Siheyuan Shangpeng

When Shang's father returned home at night, he found that there was no one at home. He shook his head and walked towards the middle courtyard. Sure enough, the whole family was at He's house. He Daqing and He Yuzhu were busy in the kitchen, Shang Peng and Shang Liang were watching on the side, and Shang's mother took He Yushui and Shang Xue to Yushui's house to help Yushui decorate the house. He Yushui was going to come back to live, and she said that her father had come back, and she knew it was not because of her, so she should live alone. However, according to Yushui's personality, she would probably run to Shang Xue's room from time to time to sleep with Shang Xue.

Shang's father greeted He Daqing, went into the living room and sat down. After a while, Shang Peng and He Yushui began to serve the dishes and prepare for dinner.

The last dish was served. He Daqing took out a bottle of Lianhua Bai from the inner room and put it on the table. He sat down, opened the wine and poured it for Shang's father and himself. Seeing He Yuzhu's eager eyes, he thought about it and poured a glass for He Yuzhu. Then he picked up the glass and said, "Come on, for today's meal, first of all, I want to thank Yushui's aunt's family. If it weren't for you, I might still be kept in the dark, and who knows what will happen to Zhuzi and Yushui in the future. So, first glass, Zhuzi, Yushui, the three of us toast your aunt's family." After that, he drank the wine in the glass in one gulp.

When Shang's father saw that he had no choice but to drink it, he followed suit and drank it. Everyone also took a sip of the Arctic Ocean drink.

He Daqing finished his drink and continued, "The second cup, thank you Aunt Yushui for taking care of Yushui. I've been away for such a long time, but Zhuzi is not worried. The only thing I'm worried about is Yushui. Aunt Yushui passed away early, it's a pity that she is a little girl and we two grown men have to take care of her... Alas!"

Shang's mother said, "Brother-in-law, this is as it should be. I really like Yu Shui. You see, my family only has one daughter, Shang Xue. She was fine at first, but she has had her own ideas since elementary school. She would never tell me about ordinary things. I am really happy to have a little girl like Yu Shui. Don't be so polite."

He Daqing didn't say anything, but drank the wine in the glass in one gulp. When Shang's father saw that He Daqing was upset, he knew he shouldn't drink like that, so he said, "Brother-in-law, we are all relatives, and it's nonsense to say those things. You should eat something too, or you'll drink too much before I finish. Haha..."

He Daqing then smiled and continued, "Brother-in-law, I know, I'll have the last glass, and then we'll eat.

This last cup of wine is to thank Yu Shui’s mother for giving me two such wonderful children, and for having such wonderful relatives like you.”

After saying this, his eyes couldn't help but turn red, and then he drank the wine.

Then he said to everyone, "Let's not talk about those sad things. Come, eat the food, and taste my cooking. I tell you, my cooking skills are unique in Beijing. I defeated many chefs in Fengze Garden with this dish of three white sauces. And this nine-turn large intestine, I'm not bragging, Zhuzi, even your master may not be better than me. Haha..."

Everyone looked at He Daqing's forced smile and tacitly praised the delicious food He Daqing cooked. After a while, everyone started talking and laughing while eating the meal.

After dinner, He Daqing drank too much and was carried to the bed by Shang's father and He Yuzhu.

After cleaning the table, Shang's mother took Shang Xue and Yu Shui home, while Shang's father sat in the living room of the He family with a few boys, drinking water and chatting.

Father Shang said to He Yuzhu, "Zhuzi, why did you come back so early today? Isn't the store busy?"

"Uncle, I will come back so early from now on, because Cuihualou will not be busy at night. It is not like before. There are too few people coming to eat at night. Sometimes there is not even one table in a day. I will come back in the afternoon from now on."

"That's right. It's not very peaceful at night now. You should study hard. When will you become a master? What are you going to do in Cuihua Building after you become a master? My senior brother wants you to go to his place. What do you think?"

"It's almost time. Originally, my master thought I would need another two years of study, but he said I should have gotten the hang of it recently, so he'll let me graduate this year. I'll take a chef level assessment right away, and after that, he'll arrange a graduation banquet for me.

I can't take away my master and senior brother's jobs in Cuihua Building. I can only be the second cook there. I'm a little scared to go to your senior brother's place. Uncle, do you think it would be better for me to stay there?"

"Zhu Zi, I think you should go to my senior brother's place. Although he won't open as many restaurants as you will after you become a chef, the future development will definitely be better than Cui Hua Lou."

"Let me think about it. It will take some time before I can start my apprenticeship. I'll talk about it when the time comes."

"Zhu Zi, you can never live in a familiar environment forever. You have grown up. I am not saying this to put pressure on you. Think about it yourself!"

"Okay, uncle, I'll think about it."

Shang Peng was listening and joking with Shang Liang. Shang's father and He Yuzhu happened to see it when they finished talking. They slapped Shang Peng on the head and said to him, "Your master uncle sent someone to tell me today that someone will pick you up tomorrow. Go to school to report tomorrow. It seems that there will be a test and then you will be assigned to a certain grade. Do well in the test and don't embarrass yourself."

"Oh... Dad, don't worry, there is no stupid person in our family, don't worry, I will definitely do well in the test tomorrow!"

"Okay, I won't go with you tomorrow. I have to go to work. When I come back on the weekend, we will send your sister to school together. She will report this weekend. I have another piece of news to tell you. Your eldest brother is coming back. Your master uncle originally planned to have him transfer back next year or the year after, but your eldest brother made a mistake, so he was transferred early. Haha..."

"Brother, he's coming back? What mistakes could he make? He's a soldier. He won't bring you a daughter-in-law, will he?"

"Go away... I was thinking that. I heard that they fired the gun without authorization, but it seems that it was a downgrade in public but an upgrade in private. Your master uncle didn't explain it clearly. He said that we would know when we come back in a few months. It seems that he will be back before the New Year!"

"Hey! It's still so long. I thought you would be back next month."

They chatted for a while and then went back to their rooms to sleep. The next morning, Shang's mother helped Shang Peng pack his bedding and clothes. Just after breakfast, the master uncle came to pick Shang Peng up in person.

When they arrived at the school, Master Uncle took Shang Peng to meet the school principal. The principal really didn't give Master Uncle any face and said bluntly that he would not accept him if he didn't meet the test standards. Master Uncle also smiled and catered to him. Shang Peng couldn't help but laugh when he saw Master Uncle like this for the first time.

The master uncle also saw the smile in Shang Peng's eyes and said to him, "Laugh if you want to. This is your master's friend, so he is my master uncle. Do your best in the exam. If you do well, there will be no reward. If you do not do well, your father will punish you."