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

Madam, I added a little meat broth to this rice porridge for you, but I don't know if my sister can drink it.

I'm afraid that won't work. Her stomach is delicate; she probably can't handle this little bit of oil.

"It's enough that you have the heart." The deaf old woman gently shook her head.

You guys eat first, I'll feed this girl.

As Chen Shuxiang spoke, she reached out and took the rice porridge, then turned to comfort the child.

Xu Damao stared intently at the deaf old woman's hands. Seeing that she didn't touch her chopsticks, he didn't dare to take a bite first.

Until the old lady finally spoke up: "Alright, eat."

Only then did he dare to sit down cautiously.

The old lady picked up a soup spoon, carefully scooped up a spoonful of sparrow soup, put it in her mouth, and slowly swallowed it. She couldn't help but exclaim: "Delicious!"

Then, she picked up a piece of sparrow meat, put it in her mouth, chewed and savored it carefully, and then gave a thumbs up:

Tender! Daqing, you should try it too, and see how much your son's skills resemble yours.

He Daqing could only manage a smile that looked worse than a grimace.

Why is this old lady so fixated on this point?

But since he's been allowed to try it, we have to give him an explanation:

Hmm, she does resemble me to some extent.

In fact, He Daqing knew better than anyone that his son's skills were at least two or three points good, but he deliberately downplayed it, afraid that He Yuzhu would become arrogant if he heard it.

Well, then you should take some time to teach your grandson more. If you keep doing this, he'll soon have some skill.

"Understood, ma'am!" He Daqing could only reply helplessly.

Seeing her husband's embarrassed state, Chen Shuxiang secretly burst into laughter.

She had already mentally rehearsed the stunned expression on He Daqing's face when she told him about the origins of those things that night.

They always boast about how great their skills are, and how they can become well-known wherever they go, but when they actually come across something rare like this, they still end up empty-handed.

My son is truly capable.

The meal was a great success, with both hosts and guests enjoying themselves immensely in a harmonious atmosphere.

Xu Damao glanced at the plate of roasted sparrow next to He Daqing several times, and when he saw that there was no share for him, he lowered his head and ate the stewed sparrow meat in his bowl and the stir-fried sparrow meat on his plate in silence.

The deaf old lady drank about an ounce of wine and then put down her cup, while He Daqing, along with the plate of roasted sparrows, downed half a pound in one go.

He tried to fall again, but Chen Shuxiang stopped him in time:

Alright, we still need to take the old lady home in a bit, she can't drink too much.

After the meal, Xu Damao offered to help He Yuzhu clear the dishes.

Just then, Xu Damao's mother arrived, carrying a bag of melon seeds and peanuts.

She nodded with satisfaction as she watched her son voluntarily help with chores at someone else's house.

Free food and drink for free is not a good thing, after all, they are not children without parents.

Afterwards, she went into the house and chatted with the deaf old lady and Chen Shuxiang.

He Daqing sat in the main room, smoking and silently watching his son busy himself.

He was secretly wondering whether he should let his son become an apprentice in the restaurant.

But then I thought about it again and felt a little reluctant to part with it.

These days, learning to be a chef is all about "three years of doing odd jobs, two years of actual service".

Doing odd jobs was no joke. Serving tea and water was considered light work. You also had to live in your master's house, where chopping wood, starting fires, and emptying chamber pots were common tasks.

If you happen to have a bad-tempered master, beatings and scoldings will be commonplace.

Thinking about all this, He Daqing felt sorry for his son who was too young. After much deliberation, he decided to wait another two years before making a decision.

If He Yuzhu knew what his father was thinking right now, he would definitely roll his eyes on the spot:

You should save your breath!

The real thing is to hand over all those recipes and secret formulas you've been hiding.

Once I've mastered it, I'll find a master to teach me. Then I'll show off my amazing skills, and I won't need to do any odd jobs anymore. It'll just take a little effort at most.

Of course, He Yuzhu had a little plan in mind that he absolutely couldn't tell his father—he was someone with a golden touch, and all he lacked right now was the secret recipe and the cookbook.

While there are advantages to apprenticing oneself to a master, these days it's all about having a legitimate teacher. Without a renowned master to guide you, even if you have excellent skills, it's difficult to achieve great success in this field.

Just as He Yuzhu and Xu Damao finished washing the pots and pans, Zhao Cuifeng came in from outside and urged Xu Damao to go home quickly.

