I painted an aircraft carrier on the courtyard house for Dongda University.

Old Qin chuckled and joked, "Do you still want it? If not, I'll take it."

Zhou Weiguo hurriedly smiled ingratiatingly, "Yes! Of course I want it! You absolutely must! Only a fool wouldn't!"

He then looked at the other scroll in the guard's hand and gasped, "You know, the head manager is really too generous, writing two scrolls at once..."

Before he could finish speaking, Old Qin interrupted him disdainfully, "Get out of the way! This painting is for Comrade Natasha."

When Natasha heard that it was for her, she curiously came closer.

The guard carefully put away the first picture and unfolded the second one, which read "Xia Kingdom's Eternal Friend," and was also signed "Big Manager."

Natasha was even more excited than Zhou Weiguo when she saw this, her face full of joy.

Zhou Weiguo knew in his heart that with this calligraphy, Natasha would have protection no matter what happened in Xia Country in the future.

Immediately afterwards, the guard opened the wooden box.

Old Qin introduced, "Comrade Natasha, this is a national gift that the head steward asked me to give you: a Northern Song Dynasty Ru ware celadon-glazed washer, and this permanent residency certificate. The head steward said that no matter when or where, you are a friend of Xia Kingdom, and we will definitely do our best to help you if you encounter any difficulties."

Zhou Weiguo couldn't help but purse his lips as he looked at the generous gifts Natasha had received.

Seeing this, Old Qin took out a small notebook from his pocket and threw it to him.

Zhou Weiguo opened the document and exclaimed in surprise, "Old Qin, you've promoted me? From second lieutenant to major, and transferred me to the General Staff Equipment Department?"

Old Qin chuckled, "There's nothing I can do. I don't have anything else of value to offer, so I can only give you a promotion. Alright, the matter is settled, I should be going now. I won't bother you young people any longer."

Zhou Weiguo quickly got up to try and persuade Qin Lao to stay, but Qin Lao insisted on leaving.

Left with no other choice, he had to open the courtyard gate to see them off.

When Zhou Weiguo returned to the courtyard, he found that no one was playing there anymore.

Upon entering the living room, I saw everyone gathered around Natasha's state gift porcelain, examining it closely.

Holding the scroll with the inscription "Overcoming All Obstacles," He Yuzhu said casually, "I can't understand this calligraphy either, and it doesn't look very well written..."

Zhou Weiguo rushed forward and covered He Yuzhu's mouth.

She carefully took the reel and placed it on the table, then raised her hand and slapped him on the head.

"Ouch! Uncle, why did you hit me?" He Yuzhu said aggrievedly.

Enraged, Zhou Weiguo roared, "You brat! If you destroy my family heirloom, I'll castrate you!"

He Yuzhu muttered, "It's just a piece of calligraphy, why make such a fuss..."

Before he could finish speaking, his eyes suddenly widened, he pointed at the signature, and stammered, "This...this...Uncle! This is...the...the head manager?"

Startled by his shout, everyone turned around to look at Zhou Weiguo's handwriting.

But by then, Zhou Weiguo had already quickly packed up the reel and turned to run away.

Yu Li asked curiously, "Brother Zhu, what are you shouting for? Why are you stuttering?"

He Yuzhu looked terrified, slapped himself hard across the face, and said with a mournful expression, "I... I almost said the head manager's handwriting was bad. I really didn't pay attention to the signature, otherwise I would never have said that even if you beat me to death!"

After realizing what was happening, Yu Li looked at He Yuzhu in shock: "You mean, that calligraphy was written for your brother by the head manager?"

Lou Xiao'e also came to her senses, her eyes wide, waiting for He Yuzhu to confirm.

He Yuzhu swallowed hard and nodded emphatically. Everyone gasped in shock at the sight.

After what they had just witnessed, Lou Xiao'e and Yu Li looked at Zhou Weiguo with even more admiration.

Fortunately, He Yushui kept "brewing" on Yu Haitang and Yu Li, talking about how good the relationship between the uncle and aunt was, which made Zhou Weiguo secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

On the kitchen counter, Zhou Weiguo had already laid out all sorts of ingredients that he had just put in, and even took out the ingredients needed for two or three Tan family dishes.

He Yuzhu went into the kitchen early in the morning, put on an apron and got busy.

With He Yushui's "divine assistance," Yu Li was also coaxed into the kitchen to help Zhu Zi.

Now, even Lou Xiao'e and Yu Haitang understood that He Yushui was trying to bring the two of them together.

At first, Yu Haitang was somewhat reluctant.

In her eyes, He Yuzhu was simple-minded and not good enough for her beautiful older sister.

But as one delicious dish after another was served, her thoughts completely changed.

With each dish she tasted, Yu Haitang's smile grew even brighter.

When only two dishes remained, He Yuzhu asked Yu Li to sit down and eat first.

Yu Haitang grabbed her sister with a serious expression: "Sis! Look at Brother Zhu, how hard he works cooking for so many of us! You should go in and lend a hand, and learn some cooking skills from him. This food is a hundred times better than any restaurant I've ever eaten at! Whoever marries Brother Zhu will be living the dream!"

Yu Li was both ashamed and angry. She glared at her sister, but still turned and went into the kitchen.

After spending the whole day together, how could she not sense He Yuzhu's feelings? She just thought there was plenty of time and wanted to get to know him better, but she didn't expect her sister to deliver such a "divine blow," and now she couldn't even pretend to be stupid anymore.

In the steaming heat of the kitchen, He Yuzhu was intently tossing the wok, the flames licking the bottom and illuminating his profile.

As Li watched this busy figure, her heart began to beat faster.

Before long, the last two dishes were also ready.

He Yuzhu and Yu Li each carried a plate of food and walked side by side to the dining table.

As soon as they sat down, He Yuzhu eagerly handed them chopsticks, even picking up a tempting piece of braised sea cucumber with scallions and gently placing it in Yu Li's bowl: "Yu Li, try this! Today's braised sea cucumber with scallions and sunflower duck are both signature dishes of the Tan family cuisine; you can hardly find them on ordinary days. If it weren't for my uncle's ability, we wouldn't have been able to gather all these ingredients. You must eat more!"

This direct gesture of goodwill made Yu Li's face turn bright red instantly.

She awkwardly gripped her chopsticks, feeling embarrassed to refuse but unsure how to respond, so she could only look down at the food in her bowl.

Seeing this, He Yuzhu became so anxious that cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He asked in rapid succession, "Yu Li, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Don't scare me..."

Zhou Weiguo couldn't stand it any longer and gently tapped He Yuzhu's head: "Eat properly! Look how embarrassed you are of that girl. Just make sure you serve her the food properly."

As she spoke, she picked up a piece of food and put it into Lou Xiao'e's bowl, saying softly, "Xiao'e, you should try some too."

Lou Xiao'e smiled brightly, her eyes crinkling with joy: "Thank you, Brother Weiguo!"

Just then, Zhou Weiguo suddenly felt a burning gaze on his back.

Looking back, he saw Natasha staring at him with a half-smile, her eyes holding a hint of mockery.

He quickly smiled and put a piece of food on Natasha's plate as well, but for some reason he felt inexplicably guilty and hurriedly buried his head in his rice.