Courtyard House: My Wife is Xu Huizhen

He Yuzhu immediately became extremely wary. If he were to take his nephew as an apprentice, wouldn't that mean passing on his skills to him?

Preparing cold dishes is different from stewing or stir-frying; the latter requires precise control of heat and takes a long time to master.

But if you're only learning how to make cold dishes, you can become a master chef in less than a month.

Zhang Zusheng is the head chef in the kitchen. If you take in his nephew, you can't just take him in and not teach him. Wouldn't that offend Zhang Zusheng?

"I can't take on this apprentice," He Yuzhu said. "Master Zhang, this cold dish is a family recipe passed down through generations. My father is still in Baocheng. Even if I want to take on an apprentice, I have to write to him first and ask if it can be passed on to others."

Chapter 88 Aren't you a prostitute?

This is ridiculous. Is Zhang Zusheng taking advantage of my young age and lack of knowledge?

The relationship between the two sides isn't that good. You're just a head chef. Do you think you can fool people with your cold dish skills just because of that?

The recipe for this cold dish was developed under the tutelage of He Daqing, and I diligently studied it for several months before it became a very popular dish.

Zhang Zusheng handed over an apprentice, hoping to steal the formula.

That's out of the question.

Of course, he didn't refuse outright; he just used He Daqing, who was far away in Baocheng, as an excuse.

Zhang Zusheng couldn't very well go all the way to Baocheng to inquire, could he?

Zhang Zusheng thought He Yuzhu would agree immediately, but frowned when he saw that the other party seemed to be making a refusal.

Logically speaking, no one could find fault with the excuse He Yuzhu gave, after all, his father He Daqing was still alive.

Since it's a family recipe, I should ask the elders in the family.

Zhang Zusheng knew perfectly well that He Yuzhu didn't want to teach.

With a forced smile, he said, "Alright, then I'll wait until you write a letter and ask."

He knew in his heart that He Yuzhu most likely wouldn't send the letter.

Even if he did send a letter to ask, how could He Daqing possibly allow his son to pass on his family recipe to an outsider?

Everything was normal that evening. After work, He Yuzhu returned to his tavern with his master and senior apprentice.

He Yuzhu sat at a table with his master's wife, senior sister Yushui, and others, eating side dishes, before finally bringing up the matter of Zhang Zusheng coming to see him today.

Hong Henian frowned immediately: "You absolutely cannot agree to this."

The master's wife said, "Yes, you can't just agree to it because it's embarrassing. The recipe for this cold dish is a family heirloom, so you mustn't reveal it."

Xu Huizhen, who was standing next to her, suddenly blushed and glanced guiltily at He Yuzhu's master and mistress.

He Yuzhu didn't mind watching when he was preparing various braising spices.

He even taught me how to mix it step by step. It can be said that I have mastered the whole recipe, but the one I made didn't taste as good as the one made by He Yuzhu.

I hadn't thought much about it before, but now I realize that what He Yuzhu taught me was a family heirloom.

In the past, there was an unwritten rule for any family-inherited craft.

Generally, it's passed down to sons but not daughters; no matter how close a daughter is, she'll eventually become part of her husband's family.

On the contrary, they did not keep secrets from their daughters-in-law who had married into the family.

You can have your husband teach you step by step.

After all, those who need skills to support their families are ordinary people, and there aren't such strict rules. Wives can also help with some chores within their capabilities.

Only then did he realize that it was somewhat inappropriate for He Yuzhu to pass on his recipes for cold dishes and braised meat.

Her pretty face instantly flushed red.

He Yuzhu nodded in agreement, and then said hesitantly, "Master and Mistress, I want to discuss something with you."

"Just tell me what it is."

He Yuzhu then said, "Master, I want to resign from Taifeng Restaurant."

The scene He Yuzhu had imagined did not occur. Hong Henian thought for a moment and said, "Since you're not happy doing it, then don't do it. You've learned so quickly, and I don't have anything to teach you. You've already graduated."

"No, Master, I've only been with you for a few months, why are you kicking me out of the apprenticeship?"

Ye Xiangqun protested, "Zhu Zi, don't you know the state of your own skills? You won't learn anything more even if you stay and continue learning. Besides, you have a restaurant; you can work as a chef here."

The teacher's wife said, "If you want to learn halal cuisine, go with your brother Jin Dong to Fengzeyuan."

The elderly in Beijing are fond of the Eight Characters (八字). There have been eight scenic spots in and around Beijing, including the Eight Views of Yanjing, the Eight Views of Yanjing, the Eight Views of Yanjing, the Eight Temples, the Eight Outer Temples, the Eight Inner Temples, and the Eight Outer Temples.

They like to piece together eight rankings for all sorts of purposes.

The same applies to the catering industry, where there is a saying about eight major restaurants, eight grand halls, eight main residences, and eight spring restaurants.

