Sha Zhu's Rebirth in the Courtyard: Starting with Hitting Someone in the Head

Chapter 21 Visiting the Lou Mansion

The boxed lunch business lasted for a week.

The meat dishes are changed every two days, with fish and meat prepared in various ways. Four hundred portions are sold out in less than two hours every day. Customers ask for more, but He Yuzhu refuses, saying it's too tiring. His excuse is that he can't cook all the dishes by himself, and making too many wouldn't guarantee the quality.

The large umbrella is finished too. It was custom-made by an umbrella workshop, 2.5 meters wide when open, with bamboo ribs and an oilcloth cover, very sturdy. On rainy days, one can be tied to a tricycle, and the other can be placed at the train station. It also comes with a folding table and two stools for myself.

The people in the courtyard smelled the fragrance every day, watched them push their empty carts back, and watched them count their money at home.

Surprisingly, no one reported it.

He Yuzhu was getting a little puzzled. Could Jia Zhangshi keep her mouth shut? Could Yan Bugui, with his scheming nature, hold back? Could Yi Zhonghai, who had no descendants, swallow this insult?

He thought about it for a moment, wondering if he was scared or simply hadn't figured things out.

That must be it; those beasts are cunning.

Okay. Wait.

Returning from his stall that day, He Yuzhu changed into clean clothes: a blue cotton-padded jacket, black cloth trousers, and black leather shoes. He took out two bottles of foreign liquor from his storage space—whiskey, bought on the black market—and two boxes of chocolates in tin boxes with the words "Hershey's" prominently displayed.

Good times.

During this time, he learned new things, including Shandong cuisine, English, and Russian. In the next few years, he plans to learn music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, borrow some foreign literature from the library so he can show off to the Lou family. He also plans to practice the piano and learn his Fifth Symphony.

I rode my bicycle, carrying a cloth bag of gifts, towards the east of the city.

Lou Mansion is located in the eastern part of the city. It's a detached small building with a large iron gate.

He Yuzhu stood at the door for a while. He had been here in his past life. It was when the Lou family fled to Hong Kong, and he came here to find Xiao'e.

This is the first time in my life I've come here.

Ring the bell.

A servant came out.

Who are you looking for?

"Looking for Mr. Lou. My name is He Yuzhu, son of He Daqing."

The maid looked him up and down, told him to wait, and turned to go inside.

He came out again a moment later and opened the iron gate. "Come in."

He Yuzhu pushed his bicycle into the courtyard. The cement path was lined with neatly trimmed holly bushes. A palm mat was laid at the entrance of the building, soft to the touch.

The living room. It's huge. Really huge.

Leather sofa, mahogany coffee table, calligraphy and paintings hanging on the wall.

The living room was warm from the fireplace, and blue-and-white porcelain teacups sat on the coffee table, the tea still steaming.

Lou Bancheng stood up from the sofa. He was in his forties, with neatly combed hair, wearing a dark gray suit with a white shirt underneath, but no tie.

"He Daqing's son?"

"Uncle Lou." He Yuzhu bowed slightly and placed the whiskey chocolates on the coffee table. "This is my first visit, so I brought some things."

Lou Bancheng glanced at the gifts, slightly moved. He pointed to the sofa: "Please sit down."

He Yuzhu sat down. The sofa was soft, and he sank in half of it. He adjusted himself and sat up straight.

"Your father went out of town?"

"Yes. In Baoding. I went there last month."

"What are you doing over there?"

"Still a cook."

Lou Bancheng nodded. "What do you want from me? This gift is quite substantial for you."

He Yuzhu placed his hands on his knees and said slowly, "I've studied cooking for several years and have mastered Sichuan cuisine. Now I want to learn some Western pastry, which requires butter, cream, and cheese. I can't buy them in stores, so I'd like to ask Uncle Lou for help."

Lou Bancheng's eyebrows twitched. "Mastered Sichuan cuisine? How old are you?"

"sixteen."

"A sixteen-year-old mastering Sichuan cuisine?" Lou Bancheng's tone carried a hint of disbelief.

He Yuzhu looked at him. "Spicy crab, boiled fish, grilled fish, dry pot ribs, Sichuan peppercorn chicken. Uncle Lou, have you heard of these dishes?"

"I've heard of it. It's been all over the news lately at Qinxing in Beijing; they say it's a new style of Sichuan cuisine, and the young leader is a leading figure in it." He paused, staring at He Yuzhu, "You made it?"