She felt somewhat guilty about spending all her time in other people's homes.

After Xu Damao left, He Daqing first took the deaf old lady home.

When he returned and entered the house, he saw He Yuzhu sitting in the inner room, so he asked:

Why aren't you in a hurry to go back to your second room today?

What? You think my son has been staying home too long and you're in a hurry to get rid of him?

Upon hearing this, Chen Shuxiang immediately became unhappy.

No way! Didn't this kid keep complaining about being tired the other day?

He was busy catching sparrows and cooking today, and I was worried he would get tired.

Hmph, it won't make a difference if it's just a little while longer.

Zhu Zi is here because he has something he wants to tell you.

What could he possibly have to say? Why didn't he say anything at the dinner table?

He Daqing...

Okay, okay, Zhu Zi, you go ahead and tell me slowly.

Father, you need to go to the front yard.

Before He Yuzhu could finish speaking, He Daqing interrupted him directly:

What are you going to do in the front yard in the dark? Do you want this old man to go outside and freeze?

He Daqing, shut up! Can't you let your son finish what he has to say?

Speak, speak! Speak freely!

Um... I hid something inside the snowman I built at the entrance of the east wing in the front yard.

Hiding something? What are you hiding? A dead sparrow?

You're thinking about this? Are you saving it for your mother to nourish her body tomorrow? Or is it a snack for Da Mao?

mother……

Chen Shuxiang stretched out her index finger and poked He Daqing's forehead hard:

I told you to listen carefully, but you just kept talking on and on!

Zhu Zi, why don't you just not tell your dad and go get it yourself tonight?

"This thing has to be picked up by Dad, and people have to see that it was Dad who brought it back." He Yuzhu shook his head.

"What on earth is it? Why are you being so mysterious?" He Daqing was increasingly puzzled.

"It's nothing much, just two baby bottles, a can of formula, some brown sugar, and a few diapers."

"It's nothing, just bring it back yourself! What milk powder? Cough cough cough!"

Upon hearing this, He Daqing was stunned and coughed repeatedly.

"yes!"

"Really? Where did you get this?"

Don't tell me you did something bad!

Even your old man can't get his hands on that stuff; the Japanese and those foreign devils simply won't sell it to us.

"Well... I went to give Dr. Lin my consultation fee today, and I just casually mentioned that my mother isn't producing milk."

Seeing that I paid a generous consultation fee, Dr. Lin recommended a place, so I made a special trip there.

He Daqing was utterly incredulous upon hearing this.

These days, what doctor is so kind-hearted?

The consultation fee has already been paid. Where did you get the money to buy these things?

These items are not cheap!

Are you sure you didn't do anything illegal or criminal?

If you really did it, you should honestly confess to your father as soon as possible.

At least I know a couple of people at the police station.

He Yuzhu gave He Daqing a dismissive look, but secretly muttered to himself.

Can't Dad just wish me well a little more?

I did do that, but it was a "big deal" that even you couldn't cover up.

Don't even mention you, even if the police chief himself came, he still wouldn't be able to handle it.

"Money? I found it on the street."

"Found it?"

Upon hearing this, He Daqing immediately exploded.

I work hard every day, but I haven't even found a single penny.

He Daqing suddenly stood up and grabbed the feather duster from the corner of the wall.

Earlier, with Chen Shuxiang stopping and holding him back, he was able to barely manage to ask a few more questions.

But now, no matter how much he asked, he couldn't get a single truth out of him, and his anger suddenly flared up.

I just want to teach this arrogant and ignorant son a lesson.

"Dad, what are you doing? Are you really going to hit me?"

"I'm beating you up, you ignorant brat!"

Just a couple of days ago you seemed a little more sensible, but I never expected you to cause me such a huge mess in the blink of an eye!

If I don't teach you a lesson, are you going to become unruly and lawless?

Before he could finish speaking, the feather duster whistled through the air and swung fiercely at him.

He Yuzhu was as agile as a wildcat; with a slight turn of his body, he easily dodged the attack.

"I haven't done anything heinous or immoral, so what right do you have to hit me?"

"So, you actually dare to hide?"

When He Daqing saw him dodge away, he became even angrier and his face changed color.

"He Daqing! If you dare lay a finger on my son today, I'll fight you to the death!"

The father and son acted so quickly that Chen Shuxiang didn't have time to react and couldn't stop them at all.

Seeing that He Daqing was about to strike again, Chen Shuxiang felt extremely distressed.

