is generous and never cares about his friend's food and drink. His family is in Courtyard 95, which is considered a good family, but not as good as Zhang Dabiao in terms of material conditions. He didn't have much communication with the Jia family and the He family before, and they never sat together for meals. Unlike now, he has also discovered the advantages of the venomous mouth He Yuzhu; the situation of the mama's boy Jia Dongxu; the unknown side of the rebellious teenagers Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu.

Now we are all friends, how happy we are.

The people here had not yet left, but Zhang Cuihua and the other two who had gone out to entertain guests had already returned.

Banggeng has now explained the taste of chrysanthemum fish to every child under the age of ten in the yard, and is now very familiar with it. When he saw Jia Dongxu coming back, he immediately ran to the backyard and poured a glass of water for his father.

"Banggeng knows how to love his father, that's great." Jia Dongxu rarely praised the child.

"Dad, my seventh uncle made chrysanthemum fish for us today. You were not at home, so I tasted it for you. The chrysanthemum fish is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and tastes sweet and sour, just like chrysanthemums. This kind of fish is difficult to cook. You have to cut the fish into the shape of chrysanthemums first, sprinkle it with dry starch, then fry it, and then put it in soup. There is vinegar and rock sugar in the soup. After pouring it on, you bite it in your mouth..." Bang Geng told Jia Dongxu.

"Get lost!" Jia Dongxu was angry.

"Banggeng is kind enough to tell you the taste of the dish, why are you scolding him?" Zhang Cuihua stood up first.

"Do I need him to tell me? Doesn't he know that I like to eat delicious food? I can't eat it and he tells me. How can I not be angry?" Jia Dongxu said to his mother.

"I'm telling you about it because you can't eat it. If you try it, you'll know how it tastes. Do I need to tell you about the stick stems? You really don't know what's good for you," Zhang Cuihua retorted to her son.

Jia Dongxu was speechless again. Was it my fault? Should I have listened to the child and not lost my temper with him?

Seeing Jia Dongxu's expression, everyone couldn't help laughing.

"There are still fish in the tank. Tomorrow, Banggeng will tell you how to make one. You can just make one yourself. You are an adult, but you are acting like a child." Zhang Dabao also laughed, but still said a few words to Jia Dongxu.

"He didn't tell the whole story," Jia Dongxu said a little anxiously.

"If you don't understand something, why don't you ask me again? Brother Zhuzi should know it too," said Zhang Dabao.

"I really don't know how to cook this dish. I studied Sichuan cuisine and this is Cantonese cuisine," He Yuzhu said. "But I can make it just by listening. I have learned how to cook several fish dishes from Da Biao. When we have time, we can make a fish feast."

"Nowadays, there are almost all fish dishes, including sweet and sour carp, chrysanthemum fish, boiled fish, pickled fish, steamed salted fish, fish balls, fried fish cubes, and stir-fried fish offal." When Jia Dongxu heard what He Yuzhu said, he immediately became interested and listed many dishes made with fish.

"Dongxu, you are great. You are a good eater." Zhang Dabao had to praise his nephew for his talent in eating.

"Of course, loving to eat is human nature. When are we going to do it?" Jia Dongxu became interested.

"It depends on you and Brother Zhuzi. The fish are ready. I'll leave it all to you," said Zhang Dabao.

"Zhu Zi, how about we go to Zhou Tian to cook a table? It looks delicious just thinking about it." Jia Dongxu started to discuss with He Yuzhu again.

"Okay, I'm afraid of you. Let's meet at noon on Sunday. Dabao, do you want to call a few friends?" He Yuzhu asked Zhang Dabao again.

"Who should we call? They are all older people. Let's call Director Zhang and Director Shi, and Chief Hu and Chief You from the factory, plus Niu Kewu and a few of us, and set up a table. My eldest sister and her family can have one table, so let's set up two tables. Don't eat in the yard, let's go to Chunfeng Hutong." Zhang Dabao thought of Xu Damao and Huang Xinsheng's analysis of whether He Yuzhu could be promoted to deputy director of the canteen, and wanted to push He Yuzhu up.

The time for the fish banquet was set, and Jia Dongxu and Banggeng were the happiest because they could have a good meal again.