Courtyard House: My Wife is Xu Huizhen

The "Brother Hu" that He Yuzhu mentioned is Hu Daijun, Miao Qishan's apprentice, but we haven't seen him yet at this time.

Miao Qishan said, "He's on his day off today."

Then he said, "Zhu Zi, you're amazing! You managed to stay up all night last night."

The two men's stoves were next to each other. He Yuzhu's perfect performance yesterday was evident to him, and he couldn't help but praise him today.

He Yuzhu laughed and said, "It's all thanks to my master's teaching."

Hong Henian, who was drinking tea nearby, was quite pleased with the experience. It also made Miao Qishan feel a bit emotional. He thought that He Yuzhu was the more likable kid, while his own apprentice was so quiet that he couldn't get a word out of him even after three blows.

"Old Hong, let me have your apprentice. Let's find someone else," Miao Qishan joked.

Hong Henian took a sip, put down his teacup, and said, "Alright, I was just about to tell you. Tomorrow is an auspicious day. I'm bringing the pillar into the house, and you'll be my witness."

A good apprentice would certainly not want to resell the business, so he used the topic of becoming an apprentice to divert attention from this matter.

This is also why Hong Henian decided to take He Yuzhu as his disciple ahead of time, so that he wouldn't end up losing out if someone else took a liking to him later, or if He Yuzhu changed his mind and didn't want to acknowledge him as his master.

"Great, congratulations!" Miao Qishan quickly offered his congratulations.

It is extremely difficult to find a talented apprentice. Many apprentices, although they have completed their apprenticeship, lack talent and have limited skills. They can only be chefs in small restaurants for their entire lives. Although they are well-off, in their eyes, it is better not to take such an apprentice at all.

"Congratulations to you too!" Hong Henian said. "Aren't you envious?"

"I am somewhat envious; Zhu Zi's talent is too good," Miao Qishan said.

Hong Henian suddenly said, "Then when you have time, could you give me some pointers?"

Although Huaiyang cuisine was not well-received in Beijing before, with the founding of the country and the introduction of state banquet dishes, it has gained a place in Beijing's culinary scene.

On the day the People's Republic of China was founded, a welcoming banquet was held in the Great Hall of the People. The dishes served were mainly Huaiyang cuisine, which had been completely reorganized, improved and refined.

This has led many people in society to yearn for state banquet dishes. Having grown accustomed to Beijing and Shandong cuisine, they may also be curious and order some state banquet dishes.

This is also why Taifenglou hired another Huaiyang cuisine chef.

A chef shouldn't specialize in just one cuisine; they should focus on one cuisine as their main focus and use others as supplementary cuisines. Only in this way can they take on a major role in the kitchen.

Seeing that Miao Qishan greatly admired He Yuzhu, Hong Henian casually probed, saying that it wouldn't matter if he didn't teach him, but if he did, He Yuzhu would have gained another skill.

In fact, Hong Henian could also cook some Beijing, Shandong and Huaiyang cuisine, but he just couldn't cook them as authentically as they did.

As a cook, even if you don't cook yourself, just watching others cook in the kitchen every day will allow you to get a decent result, about 70-80% of the way.

Miao Qishan thought for a moment and then smiled and said, "Okay, learn a few tricks from me today, and you can teach Dai Jun a couple of tricks later."

"That's easy to say, then it's settled."

Hong Henian said, "Zhuzi, you will assist Master Miao today."

"Yes."

He Yuzhu was overjoyed. He had often observed Miao Qishan's cooking movements, hoping to learn from him and add Huaiyang cuisine to his system panel.

It's just that we see it but don't use it; the system hasn't even included Huaiyang cuisine yet.

Today might be a turning point. If I can master the basics of Huaiyang cuisine, I can practice on my own in the future.

With Hong Henian's permission, He Yuzhu followed Miao Qishan to make preparations today.

Huaiyang cuisine is one of the four major cuisines of China, originating in the southern Jiangsu region. It emphasizes the selection and preparation of ingredients, the skillful use of knife work, the precise control of heat, the harmonious and varied seasonings, and the rich variety of dishes.

Miao Qishan first introduced the history of Huaiyang cuisine to He Yuzhu, especially the fact that state banquets mainly feature Huaiyang cuisine, which made him very proud.

Then they started preparing with He Yuzhu.

He Yuzhu's superb knife skills are also the foundation of Huaiyang cuisine. He can complete the tasks assigned by Miao Qishan smoothly, and his vegetable-cutting skills are no worse than his.

Miao Qishan was genuinely teaching cooking skills, imparting some tips and tricks during the cooking process, and letting He Yuzhu handle some simple procedures by himself.

He Yuzhu studied diligently and completed the tasks meticulously according to the requirements. Around 9 PM, a system message suddenly popped up in the corner of his vision:

You have learned a new skill – Huaiyang cuisine, level 1.

He Yuzhu was overjoyed. He thought it would take several days of study to get started, but he didn't expect that he would admit that he had already gotten started after only one day of learning from the system.

Having accumulated several hundred experience points in the past two days, He Yuzhu immediately opened the panel and added them all up.

This directly elevated Huaiyang cuisine to level three.

After the upgrade, He Yuzhu was already quite capable when he started working, and he was no longer as unfamiliar with things as before.

Miao Qishan was quite surprised. He Yuzhu had been incredibly clumsy just now, and his movements were clearly a bit rough. But in such a short time, he had become quite skilled.