These past two days, her son has been trying all sorts of ways to bring her delicious food and useful things to show his respect.

It's one thing for a father not to praise his child, but he actually hits him.

She simply couldn't swallow this insult.

"Ouch..."

As soon as Chen Shuxiang got up in a hurry, the movement was too large, which aggravated the wound on her lower body.

A sharp pain struck, and her forehead instantly broke out in a thick layer of cold sweat.

"Mother! Mother, what's wrong?"

When He Yuzhu saw his mother's pale face and pained expression, he panicked immediately.

"Honey, please don't move around. Lie down and don't strain."

Upon seeing this, He Daqing immediately composed himself and concealed his fierce expression.

He turned his head and glared fiercely at He Yuzhu.

The meaning in his eyes couldn't be clearer: You just wait, I'll settle the score with you later!

To everyone's surprise, He Yuzhu calmly and respectfully bowed to him with his hands clasped in a respectful gesture.

She even winked at him, looking smug.

He Daqing was taken aback by his sudden action.

He thought to himself, "Does this kid want to have a match with me, to spar a bit?"

Alright, then let this kid see what it's all about.

Old ginger is spicier, and your father will always be your father. You'll have to be obedient and submissive for the rest of your life.

This seemingly loving father and filial son scene naturally did not escape Chen Shuxiang's eyes.

She took a deep look at her son, and a mocking smile involuntarily crept onto her lips.

When she turned to look at He Daqing again, her eyes were full of amusement and a desire to see more drama unfold.

This is clearly the son trying to "control" his father.

She should sit still and watch this good show.

He Daqing was busy comforting his wife and didn't notice the change in her expression at all.

He glared fiercely at He Yuzhu, then turned around and gently blew on his wife's skin, carefully massaging her.

After a long period of running around, it was finally possible to calm Chen Shuxiang down a little.

After the two of them discussed how to secretly move those "treasures" into the house, they decided to proceed.

He Daqing gritted his teeth and squeezed out each word from between his teeth to say to He Yuzhu.

"Pillar, come on, take me to see the treasures you've hidden away."

"If you dare to lay a finger on my son again, don't even think about stepping into this house."

"Pillar, let your father figure it out by himself."

Chen Shuxiang, lying on the bed, suddenly interjected, her tone full of unquestionable protectiveness.

"Mom, don't worry, my dad is just eager to get the things, he definitely won't hit me."

He Yuzhu spoke with a playful smile, gently comforting his mother.

"Silly boy, don't be afraid of him."

"If he dares to hit you, just run back as fast as you can."

"After he ran back, my daughter and I immediately bolted the door shut and sent him to sleep alone on a cold bench in the side room!"

Chen Shuxiang spoke firmly, making it clear that she was going to stand by her son to the end.

Hearing his wife's words about siding with outsiders, He Daqing felt as if he had a mouthful of blood stuck in his throat, unable to go up or down.

Is this still my usual gentle, virtuous, and considerate daughter-in-law?

The father and son walked out of the room one after the other.

He Daqing was about to pretend nothing was wrong and put his arm around He Yuzhu's shoulder to get closer to him.

He muttered slowly, "Zhu Zi, have you forgotten? There are still some things I haven't explained to your father."

Unexpectedly, He Yuzhu's shoulders slumped and trembled slightly, his body sliding as smoothly as a swimming fish.

He then took two large strides, instantly creating a distance of more than a meter.

He Daqing's hand was left frozen in mid-air, unsure whether to drop it or retract it, leaving him in an extremely awkward position.

"Father, everything I just said is the truth. If you really don't believe me, then I really have no other choice."

He Yuzhu spread his hands, his face full of innocence and helplessness.

"Alright, you little rascal, you've really gotten clever. You've learned to outsmart and outmaneuver your own father, haven't you?"

He Daqing was easily freed by him, and was stunned for a moment before narrowing his eyes.

A hint of ruthlessness flickered in his eyes, clearly indicating that he felt this son was indeed capable enough to warrant serious action.

"Come on, to the front yard. Today I'm going to show you just how bold your father really is."

"Father, please go first!"

He Yuzhu still had a smiling face and even raised his hand to make a respectful gesture of deference.

The two arrived at the front yard, but He Daqing was not in a hurry to look at the so-called "treasure".

A cold smile curled at the corner of his lips, and he began to scold, "Were you being too polite to me inside the house just now?"

You still dare to talk to me about sparring? Today I'll show you everything.