"Yes. I did it."

The living room was silent for two seconds. Lou Bancheng took the boy in front of him seriously and adjusted his posture.

"Who did you learn from?"

"Master Luo of Fengzeyuan."

"Bald Luo?"

"Yes."

Lou Bancheng leaned back in the sofa, tapping his fingers twice on the armrest. "Sixteen years old. Master of Sichuan cuisine. New-style Sichuan cuisine." He shook his head. "It's a pity my steel factory is too small to accommodate such a talent as yours."

He Yuzhu did not respond.

"Besides Sichuan cuisine, what else can you cook?"

"Huaiyang cuisine. Tan family cuisine."

Lou Bancheng's eyes widened slightly. "Tan Family Cuisine?"

"Braised shark fin, abalone with oyster sauce, braised sea cucumber, and bird's nest soup. I can do all of them."

Lou Bancheng fell silent. Tan Family Cuisine was official cuisine, not something an ordinary chef could handle. He knew Peng Changhai and the significance of Tan Family Cuisine. This kid in front of him said he could cook it, as casually as reciting a menu.

Footsteps echoed down the stairs. A woman descended. She was about thirty-five or thirty-six years old, with curly hair, wearing a dark green cheongsam with a cardigan over it. She had fair skin and delicate features.

Lou Bancheng's wife, Tan Yali. His third concubine.

"Who's here?" Tanya walked to the sofa and saw the things on the coffee table.

He Yuzhu stood up. "Greetings, nun. My name is He Yuzhu, son of He Daqing."

Tan Yali's eyes lit up. "Are you Brother He's son? Or should I call you Aunt Lou? I haven't joined the Qin family yet. Sit down, please sit down."

"Zhu Zi, what were you guys talking about just now? Tan Family Cuisine?"

"Yes. Tan Family Cuisine."

"Have you learned everything? Should I ask Peng Changhai to teach you?"

"Aunt Lou, I've learned it all. I've adapted the Russian-style braised beef in a pot and created a new dish called braised beef brisket, seasoned with Tan family broth. You can try it next time." He Yuzhu unceremoniously claimed that the new dish of the Tan family cuisine from later generations was his own innovation.

"Wow, that's amazing. Zhu Zi, you've really impressed Aunt Lou. Sir, when should we let Zhu Zi try his skills?" Tan Yali took Lou Bancheng's arm.

"Alright, you can decide this. I'd also like to try the new dish," Lou Bancheng replied with a smile.

Tan Yali turned to He Yuzhu and asked, "Zhuzi, what else can you do?"

"Still learning Western-style pastry."

Tanya's eyes lit up. "Pastry? You can make cakes?"

"Studying."

Footsteps echoed down the stairs again. Light, soft.

A girl peeked out from around the corner of the stairs. She had two small braids, wore a plaid wool coat, and had round, bright eyes. She was hiding behind the stair railing, only her head peeking out into the living room.

Lou Xiao'e.

He Yuzhu saw her. Something stirred in his heart. In his past life, when he first saw her, she was already married. At that time, she stood in the courtyard, wearing a Lenin suit.

Tanya turned around, saw her, and waved. "Xiao'e, come here."

Lou Xiao'e came down the stairs, hid behind Tan Yali, and peeked half her face out to look at He Yuzhu.

"Call him Brother He."

"Brother He." The voice was soft, and then it shrank back after calling out.

He Yuzhu smiled at her. He didn't lean closer or say anything more.

Tan Yali said, "You said you wanted to learn Western-style pastry, and things like butter and cream are indeed hard to find on the market."

Lou Bancheng chimed in, "I have a friend who works in import/export. I'll ask around for you."

He Yuzhu stood up. "Then I'll trouble you, Uncle Lou. I'll pay for the goods at the listed price."

Lou Bancheng waved his hand. "No need. Just invite me to try any new dishes you make in the future."

"must."

He Yuzhu bowed slightly and walked towards the door. Reaching the door, he glanced back at Lou Xiao'e, who was hiding behind Tan Yali. She was still peeking at him from behind her mother, only one eye visible.

He Yuzhu smiled and pushed the door open to go out.

Lou Bancheng saw him to the door. The iron gate closed behind him.

He Yuzhu got on his bike and pedaled twice. He glanced back.

The wind brushed against my face, cool and refreshing. But it warmed my heart.

He Yuzhu pedaled his bicycle, humming a little tune.