Courtyard House: Passing through the Silly Pillar, Activating the Blessed Cave Heaven

80

"Take this money." Wu Baotian pointed to the money in his teacher's wife's hand and said, "Your father passed away, and he didn't leave you and your brother much money for living expenses."

Since you don't have a stable source of income right now, use this money for emergencies.

This is the money you've saved up over the years while learning to cook at Fengzeyuan. Your master's wife has been keeping it for you, intending to give it to you when you finished your apprenticeship and got married. But since you're facing difficulties now, take it for now.

"Master, I can't accept this money." He Yuzhu quickly waved his hand. "The money my father left behind, if spent sparingly, is enough to support my sister and me for half a year. During this time, I'm sure I can find a suitable job."

You've already done me a huge favor by allowing me to graduate ahead of schedule.

"Over the years, I've been eating and living at your house, getting free meals and lodging for so long. If I were to accept this money, I'd never be able to hold my head up in Beijing again."

The two argued back and forth for a while, but in the end He Yuzhu couldn't refuse his master and mistress and agreed to accept 200 million yuan. He also made a special point of explaining that it was borrowed from his master and that he would definitely pay it back when he made money in the future.

"Master, Mistress, you go ahead with your work. I'll go pack my things." He Yuzhu returned to his room and quickly packed his clothes—actually, he didn't have many clothes. In this era, it was already difficult enough to just survive, let alone have extra money to buy new clothes.

He wrapped his clothes in the bed sheet, packed them into a bundle, and carried it out of the room.

As soon as he stepped outside, he saw his master and his family waiting for him in the courtyard.

He Yuzhu bowed deeply to his master and mistress.

"Master, Mistress, Senior Brother, Sister-in-law, Eldest Sister, thank you for your care and understanding over the years."

Please take good care of yourselves in the future. I will come back to visit you when I have time.

When my eldest sister gets married in the future, you must tell me, and I will definitely prepare a generous dowry for her.

While he was packing his things, the adults had already gathered in the yard—except for the children who were still playing, everyone else already knew that his father had run off with the widow.

"Zhu Zi, if you encounter any difficulties in the future, come to your master. Never try to bear it all by yourself."

"If you can't get into the steel mill's canteen, I'll ask someone to find you another job." Wu Baotian patted him on the shoulder and said sincerely.

"Come back often in the future, let's exchange cooking skills and see who's better!" the senior apprentice interjected with a smile.

"Okay, I've got it."

"Senior brother, you'd better step up your game, or I'll overtake you!" He Yuzhu smiled casually, not wanting his master and his family to worry too much about him.

The group escorted him all the way to the gate of the courtyard.

He Yuzhu called out to He Yushui, who was playing with the Wu siblings, "Yushui, we should go home now. Come back and play with your older brothers and sisters next time."

Upon hearing her brother's call, He Yushui immediately skipped and hopped over to He Yuzhu.

When Wu Youli and Wu Xiangyun saw He Yuzhu carrying a bundle and his family standing at the gate to see him off, they quickly surrounded him.

"Brother Zhu, where are you going with that bundle? Are you not staying with us anymore?"

"Yes, that's polite."

Your brother Zhu has officially graduated today; he can now set up his own business.

I'm moving back to my own home.