Siheyuan: Incredible understanding and superb cooking skills

Qin Huairu hurriedly waved her hand to refuse. She was a member of a rural family and worked hard during the day until the evening. She could only receive a few work points a year, which she converted into food coupons to barely make ends meet.

Talking about restaurants in the city was just a distant dream.

Inside the courtyard, the matchmaker, Jia Zhang and Yi Zhonghai were sitting in the core area of ​​the Jia family, talking in the living room.

"How is it? Isn't the girl pretty? I just said that this time I'm introducing you to a perfect match!"

The matchmaker took a sip of tea and stuffed some peanuts and melon seeds into her bag. This was their impromptu snack.

Hearing Jia Dongxu's reaction in the house, he showed a happy expression. The previous conversation between the two of them was quite harmonious.

This girl was not only pretty, but also very pleasant to talk to. For him, who was eager to get married, this was a perfect match. Even Jia Zhang, who was the most picky and nitpicking, praised her highly.

"This girl is really suitable for Dongxu!"

Jia Zhang smiled.

Hearing this, the matchmaker rubbed her hands, secretly looking forward to the reward that had been promised earlier.

However, Jia Zhang responded rationally: "Don't worry, matchmaker. It hasn't been decided yet. When the girl officially marries, she will naturally give you what you deserve."

The matchmaker was a little dissatisfied when she heard this, but she didn't say it out loud, and she muttered in her heart that she was a stingy person.

At this time, Yi Zhonghai asked: "How do you plan for lunch?"

He planned to ask Zhuzi to join them as they had some leftover food to entertain the future ** daughter-in-law.

His initial interaction with her just now assured him that nothing serious would happen, at least she would not be as difficult as Jia Zhang.

However, Jia Zhang shook her head after hearing this: "It doesn't have to be so complicated. Today is my first visit and I'm not sure if it will be successful. It will be enough to keep it simple."

This sentence made the matchmaker and Yi Zhonghai look embarrassed.

It was obvious that Jia Zhang refused the hospitality out of stinginess, but the two of them were obviously very satisfied. Nowadays, the affection between the two has warmed up, and the next step is most likely to be marriage.

However, considering Jia Zhang's character, they did not say anything more.

That’s it, a simple lunch.

Anyway, I will have this meal anyway.

Yi Zhonghai was too lazy to waste his breath on Jia Zhang's temper, and went directly to his family's cellar to get some vegetables - a five-jin pork, two huge cabbages and some white radishes.

Although Jia Zhang was frugal, he didn't mind being a little generous in order to give Dongxu and his future daughter-in-law a good impression.

Even if you don't ask Zhuzi to help, the quality of the dishes must be guaranteed.

Just when everyone was thinking about what to do, Qin Huairu walked in from outside.

"Huai Ru, go to the room and stay with Dong Xu for a while. We'll have dinner once the food is ready."

When Jia Zhang saw her daughter-in-law, she immediately greeted her warmly.

When Qin Huairu heard this, a strange look appeared on her face.

If it was okay to let her talk to Jia Dongxu privately at the beginning, it was different now.

After hearing what Zhuzi said, her attitude changed, and she even felt a little uncomfortable.

At that moment, she said softly, "Aunt Jia, I'd better go sit outside."

-

Jia Dongxu, who had been concentrating on listening to the conversation between the two, suddenly became stunned when he heard the words.

He was still looking forward to continuing the in-depth conversation with Qin Huairu, but he didn't expect her to suddenly ask to leave.

Jia Zhang was also a little surprised. She stared at the vague and unspeakable emotions on Qin Huairu's face and quickly understood.

I understand!

This is a shy expression of a girl! In this era, people's manners are very traditional, and it is considered good behavior for two people to just have a casual chat.

** It was indeed a bit awkward for a pure girl to chat with her son alone.

Thinking of this, Jia Zhang felt quite satisfied.

She admired such a girl who knew etiquette and believed that she would be suitable to marry into her family.

Therefore, Jia Zhang decided not to force her to stay. "Huai Ru, you sit with the matchmaker for the time being, and when the food is ready, we will eat together."

Hearing this suggestion, Qin Huairu nodded nervously in response. She sat at the table in the living room, looking a little uneasy.

This made Jia Zhang even more certain of her guess.

However, what Qin Huairu was thinking at the moment was whether she would be noticed by others if she behaved abnormally.

She must not let Aunt Jia and others know that she knew about their situation, otherwise it would be even more difficult to go back. She didn't have a penny on her and had to rely on the matchmaker to take her back home.

-

At the gate of No. 78 Babaokeng Hutong, at Lane in Beijing, He Yuzhu came from afar, carrying heavy objects in his hands, including two catties of pork head, a delicious fish weighing more than two catties, and a pair of bottles filled with Maotai liquor.

What a grand occasion it is to visit the master.

When he arrived at the gate, he knocked on the door.

It was lunchtime and the wooden door was not opened yet, but He Yuzhu could already smell the aroma of smoke rising slowly from the kitchen.

When he smelled the familiar flavor of the dish, his eyes suddenly lit up. This was the cooking skill of his master.

Soon, the wooden door opened, and the figure of Teacher Xiao Qiuzhen appeared outside. "Zhu Zi, you're here?"

As soon as she confirmed that the person coming was He Yuzhu, Xiao Qiuzhen showed a friendly smile on her face.

