Siheyuan: Revenge of the Stupid Pillar

On New Year's Eve, thousands of houses are lit up, families sit together, talking and laughing, sharing this reunion and warm moment.

At the He family’s dining table, there are all kinds of delicious food.

Braised fish, fungus stewed chicken, lotus root stewed pork ribs, kelp stewed pig's trotters, fried crispy meat, hot and sour potato shreds, fried anchovies...

The menu for the "reunion dinner" varies from household to household, but there are only two things that are indispensable: chicken and fish.

"Chicken" and "Ji" are homophones, which means auspiciousness and luck.

"Yu" (fish) sounds similar to "Yu" (surplus), which means abundance and surplus every year.

In addition, the chicken must be eaten up, which means eating in good fortune and luck, and eating away famine or paying off debts.

The fish cannot be eaten up all, there must be some left, which means there will be surplus food and money every year and a prosperous life.

"Old lady, I salute you and wish you good health and a long life!"

"Zhu Zi, I wish you success and prosperity!"

"Old lady, I want to toast you too..."

"Old lady, I want to toast you too..."

After the deaf old lady drank a few glasses of wine, her face turned rosy.

"Zhu Zi, now that you have a successful career and have married and started a family, you should have a child of your own."

"Don't worry, old lady. I will definitely let you have a great-grandson next year."

"That's a good feeling!"

Everyone was toasting each other, wishing each other well and having a great time.

He Yuzhu's side was bustling with activity, but Yi Zhonghai's home was deserted. He was eating noodles and drinking alone, looking indescribably lonely and desolate.

Before New Year's Eve, Yi Zhonghai invited He Yuzhu to celebrate the New Year together as in previous years, but He Yuzhu refused without hesitation.

Yi Zhonghai had no choice but to discuss spending the New Year together with the Jia family. Qin Huairu agreed very readily. After all, her family was poor and she needed Yi Zhonghai to pay for the meat and vegetables for the New Year.

It’s a pity that Bang Geng had an accident and Qin Huairu had to stay in the hospital, so she had no time to go back to the hospital to cook.

Qin Huairu was not at home, and he thought that Jia Zhang would invite him to the reunion dinner, after all, he was the one who bought the meat and vegetables. However, Jia Zhang ignored him completely.

Yi Zhonghai took the initiative to visit Jia Zhang, but was ridiculed by her. Yi Zhonghai couldn't stand it and turned around and went back home.

After returning home, Yi Zhonghai felt lonely, so he ran to Li Guifang's house again and said that he wanted to spend the New Year with her, but Li Guifang ruthlessly beat him out with a broom.

"bump!"

The more Yi Zhonghai drank, the more depressed he became. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, so he threw the wine glass to the ground.

"How could this be possible... How could this be possible... How could I, Yi Zhonghai, end up in this state?"

"Ms. Jia Zhang, you old bitch, how dare you treat me like this? I will kill you, sleep with your daughter-in-law every day, and beat your grandson..."

"Silly Zhu, you have ruined my reputation and made me deserted by my friends and relatives. I will never let you go."

……

On the third day of the New Year, snowflakes were still floating in the sky and the wind was still cold.

He Yuzhu and Xu Huizhen wrapped themselves tightly, took gifts, opened the door, and prepared to visit their master Lu Dahai's house to wish them a happy New Year.

The weather was cold and slippery, which was not good for riding a bicycle. Fortunately, the snow on the road had been cleared by police officers.

Although the weather is cold, it still can't resist the enthusiasm in people's hearts. The streets are crowded with people, and everyone's face is filled with happy smiles. There are also children chasing and playing in the snow, making snowmen, having snowball fights, and setting off firecrackers...

When He Yuzhu and Xu Huizhen arrived at their master's house, the house was already full of people, all of them were his fellow apprentices.

They had agreed years ago that they would come to their master's house to pay New Year's greetings on the third day of the Lunar New Year.

When Master's Wife Mei Xiu'e saw He Yuzhu and his wife, she hurriedly came over to greet them warmly.

"Zhu Zi, Hui Zhen, just come if you want, why are you carrying so many things?"

"Master's wife, Happy New Year!"

"Happy New Year! It's cold outside, come inside and sit down!"

"Big Brother, Big Sister-in-law, Happy New Year!"

“Happy New Year…Happy New Year…”

"Where's the master?"

"The chef is in the kitchen."

"Why didn't you go in to help?"

“We went, but were kicked out by the master.”

"That's just Master being polite to you. So, is it really coming out?"

"Big Brother, Master loves you the most, why don't you go in and try to help?"

"Yes... yes, Brother, one is better than two!"

"Don't flatter me, but I have to go into this kitchen. We are here to wish Master and his wife a happy new year, not to burden them."

"You guys come with me. If Master and his wife don't want to come out, you guys will be responsible for carrying them out."

"Big Brother, we all listen to you. We will do whatever you say!"

"I've been waiting for you to say this. Now follow me to the kitchen."

"Okay..."

He Yuzhu, along with his nine fellow apprentices, rushed into the kitchen in a mighty force.

He Yuzhu said with a smile: "Master, Happy New Year!"

Lu Dahai smiled and nodded: "Happy New Year! Zhuzi, you guys sit in the living room and chat for a while, the food will have to wait for a while."

"Master, go and have a rest. Let us prepare the meal!"

"How can I let you do it? You are all my guests today."

"What guest or not? Brothers, please ask the master to leave!"

"Okay!"

"Park In-yong, Park In-meng, what are you doing? Are you planning a rebellion?"

"Master, this is not our fault. It was our senior brother who asked us to do this."

"Traitor, you only listen to the eldest brother now, and don't listen to me, your master?"

Mei Xiu'e said with a smile: "Old man, Zhuzi is very filial, just listen to him. Are you still unsure about Zhuzi's craftsmanship?"

Zhu Yiqun echoed, "Master, Master's wife is right, just listen to Senior Brother, he doesn't want you to be too tired."

Lu Dahai said unhappily, "Alright, all of you let go, I'll leave, you all stay here and help your senior brother."

He Yuzhu smiled and said, "We don't need so many people. Just two people will be enough. The kitchen is not big and too many people will get in the way."

Lu Dahai nodded slightly and ordered: "Old Nine and Old Ten, you two stay here and help your eldest brother. You can also learn from him secretly."

"Your senior brother's cooking skills are no worse than mine!"

"Thank you, Master, for giving us a chance to learn from our Senior Brother!"

"We are all brothers from the same sect. Why would we steal someone's skills?"

An hour later, the food was ready and the lunch officially began.

There were ten apprentices, plus their wives and children who came with them, so there were four tables in total at the old man's house.

Lu Dahai sat at the chief seat, looking at the room full of his disciples, a sincere and gratified smile on his face.

He Yuzhu suddenly picked up his wine glass and stood up, saying with full energy:

"I propose to toast Master and Master's Wife first, to thank them for their guidance over the years!"

Since the eldest brother had spoken, the younger brothers naturally would not refuse and they all stood up.

Lu Dahai said with a smile: "Everyone sit down. I am very happy that you can come to pay New Year's greetings today. Don't bother with these red tapes."

He Yuzhu said sternly: "Master, without rules there can be no order..."

"Alright, it's New Year's Day, stop preaching, Master's Wife and I will drink this glass of wine."

Although Lu Dahai interrupted He Yuzhu's words, he was smiling and it was obvious that he was very satisfied with He Yuzhu, his eldest disciple.

During the banquet, the guests and hosts were toasting each other, and the atmosphere was joyful.