He felt a pang of jealousy towards Hong Henian. He thought He Yuzhu's talent was truly remarkable, and it was a real shame he wasn't Hong Henian's disciple.

The next day, Hu Daijun returned to work, so He Yuzhu missed the opportunity to practice Huaiyang cuisine, which was a little regrettable.

At noon, He Yuzhu pulled Ye Xiangqun out and said, "Senior brother, we're going to become apprentices today. What are the rules for the apprenticeship ceremony?"

Ye Xiangqun scratched his head: "I almost forgot about that. I bought four catties of cigarettes, alcohol, candy and tea as gifts, and my master would give me a set of tools in return."

"Oh, I understand, I'll buy it right away."

Then, embarrassed, she said, "Senior brother, please don't blame me for serving double portions. My sister also wants to recognize a godmother tonight."

Senior brothers should not give more gifts just because they are rich; that is against the rules. Senior brothers should always be of the same level.

Otherwise, it would make my senior brother look bad.

That evening, He Yushui was also going to recognize her godmother, and moreover, her master's wife would be taking good care of Yushui in the future, so He Yuzhu decided to give an extra gift.

I'll tell my senior brother in advance, so he won't worry about it.

Ye Xiangqun laughed and said, "Alright, you should do it."

After saying goodbye to Ye Xiangqun, He Yuzhu went out for a walk and bought two bottles of Fenjiu liquor, two cartons of Daqianmen cigarettes, two jin of pastries, and two jin of tea.

At that time, a bottle of Moutai only cost 6 yuan, but people in Beijing generally didn't like it. They mainly drank Wuliangye, Fenjiu, and for less expensive wines, they would drink Shanxi rice wine, Shaodaozi, etc.

It's still 51 now. We'll have to wait until next year to select the four most famous liquors: Moutai, Fenjiu, Luzhou Laojiao, and Xifengjiu. He Yuzhu buying Fenjiu is the best choice.

Evening arrived quickly, and the group left the kitchen early to go to Hong Henian's house.

Today is the day He Yuzhu becomes an apprentice. He Yuzhu is also the head chef for dinner, with four chefs helping out. They quickly prepared a feast.

This is the crucial moment.

Hong Henian sat imposingly in the main seat, surrounded by the entire Hong family, Ye Xiangqun, Miao Qishan and his apprentice, and of course He Yushui.

The tradition of apprenticeship was not abandoned at this time; it was still carried out in the old way.

Hong Henian first introduced the rules of the chef's profession, then offered three incense sticks to the ancestor, and then He Yuzhu kowtowed three times to the ancestor and offered incense.

Next, He Yuzhu kowtowed three times to Hong Henian and offered him tea.

Wang Henian took the teacup, took a sip, and placed it aside.

He Yuzhu presented the apprenticeship gift, and Hong Henian reciprocated by giving him a set of chef's tools.

He Yuzhu kowtowed three more times to his teacher's wife and received a red envelope.

The apprenticeship ceremony is now complete.

He Yuzhu was then able to get up.

Next, it was He Yushui's turn. She thanked her godfather and godmother and received two red envelopes.

Hong Henian said happily, "Alright, now let's try Zhu Zi's cooking."

A level six Sichuan cuisine rating is enough to ensure that He Yuzhu's cooking will satisfy everyone.

The meal was a great success, with everyone praising Hong Henian for taking on such a good apprentice and He Yuzhu for his superb culinary skills.

After becoming the godmother, He Yushui stayed at the Hong family home to rest, where she could relax with Hong Jinling.

He Yuzhu decided to return to the courtyard house to rest, as he was not used to resting in someone else's home.

After getting up in the morning, He Yuzhu was about to leave when Yi Zhonghai stopped him, saying, "Wait a minute, I have something to tell you."

“What’s going on? I’ve spent all the money, and I don’t have a single penny left,” He Yuzhu said first.

Thinking that Yi Zhonghai wanted more money, they preemptively said what he wanted to shut him up.

Yi Zhonghai said angrily, "I saw it. You push it around in your hand and ride it away before dawn every day. Who wouldn't know?"

I get angry just looking at the bicycle He Yuzhu is pushing. He's willing to buy a bicycle that costs only 300 yuan. He really doesn't know how to manage his money.

He Yuzhu fiddled with the bell, and a clear sound rang out. Then he smiled and said, "Grandpa, it's such a long way to work. You really should buy a bicycle. Not only can you commute to get off work, but you can also leave it in the yard for others to ride."

"I don't have any money. Besides, why don't you just lend us your bicycles?"

He Yuzhu laughed and said, "Sure, but my commute to work is long, I have to go all the way to Qianmen, so I can only borrow it after I get off work."

Anyone can say nice things, and He Yuzhu didn't mind. After all, he didn't get home from get off work until after 9 o'clock, which was a time when everyone should be resting. Who would lend him a bicycle then?

Although He Yuzhu didn't know why Yi Zhonghai was stopping him, he felt quite comfortable after talking about bicycles. He liked seeing Yi Zhonghai's sad expression as he tried to make things difficult for him but couldn't gain any advantage.

Yi Zhonghai sighed, decided not to mention the bicycle again, and then got down to business.

"Zhu Zi, is Grandpa good to you?"

He Yuzhu looked Yi Zhonghai up and down, feeling very strange. How could he have the nerve to say such a thing?

Is Yi Zhonghai plotting something disgusting again?

Yi Zhonghai's lips twitched. Judging from his expression, it was clear that He Yuzhu didn't trust him at all.