He Yuzhu responded, "Teacher's wife, I came to see you two today."

Seeing the gifts He Yuzhu brought, Xiao Qiuzhen smiled and said, "My child, you don't need to bring so many gifts when you visit Master's wife in the future. You are too polite."

Xiao Qiuzhen and Li Baoguo treated He Yuzhu as their own child. They did not care about politeness and etiquette. Instead, they were concerned about whether he could take care of himself outside.

He Yuzhu noticed this and smiled without saying anything, "Teacher's wife, these are all my sincere gifts. Only if you accept them will I feel at ease."

His emotion did not have any excessive flattery intentions, but simply came from his sincere feelings for his master and his mistress.

Although Xiao Qiuzhen rarely goes out, she has rich experience in dealing with people. She knows He Yuzhu's sincerity towards others and her heart is filled with warmth.

"Come on, sit inside and chat, the master is busy." Xiao Qiuzhen called out the little girl in the room, whose nickname is "Yushui".

.

Immediately afterwards, a small figure responded from the side room in the yard.

She skipped to the gate of the courtyard and saw He Yuzhu. She said excitedly, "Brother, you finally came to see our Yushui. I missed you so much."

After all, this was the first time that Xiao Yushui left the protection of her relatives and lived with Li Baoguo, and she was worried about He Yuzhu in her heart.

Seeing this scene, He Yuzhu smiled and put the things on the stone table in the yard, while gently stroking Xiao Yushui's head. "Yushui, have you been obedient to Master and Master's wife during this time?"

Xiao Qiuzhen stood aside, eyes full of tenderness, and said with a smile: "Zhu Zi, don't underestimate the small amount of rain, she is quite sensible."

It was obvious that during this period, she was also deeply attracted to this little baby.

"Brother, Aunt Xiao has taught me a lot these days."

When talking about what he had just learned, Xiao Yushui puffed out his chest proudly, as if he was expecting to be praised.

He Yuzhu looked at her and laughed. "Master Qiuzhen had good conditions and was well educated, so she was able to teach Yushui's enlightenment course."

"Master's Wife, thank you and Master for your hard work these days. We are grateful."

Hearing this, Xiao Qiuzhen deliberately put on a stern face and said, "Zhu Zi, that's too polite. You are part of our family, and it is only natural for me to take care of you."

Realizing his master's wife's true feelings, He Yuzhu said no more and kept this gratitude deeply in his heart.

Then he said, "Master's Wife, I will go to the kitchen to help Master cook. You can chat with Yu Shui slowly."

Since Chef Li Baoguo was still busy cooking, he naturally wouldn't let them wait.

Seeing He Yuzhu walking towards the stove, Li Baoguo nodded slightly in greeting and gestured to make room for him.

He Yuzhu took over quickly without any delay and started processing the ingredients.

…………

He Yuzhu and Li Baoguo were busy for a while, and after they put the food on the table, Xiao Yushui and Xiao Qiuzhen sat around. "Let's eat!"

Yu Shui couldn't wait to wash his hands, behaving very sensibly, and then sat down quickly.

Li Baoguo took the Moutai liquor brought back by He Yuzhu and was about to pour a glass for himself.

However, Xiao Qiuzhen, who was facing him, patted him on the arm unceremoniously and said, "Be restrained! You drank a lot last time, you should take care of your health!"

Hearing this, Li Baoguo's face became slightly embarrassed, and his eyes unconsciously turned to the bottle of Moutai.

Then he said to He Yuzhu in dissatisfaction: "Zhuzi, don't always bring this kind of thing next time. It makes me feel uncomfortable when I can't see it!"

He Yuzhu felt a little aggrieved about his master's complaints, but he also realized that there might be some differences.

Looking back, although the master also drank Moutai during the last visit, he did not refuse as firmly as this time.

He originally thought that it was his master's wife who deliberately persuaded him, but now after hearing what she said, things seemed to be beyond his understanding.

So, he smiled and changed the subject: "Master's Wife, what happened to Master? Can't drink anymore?"

He skillfully brought the issue to the crux of the matter.

When Xiao Qiuzhen heard this, she was surprised.

After a brief thought, she glanced at Li Baoguo and sighed deeply...

"Speaking of this, it can probably be considered as a result of illness."

Xiao Qiuzhen spoke.

However, He Yuzhu sensed something strange in Li Baoguo's words.

When Xiao Qiuzhen mentioned this matter, Li Baoguo's expression was obviously different from usual.

"Old Li, Zhuzi is no longer an outsider. Since you have decided to take him in as your **, I think you should have made preparations.

You should talk to Zhuzi about this matter yourself."

Xiao Qiuzhen looked at Li Baoguo and said.

Li Baoguo picked up the shredded pork with green pepper from the dish and took a bite, then put down his chopsticks and turned to look at He Yuzhu.

"Now that the topic has been opened, I think it's time to tell you."

"Zhu Zi, do you know something about my past?"

Li Baoguo asked.

Seeing this scene, He Yuzhu nodded slightly.

When he first entered Hongbinlou to worship his master, he had already heard a lot about his master's deeds.

Especially after his training in the kitchen, although everyone tacitly accepted that he was taught by Li Baoguo himself and did not say much, he could still feel a different atmosphere.

As one of the chief chefs of Hongbinlou, Li Baoguo is particularly outstanding in cooking skills, even better than the other two chefs of the same level.