Fengzeyuan, however, is in a class of its own. Since its opening in 1930, it has stood out in the catering industry.

From the moment it opened, the restaurant targeted the upper class, hiring renowned chefs to prepare dishes made with carefully selected ingredients and meticulous preparation, resulting in dishes that were both visually appealing and delicious. It became a favorite destination for high-ranking officials, social elites, and celebrities in the capital.

As a result, business was booming, and by the late 1930s, Fengzeyuan had become the largest and most famous restaurant in Beijing.

Just to mention one point, many of the highest-level banquets currently held by the authorities are now being held at Fengzeyuan.

Sometimes, high-ranking officials would even invite the chefs from Fengzeyuan to their homes to serve guests. It could be said that Fengzeyuan was the most prestigious restaurant for some time to come.

Master Hong Henian was skilled in Sichuan cuisine. After teaching his son, he sent him to Fengzeyuan to learn Shandong cuisine.

However, Fengzeyuan is currently embroiled in a dispute, with the owners and chefs arguing fiercely over wages.

Hong Jindong often complained that he couldn't cook and stir-fry dishes in peace, and at one point he even had to close his business.

He Yuzhu remembers that this matter dragged on until 52, when both sides were exhausted and the investor withdrew from the operation, transferring ownership to the state.

Fengzeyuan was the first catering company to implement a public-private partnership. All chefs were graded, and their monthly salaries were paid according to their grades.

But it's still 51. If I go in, I'll get caught in a whirlpool. Besides, I'm only a beginner in Shandong cuisine, and I've already put all my experience into positioning. I don't have much experience left.

The best approach is to stay in your own tavern and continue accumulating experience, upgrading both the vegetables and braised dishes to a higher level before venturing into Fengzeyuan.

I'll just give him a senior position with a higher salary. I can't possibly go back to Fengzeyuan as an apprentice for another three years.

After thinking it over, He Yuzhu said, "I heard from my senior brother that Fengzeyuan is in a bit of a mess right now. Maybe I should wait a bit longer and ask my senior brother to introduce me to the school once things are clearer over there."

Fengzeyuan still serves some high-end dishes with its own unique recipes. If you can learn real skills there, it's worth it.

Hong Henian nodded: "That's fine too. Let's wait until things are clearer over there before making any decisions. You happen to have this tavern, so you can practice your skills here."

"Thank you, Master."

He Yuzhu was very happy that his master was reliable and always looked out for him.

Compared to the roaming birds in the courtyard house, it's much more comfortable to move out.

After chatting for a while, they tidied up the restaurant together with several of the older women they had invited before closing up and resting.

While Xiangcao was taking a shower, Xu Huizhen asked, "Are the cold dish and braised meat recipes you taught me family heirlooms?"

He Yuzhu didn't know why he asked that, and said, "Yes, what's wrong?"

Xu Huizhen suddenly felt her cheeks burning hot, and even her earlobes were getting hot.

Some, still unwilling to give up, asked, "But the one I made tastes quite different from yours!"

He Yuzhu was getting anxious. Did this mean he suspected that he had deliberately omitted something when he was teaching him?

"I swear to God, I've told you all the recipes. It's just that you lack experience and your control over the flavor isn't as professional as mine. It's not that I'm hiding any recipes from you, understand?"

"Is that so!" Xu Huizhen's face turned even redder, and she felt her heart pounding so hard it looked like it was about to jump out of her throat.

He Yuzhu asked in confusion, "Why is your face so red? Do you have a cold and fever?"

As he spoke, he reached out and touched Xu Huizhen's forehead.

Xu Huizhen initially wanted to hide, but a sudden impulse made her hesitate and obediently stay there, letting He Yuzhu's large hand cover her forehead.

"You don't have a fever?" He Yuzhu asked, somewhat puzzled.

This scene was witnessed by Xiangcao, who had just come out of the bathroom to shower, and she coughed loudly.

He Yuzhu put down his hand, turned around and said, "What are you coughing for? Are you sick?"

Vanilla rolled her eyes: "You're the one who's sick, you stinky shopkeeper."

After saying that, she turned and went into her and Huizhen's room.

When He Yuzhu turned around again, Xu Huizhen had already stood up and was going into the house with a blush on her face.

"I'm going to bed."

He Yuzhu was very confused. What was wrong with these two people today?

As autumn arrives, although it is still hot during the day, it is already possible to fall asleep indoors at night, thus reducing the time spent chatting in the courtyard.

He Yuzhu shook his head and went back to his master bedroom to rest.

The next day, He Yuzhu arrived at Taifeng Restaurant and went directly to find Manager Hu.

"What? You want to quit your job?"

Manager Hu was extremely surprised when he heard that He Yuzhu wanted to quit.

He Yuzhu said, "Yes, I opened a small tavern myself, and I'm too busy to manage both."