Siheyuan (traditional courtyard house): Don't touch my parents!

The old lady paused for a moment, hesitated, and then took it.

A kind smile spread across her face: "Oh, oh... my eldest grandson is so sensible."

He Yuzhu then handed Chen Shuxiang a piece of jujube blossom pastry:

"Mother, have a piece too."

"Mother doesn't like sweets, so you can keep them for yourself, Zhu'er."

"Mother, who are you trying to fool?"

He Yuzhu deliberately put on a stern face, "Who doesn't love sweets? If you're not going to eat them, then I won't either."

Seeing his serious expression, Chen Shuxiang couldn't help but laugh:

"Alright, alright, Mom will eat, I'll eat."

She took the jujube blossom pastry and took a small bite.

Her eyes suddenly reddened slightly. "My Zhu'er... he's really grown up."

The jujube blossom pastry tastes as sweet as if it's soaked in honey.

Seeing his mother eat, He Yuzhu smiled happily as well.

Holding a mung bean cake in her left hand and a jujube blossom pastry in her right, she...

He ate a bite from the left and a bite from the right, until his cheeks were bulging.

This sight amused the old lady and Chen Shuxiang.

The room was filled with laughter and conversation, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.

During their casual conversation, He Yuzhu noticed—

The mother's affection for the deaf old lady was tinged with a degree of respect.

The old lady truly doted on Chen Shuxiang like her own daughter.

Ask carefully if they have enough money and what they need.

He asked about everything he could think of with great concern.

I heard that Chen Shuxiang still hasn't produced milk.

The old lady frowned slightly, her gaze falling on He Yushui in the swaddling clothes.

He said in a low voice, "This girl... she's probably going to suffer a bit."

He Yuzhu could see it clearly from the side—

The old lady's eyes did not show any disdain for boys.

But there was no particular pity.

They didn't even reach out to hug me.

"Daqing has already made me chicken soup, and I estimate that my milk will come in in another two days."

Chen Shuxiang replied softly, "Didn't other families' children who weren't breastfed still survive?"

"That can be called living?"

The old lady suddenly widened her eyes and raised her voice.

"They all look like skinny little chicks; how can they compare to babies who have had plenty of milk?"

"...You're right."

Chen Shuxiang lowered her eyes and responded softly.

"You just wait and see. If it really doesn't work, then let the Qing Dynasty find a way to bring back a ewe."

Drinking goat's milk is better than having nothing to eat at all.

"ewe?"

Chen Shuxiang gave a bitter smile. "These days, you have to be lucky to buy mutton."

Besides, what about a whole live sheep? We'll see when the time comes...

When there's really nothing left to feed her, we can only accept that this girl has a hard life.

Yi Li came once during the middle of the trip.

She saw the old lady sitting in the main room.

He then stepped forward and exchanged a few words with her, telling her not to hesitate to ask if she needed anything.

Then he turned and left.

He Yuzhu saw it clearly—

She was genuinely afraid of that deaf old woman.

Around noon, the old lady slowly got up to leave.

Chen Shuxiang tried to persuade him to stay for a long time, but in the end, she couldn't keep him.

Seeing this, He Yuzhu quickly interjected:

"Madam, I've almost mastered the cooking technique now. Would you like to try it?"

Does it have even a fraction of my father's skill from back in the day?

The old lady's eyes lit up instantly:

"Great! I'll have to really savor my grandson's cooking!"

He Yuzhu turned around and went into the cellar, taking out the cabbage, radish and potatoes he had stored there.

These are the only seasonal vegetables left to put on the table in winter.

If you want to try something different, there's really nowhere to find it.

He made a radish and potato stew, and specially added a spoonful of lard to enhance the aroma;

Another dish, stir-fried cabbage with vinegar, had a strong, pungent vinegar aroma that made one's nose sting.

The old lady heard the sound of chopping vegetables coming from the kitchen.

He slowly moved over, supporting himself against the wall, and glanced inside.

He Yuzhu was seen standing in front of the chopping board, busy at work.

The potato shreds were cut into even, fine pieces, and the radish chunks were also roughly the same size.

Her eyes and brows immediately lit up with a smile:

"My grandson has really grown up to be capable. Grandma is going to enjoy a good meal this time." After saying that, she turned around and slowly strolled back to the main room, and slowly sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed).

When the dishes were served, the old lady picked up a piece of each dish and tasted it.

"Wow, it actually tastes pretty good."

She clicked her tongue and nodded, saying, "You have about 50% of your father's skill level from back then."

"There aren't any decent seasonings."

He Yuzhu stirred the rice in his bowl and replied, "The stew didn't have any pork, nor did it have any dried shrimp to enhance the flavor."

"These days, it's not easy to get a hot meal."

Chen Shuxiang quietly took over the conversation from the side.

Meanwhile, at the Jia family's house next door, Jia Zhangshi began her daily routine of complaining again.

Her family's dinner consisted of boiled radishes in plain water, with only a few drops of sesame oil added to the soup.

No matter how rich sesame oil is, how can it compare to the rich aroma of lard when used for stir-frying?

"That damn cook... he only cares about his own luxurious meals and doesn't even bother to help out his neighbors!"

She gnawed on the dry, hard cornbread in her hand, muttering curses under her breath.

"Mom, I want to eat meat."

Jia Dongxu clung to the rim of the bowl, gazing longingly at Jia Zhangshi.

"Hmph, where would Mother get the money to buy meat?"

Jia Zhangshi's eyes darted around, and an idea immediately came to her mind.

"Go visit Zhuzi this afternoon and ask him to secretly bring you some treats from home."

Isn't he usually the one who listens to you the most?

"Um!"

Jia Dongxu nodded vigorously immediately.

"Hurry up and eat."

After lunch, He Yuzhu escorted the old lady back to the backyard to rest.

After returning home and washing the dishes, he climbed onto the earthen bed.

After hesitating for a while, he finally mustered up the courage to ask.

"Mother, what is the background of the old lady?"

Why do I get the feeling that you're all a little afraid of her?

Chen Shuxiang was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, and gently stroked his hair.

"What's her background? Nobody's afraid of her."

This courtyard originally belonged to the old lady, but many of the residents were tenants.

Respecting her is only right and perfectly normal.

He Yuzhu knew she wasn't telling the truth, so he pressed her for more information.

"Then why does she only call me 'eldest grandson'?"

Chen Shuxiang stared at him quietly for a long time.

"Zhu'er,"

Her voice suddenly lowered.

"Tell your mother the truth, do you know something?"

Or...did you hear some gossip outside?

"No, no!"

He Yuzhu quickly waved his hand and shook his head.

"Then why are you asking this?"

"I just feel that... the old lady treats our family differently than other families."

He deliberately feigned ignorance.

"Just asking casually."

Chen Shuxiang remained silent for a moment.

"Alright, stop asking questions."

She reached out and patted her son's arm.

"Just remember to treat her like your own grandmother, and you can't go wrong."

"oh."

He Yuzhu stopped asking questions.

It seems that he is still young, and his mother is afraid that he will let something slip and cause trouble.

The mother and son chatted for a while longer about everyday things, and He Yuzhu gradually drifted off to sleep.

When I opened my eyes again, it was completely dark.

He Daqing had just stepped into the house when he leaned close to Chen Shuxiang's ear and whispered something.

The two spoke in extremely low voices, as if afraid of disturbing something.