Courtyard House: He Daqing Forces Qin Huairu into Marrying at the Beginning

"Go to sleep first, don't wait for me."

He Daqing gave a few instructions, arranged things at home, and then rode his bicycle outside.

As dusk fell and the city lights began to twinkle, He Daqing rode his bicycle to a small courtyard on the edge of the eastern city, carried by the evening breeze.

He Yuzhu studied under a master for five years, and the term was finally completed.

Today is the day he completes his apprenticeship.

He was a senior figure in the Beijing culinary industry and also He Yuzhu's father.

He Daqing came here to test He Yuzhu with the other gourmets to see if he met the requirements for graduation.

"Master He, please come in."

As soon as He Daqing parked his bicycle, someone came out to greet him.

"Well, let's go."

He Daqing quickly followed and arrived at the main room.

In the center of the room was a large, dark-colored square table, with eight matching chairs placed around it.

Five people have already arrived.

The ceiling lights are bright and provide ample light to ensure that the appearance of the dishes served on the table can be clearly seen.

The walls opposite are decorated with calligraphy and paintings, adding to the elegant atmosphere.

"Senior Brother He, you've arrived."

The tall man sitting in the second seat quickly stood up to greet him.

Wu Dachun went to Shanghai, but there were still many of He Daqing's fellow disciples in Beijing.

"Dafu, you've all arrived."

He Daqing responded and stepped forward to exchange pleasantries with his fellow disciples.

"Dafu, Senior Brother Dachun has gone to Shanghai."

Who will sit in the main seat today?

He Yuzhu became Wu Dachun's apprentice, and Wu Dachun should have personally presided over the graduation assessment.

However, he is currently out of town, so his other junior fellow students have to do it for him.

These senior apprentices had taught He Yuzhu cooking skills quite a bit, so their relationship was indeed that of master and apprentice, which was quite appropriate.

"Senior brother is confused."

Now that Zhu Zi has completed his apprenticeship, it's only natural that you, as his father, should take the main seat.

How could we dare to overstep our bounds?

Dafu patted He Daqing on the shoulder and laughed.

"You can't show favoritism later; you have to handle this officially."

"I'm not being modest."

Zhu Zi is learning to cook from you, so it's only right that you take charge of the training.

I didn't teach him much.

"Alright, stop refusing."

Your senior brother is here.

It's improper for us junior disciples to sit at the head of the table.

"Please sit down."

Dafu and the others immediately pressed He Daqing into the main seat.

We all learned to cook together, sharing joys and hardships, and developed a deep friendship.

Even though they later went their separate ways, their relationship never faded.

He Daqing shook his head and chuckled, no longer refusing.

Everyone chatted and drank tea at their seats, and the remaining guests arrived quickly.

The graduation banquet officially began.

As the aroma wafted from the neighboring house, He Yuzhu opened the door and personally placed a plate of braised pork intestines on the table.

The moment he met his father's gaze, He Yuzhu smiled slightly, said nothing, and continued with his work.

Among the northern cuisines, Shandong cuisine is very well-known and its techniques are quite sophisticated.

Therefore, today's exam will focus on Shandong cuisine.

"Nine-turn large intestine, bright red in color, uniform in size, and its appearance is acceptable."

I just don't know how it tastes.

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He Daqing, as the presiding judge, first picked up a piece of large intestine and put it in his mouth, chewing it carefully.

"It has a spicy taste upon first bite, and a full range of flavors including sour, sweet, fragrant, and salty."

It has a soft and mushy texture, but it lacks a bit of chewiness.

I'd say I passed.

You should try some too.

The others present began to taste it, and the flavor was indeed exactly as the Qing Dynasty had described.

Like father, like son.

"Senior brother, Zhu Zi's skills are impressive."

Dafu nodded in approval.

He Daqing's Shandong cuisine skills are unparalleled, surpassing those of everyone else present.

To receive his approval, He Yuzhu's cooking must be of a very high standard.

Before the first dish was even finished, Xincai was served on the table for the judges to taste.

And so it went until all the dishes were served.

Wearing an apron, He Yuzhu stood against the wall, waiting for guidance from his seniors.

After the eight judges finished their meal, they exchanged their thoughts and all expressed their approval of He Yuzhu's culinary skills.

All the evaluations were compiled together, and He Daqing gave the final summary.

"Zhu Zi, you did a great job with this meal. You're ready to graduate."

However, your cooking skills are still lacking.

The braised pork intestines were overcooked and lacked chewiness.

The chicken slices in the egg drop soup were cut somewhat unevenly...

You must practice more diligently from now on and not slack off.

“Come here, Pillar.”

From today onwards, you are a true master chef.

Come on over and have a drink with me.

Dafu poured He Yuzhu a glass of wine and congratulated him.

Others present also stood up to offer their congratulations.

Most of them were He Yuzhu's mentors, who had watched him grow up.

Now that He Yuzhu has mastered culinary skills, they are all very pleased.

"I am where I am today because of the good teaching of my father and all my mentors."

This toast should be offered to you by me.

He Yuzhu took the wine glass and drank it all in one gulp.

After tonight, he will go back to the courtyard with his father.

I really miss my elders.

Chapter 62 He Yuzhu in the Courtyard

Summer was just beginning to sprout, and the early mornings of late spring carried a slight chill.

Wearing only a thin shirt, He Yuzhu opened the door and looked at the quiet courtyard, feeling both familiar and strange.

Last night, after the graduation banquet, his father took him back to the courtyard.

Now living in a house in the middle courtyard, he has bid farewell to his apprenticeship and started a new life.

Arriving outside the east courtyard, He Yuzhu hesitated for a moment before knocking on the locked gate.

"Dad, open the door!"

Hearing the noise inside, He Daqing rubbed his sleepy eyes, reluctantly threw off the covers, put on his shoes, and went outside to open the door for the brat.

Qin Huairu's belly grew bigger and bigger, and He Daqing would usually close the outer gate of the courtyard at night so that his wife could have a better resting environment.

To truly shut yourself in and live your own life.

Anyway, a separate toilet had already been built in the courtyard.

Getting up at night is not troublesome at all; in fact, it's more convenient.

"Zhu Zi, it's finally the weekend, why are you up so early?"

He Daqing yawned, his eyes still heavy with sleep.

He Daqing was sleeping soundly today because he didn't have to go to work, but his son woke him up.